Antarctica: The Ultimate Sailing Adventure

• Start date:
  Feb 26, 2026 at 6:30 pm
• End date:
  Mar 19, 2026 at 3:00 pm
• Crew Capacity
  10
• Skill Level Required
  Intermediate, Advanced
• Language
  English
• Climate
  Polar
• Vessel Type
  Sail, Monohull
• Vessel
  Global Surveyor

Sailing to Antarctica is the ultimate adventure. Our Antarctica expeditions begin in Ushuaia, Argentina, and take you across the legendary Drake Passage to the remote and stunning West Antarctic Peninsula. On this journey, you will experience the untouched wilderness of one of the last true frontiers on Earth. Sail among icebergs, witness incredible wildlife like penguins and seals, and explore a region rich in history and scientific discovery. This is an unparalleled opportunity to visit one of the most extreme and beautiful places on the planet, onboard our expedition yacht, Global Surveyor.

Ushuaia

Everywhere in Ushuaia you will find signs and souvenirs with the words “Ushuaia – fin del mundo”. And indeed, Ushuaia is the end of the world, the last city on the southern tip of South America. Today, the city is mainly a starting point for adventures to Antarctica and Patagonia. It was originally formed as a penal colony for the most serious criminals and political prisoners in South America. The prison is worth a visit and the despair of the place breathes on you. There is also a naval exhibition with the successes of the discoverers and the failures of many sunken ships. Ushuaia is located in the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia will be the starting point for our Antarctic adventure.

Harberton

After leaving Ushuaia and carefully following the Argentinian side of the Beagle Channel we will reach the small town and last stop before making the passage across Drake. Harberton is a small village nestled in a very pretty bay. Harberton has a history of cattle breeding, but now relies more on tourists, enjoy a bowl of freshly produced local soup and a cold beer and last check in of wifi!

Drake Passage

For many yachtsmen, Drake Passage is the same as Mount Everest is for climbers. It got its name from Francis Drake, whose ship was blown far to the south in 1578 and was the first to pass through this strait. The Drake Passage is considered one of the most treacherous voyages for ships to make. Currents at its latitude meet no resistance from any landmass, and waves top 40 feet, hence its reputation as “the most powerful convergence of seas”. We expect we will pass this 450 NM passage within 3 to 4 days.

Eco Nelson polar station

The Eco Nelson polar station tells the epic story of the enthusiastic polar explorer Jaroslav Pavlíček, from the time of socialist Czechoslovakia. Pavlíček managed to travel to and find support in Chile and build the first private polar station in Antarctica. Mendel University of Brno is now maintaining and manning the base and visitors are welcome.

Bellingshausen

Bellingshausen is the Russian Antarctic Station at Collins Harbour on King George Island and was one of the first research stations founded in 1968. You will be met by a colony of Penguins, who are happy to pose for photos, lots of outbuildings give an indication of the work done here. A short ramble up the hill takes you to Trinty Church which is the only permanently staffed Eastern Orthadox Church in Antarctica, built in 2004 and shipped bit by bit from Russia. It is quite something, detailed, colorful and ornate. Hopefully you will be blessed by the resident monks and will be treated to bell ringing.

Deception Island

Deception island is a part of southern Shetland’s archipelago. It is one of the safest anchorages in Antarctica. Deception Island is an active volcano, and its caldera is flooded by sea with only very narrow entrance. We will visit the former Norwegian whaling station which was active 1912 – 1930 and now is partly damaged by time and volcano eruptions in 1967 and 1969. We will see remains of machinery used for whale fat production as well as wrecks of historic whaling boats.

Enterprise Island and Governoren wreck

Enterprise island is a small island in Wilhelmina Bay, off the west coast of Graham Land. In 1915, the epic story of industrial whaling, courage and misery took place here. The Governoren ship, converted into a floating whaling and processing factory, has just completed her mission. She was full of thousands of gallons of whale oil. As usual, the sailors celebrated the successful completion of work and the approaching journey home. One of them dropped a burning lamp while dancing and the whole ship caught fire. It was not possible to extinguish a ship saturated with highly flammable oil. The captain kept a cool head and drove the burning boat to the beach of Enterprise Island. He saved the whole crew and himself.

You can still visit the commemoration of this disaster. Today, we can tie to the wreckage and use it as a safe harbor. The interior of the wreck is also accessible at low tide. You can see the engines and the remains of whaling equipment. You can walk to the island and see large area of wild nature of snow, ice, rocks, icebergs, wind and cold …

Sailing in the area

Sea ice is almost always present in this area. Many icebergs are as big as giant buildings, other times they are a strip of smaller pieces of ice. Ice watches, when the boat is moored in a deserted bay, are absolutely necessary. Likewise, the attention and good work of the helmsman are essential. Sometimes it happens that the strait between the islands is completely filled with ice and the route needs to be re-planned. The forces of the nature are very strong in Antarctica, we will listen to them carefully, respect them and work with them in harmony.

Gonzales Videla polar station

The Chilean Polar Station is named after President Gabriel Gonzales Videla who visited Antarctica as the first head of state. The Station is maned for about 6 months of the year, now by the Chilean Navy previously by the Airforce. An interesting base, built in the middle of a colony of Chinstrap Penguins. The base has a museum where you can send a postcard home and hopefully a tour of the living quarters can be secured! Tour of the living quarters and the chance to go to the observatory – a small tower on the main building from where you can see the spectacular view of the Lemaire Strait.

Seals

We will see many seals in their natural habitat, where they can be easily approached. This is an amazing experience as they do not consider people to be their enemies and allow them to have a very close look at their daily life.

Brown polar station

The Brown polar station was built by Argentina in 1951. The station is not permanently occupied, it is operated only during the Antarctic summer. The station is built for a comfortable stay of 8 people and, like all stations, it has one building equipped and permanently accessible for people in need. From the hill above the station there is a good view of the stunning surroundings of the station.

Penguins

It is well known that you can only meet wild penguins in the southern hemisphere. Sailing in Antarctica is an ideal opportunity to meet them “face to face”. Penguins are usually not afraid of humans and can be observed from close proximity. At some stations we may experience penguins walking without hesitation through our group of visitors. During the trip we will meet several species of penguins.

Port Lockroy

Port Lockroy is a bay forming a natural harbor on Goudier Island in the Palmer Archipelago. The place was discovered in 1904 and in 1944 was established polar base Station A. Base was operated till 1962. In 1996 the station was rebuilt and now is maintained by United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust as a museum and post office. You will see this station as living memory of 60-ties place, historic scientific equipment, kitchen, living and working quarters. You might get the feeling that people left the base in 1962 for a short walk and will come back soon. This is the only place that you can buy souvenirs and send a postcard home.

Whales

After more than 50 years of banning commercial whaling, their populations are slowly recovering. It is certain that we will see whales on the way to the Antarctic Peninsula. We will most likely see several species of whales and possibly killer whales. The coloration of the whale’s tail is unique, similar to the line on a fingerprint. According to the coloration, the experts recognize the individual animals.

Vernadsky Research Base

This station was originally built by Great Britain in 1947 as Station F – Faraday. UK operated this base until 1996, when it was handed over to the Ukraine. Since its inception as an independent republic, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has had its own scientific ambitions, so it has set up its own polar station – Vernadsky. This station lies about 80 NM from the Southern Arctic Circle. Ukrainian’s in Vernadsky Station also operates perhaps the only official bar in Antarctica – the Faraday bar.

Cape Horn

More precisely, Isla de Hornos is not really a cape, but a small island. Jagged rocks and persistent wild swell, frequent rains, low clouds and fog make this place a real “end of the world”.

It marks the point where the open waters and weather systems of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. This makes it an unpredictable and often changing environment for sailing. In settled weather, you can visit the island and see the notorious lighthouse, chapel and nearby Albatross monument.

Expedition yacht Global Surveyor

We were delighted to welcome Global Surveyor to Go West Sailing’s fleet in 2020. Designed and built by Gunter Marine and her original owner, Graham Lascelles, Global Surveyor was created for round-the-world sailing and built to withstand collisions with ice, containers, and groundings. The original build was in 1998 and she has been extensively refitted in 2020. She was purposefully over-specced with many unique features not typically found on a sailing yacht, including:

• Seven watertight compartments, collision bulkheads and extra thick hull;
• Designed to withstand collisions with ice, containers and groundings;
• Overbuilt cutter rig;
• Fully insulated with 3 independent diesel heaters;
• 2000 litres of water in 3 tanks;
• 2000 litres of diesel in 2 tanks;
• 5 cabins and 2 heads including shower area;
• Very large saloon with mahogany wooden trim;
• Deck house to protect from elements;
• Extensive safety kit including 2 ocean class 12 person life rafts;
• Satellite communication;
• 150 kg main and 63 kg kedge anchor.

Internally, she has been designed with comfort and safety in mind. There is a very large saloon complete with mahogany trim and a dining table to seat 16 comfortably. Each cabin has been fitted with overhead reading lights and USB port to allow for device charging. The yacht has been designed to carry 16 passengers, however we keep this to a maximum of 10 plus 2 crew between 5 spacious cabins. This also ensures a really hands-on experience.

As with all our trips, all on-board expenses are included in the price – no hidden costs or surprises.

• 21 nights accommodation on 70ft steel yacht;
• All onboard meals and snacks;
• Fuel, gas and fees;
• Bedding;
• Skipper/guide;
• First mate/engineer.

Categories

• Adventure Sails

Regions

• Antarctica

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