Ushuaia It's the departure city for most Antarctic cruises from around the world . And that's no coincidence: it's the closest inhabited point to the white continent, separated only by the Drake Passage. Cruises to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Chilean Patagonia also depart from there . By That's why the city is the base for the most sought-after expeditions on the planet, all concentrated in the same season and the same port of departure.
This guide features five cruises to southern Argentina, allowing you to compare routes, duration, and season before booking. You'll find everything from the classic Antarctic cruise to longer itineraries including the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, as well as sailing between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas . Each cruise is designed for a different type of trip, depending on the number of days you have available and how far you want to explore within the region.
If you already know what type of cruise you're interested in, you can directly check cruises departing from Ushuaia . There you can choose the date and itinerary that best suits your trip. Before going into detail about each one, this table summarizes the 5 cruises in this guide so you can compare them at a glance:
Reference durations; you can confirm the exact itinerary of each departure at the time of booking.
The Drake Passage: the journey to Antarctica
The Drake Passage is the stretch of open water between Ushuaia and Antarctica, and crossing it is a central part of any Antarctic cruise experience. The crossing takes between one and a half and two days each way.
Its reputation for rough seas is not exaggerated. Being the only point where the ocean surrounds the planet without any landmass, the currents and winds can generate very strong waves. That's why people commonly talk about facing a possible storm. "Giant wave" on an Antarctic cruise.
However, on most crossings the sea remains within normal parameters for an expedition vessel, and days of extreme swell are the exception rather than the rule.
Most ships on this route have medical staff on board and offer seasickness medication. If you are particularly prone to seasickness, it's best to book a cabin in the central part of the ship, where the movement is less noticeable .
Once through the passage, the waters within the South Shetland archipelago and the Antarctic Peninsula itself are generally much calmer . This area is protected by the coastal topography, allowing for normal navigation and landings for the remainder of the journey.
Classic Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia
The most popular itinerary for first-time travelers is the classic Ushuaia Antarctica cruise, lasting between 10 and 11 days , which sails directly to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, without intermediate stops in other archipelagos.
It is the most direct way to get to know the continent, with the greatest number of days dedicated exclusively to landings in Antarctica itself, and for this reason it is usually also the recommended option for those who are going for the first time and want to maximize their time on Antarctic land versus their sailing time.
During these days, the ship sails at night between different points of the peninsula and its nearby islands, while the mornings and afternoons are dedicated to zodiac excursions: landings in penguin colonies (gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie, depending on the area), sailing among icebergs and, on the ships that offer it, the possibility of camping a night on the ice, kayaking among icebergs or, in the more adventurous itineraries, cross-country skiing trips on virgin snow.
Classic Antarctica Cruise Itinerary
The classic Antarctic cruise departs from the port of Ushuaia, crosses the Drake Passage in approximately two days, and dedicates the rest of the itinerary to sailing and disembarking at different points in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, before crossing the Drake again back to Ushuaia.
It is the go-to option for those who want to explore Antarctica without adding extra destinations, with the shortest (and generally most affordable) itinerary among Antarctic expeditions.
Cruises to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands
For those with more days available, there is the option of combining Antarctica with the Falkland Islands and, on longer itineraries, South Georgia, a sub-Antarctic archipelago known for its massive king penguin colonies and for being the last destination of explorer Ernest Shackleton, buried on the island after his historic early 20th-century expedition.
These extended itineraries typically last between 18 and 23 days, as they include crossing the Drake Passage and several days of sailing between archipelagos separated by hundreds of kilometers of open ocean. In return, they offer a much greater diversity of wildlife and landscapes than a classic cruise: the Falkland Islands boast king and rockhopper penguin colonies, as well as a strong British historical identity in Port Stanley, while South Georgia features glaciers, elephant seals, and some of the largest seabird colonies in the Southern Hemisphere, with beaches where hundreds of thousands of king penguins coexist during a single breeding season.
Due to the length of these itineraries, it is advisable to book them well in advance: the expedition ships that travel this route have limited capacity (generally between 100 and 200 passengers), and the most sought-after dates of the season usually sell out months in advance.
Cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise covers all three destinations on a single extended itinerary, with several days at sea between each archipelago and daily disembarkations upon arrival. Within this category, it is one of the most comprehensive tours for those who want to experience all the sub-Antarctic wildlife of the region in one trip, from the king penguins of South Georgia to those of the Antarctic continent itself.
Solar eclipse in the Falkland Islands and Antarctica
A special variant within this same category is the solar eclipse cruise in the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula , designed to coincide with the exact date of a solar eclipse visible from this region. Since this departure is tied to a specific astronomical event, the dates don't occur every year, so it's advisable to confirm the next available cruise before planning the rest of your trip around that date. For passengers on board, witnessing a total solar eclipse in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean, surrounded by icebergs and with the possibility of encountering local wildlife near the ship, is one of the most exclusive experiences in the entire catalog of polar cruises.
Antarctic cruise season from Ushuaia
The cruise schedule from Ushuaia to Antarctica is concentrated between November and March, coinciding with the austral summer, when the sea ice recedes enough to allow safe navigation and landings on land.
Within that window, each month offers a different profile: November and December show the snowiest landscape and the courtship of the penguins, with pairs building nests and defending territory; January and February bring the already grown chicks and more whale activity, which arrive to feed in Antarctic waters during these months; and March closes the season with shorter days but landscapes of a particular color, before the ice again closes the way to the austral winter.
Outside of this five-month window, virtually no cruises to Antarctica operate from Ushuaia, as ice and sunlight conditions do not permit it. Therefore, unlike other destinations in this guide, the travel date to Antarctica is not as flexible: it is advisable to plan well in advance within those specific months of the year.
Cruises through southern Patagonia from Ushuaia
Not all cruises south of Argentina end in Antarctica. Another set of itineraries travels along the southern tip of the American continent, connecting Ushuaia with Punta Arenas, Chile, via the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan, two of the most historic shipping routes in all of South America, explored by European explorers since the 16th century.
These cruises are shorter than Antarctic cruises (between 4 and 9 days, depending on the itinerary) and do not cross the Drake Passage, making them a more affordable and physically demanding option for those who prioritize Patagonian wildlife and scenery over the specific experience of the Antarctic continent. They are also a good alternative for those with fewer days available or who prefer to avoid crossing the open sea altogether.
Exploring Patagonia from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
The Patagonian cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas sails through the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan, with landings at tidewater glaciers, the penguin colony on Magdalena Island, and, weather permitting, at the legendary Cape Horn. This landing depends entirely on sea conditions and is described by many tour operators as one of the greatest achievements of any Patagonian cruise, as only a fraction of the passengers who attempt it each year manage to set foot there. The rest of the itinerary explores narrow fjords flanked by snow-capped mountains, with sightings of humpback whales and southern right whale dolphins for much of the austral summer.
Darwin Route from Ushuaia
The Darwin Route cruise from Ushuaia generally follows part of the journey Charles Darwin made aboard the HMS Beagle during the 19th century through this same region, with stops at points of historical and natural interest along the Beagle Channel and its surroundings. It's an interesting option for those who want to add a historical and scientific context to the landscape, beyond the wildlife and glacier observations common to other Patagonian itineraries. Guides explain during the trip what Darwin himself observed at each stage of the journey, more than a century and a half ago.
Another Antarctic cruise: the Weddell Sea route
As a fifth option within this guide, there is a less traveled variant than the classic routes to the Antarctic Peninsula: the itineraries that go into the Weddell Sea , on the east side of the peninsula, known for its large tabular icebergs and for being one of the areas with the highest concentration of sea ice in the entire region, which in years of good conditions allows you to see landscapes very different from those of the classic circuit on the west side, with ice formations that can reach several kilometers in length.
This area is also known for its historical connection with Ernest Shackleton's expedition aboard the Endurance, whose ship became trapped and eventually sank in the waters of this same sea in 1915, one of the most remembered episodes of the Antarctic exploration era.
Beyond the Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea cruise also departs from Ushuaia and crosses the Drake Passage, but instead of concentrating on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, it seeks to delve into this eastern sector, always conditioned by the state of the sea ice at the time of the trip.
For this reason, it is an expedition designed for travelers who already know the classic Antarctic route, or who prioritize the possibility of seeing ice landscapes less photographed than those of the usual circuit, even at the cost of greater uncertainty about the final itinerary, since the captain and the expedition team adjust the route day by day according to the actual ice conditions.
With these 5 options, you now have a complete overview of the main cruises to southern Argentina : from the classic Antarctic cruise to combinations with the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, passing through southern Patagonia between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas.
Why do people go to Antarctica on cruise ships?
Antarctica has no commercial airports or infrastructure for land-based tourism, and its territory is protected by the Antarctic Treaty, which drastically limits any permanent construction. Therefore, the only way to explore it is by ship.
Ushuaia became the gateway to Antarctica due to its location: it's about 1,000 kilometers from the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the shortest distance between an inhabited port and the white continent on the planet. This relative proximity allows for 10- or 11-day itineraries, much shorter than if departing from any other point in the Southern Hemisphere, such as New Zealand or South Africa, where Antarctic cruises can last several weeks.
An Antarctic cruise allows passengers to sail to the coast, disembark in Zodiacs at authorized points, and return to the ship for the night, leaving no permanent infrastructure on the continent. This "zero footprint" approach is also part of the international agreement that regulates tourism in the region, managed by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which limits the number of people who can disembark at any one time at each point.
What is the best time for an Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia?
The season runs from November to March. November and December feature more snow and the penguins' courtship; January and February bring more whale activity; March offers austral autumn scenery before the season closes.
Is the Drake Passage dangerous?
It can have considerable swells, as it is the only point where the ocean encircles the planet without any landmass. Expedition ships carry medical personnel and seasickness medication, and most crossings are completed without major incident.
How long does a cruise to the Falkland Islands and Antarctica last?
Itineraries that combine the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula usually last between 18 and 23 days, considerably longer than the classic 10 to 11 day cruise, as they include several days of sailing between archipelagos.
What is the difference between a cruise to Antarctica and one to Punta Arenas?
The cruise to Punta Arenas sails through southern Patagonia (Beagle Channel and Strait of Magellan) without crossing the Drake Passage, making it shorter and not reaching the Antarctic continent. The Antarctic cruise does cross the Drake Passage to disembark on the Antarctic Peninsula.