Terra Nova Expeditions (TNE), a leader in small‑group immersive voyages in Antarctica and beyond, has announced the launch of the Ultimate Antarctic Adventure, a world-first experience that blends expedition cruising with intimate polar yacht sailing.
*All details correct at time of publish (25 February 2026)
Combining the capability and comfort of purpose-built expedition vessel St Helena with the agility of the Icebird yacht, this innovative 20-day journey introduces Antarctic sailing as part of a fully immersive expedition format, something never before available in this way.
Designed for modern explorers seeking depth over scale and authenticity over convention, the hybrid experience delivers rare access, flexibility and exclusivity in one of the world’s most remote regions.
Greg Carter, CEO and Founder of Terra Nova Expeditions, said:
“As visitor numbers to the Antarctic Peninsula continue to rise and competition for landing sites intensifies, we’re leveraging our deep regional knowledge and independent operating model to venture beyond the crowds.
“By combining expedition cruising with intimate yacht sailing, we can offer flexible routing, quieter anchorages and access to rarely visited bays, delivering a more authentic, truly exploratory experience.”
“This is about returning to the true spirit of exploration,” Carter added. “Sailing among icebergs with just a handful of guests, feeling the wind and hearing the ice shift around you, is profoundly personal.
“We’re proud to create a world-first experience that reflects our independent spirit and invites guests not just to visit Antarctica, but to truly participate in it.”
The Ultimate Antarctic Adventure – 20 Days
Terra Nova Expeditions’ new 20-day Ultimate Antarctic Adventure begins with a Drake Passage crossing aboard St Helena, where guests attend expert-led presentations, spot seabirds and whales from the deck and prepare for exploration with kayaking and snowshoeing briefings.
By Day 3, the first icebergs signal arrival in the South Shetland Islands, followed by immersive exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula featuring daily shore landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking among icebergs, snowshoeing to panoramic viewpoints and unforgettable wildlife encounters with penguins, seals and whales.
With more than 500 potential landing sites, each itinerary is shaped by conditions, allowing the expedition team to venture beyond busier locations and deliver a true spirit of discovery.
On Day 8, the participants of the Ultimate Adventure transfer to the expedition yacht Icebird for a six-day sailing micro-expedition into remote bays and narrow channels beyond the reach of larger vessels.
Days are spent sailing, hiking, kayaking and exploring by Zodiac, with flexible itineraries that adapt to weather and wildlife opportunities, as well as the exhilarating option of a polar plunge.
Guests then rejoin St Helena for continued Peninsula exploration and the northbound Drake Passage crossing, completing a seamless cruise–sailing hybrid journey that redefines intimate Antarctic exploration.
Bookings for the 2026/2027 Ultimate Antarctic Adventure are now open. Departures include 28 December 2026, 6 January 2027, 16 January 2027, and 25 January 2027.
A Private Day Sailing Experience
Terra Nova Expeditions also offers a sailing experience for guests travelling on other TNE voyages throughout the season. Guests travelling aboard St Helena on select expeditions can now enhance their voyage with a six-hour Day Sailing Experience aboard Icebird.
Limited to just eight guests and three crew, this private adventure offers a rare opportunity to sail among towering icebergs and dramatic glacial landscapes in near silence, hearing the crack of calving ice and the movement of water against the hull.
Redefining what it means to journey to Antarctica, these new sailing experiences offer a more personal encounter with the White Continent and further cement Terra Nova Expeditions’ commitment to innovation in responsible polar travel.
For more information, call +61 870 830 135 (AU); contact a professional travel advisor, email info@terranova-expeditions.com, or visit www.terranova-expeditions.com.
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