Cruises visiting Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the continent's great arm reaching towards South America — and where the vast majority of expeditions spend their time. Sheltered channels wind between glaciated peaks that rise straight out of the sea, and almost every landing puts you among gentoo, chinstrap or Adélie penguins.

Expect one or two landings or Zodiac cruises a day: penguin rookeries at Cuverville and Neko Harbour, humpbacks feeding in the bays from January onwards, and seals hauled out on ice floes. It is the mildest, most wildlife-dense corner of Antarctica — the classic first taste of the continent.