Antarctica the Great White Continent
Discover the Wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
- 7 November 2021
In today’s highly accessible world there are few places that still hold the power to enthral and enchant. Antarctica is certainly one of these. Mere words cannot do justice to the awe-inspiring spectacle of this most southern of continents, this desert of ice which is so unique and uncommon to man’s experience, that even the most dramatic of photographs pale into insignificance when one is confronted by the sheer magnitude, beauty and wonder of the landscape.
Our voyage begins in Ushuaia from where we sail to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands where enormous tabular icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs. We continue to South Georgia where we have ample quality time ashore to explore what is one of the world’s natural wonders with a remarkable concentration of wildlife. We will land on remote beaches, alive with great numbers of fur seals, elephant seals, wandering and sooty albatrosses, Macaroni and king penguins. These beach paradises are backed by some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world. Finally we sail for the Falkland Islands for our exploration of these isolated islands thriving with wildlife and a fascinating history.
We have timed our expedition aboard the MS Hebridean Sky for what is regarded as spring as the pack ice begins to melt. This is the mating season for penguins and other species and you can witness their spectacular displays of courtship ritual, nest building and such antics as stone stealing. This is also the time when fur seals claim their breeding territories.
Small Ship Cruising at its Best
Antarctica is to be experienced, not just to be seen, and we believe the only way to do this is on board a small ship in order to maximise the time spent ashore. To enjoy the wonders of this icy paradise in the company of a small and enthusiastic party is the perfect way to achieve the most from a visit to this extraordinary place and travelling with you on board will be polar expedition experts and naturalists with many years of experience in Antarctica who will add immeasurably to your experience. In between our landings and while at sea, you can pass the time on deck looking for wildlife, attend the series of lectures by members of the expedition team and simply relax on board.
There are ships in Antarctica carrying higher numbers of passengers than the 100 guests on board the MS Hebridean Sky, however due to the restrictions placed on vessels as to how many passengers may land at any one time, the larger vessels can only offer very restricted landings, whereas with the MS Hebridean Sky, we are able to follow the strict Antarctic rules and yet have all guests ashore at the same time unlike passengers on board the larger vessels in the area. For most travellers the Antarctic experience is a once in a lifetime visit, it is therefore important that the trip should be as rewarding as possible and our expedition aboard the MS Hebridean Sky will certainly be so both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to go ashore.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
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What to Expect
In Antarctica there is no such thing as a “typical” day. Flexibility is the key and sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a previous voyage log which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Antarctic adventure.
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia: From the ship we could see the huge extent of the king penguin colony, as well as a myriad of cigar-shaped rocks. The rocks were, of course, hundreds of seals of the elephant and fur kind. By the landing spot there was a group of elephants, including a pup that was still suckling. In addition, there were tiny fur seal pups around as well, which looked adorable. A route parallel to the beach had been flagged for us by the expedition team so it was a simple matter to get to and from the king colony in small groups. The birds were so curious that if we stopped they would often come sidling up towards us, to get a better look. In their black, white, grey and orange plumage the kings looked both regal and resplendent.
Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff: Slowly the weather cleared so that we could see land. Ahead of us to starboard was the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula and on the other side were some large, ice-covered islands. There was lots of ice in the water too – brash ice, ice floes and icebergs of many shapes and sizes. Continuing southwards, it wasn’t long before an interesting spot was noticed so the ship stopped and the boats were lowered. We were off on a Zodiac cruise amongst the pack ice (big floes from last winter) and huge icebergs. The ship then headed further south still and eventually went in the direction of Brown Bluff, a favourite landing place. The scenery was stunning – geology on the one hand and sea and ice on the other. By now the sun had been out for some time, which added to both the ‘warmth’ and the colours all around us. Another very significant thing about Brown Bluff is that is part of the continent itself so we could truly say that we had ‘arrived’. For some it was their seventh continent too.
Cuverville Island: Waiting for us at Cuverville were more gentoo penguins; the largest colony of them in Antarctica in fact. Some of us went directly to the beach whilst others went cruising in the channel between Cuverville and Ronge islands. Before landing we saw lots of ice, an old boat from the whaling days and a sleepy Weddell Seal or two. Once ashore there was a choice of directions to take. Left took us to an overview of the main part of the colony and pointed Spigot Peak to the north. Right took us along the level and up a slight rise for dramatic views of Ronge Island and beyond. At one point there was a large ice-fall from the ice wall opposite us. With hardly a breath of air and near-cloudless skies the landscape was pictureperfect. Anyway, there was more to come, in the shape of a barbecue lunch on the lido deck. Our restaurant must surely have had the best views in the world! Our friends in the hotel department had pulled out all the stops and had provided a feast fit for a king. The ship then headed out into a still flat-calm Gerlache Strait, en route to Paradise Bay. A pod of about 30 killer whales were spotted and the Captain slowed the ship and soon the whales were not far away.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Itinerary
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax or join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. End the tour in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. This evening we will enjoy a tango show with dinner.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival we transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky and we start our adventure this evening as we cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Days 4 & 5 Drake Passage.
Enjoy a lecture, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drake Passage toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This is a particularly good area to spot royal albatross and blue petrel and we will also be on the lookout for pods of sperm whales.
Days 6 to 11 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands.
We have six days of exploration around the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands which will include many of the best places for wildlife and magnificent scenery. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we hope to make daily landings or Zodiac cruises for unique close encounters with animals such as Adelie and gentoo penguins, fur seals and petrels. Watch avidly on deck as we approach land or sail though breathtaking channels surrounded by lofty peaks looking down on ice-strewn waters where resting crabeater or leopard seals can be spotted. En-route south we plan to see Elephant Island with its rocky and inhospitable shore where Shackleton’s crew famously survived. We hope to sail past the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, Petermann Island, home to numbers of Adelie penguins, picturesque Neko Harbour, the Lemaire Channel where towering icebergs rise from the sea and Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins. We also endeavour to sail through the breathtaking Antarctic Sound, also known as ‘iceberg alley’, where massive icebergs drift north from the continent.
Day 12 At sea.
The waters between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula are rich with fin whales, where in good conditions we have seen as many as a hundred in a day. If not whalewatching, lookout for Antarctic petrel, Kerguelen petrel and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. Our onboard lecture programme continues as we learn more about the wildlife and history of the region.
Days 13 to 15 South Georgia.
We have three days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. We arrive early in the season when parts of the island are still covered by a thin layer of snow. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. The beaches will be covered by elephant seal bulls and females with feeding pups. They share the beach with a myriad of nesting king penguins. Most of the other sea birds have arrived and started nesting. This is also the time when the great arrival of the fur seals starts. Millions of fur seals will, over a few weeks, return to the beaches to breed. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside thousands of pairs of king penguins whilst in Fortuna Bay we will see nesting light mantled sooty albatrosses and hope to witness their gracious courting flights. A few thousand king penguins nest here. Meanwhile in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton.
Days 16 & 17 The Southern Ocean.
As we cruise towards the Falkland Islands the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals on fishing forays. We have a good chance of spotting whales such as fins and minkies whilst the birds circling our stern will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous breeds of petrels.
Days 18 & 19 Falkland Islands.
The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. We hope to land on Pebble Island, one of the most important wildfowl breeding areas in the Falklands with penguin colonies, king cormorants and sea lions. Also spend a day in the charming capital of Stanley visiting the cathedral, battle memorial and the Historic Dockyard and museum which documents the social, maritime, military and natural history of the islands. We also hope to offer nature walks or a 4x4 tour to one of the beaches where we may find king, Magellanic and rockhopper penguins.
Day 20 Port Stanley to Santiago, Chile.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our specially chartered flight to Santiago. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day and evening is at leisure for independent exploration.
Day 21 Santiago to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 22 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
7 to 28 November 2021 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £13195 | £12695 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £14195 | £13695 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £15195 | £14695 |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £15695 | £15195 |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £17395 | £16895 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £18595 | £18095 |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £20095 | £19595 |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £17295 | £16795 |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £19295 | £18795 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS071121
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled international air travel • Specially chartered flight from Port Stanley to Santiago • Overnight hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires & Santiago with breakfast • City tour, Tango show & dinner in Buenos Aires on day 2 • 17 nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Group transfers • Use of parka jacket & rubber boots on board the MS Hebridean Sky • Port & Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
NB: The charter flight from the Falklands Islands is yet to be finalised and may involve a change in routing to that shown on the itinerary. Full details will be sent when available.
Hebridean Sky
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky.
Video Library
What to Expect
In Antarctica there is no such thing as a “typical” day. Flexibility is the key and sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a previous voyage log which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Antarctic adventure.
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia: From the ship we could see the huge extent of the king penguin colony, as well as a myriad of cigar-shaped rocks. The rocks were, of course, hundreds of seals of the elephant and fur kind. By the landing spot there was a group of elephants, including a pup that was still suckling. In addition, there were tiny fur seal pups around as well, which looked adorable. A route parallel to the beach had been flagged for us by the expedition team so it was a simple matter to get to and from the king colony in small groups. The birds were so curious that if we stopped they would often come sidling up towards us, to get a better look. In their black, white, grey and orange plumage the kings looked both regal and resplendent.
Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff: Slowly the weather cleared so that we could see land. Ahead of us to starboard was the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula and on the other side were some large, ice-covered islands. There was lots of ice in the water too – brash ice, ice floes and icebergs of many shapes and sizes. Continuing southwards, it wasn’t long before an interesting spot was noticed so the ship stopped and the boats were lowered. We were off on a Zodiac cruise amongst the pack ice (big floes from last winter) and huge icebergs. The ship then headed further south still and eventually went in the direction of Brown Bluff, a favourite landing place. The scenery was stunning – geology on the one hand and sea and ice on the other. By now the sun had been out for some time, which added to both the ‘warmth’ and the colours all around us. Another very significant thing about Brown Bluff is that is part of the continent itself so we could truly say that we had ‘arrived’. For some it was their seventh continent too.
Cuverville Island: Waiting for us at Cuverville were more gentoo penguins; the largest colony of them in Antarctica in fact. Some of us went directly to the beach whilst others went cruising in the channel between Cuverville and Ronge islands. Before landing we saw lots of ice, an old boat from the whaling days and a sleepy Weddell Seal or two. Once ashore there was a choice of directions to take. Left took us to an overview of the main part of the colony and pointed Spigot Peak to the north. Right took us along the level and up a slight rise for dramatic views of Ronge Island and beyond. At one point there was a large ice-fall from the ice wall opposite us. With hardly a breath of air and near-cloudless skies the landscape was pictureperfect. Anyway, there was more to come, in the shape of a barbecue lunch on the lido deck. Our restaurant must surely have had the best views in the world! Our friends in the hotel department had pulled out all the stops and had provided a feast fit for a king. The ship then headed out into a still flat-calm Gerlache Strait, en route to Paradise Bay. A pod of about 30 killer whales were spotted and the Captain slowed the ship and soon the whales were not far away.

Travelling with You
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Dr Chris Edwards
Chris Edwards spent three summers and two winters stationed in Antarctica in the early 1970s. As a geologist for the British Antarctic Survey, he regularly traveled hundreds of miles by dog-sledge, camping for six months at a time away from base, to conduct his field research.
His doctoral studies based on this research resulted in a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham. This experience and his knowledge of the geology, botany, wildlife and exploration history of Antarctica. with 11 years in the oil industry and further travels in the Arctic, South America, the Far East and NW Europe make him a sought-after lecturer, field guide and expedition leader.
Chris lives in Aberdeenshire, Scotland where, when not afloat, is a horologist in his own antique clock restoration business. Passionate about environmental and natural history matters, he is also a lichenologist, bookbinder, keen photographer and bakes real bread.
Dr Chris Edwards will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 28 November 2021 -
Colin Baird
Colin grew up on the west coast of Canada and developed a love for the sea at an early age, sailing and scuba diving the local waters off Vancouver Island. He spent 10 years as a marine mammal trainer working with seals, sea lions and orca (perhaps better known as Killer Whales). In 2002 he was hired by Jean Michel Cousteau as the director of field operations for the Free Willy/ Keiko Project in Iceland and Norway. This was and remains today the only attempt to release a previously captive orca back into the wild.
Since then, Colin has been expedition cruising to many out of the way places; including Iceland, Norway, Svalbard, the high arctic and Antarctic. When at home in Canada leads whale watching tours from Victoria, B.C. during the northern summer to see his favourite of all the cetaceans….the orca.
Colin Baird will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 28 November 2021 -
Colin Munro
Colin is a freelance marine biologist and photographer. Originally from the Scottish Highlands, he now splits his time between Southwest England and Thailand.
He has been working with Noble Caledonia on expedition ships since 2014; this work has taken him to some truly amazing places, from reefs off Papua New Guinea to rainforests in Panama, and taken him back to his homeland cruising the Western Isles of Scotland. Always happiest underwater with a camera, he has lead snorkelling in some of the World’s best locations, from the outer Great Barrier Reef to Aldabra. As someone who started his underwater career as a military diver (a long time ago) in lead boots and zero visibility in the freezing rivers of North Germany he truly appreciates how special these places are.
When not working on expedition ships Colin is still actively involved in marine biological projects in both the UK and Thailand. He also works as a professional photographer, specialising in nature and underwater.
Colin Munro will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 28 November 2021 -
David Makepeace
A filmmaker by trade, David has spent the last 25 years crisscrossing the globe to chase the eclipse experience. His observations of 16 total eclipses, four annular and three partial eclipses has made him one of the busiest chasers in the world - and since the turn of the century he has fulfilled his goal of visiting each of the seven continents on the chase. As a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) and a “celebrity” in the chaser community, David has devoted much of his life to the popularising of these events wherever they may occur. While not a scientist or professional astronomer, his style and enthusiasm are infectious, and his ability to make simple the hard science of eclipses has consistently earned him top marks from his audiences. His awardwinning documentary films and videos including “Hooked On The Shadow” (2000) and Still Hooked (2017) are widely regarded as films that define the eclipse chasing culture. David has accompanied RASC on many eclipse chases, and has personally lead expeditions to the Caribbean, India, Brazil and Australia.
David Makepeace will be on the following tour dates: 7 to 28 November 2021
Tour Extensions
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Before joining our group in Buenos Aires, we are offering the opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls, often considered the most dramatic waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. Remainder of day and evening at leisure.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Iguazu Falls. On arrival check in to the hotel and this afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the falls. Today we will explore the Brazilian side of the falls walking through the tropical rainforest.
Day 4 Iguazu Falls.
Enjoy a full day at the Iguazu Falls on a series of guided walks seeing the upper and lower circuits and also the triple frontier the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Highlights today include the 80 metre fall “Garganta del Diablo” (Devil’s Throat).
Day 5 Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires.
Return to the airport this morning and join our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to the hotel and join our fellow travellers (follow main itinerary from day 2).
Prices per person based on double occupancy
4 to 8 November 2021 Category Price Twin £1895 Single £2395 Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires and two nights hotel accommodation in Iguazu Falls with breakfast, lunch & dinner on days 3 & 4, guided tours at the Iguazu Falls, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Also of Interest
Highlights of Antarctica
Fly the Drake & Discover the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Hebridean Sky with Antarctica21
Hebridean Sky with Antarctica21
Hebridean Sky with Antarctica21
Itinerary at a glance
- Santiago / Punta Arenas / King George Island / Antarctica
Antarctica – Land of Heroes
An expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Buenos Aires / Puerto Madryn / Falkland Islands / South Georgia / Antarctic Peninsula / South Shetland Islands / Drake Passage / Ushuaia / Buenos Aires
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000