Sailing expedition to Antarctica aboard Eldorado and Amazone with a Drake Passage crossing

Sailing to Antarctica

You will feel like an explorer and see the sixth continent as it was seen by Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev — although the conditions on our sailing vessels are far more comfortable

This way of reaching Antarctica is suited for experienced travelers who are already familiar with the sea and understand how “emotional” the elements can sometimes be

Crossing the widest and harshest strait in the world is a kind of “Everest for sailors”

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Voyage description

Description

Eldorado / Amazone with one Drake Passage crossing

Waterloo Island (King George Island)

Ushuaia, Argentina

15 — 29 nov 2026

Punta Arenas, Chile

Waterloo Island (King George Island)

Punta Arenas, Chile

17 — 31 mar 2027

Ushuaia, Argentina

Waterloo Island (King George Island)

Eldorado with two Drake Passage crossings

Waterloo Island (King George Island)

Ushuaia, Argentina

26 oct — 13 nov 2026

Ushuaia, Argentina

Waterloo Island (King George Island)

Good news: you don’t have to cross the Drake Passage by sailing vessel both ways. To truly experience Antarctica, it’s enough to make the crossing just once.
Your second journey across the passage will be by plane — giving you the chance to compare your impressions and tell us which option you preferred.

Experienced seafarers can join the program with a Drake Passage crossing in both directions and feel like part of an expedition discovering new regions not only for themselves, but for the whole world.
Roald Amundsen and Willem Schouten followed similar routes, and now you have the chance to travel in the footsteps of the great explorers.

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Punta Arenas, Chile

Sailing passages begin and end in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Flights are to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Wildlife follows its own schedule, so encounters cannot be guaranteed.

*We follow a “safety first” principle: actual conditions on the route take priority over the planned itinerary. If weather or ice conditions require changes, we will adapt accordingly.

Regardless of how you reach the sixth continent, the sailing route around Antarctica remains the same*: we will encounter icebergs, glaciers, polar stations, the volcano of Deception Island, penguins, and, if we are lucky, whales.

A sailing crossing of the Drake Passage takes 3–4 days; the flight takes about two hours.

Total distance: 1000 nautical miles

Wildlife follows its own schedule, so encounters cannot be guaranteed.

*We follow a “safety first” principle: actual conditions on the route take priority over the planned itinerary. If weather or ice conditions require changes, we will adapt accordingly.

Sailing passages begin and end in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Flights are to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Regardless of how you reach the sixth continent, the sailing route around Antarctica remains the same*: we will encounter icebergs, glaciers, polar stations, the volcano of Deception Island, penguins, and, if we are lucky, whales.

A sailing crossing of the Drake Passage takes 3–4 days; the flight takes about two hours.

Total distance: 1000 nautical miles

Places along the route

What you will see

Punta Arenas

Lively city in southern Chile and the starting point of the program for those who choose a comfortable crossing of the Drake Passage by plane.
The rugged southern landscape and the vast expanse of the Strait of Magellan will help you prepare for the journey and create a sense of anticipation before heading out into the open ocean.

drake passage

A vast strait with a fierce character — a true test on the way to the long-awaited Antarctica.
Waves here can reach up to 10 meters, challenging not only the vessel but also your determination. But there’s no need to be afraid — it is in these conditions that you can truly test yourself and your endurance, come together as a team, and be ready to overcome any challenge.

King George Island and Bellingshausen Station

Our first icy stepping stone on the way to Antarctica, where you will be welcomed by the Russian research station "Bellingshausen."
Here, among snowy expanses and icy winds, you will discover the life of polar explorers, see penguins wandering along the shore, and perhaps even experience a traditional Russian banya to warm up after the harsh weather of the Drake Passage.

Holy Trinity Church

This church on King George Island in Antarctica is the southernmost active Orthodox church in the world—a unique oasis of spirituality amid the icy wilderness.
Here, you can feel a deep connection to the history and traditions of the Orthodox Church. If you wish, you may also arrange to be baptized or married in this храм, subject to prior approval.

Yankee Harbour

A bay in the South Shetland Islands — a place where you can encounter colonies of gentoo penguins, known for their distinctive coloring and lively character.
The birds nest along the rocky shores of the bay, where you can also find remnants of bones from ancient animals that once lived here, leaving traces of the past on this icy land.

HALF MOON ISLAND

The island got its name from its crescent-like shape, while the dark rocky mountains rising above it add an almost apocalyptic atmosphere to the landscape.
Here you can see Weddell seals resting on volcanic sand — they bring life to this wild natural setting.

DECEPTION ISLAND

A volcanic island in Antarctica — a caldera formed by a volcanic eruption, at the center of which lies a crater filled with seawater.
A distinctive feature of the island is its black sands, formed from volcanic ash and lava, creating a striking contrast with the white ice and snow that cover much of Antarctica.

ENTERPRISE ISLAND

The island was discovered in 1898 by a Belgian expedition led by Adrien de Gerlache aboard the whaling ship Belgica, which crossed the Antarctic Circle.
On the eastern side of the island lie the remains of a whaling vessel — you can spot its bow rising above the water.

Melchior Islands

A group of 16 small islands within the Palmer Archipelago, known for their striking landscapes of steep cliffs, glaciers, and snowfields.
The Melchior Islands are also home to many whales that visit these waters during the warmer season, and you may see them swimming gracefully and breaching the surface.

PORT LOCKROY

The British station "Port Lockroy" is the most visited tourist site in Antarctica. The local mountainous landscapes, rich wildlife, and historical heritage attract both researchers and travelers.
Today, Port Lockroy functions as a museum and post office — the southernmost on the planet — from where you can send a postcard to your loved ones.

LEMAIRE CHANNEL

A narrow and winding channel cuts into the Antarctic Peninsula and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the region.
Here you can enjoy views of glaciers descending into the sea and watch for whales that sometimes visit these waters. The true grandeur and beauty of the region are concentrated in this small passage along our route.

CUVERVILLE ISLAND

A small yet significant corner of Antarctica — BirdLife International has designated the island as an Important Bird Area, meaning a key habitat for birds.
It is home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins on the peninsula. The landscapes are striking: snowy fields give way to rocky shores, and glaciers descend into the sea, adding unusual shades of blue to the scenery.

View the program

Enhance the icy realm of Antarctica with the rugged beauty of South America. Vast steppes, majestic mountains, and the spirit of the gauchos await you. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable New Year atmosphere among ancient glaciers and fjords.

Special offer:
Antarctica + Patagonia

Fleet

The ships you’ll sail on

Amazone

Eldorado

The Amazone is a two-masted ice-class schooner that was designed by the renowned shipbuilding company, Olivier van Meer, in the Netherlands.
It was built in 1963 and initially operated as a fishing vessel in the North Sea, but in 1993 it was converted into a sailing vessel and began operating as a charter boat, taking passengers on trips around the world.

Since 2021, Moretime Expeditions has been leading regular voyages with the Amazone in the high latitudes of the Arctic and Antarctica. Together with the crew of the Amazone, we have completed 20 expeditions to Novaya Zemlya and 9 trips to Antarctica.

Passengers:

Team:

12

5

Passengers:

Team:

18

6

This two-masted schooner is perfectly ready for a polar voyage, featuring a strong main engine and all the necessary navigation equipment.

The silent generators, heating, air-conditioning, and six cozy double cabins ensure the comfort of passengers. Trainees coming aboard to reach the Arctic won’t be disappointed.

more about ship

dates&Prices

Special offer

15% discount till 15 september 2023

One Drake Passage crossing

Amazone

Eldorado

$12 830

Place in a Class b cabin

$13 180

Place in a Class A cabin

Family suite (Full cabin)

$34 630

$17 180

Place in a Class B cabin

$17 530

Place in a Class A cabin

Place in a Class C cabin

$16 360

€ 10 900

€ 11 200

€ 29 430

€ 14 600

€ 14 900

€ 13 900

What is included

hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile on the first and last day of the program (double occupancy with breakfast);
flight Punta Arenas, Chile — King George Island and return;
accommodation and meals at the station according to the standard of research staff;
meetings with penguins;
internet in the station house at Bellingshausen;
boat trip to the glacier;

flights to the starting point of the program and back (Punta Arenas, Chile);
visa fees (if required);
medical insurance with evacuation coverage.

What is not included

Two Drake Passage crossings

eldorado

$13 176

Place in a Class b cabin

$13 529

Place in a Class A cabin

Place in a Class c cabin

$12 353

€ 11 200

€ 11 500

€ 10 500

Cancellation and rescheduling

No later than 120 days before the expedition start — 100% refund
No later than 90 days before the expedition start — 70% refund
Fewer than 90 days before the expedition start — no refund is provided

What is included

hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile on the first and last day of the program (double occupancy with breakfast);
accommodation and meals at the station according to the standard of research staff;
meetings with penguins;
internet in the station house at Bellingshausen;
boat trip to the glacier;

lights to the starting point of the program and back (Punta Arenas, Chile);
visa fees (if required);
medical insurance with evacuation coverage.

What is not included

Our friends share

About experience

testimonials

I'd like to share my impressions from an Antarctic sailing expedition in 2022. As I told my friends that I'd like to SAIL to Antarctica (and I don't have any licenses and only a very little sailing experience), there were 2 opinions, either "Oh, cool!!", or " You're crazy!!". Now I can say that both were right. It was a really cool, but a little bit crazy expedition. To sail through the Drake's passage – it's a unique experience! As a reward after 4 days you see the shore...

We could visit a several research stations, islands with penguin colonies, sea leopards and, of course, the whales. We were lucky to sail with a very professional crew - they made it possible to sail through the iceberg field. That made us feel to visit an other world in all shades of blue.

— Anna Bassin, Germany

more about expedition

Sailing expedition to Antarctica

testimonials

I’m travelling a lot since my childhood. I saw the geysers of Iceland, deserts of Mongolia, landscapes of “Lord of the Ring” in New Zealand, waterfalls of La Reunion, Bahá’í Gardens in Israel, lakes of Canada, bears of the Arctic, old timers on the roads of Cuba, volcanos of Kamchatka and many other fascinating places of the world. But the trip to Antarctic in February 2022 is difficult to exceed, actually impossible. Extraordinary experience with fantastic people on the sail boat. It is like a trip to another planet full of pinguins, seals, whales, dolphins and seabirds. As the backstage for them are the breathtaking landscapes of ice mountains and meditation peace. And as a company – small family of sailors, who shared with me the night shifts, ice swimming and pancakes (mmm, our cook – it is a separate topic:)) middle of the nowhere. And the worst thing about it – I wish to do it again even more, than I wished before (it was my dream since 20 years).