Antarctica Unlocked

1,000 departures across 14 operators and 39 ships

Cruises visiting Weddell Sea

196 upcoming Antarctic expeditions with Weddell Sea on the route, from $9,895 per person.

The Weddell Sea, east of the Peninsula, is Antarctica at its most epic: a sea of giant tabular icebergs calved from ice shelves, dense pack ice, and Shackleton history — this is where Endurance was crushed and finally found again in 2022.

Voyages here look for emperor penguins near Snow Hill Island, cruise past ice cliffs the size of city blocks, and visit the huge Adélie rookeries of the Antarctic Sound. Ice conditions dictate the route more than anywhere else — flexibility is part of the adventure.

PONANT Le Lyrial 200 guests

The Great Austral Loop

Feb 17, 2029 – Mar 6, 2029 · 18 days

Ushuaia (Argentina)

  • Hiking & snowshoeing
  • Kayaking & paddling
From $22,470 9 cabin offers
Available

Wildlife you can spot here

Wildlife

Humpback Whale

A 14–17 metre baleen whale known for breaching and long pectoral fins, often seen feeding on krill in loose groups along the ice edge.

Wildlife

Orca

Black and white apex predator instantly recognizable by its pale eye patches, the orca is the largest of the dolphins and one of the ocean's most capable hunters. Sightings often involve a tight-knit family pod working the ice edge together.

Wildlife

Leopard Seal

The leopard seal is the Antarctic's second-largest seal after the elephant seal, built long and muscular with a spotted, leopard-like coat. It is the region's top predator, hunting penguins, fish, and even other seals along the ice edge.

Wildlife

Adélie Penguin

One of the most widespread penguins in Antarctica, the Adélie is often the first tuxedoed local guests meet ashore. Its stark white eye-ring and brisk, purposeful waddle make it easy to pick out along the ice edge.

Wildlife

Antarctic Minke Whale

The Antarctic minke is a small, fast-moving rorqual, the most abundant baleen whale on Earth, though singles and pairs still take some looking to spot. It surfaces briefly among the pack ice, more often glimpsed than watched.

Wildlife

Snow Petrel

The snow petrel is one of only three bird species ever recorded at the Geographic South Pole, and it holds the record for the most southerly breeding sites of any bird. Pure white against dark rock and ice, it is unmistakable and easy to pick out from a moving ship.

Wildlife

Snowy Sheathbill

The snowy sheathbill is the only land bird native to the Antarctic continent, and one of just two sheathbill species in the world. Look down, not up: it spends its time walking the shoreline and rocks rather than flying.

Wildlife

Antarctic Shag

The Antarctic shag is the only cormorant species found on the continent, easy to pick out by its blue-ringed eyes as it stands stiffly upright on ice floes and coastal cliffs. It nests in small colonies apart from the penguin rookeries along rocky shorelines.

Wildlife

Southern Fulmar

Pale grey above, white below, and marked with a distinctive white wing patch, the southern fulmar is a familiar shape trailing expedition ships south of the Antarctic Convergence. It breeds on Antarctic cliffs and islands, then disperses north with the winter ice.

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