Antarctica Expeditions | 2026–27 Season Preview

There are places on this planet where time loosens its grip. Where silence feels alive, light behaves differently, and the natural world — not the clock — sets the rhythm of each day.

Antarctica is one of those places.

Reaching it under sail deepens the experience immeasurably. You don’t arrive as a spectator, flown in and out between fixed points. You earn the journey — crossing the Drake Passage aboard a traditional square-rigged sailing vessel, standing watch, learning the ropes, and settling into the shared cadence of life at sea before stepping ashore on the most remote continent on Earth.

For the 2026/27 Antarctic summer, one of our Dutch tall ship expedition partners is offering four distinct voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, each aligned with a different phase of the season. While every departure promises ice, wildlife and awe in abundance, when you go subtly shapes how Antarctica reveals itself.

Below, we explore what makes each moment special.

But first – a look at your expedition vessel! This tall ship is a rare thing in modern expedition travel: a true, ocean-going tall ship built for the world’s wild places. Larissa sailed transatlantic aboard for her Centenary year between Spain and Brazil … it was the catalyst for creating Another World Adventures so we can vouch for how epic she is.

Originally constructed in 1911 and later transformed into a three-masted, steel-hulled barque, she combines historic character with serious seakeeping ability.

Ice-strengthened, immensely strong and designed for long ocean passages, she is sailed using traditional seamanship — meaning guests are not passengers but active crew.

That hands-on rhythm, combined with her proven Antarctic track record, makes her uniquely suited to voyages where the crossing matters as much as the destination.

Early Summer: Where the Season Begins

Early December 2026

Early December marks Antarctica’s quiet awakening. After months of winter darkness, the continent emerges into light — pristine, freshly sculpted by ice and wind.

Penguin colonies come alive with courtship rituals and nest building. The air fills with sound and movement as eggs are laid and carefully guarded. For wildlife lovers, this is a rare chance to witness the very beginning of the breeding cycle — a moment of anticipation rather than abundance.

Sea ice often lingers longer at this time of year, shaping routes and landings and reinforcing the sense that you are arriving at the very edge of the navigable world.

For those drawn to first encounters, untouched landscapes and the feeling of being present at the beginning, this voyage offers Antarctica in its most elemental state.

High Summer: Connection at the End of the World

Late December 2026 – Mid January 2027

High summer brings long days, softened light and a powerful sense of presence.

This voyage carries a unique emotional resonance. Christmas is celebrated at sea; the New Year is welcomed among ice, pastel horizons and a close-knit community of fellow voyagers. Removed from routines and distractions, moments of reflection come naturally — not by design, but by place.

Wildlife activity is increasing, landings are rich with sensory detail, and the shared experience of marking these milestones together forges connections that often endure long after the voyage ends.

For travellers who value meaning as much as movement, this is Antarctica as a shared human experience.

Peak Summer: Antarctica in Motion

Mid January – Early February 2027

January is Antarctica at its most dynamic.

Penguin colonies are in full swing, chicks beginning to explore their world. Whales glide alongside the ship, feeding actively in nutrient-rich waters. The sun barely dips below the horizon, stretching days long into exploration, sailing and discovery.

On board, the ship feels alive with activity. Guests are not passengers but participants — helping set sails, standing lookout, learning traditional seamanship and becoming part of the working rhythm of the vessel.

This is a voyage defined by energy — in the wildlife, the light, and the collective sense of discovery. For first-time Antarctic travellers seeking the fullest expression of summer life, this window is often the most sought after.

Late Summer: Ever-Changing Skies

February 2027

As summer draws toward its close, Antarctica softens.

The light changes first — longer shadows, warmer tones, dramatic contrasts on icebergs and glaciers that photographers dream of. The pace feels quieter, more intimate.

Penguin chicks take their first tentative swims. Fur seals explore the shoreline. Whales remain active, feeding before beginning their long migrations north.

There is a sense of stillness to late summer — a feeling that Antarctica is revealing itself personally, rather than performing. For those drawn to atmosphere, light and contemplative travel, this voyage holds a quiet, lingering magic.

Life on Board: Sailing, Seamanship and Shared Purpose

The voyage is as much about the journey as the destination.

Life on board follows the traditions of deep-water sailing: watch systems, shared responsibilities, sail handling and a strong sense of collective purpose. Days are shaped by weather, ice and opportunity rather than rigid itineraries.

This is not luxury cruising. Comfort is warm, functional and purposeful. What you gain instead is immersion — the feeling of being part of a real expedition, crossing the Southern Ocean under sail, arriving in Antarctica with salt still on your jacket and wind still in your hair.

For many, this is what transforms the experience from travel into something far more lasting.

Is This Trip For You?

This voyage tends to suit travellers who:

• Are curious, capable and comfortable being part of a working sailing vessel

• Like the idea of learning traditional seamanship and standing watch

• Value immersion over indulgence — experience over ease

• Are happy with plans shaped by weather, ice and opportunity rather than rigid schedules

• Want Antarctica to feel earned, not delivered

• Enjoy shared purpose, shared meals and a strong expedition culture

It may not be the right fit if you:

• Prefer luxury cruising or hotel-style service

• Want guaranteed daily landings or tightly controlled itineraries

• Are uneasy with cold, wind, motion or the realities of ocean sailing

• Would rather observe than participate

This is Antarctica as an expedition — deeply rewarding, occasionally demanding, and unforgettable for those who thrive in it.

Looking Ahead: Beyond the Peninsula

This vessel’s 2026/27 Antarctic season will conclude with an extended Cape-to-Cape sailing expedition, departing in March 2027. This ambitious voyage will sail from South America to Antarctica, onward to South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha, before continuing toward the African coast. Full details will be released separately. Get in touch with Larissa for more details or register your interest.

Planning Your Antarctic Voyage

Bookings for this vessel’s 2026/27 Antarctica season open Tuesday 13 January at 13:00 CET, and demand varies significantly by departure window.

If this voyage has sparked your interest, the best first step is to make an enquiry via the Another World Adventures Enquiry Form. Remember to include the dates you are interested in joining in your enquiry message.

*At the time of writing the 2025/26 season is in full swing and there are a few lucky spots available on board due to cancellations. See 2025/26 dates here!

We’ve been helping sailors join these expeditions for a decade and can really help guide you to the right voyage. From there, we’ll share full voyage details, and connect you directly with the expedition crew office.

There’s no obligation — just clear, honest guidance to help you decide whether this is the right Antarctica for you, and the right moment to go.

Experience is everything. And few experiences compare to setting sail for the end of the world.