When we dreamed of setting foot on the 7th Continent, we knew it had to be an adventure of a lifetime—and our journey with Quark Expeditions delivered in every way possible! From the jaw-dropping landscapes to the close encounters with penguins, seals, and whales, this Antarctica Expedition Cruise was the perfect blend of thrill, discovery, and awe-inspiring beauty.
In this blog post we are giving you a glimpse into our epic adventure with Quark Expeditions and giving you all the information you need to plan your own Antarctic expedition!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links
Why We Chose To Travel With Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions specializes in polar adventures, and it shows. Their commitment to safety, sustainability, and creating unforgettable experiences set them apart. From their small-group Zodiac excursions to their knowledgeable guides, everything is designed to maximize your time in this pristine wilderness.
We also appreciated their focus on sustainability, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the magic of Antarctica. Knowing that they adhere to strict environmental guidelines made our journey even more meaningful!
Click here to read more about Quark Expeditions voyages and pricing!
When To Travel To Antarctica
Antarctica is only accessible during its summer months, from November to March.
During this time, the ice melts just enough to allow ships to navigate through the region, and the wildlife is at its most active. With nearly 24 hours of daylight, summer provides optimal conditions for exploring the icy landscapes, spotting penguins and seals, and witnessing whales as they migrate to the nutrient-rich waters. The unique seasonal accessibility adds to the sense of adventure, making every moment in Antarctica even more precious.
Preparing for an Antarctic Expedition Cruise
Antarctica’s extreme environment calls for thoughtful preparation. Here are some tips we found invaluable:
- Gear Up: Quark Expedition guests receive a complimentary parka to keep, while muck boots are loaned for the duration of the voyage. You should also bring thermal base layers, waterproof pants (these are mandatory), waterproof gloves, warm hats, and a good pair of sunglasses to combat the glare from the ice!
- Pack Smart: A dry bag is a lifesaver for Zodiac landings. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen! Even on the most overcast of days, the risk of sun exposure is high.
- Health & Safety: Seasickness can hit hard during the Drake Passage, so pack motion sickness medication or patches. Quark Expeditions’ crew is also well-prepared to make your journey as smooth as possible.
- Camera Gear: The landscapes and wildlife are like nowhere else on Earth. Bring a good camera and extra batteries (they drain faster in the cold). We also recommend bringing a case for your phone with a wrist strap! We had a guest drop her phone off the side of a Zodiac the first day which was incredibly sad, so come prepared!
Want to know everything that we packed? You can read more tips and tricks here!
How To Get To Antarctica
Your journey to the 7th Continent starts long before the icy landscapes come into view. The gateway to Antarctica is Ushuaia, Argentina. It is often referred to as the southernmost city in the world or city at the end of the world.
Here’s how we made it happen:
Get To Buenos Aires: The first part of your journey will likely take you to Buenos Aires where you will want to spend a day or two before flying onward. We flew from Toronto to Buenos Aires and enjoyed a few days exploring the city and enjoying their summer weather.
Fly into Ushuaia: Most Quark Expeditions itineraries start in Buenos Aires and include a group charter flight to Ushuaia—that’s included in the price of the trip. The flight itself is stunning, with views of rugged mountains and glacial landscapes as you approach Ushuaia. There were views on both the left and right side of the plane so you won’t miss out either way.
Explore Ushuaia: Arrive a couple of days early to explore the city and acclimate. Ushuaia is a hidden gem, offering activities like hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park and sailing on the Beagle Channel. We spent some time exploring the downtown area where there are some great shops and restaurants. We also took the local bus to hike Laguna Esmeralda which was a great experience. With your expedition with Quark Expeditions, one night accommodation in Ushuaia is included. You can attend the optional briefing the night before you board the ship to fully prepare for your expedition. Also, ensure you arrive on time so you don’t miss your boarding!
Boarding the Ship: The adventure truly begins when you board your Quark Expeditions vessel. You will get more information on the boarding process during the briefing the night before you board. Their team is with you every step of the way, making the boarding process seamless and exciting! We were even welcomed with champagne as we stepped into the lounge of the ship!
Quark Expeditions’ Newest Ship: The Ocean Explorer
Quark Expeditions has 3 expedition ships that make the voyage to the Antarctic region. One of which they recently added to their fleet and is the state-of-the-art Ocean Explorer. We got to be on the second voyage for this ship with Quark Expeditions! This ship is absolutely stunning and truly redefines luxury and exploration in polar travel. This modern vessel offers:
Advanced Stability Features: This ship has a ULSTEIN X-BOW®. This is a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow.
Spacious Cabins: The ship has a variety of cabin options. We had the pleasure of staying in a Veranda Stateroom. The Stateroom was not only spacious, but also had a large veranda to enjoy morning coffee on as we sailed by Icebergs.
World-Class Amenities: From gourmet dining options to a wellness center with a spa, sauna, and fitness facilities, the Ocean Explorer ensures comfort at every turn. The show stopper is the two story library at the bow of the ship with beautiful windows. Another incredible feature is the jacuzzi tubs with epic views on deck 7.
Enhanced Exploration Tools: The ship features Zodiac boats, sea kayaks and inflatable kayaks. These allowed for unique perspectives and access to remote locations.
Stay Connected: The ship has a free wifi package and premium wifi packages available!
You can read more about the ship, its features and the voyages it will be embarking on here! You can also check out their other ships the Ultramarine and the World Explorer on their website.
Our Experience on the Quark Expeditions
Once aboard, the sense of adventure was palpable. Quark Expeditions excels at creating an experience that’s both luxurious and deeply connected to nature.
Here are some highlights from our journey and what you can expect on your own expedition!
Crossing the Drake Passage:
It takes roughly 2 days to cross what is considered some of the “wildest waters in the world.” The Drake Passage can seem daunting to cross and is often a barrier for people wanting to visit the 7th Continent. Please don’t let this stop you from taking the trip of a lifetime.
We were lucky and got what is referred to as “The Drake Lake” which was between 2-6 metre swells. If you get seasick easily, we definitely recommend bringing some type of remedy whether it is the patches or oral medication. Quark Expeditions has an onboard physician that can assist with seasickness as well! I (Kaylee) got sick on our way back and the doctor visited our room and provided me with a medication that helped me feel better in a few hours!
The Expedition Team on the ship offered engaging and informative lectures. They also had activities to pass the time as well as bridge tours! There is also a spa, fitness centre and sauna on board (dependent on the ship). Other areas on our ship included a library, a bar and shop on board to keep you busy.
We treated ourselves to a massage at the spa (which were surprisingly affordable). Getting a massage while crossing the Drake Passage was not something we expected to do in our lifetime. However, it’s a bucket list item we recommend everyone to add who hopes to visit Antarctica!
Our Week Exploring Antarctica
Our Biggest Piece of Advice: If we can give you one piece of advice before visiting Antarctica, it would be to come with an open mind and patience. Antarctica, even in the summer months, can have unpredictable weather and can alter the stops and itinerary during your trip.
The Quark Expeditions team will provide a tentative daily schedule during your evening debrief the night before. They also will have it printed and hung by the elevators with the stops for the next day and whether it is a Zodiac cruise or a landing. We did have a quite a bit of ice at a few of our designated landing sites during our expedition. With that, there were a few days where we did Zodiac cruises instead of landing. However, it offered some unique perspectives and we even got to see Humpback Whales during a few cruises.
We also want you to keep in mind that wildlife in Antarctica—whales, penguins, seals, and birds—appear unpredictably, often showing up when you least expect them too. So again, we recommend going into the expedition with an open mind and patience to make the best of your experience.
What to expect during your expedition
Zodiac Cruising: During our first days on the ship we signed ourselves up into coloured groups (Red Group, Blue Group, Green Group, Etc). The staff will invite each group of guests—identified by their group name or colour—to come down to the mudroom and put on the appropriate gear for Zodiac cruises and shore landings.
Zodiac Cruising was a great way to explore a vast area. Each Zodiac boat has an expedition team member that guides you through the area. We managed to have a different team member for every one of our Zodiac Cruises which we thought was great because each one has a unique background and offers different information and perspectives on each area we visited.
Wildlife encounters
Wildlife Encounters: The wildlife was beyond our wildest dreams. Whether it was while we were on a zodiac cruise or when we landed and walked around, our group was very lucky and enjoyed some incredible wildlife sightings. We visited Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, and we even got to see Adelie Penguins which were pretty rare to see at the sites we visited. No matter how many penguins we saw, they were incredibly entertaining to observe. We saw a few different types of seals basking on floating ice or taking a nap in the snow. We also were very lucky to see Humpback Whales and Orcas during our expedition. The captain turned the entire ship around to go back and see the Orcas which is a true testament to how much the Quark Expeditions team cares and wants their guests to have the best experience possible.
Landing on Antarctica
Landing on the Continent: Stepping onto Antarctic soil for the first time felt surreal. This was our 7th and final Continent to visit so it was an extra special milestone for us and many others on the ship. At the Continental landing the team brought out the Antarctica Flag to take pictures with and a team member to assist you in capturing the memories.
The Polar Plunge: Deemed a right of passage for a polar expedition, the Polar Plunge was an exciting moment for us. Out of the 136 guests onboard our ship, over 90 did the Polar Plunge which we were told is a great turnout! The team had fun music going to get everyone excited while they waited for their turn. After you did the plunge, you were rewarded with a badge that said you did it and a hot chocolate (with or without Irish cream)! We definitely recommend visiting the sauna or hot tubs after your plunge!
Adventure Options on The Ocean Explorer
Quark Expeditions offers a variety of adventure options to make your Antarctic journey even more memorable. They sell out quickly so make sure to sign up for them as soon as you can! Here are some of the exciting activities you can try:
Sea Kayaking: This program is a great opportunity to be surrounded by towering icebergs and curious wildlife. It’s an intimate and serene way to experience the magic of Antarctica. To enter the Sea Kayaking program, they do recommend having some prior experience. The sea kayakers will go out every opportunity they get throughout the entire voyage so be prepared for a lot of great adventures!
Camping: Spend a night on the icy continent under a blanket of stars and in a sleeping bag. This once-in-a-lifetime experience connects you deeply with the untouched wilderness under the supervision of the Quark team.
Paddle Excursion: Set off in an inflatable and sturdy two person kayak to paddle through pristine waters in Antarctica. This excursion requires no prior experience and is offered as a one time excursion to make incredible memories. We had the opportunity to partake in this adventure option and we absolutely loved it!
Final Thoughts
Antarctica is like nowhere else on Earth—a vast, untouched wilderness that leaves you humbled and inspired. Our expedition cruise with Quark Expeditions was the perfect way to experience this extraordinary place, and we can’t recommend it enough. Whether it’s stepping onto the continent for the first time, hearing the cacophony of a penguin colony, or simply standing in awe of an endless horizon of ice, Antarctica will stay with you forever.
Ready to plan your own Antarctic adventure? Let us know in the comments and head over to Quark Expeditions to start planning.
And don’t forget to check out our Instagram page @theglobewanderers for all the behind-the-scenes moments from our journey. Happy exploring!
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