Antarctica · November 2023
Our trip to Antarctica
From Ushuaia across the Drake Passage on the Ocean Endeavour with Intrepid Travel and Karl Watson: Neko Harbour, Cuverville Island, kayaking at Orne Harbour, Portal Point and Deception Island.
- 11diary
entries - 2crossings of the
Drake Passage - 2films on
YouTube
Day by day
Every day of the trip in order. Choose any day to read the full diary: where we went, how we got there and where we stayed.
Arriving in Buenos Aires
The first day of our Antarctica trip: landing in Buenos Aires, checking into La Fresque Hotel and exploring the area before the early flight to Ushuaia.
Arriving in Ushuaia
We flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and checked into the Wyndham Garden Hotel del Glaciar, a few days early to explore before boarding for Antarctica.
Exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park
A day in Tierra del Fuego National Park by taxi from Ushuaia: the End of the World post office, Lago Acigami, Laguna Negra, Cascada Río Pipo and beavers.
Preparing for Departure and Boarding the Ocean Endeavour
Our last morning in Ushuaia: last-minute shopping, lunch at Ramos Generales El Almacén, meeting the crew and boarding the Ocean Endeavour for Antarctica.
Read the day: Preparing for Departure and Boarding the Ocean Endeavour
Sailing the Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage on the Ocean Endeavour, meeting fellow passengers and attending lectures on Antarctica's wildlife before reaching the ice.
Arrival at the Antarctic Peninsula
Our first landing on the Antarctic Peninsula at Neko Harbour, with Gentoo penguins and humpback whales, then a sunset zodiac tour of Paradise Bay.
Exploring Cuverville Island and Kayaking Adventure
Day 7 in Antarctica: Gentoo penguins and Weddell seals on Cuverville Island, kayaking through brash ice in Orne Harbour and a barbecue on deck.
Read the day: Exploring Cuverville Island and Kayaking Adventure
Whale Watching and Hiking at Portal Point
Day 8 in Antarctica: a humpback calf circled our zodiac in Charlotte Bay, then we hiked the snowy hills at Portal Point to watch whales and seals.
Adventure at Deception Island
We sailed through Neptune's Bellows into Deception Island, the flooded caldera of an active volcano, and landed among Gentoo penguins at Whalers Bay.
Days 10 & 11: Calm Return Through the Drake Passage
Days 10 and 11 of our Antarctica expedition: sailing back across a calm Drake Passage to Ushuaia on the Ocean Endeavour, talking over the trip.
Read the day: Days 10 & 11: Calm Return Through the Drake Passage
Back in Ushuaia and the Journey Home
Back in Ushuaia after Antarctica: a last hike to the Martial Glacier viewpoint, then the flight to Buenos Aires and home.
Planning your own?
Everything we wish we'd known before we went, written from this trip.
Before you go
Things to Know
Choosing a trip, the Drake Passage and what to expect on board, from our trip.
Antarctic Peninsula weather this week
Watch the trip
Two films: crossing the Drake Passage, and the Peninsula itself.