Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise

Discover these two distant and beautiful destinations, a true adventure experience. Be a guest in this wild corner of the Earth.

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The Antarctic Flights Guide

A comprehensive guide to flights to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile. If you are doing research for your Antarctic trip, you can’t miss this guide!

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Itinerary at a Glance

Join us for a remarkable experience that takes you through the western Antarctic Peninsula, through Elephant Island to South Georgia. The South Georgia and Antarctica air-cruise allows you to sail through the nutrient-rich waters and, each day, disembark with our expert polar guides having time to either hike, snowshoe, or kayak in bays nearby. As we make our way to South Georgia, you will follow in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorers, like Ernest Shackleton, and learn about their daring southerly adventures. After reaching South Georgia, visit some of the largest colonies of penguins in the world, including the king penguin, and see the nesting grounds of thousands of albatrosses.

  • Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise Antarctica21 staff members welcome you in Punta Arenas, Chile, before 2 PM. Transfer to your hotel, visit Explorers House, and attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your air-cruise and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. At Explorers House, enjoy local gastronomy as you meet your fellow adventurers.
  • Day 2: Scheduled flight to Antarctica A smooth two-hour flight takes you from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your adventure begins as you exit the airplane, and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. A short vehicle transfer takes you to the shore of Fildes Bay where a Zodiac takes you to your boutique expedition vessel.
  • Day 3 - 6: Exploring Antarctica Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of educational presentations and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same and flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team plans the voyage route to take advantage of the everchanging opportunities provided by nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience every time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several sites that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites in the South Shetland Islands, the Gerlache Strait, the Penola Strait, and the Antarctic Sound.
  • Day 7: Elephant Island Sailing north, we hope to stop at Elephant Island. It was here that the crew of Shackleton’s Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on to South Georgia. While the stormy conditions of this area rarely allow a shore landing, you will see the island from the ship.
  • Day 8 - 9: Sailing to South Georgia As we sail northward, our historian and our naturalist guides offer a series of presentations. There is time to socialize in the ship’s lounge while keeping an eye out for the region’s abundant birdlife.
  • Day 10 - 13: Exploring South Georgia The island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of majestic mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands, and deep fjords. Visit the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, where you may pay your respects at the simple grave of Ernest Shackleton. At St. Andrew’s Bay be overwhelmed by the sight of 150,000 king penguins. At Cooper Island, the nesting home of thousands of black-browed albatrosses, see a large colony of macaroni penguins. At the peak of the breeding season, it is said to have the highest concentration of wildlife per square meter on the planet. If the weather is favorable, visits are also planned at Fortuna Bay, Salisbury Plains, Prion Island, and Elsehul Bay.
  • Day 14 - 16: Sailing towards South America As the ship heads to South America, the program of presentations continues. Use this time to enhance your understanding of the region and its history.
  • Day 17: At sea and Beagle Channel Approach the South American continent and sail along the Beagle Channel. Take in the beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island as you make your way to Ushuaia.
  • Day 18: Ushuaia, Argentina Arrival to Ushuaia, where your journey ends.
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Fly Over the Drake Passage

Save 48+ hours of sailing time by flying over the Drake Passage. Reach Antarctica in 2 hours by flight, make the most of your precious vacation time, and quickly immerse yourself in the beauty of the Seventh Continent.

Get a glimpse into our Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise expedition in this video!

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Photo Album: Antarctica & South Georgia

Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.

Each day you can disembark your expedition vessel by zodiac and explore the landscapes together with our expert polar guides.

Kayaking in Antarctica. Photography by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctic Air-Cruise on board Hedridean Sky.

You can join our kayaking program to visit the beautiful bays and parts of the coast where our ship cannot go.

Whale tail. Photography by Mathew Farrell on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

As you sail the austral waters of the southern oceans on your way to South Georgia you may see migrating whales.

Our aircraft to fly direct to Antarctica, on King George island. Photography by Mathew Farrell on an Antarctic Air-Cruise on board Hedridean Sky.

Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the White Continent and start your expedition directly in Antarctica.

View of the Antarctic landscape and kayaks, from Magellan Explorer's restaurant. Photography by Ana Maria Lopez.

Enjoy a wide range of delicious dining options with views that will delight you as you dine.

Icebergs in South Georgia. Photography by Rodrigo Moraga on an Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise.

Enjoy amazing views like these Icebergs in South Georgia.

Northern giant petrel found in South Georgia. Photography by Ruslan Eliseev.

South Georgia is home to some of the most interesting wildlife in the world, like the Northern giant petrel.

Choose Your Ship

The Antarctica and South Georgia Air-Cruise is available on Magellan Explorer our new and most modern polar vessel.

Magellan Explorer

Featuring a modern design and innovative technologies, this expedition vessel was custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises.

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

From %min_price% USD pp based on Porthole Cabin

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Magellan Explorer in Antarctica. Photography by Sandra Walser for Antarctica21.

Explore the Last Continent on board Magellan Explorer, our small ship custom-built for Antarctic air-cruises.

For the 2025-26 season, we’re offering 36 new air-cruises on our small boutique ships!

Veranda Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban.

Enjoy views of the unforgettable landscapes from your bed.

Optional Trip Extras

For your air-cruise, you can choose a few additional add-ons to enhance your expedition experience with us. Review our Trip Packages, Extra Services & Promotions page for more information. On the Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise, you can add the following optional packages and activities to add to your booking:

  • Sea Kayaking
  • Hiking & Snowshoeing
  • Hotel and Transfer Package
Kayaking in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez on a Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise.

Sea Kayaking Program: See Antarctica from the unique vantage point of a sea kayak.
Reserve at booking, price on Ocean Nova is $895 USD & Magellan Explorer is $995 USD, prices are per person for the entire trip program.

Hiking & Snowshoeing in Antarctica. Photography by Ana Carla Martínez.

Hiking and Snowshoeing Program: Gain greater mobility and see more of the Antarctic landscape while hiking and snowshoeing.
Book onboard, price: $85 USD per person per excursion.

Antarctica21 flight landing in Antarctica.

Arrive to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile in just under 2 hours.

Cabo de Hornos hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile. Photography by Tom Arban.

Hotel and Transfer Package: This package is available pre-expedition and post-expedition and includes group airport transfers, 1-night hotel accommodation, breakfast, and a drink voucher.
For pricing, please inquire at the time of reservation.

Testimonial

“Words will not adequately describe this experience but for anyone contemplating an expedition style cruise – you cannot beat the Magellan Explorer ship cruising South Georgia to Antarctica and fly to Punta Arenas from Frei Station. There was absolutely nothing to fault on this cruise. Not a thing. The crew (hotel and expedition) were more than gold standard. Incredibly knowledgeable and friendly all the time. The food was fantastic- something for everyone. Our expedition leader was Hadleigh – fabulous!!! Our kayak leader was Sophie (and Ewan) and that was just mind blowing on so many levels. Initially I thought this was a very expensive trip (before boarding) but OMG it was worth every cent. I doubt we will ever experience anything like it ever again. Well done team on the Magellan Explorer – you did Antarctica21 proud!”

Corenes – Traveler from Australia

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, December 2023

Testimonial

‘’The Magellan Explorer ship is very special. Extremely well appointed, with excellent living facilities, dining and communal areas. The general equipment for landings and kayaking was superb. Food quality and hospitality staff were incredible and never disappointed. The ship is incredibly stable, even in a heavy motion sea. The expeditionary team were superb. The experience and variety of their knowledge was impressive and the quality, humour and general interest of the presentations were excellent and very enjoyable.’’

Rob B. – TripAdvisor

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

Testimonial

‘’This was an exceptional travel experience throughout and so much better than we had expected. The expedition staff was the most passionate of any cruise I have been on and lectures of their personal experiences in the Antarctic were one of the highlights of our time on the ship.’’

Hilary S. – Traveler from USA

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

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Antarctica is like no other place on Earth. Complete this short form to receive a customized quote from our team and start planning your Antarctic air-cruise today!

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