Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Nova)

Welcome to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at Ushuaia Airport, take your included transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll meet your fellow travellers and your local team in Ushuaia during a welcome briefing at your hotel. If you have some time to spare before the meeting, maybe head downtown for some souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavours at one of Ushuaia's fantastic local restaurants.

Enjoy your morning at leisure before your coach transfer to the port of Ushuaia, where you’ll board the Ocean Nova, your home for the next nine nights. Downtown Ushuaia is compact and perfect for exploring on foot, offering a beautiful start to your day. Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning snow-capped Andes Mountains backdrop. After meeting your fellow travellers and Expedition Team on board, and settling into your cabin, head to the outer decks as the Ocean Nova sails through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Then, join the excitement inside to learn more about the upcoming days.

Spend two days travelling across the legendary waters of the Drake Passage, named after the British seafarer Sir Francis Drake, towards the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. If conditions allow, there will be a chance to enjoy the outer deck spaces, scouting for dolphins, whales and a variety of seabirds passing by, including the iconic wandering albatross, with its enormous three-meter wingspan. Your comprehensive lecture program will also get underway, with your team of polar experts sharing fascinating insights into Antarctic history, geology, biology and everything in between. If the weather is on your side, you should reach the Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening on day four – the first sighting of land always builds great anticipation on any expedition south.

The Antarctic Peninsula is known for many wildlife sightings with the backdrop of mountains, icy landscapes and water. These provide incredible scenes as you search for whales migrating along the coast. The peak of the migration season (February and March) is the best opportunity to see these ocean dwellers, as all Antarctic whale species migrate long distances, feeding in the cold, nutrient-rich Southern Ocean during the southern summer. The most common species found in the region are humpback, minke, fin whales and orcas. As whale season is in full swing, you have the unique opportunity to participate in one of the exciting onboard Citizen Science projects – the Happy Whale Project. Here, you can upload photos of whale’s tails (flukes) online, along with details of where the images are taken, which are then used to analyse and identify the individual whale and track its movement across the oceans. Your contribution could make a real difference in understanding and conserving these magnificent creatures.

Sightings can happen from the outer decks of the ship, during a Zodiac excursion, or on the ship’s bridge with your Captain, where the open bridge policy allows you into the command centre of the Ocean Nova for a look at the inner workings of your expedition and access to the best place to spot whales. An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow travellers for breakfast. You’ll usually have at least two excursions daily, with lunch served in between.

As the Ocean Nova begins its journey back to your home port of Ushuaia, now is your time to reflect on your journey. You’re scheduled to reach the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of Day 10, marking the beginning of your return journey. That evening, your final meal will be a highlight, so live it up and enjoy as you celebrate an incredible adventure with your fellow travellers and Expedition Team.

After breakfast, disembark the Ocean Nova as your Antarctic expedition ends, and the memories of a fantastic adventure begin. A morning transfer to Ushuaia airport or downtown is included today. If you would like to stay longer in Ushuaia or would like to explore South America, please speak to your booking agent ahead of time.