WEDDELL SEA 2026
WEDDELL SEA
In search of the Emperor Penguin
Exploring the frozen frontier of the Weddell Sea.
Expedition dates:
15 - 25 Nov, 2026
25 Nov - 5 Dec, 2026
5 Dec - 15 Dec, 2026
Duration:10 nights
Ship: m/v Ortelius
Embark / disembark:
Ushuaia / Ushuaia
Cabins & Prices:
- Quadruple porthole:12.700 €
- Triple porthole: 13.650 €
- Twin porthole: 14.550 €
- Twin window: 15.050 €
- Twin deluxe: 16.450 €
- Superior cabin: 28.815 €
A rare opportunity to explore the icebound wilderness of the Weddell Sea
This true Antarctic expedition focuses on one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters on Earth — the Emperor Penguin colony near Snow Hill Island.
Using the ship’s helicopters, we aim to reach areas normally inaccessible this early in the season, offering the chance to observe Emperor Penguins and other Antarctic wildlife in their natural habitat.
Expect opportunities to encounter:
Emperor Penguins
Adélie Penguins
Gentoo Penguins
Weddell Seals
Vast Antarctic ice landscapes
This is true expedition cruising — flexible, wildlife-driven and shaped entirely by ice and weather conditions.
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All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. In the event that any service, accommodation, activity, or component of the programme is unavailable and no suitable alternative can be arranged, any diposits made for the unavailable portion will be fully refunded.
The itinerary
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Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
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Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
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You may sail into the Weddell Sea via the Antarctic Sound. Here huge tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. During this part of the cruise, the search is on for emperor penguins. Using both the vessel and helicopters, there’s a good chance you’ll find them. You might also enjoy scenic flights, and if conditions allow, helicopter landings in locations otherwise out of reach this time of year.
Helicopter flights are a true trip changer, and may include:
The west slopes of the Antarctic Sound – The western side of this area is only rarely seen from the air, though the landscape is truly worth the flight: Layered sandstones, lava flows, glaciers, icebergs, and pack-ice extend as far as the eye can see. There are often individual emperor penguins and Adélie penguins on the ice floes, as well as kelp gulls, skuas, and various breeds of petrel. Jagged mountain peaks stab through the snow, and enormous walls of ice lie shattered on the slopes below.
Duse Bay – A soaring helicopter flight may deposit you on a rocky hillock close to an old refuge hut overlooking this bay. There’s still a lot of snow and ice this time of year, but much of the walk in this location is over frost-shattered rock covered with lichen of all shapes and colors.
Seymour Island – This is where the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901 – 4 wintered under harrowing polar conditions. Sedimentary rock, fossils, and expansive views define this location.
If conditions allow for deeper ventures into the Weddell Sea, Zodiac trips may include:
Devil Island – Home to a large colony of Adélie penguins, this island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.
Brown Bluff – Maybe the most scenic location in the entire northern tip of the Antarctic Continent: sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice. A large Adélie penguin rookery lives here, with gentoo penguins and nesting snow petrels also to be found.
Gourdin Island – Chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins love this island, which is yet another landing option for your continuing Antarctic adventure.
Esperanza Base – This Argentine research station, which operates year-round and is one of only two civilian settlements in Antarctica, could serve as an alternative landing site.
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In the morning, you sail to Deception Island for the last landing of the voyage, either at Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
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Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
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Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
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Helicopters provide an advantage in reaching the emperor penguin colony, but our ability to use them depends entirely on ice, sea, and weather conditions.
If conditions are favorable, we will visit the colony. If conditions are exceptionally favorable, we will attempt to visit more than once. Helicopter operations take a full day, and flight duration depends on local conditions.
Each helicopter can accommodate 4 – 5 passengers per flight. The landing site is carefully chosen so that the penguins are not disturbed.
Upon arrival to the site, we will walk to the colony. This may take up to 45 minutes and can be challenging in places. Please keep in mind that you are in the world’s most remote region, so there are no guarantees: conditions may change rapidly, which can impact on helicopter operations. It is important to understand and respect this fact. Safety is our greatest concern, so no compromises can be made.
We aim for all groups to spend an equal amount of time at the colony. The time at the colony (and the time to get there from landing site) will often vary, however, due to local conditions and flight times.
Activities you can participate in:
- Helicopter flights & landings: Experience Antarctica from the air. The ship’s helicopter operations allow access to remote sea ice areas near Snow Hill Island, offering the rare opportunity to observe Emperor Penguins in one of their most iconic breeding locations. Flights may also land in areas otherwise inaccessible this early in the season, depending on ice conditions.
- Snow Hill Island rookery landing (weather & ice dependent): If the route is free of multi-year pack ice, helicopter transfers may allow landings on Snow Hill Island. From there, a short walk across the sea ice (around 45 minutes) leads to the Emperor Penguin rookery, home to approximately 4,000 breeding pairs. This is a rare and potentially once-in-a-lifetime experience.
.Cost: FREE
Photography Focus:
This expedition offers the opportunity to photograph one of Antarctica’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles — the Emperor Penguin colony near Snow Hill Island — alongside dramatic ice landscapes and Antarctic seabirds.
Helicopter flights, sea-ice landings and flexible expedition planning create unique opportunities to capture wildlife and landscapes in locations rarely accessible to visitors.
Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole
Cabins available- Cabin size between 12.4 m² and 14.1 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper / lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Triple Porthole
Sold out- 2 portholes
- 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Twin Porthole
Cabins available- Cabin size between 11.4 m² and 15.1 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Twin Window
Cabins available- Cabin size between 17.5 m² and 17.7 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Twin Deluxe
Cabins available- Cabin size 17.7 m²
- 3 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Small sofa
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Superior
Sold out- Cabin size between 18.4 m² and 20.4 m²
- Minimum 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 single (sofa) bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
What’s included
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Complimentary use of waterproof neoprene expedition muck boots and snowshoes.
Ship-to-shore helicopter transfers (with no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed)
Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity. All guests receive 1.5 GB of data usage per day, which resets every 24 hours.
Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition.
What’s not included
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
The Ortelius
The ice-strengthened Ortelius is thoroughly outfitted for polar exploration and, when necessary, helicopter flights.
Interested in this expedition?
We handle the booking and help you choose the best cabin option for you.
You can fill in the form, or simply write to us at warblertours@gmail.com to plan your trip.
