Antarctica Yacht Charters
Luxury Yacht Charter in Antarctica, South Georgia, Chile and/or Argentina
Journey to one of the world’s most unique destinations.
Please contact us for charter yachts.
Getting there:
- With a private yacht charter, you can fly to Punta Arenas, Chile on the mainland – and from there board a special BAE146 aircraft cleared to land on the gravel runway to King George Island, Antarctica.
- Alternately, board your yacht on the mainland, but then you must cross Drake Passage, which can range from flat calm to quite spirited, to reach Antarctica. Our charter clients once elected to forgo their return flights to Punta Arenas, and while crossing Drake Passage they had Orca whales surfing the bow wave!
Antarctica Sample Itinerary
King George Island – Paradise Harbor – Penguin Island – King George Island
Day 1
King George Island (Maxwell Bay)
Embarkation day. King George Island is sometimes called Antarctica’s unofficial capital, thanks to the eight national winter stations crowded onto it. King George Island is also the largest island of the South Shetlands. St Trinity, the first Orthodox church in Antarctica, is located at Russia’s Bellinghausen station in Maxwell Bay.
Day 2
Deception Island
During the night we’ll be sailing through the Bransfield Strait towards Deception Island. Deception Island is a collapsed volcanic cone with a narrow 230m wide break in the volcano’s walls known as Neptune’s Bellows. As the yacht proceeds through this narrow channel in the morning you’ll notice the striking colors of the rock faces on either side. We’ll land at Whalers Bay on a black-sand beach cloaked in mysterious white clouds of sulfur scented steam. Those with cold feet need only to dig their boots into the sand to warm them from the heat escaping from subterranean volcanic vents. The island’s sloping, snow-covered walls, which reach 580m, tower above the beach. Wander around the ruins of a whaling station established in 1906, which once was an important economic activity and part of Antarctica’s history. Alternatively doff your parka and go bathing in the thermally heated waters of Pendulum Cove.
Day 3 & 4
Neumayer Channel and Port Lockroy
Throughout the night we’ll sail via Croker Passage and Gerlache Strait to the entrance of Neumayer Channel and proceed through this scenic channel towards Port Lockroy to visit Base A, the former British station-turned-museum. Close to Port Lockroy is the gentoo rookery at Jougla Point, where other highlights include blue-eyed shags and a composite whale skeleton reconstructed on the shore.
Day 4 & 5
Paradise Harbor
In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Paradise Harbor where we’ll take out the tender for a spin around the ice calved from the glacier at the head of the bay. You may pass beneath blue-eyed shags nesting on the cliffs, which can be colored blue-green by copper deposits, emerald green by moss and orange or yellow by lichens. Paradise Harbor is undeniably beautiful with its majestic icebergs and reflections in the water of the surrounding mountains.
Day 5
Andvord Bay and Neko Harbor
Deep inside Andvord Bay is located Neko Harbor, which is on Antarctica itself. Now we’ve officially set foot on the continent. The glacier across from the landing site often calves with a thunderous roar, offering dramatic video footage if we’re lucky enough. As you gaze out over Neko’s iceberg-filled waters, consider how American long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox must have felt when she swam nearly 2km in the 0.5°C waters here. In the evening we’ll navigate back again through Gerlache Strait and Croker Passage towards Hannah Point.
Day 6 & 7
Hannah Point
In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Hannah Point where we’ll stay until the next morning. Hannah Point is famous for its large Chinstrap and Gentoo rookeries and the occasional Macaroni pair nesting among them. On a hill above the Hannah Point landing beach, a prominent red vein of jasper runs through the rock. From this lookout, you can survey a sheltered beach on the opposite side of the point where Elephant Seals bask and young male Fur Seals spar.
Day 7 & 8
Yankee Harbor
Day 8 & 9
Penguin Island and Turret Point
Just offshore from Turret Point is Penguin Island. While there are many islands with penguins scattered throughout the Antarctic, Penguin Island’s pedigree is longer than most. You may see Chinstrap and Adélie penguins here. Penguin Island’s highest point is the 170m Deacon Peak with an extensive crater at the summit. It’s easy to climb, and so many people do that a path is worn into the ground early each season. There’s also a melt water lake in a former volcanic crater. Turret Point takes its name from a group of prominent high rock stacks above the beach, a nesting area for Antarctic terns. You’ll also find Chinstraps, Adélies, blue-eyed shags and southern Giant petrels.
Day 9 & 10
King George Island (Maxwell Bay)
Debarkation day. Experience the rustic environment and way of life for the people calling Antarctica their home. Farewell to Antarctica.
