WELCOME TO MAGELLAN EXPLORER
Named after the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the Magellan Explorer is a sleek, ice-class vessel purpose-built for fly-cruise expeditions to Antarctica.
With space for just 73 guests (remarkably boutique by polar standards), this feels more like a private floating lodge than a cruise ship.
Each journey begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, bypassing the notoriously rough Drake Passage and delivering guests straight to the heart of the White Continent. From there, the ship’s nimble design allows access to remote landing sites, with expert guides leading shore excursions that feel more like true exploration than scheduled outings.
What we love about the Magellan Explorer
- The ship’s small capacity of just 73 guests creates an intimate atmosphere, with a fleet of 10 Zodiacs ensuring quick landings for all, meaning no waiting and no rotating groups.
- The excellent programme of small group outings, led by a crew of naturalists, historians, and scientists, with Antarctica’s highest guest-to-guide ratio.
- Seven categories of modern, tasteful en-suite accommodation, including solo cabins and spacious suites, most with private balconies and large windows.
- Onboard comforts include an excellent dining room and bar, sauna, gym, library, outdoor BBQ area, and a high-tech presentation room for talks, briefings, and screenings.
- The indoor lounge and outdoor deck offer excellent vantage points for wildlife spotting.
- Built for responsible travel. The first polar vessel to meet the new Polar Code, Magellan Explorer combines cutting-edge safety with advanced sustainability systems to reduce environmental impact.
WHAT TO DO AT MAGELLAN EXPLORER
Each day, disembark by Zodiac to explore Antarctica’s remote shores alongside expert polar guides.
Days might entail spotting penguin colonies, walking beneath sculpted ice cliffs, and visiting scientific bases such as Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen. Back on board, the adventure continues with informal talks and presentations on topics ranging from glaciology to whale behaviour, and relaxed wildlife-watching from the observation lounge. More active guests can take part in guided hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and the infamous polar plunge.
The classic itinerary spans 8 days/7 nights, including five nights aboard the Magellan Explorer and two in Punta Arenas. Extended expeditions are also available, venturing further south or into the Weddell Sea. Expect majestic icebergs, ice-filled fjords, and spectacular wildlife sightings.
When to Travel
The extreme weather in Antarctica means that the season is short; it lasts from November to March. Each month offers something unique in terms of weather and wildlife.
ENQUIRE NOWLooking for more inspiration? Learn more about our bespoke holidays and expeditions in Antarctica.
