Burgess guide to exploring Antarctica.

Published 05 七月 2023

Discover the best that Antarctica has to offer with a Burgess yacht charter. Plan your next adventure now

A private explorer yacht charter to Antarctica is one of the most adventurous yachting expeditions out there. It combines journeying to the ends of the world, in the lap of luxury. Explore the coastline by tender, paddle board to the edge of icebergs and cruise from one penguin colony to another with the sound of calving glaciers for company. When onboard an ice-class yacht built for intrepid adventure, Antarctica becomes accessible.

 

Must see Antarctic locations 

From Cape Verde to the South Orkney Islands, and the Ross Sea to Ascension Island, Antarctica yacht charters bring the icy wilderness to your superyacht cabin door. Home to mountain ranges that soar to peaks of almost 3,000m above the sea, and an abundance of snow, ice and glaciers, there is nowhere else in the world like it. 

Iceberg Alley 

Soak in the stunning views and keep an eye out for the Green-Winged Teals
Soak in the stunning views and keep an eye out for the Green-Winged Teals

Stretching from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Iceberg Alley refers to the thousand kilometres of coastline where monolithic icebergs - huge chunks of glacier that have broken off and floated in from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic – can be spotted in the waters. It’s also an ideal location for whale watching and spotting Green-Winged Teals and Golden Eagles overhead. 

Crystal Sound 

The Crystal Sound is an essential stop when chartering the Antarctic
The Crystal Sound is an essential stop when chartering the Antarctic 

Crystal Sound – a channel of water between the southern part of the Biscoe Islands and the coast of Graham Land – is a magical location full of snow-covered mountains, floating icebergs and crystal-clear water. So-called after the number of scientists using the area to research ice crystals, it forms part of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is renowned for its dramatic scenery. It also remains one of the most accessible parts of Antarctica to visit by boat when approaching from Patagonia. 

The Antarctic Circle 

Explore the underwater wildlife
Explore the underwater wildlife 

Antarctica is the world’s final frontier, making it prime cruising grounds for those set on an adventure yacht charter. Vast penguin colonies, Blue Whales and Weddel Seals all thrive here, the Earth’s southernmost, driest, coldest and windiest continent. Here is where guests ice climb volcanoes, take to the water in a Polar plunge and dive by submersible, all in a day. 

The Gullet 

Crabeater Seals are a common sight to those who pass through The Gullet
Crabeater Seals are a common sight to those who pass through The Gullet

Separating Hansen Island and Day Island, The Gullet is a narrow yet impressive Antarctic waterway. It sits between the eastern extremity of Adelaide Island and the west coast of Graham Land and is admired for its 11 nautical miles of unadulterated natural beauty. Cruising through here is a humbling experience set against nature’s epic proportions.

Port Lockroy 

Walk in the footsteps of explorers and witness the beauty
Walk in the footsteps of explorers and witness the beauty

The Antarctic base of Port Lockroy, situated on Goudier Island (not to be confused with the natural harbour on Wiencke Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula) has been a home for explorers, whalers, scientists and sailors for centuries. It’s the most visited site in the Antarctic, which provides an opportunity to monitor the disturbance caused to the Gentoo Penguins that nest around the station. To date, no adverse effects have been detected. 


Antarctic animals 

As inhospitable as Antarctica is to humans, its wild and icy tundra host a diverse selection of wildlife – around 235 animal species – that thrive in the Polar conditions. From the mighty Emperor and King Penguins, and a litany of sea birds, penguins and seals, to the mighty Blue Whale, the largest animal to have ever lived on Earth, the southern continent is alive. 

Adelie Penguins 

The Adelie are the smallest species of penguin to be found in Antarctica
The Adelie are the smallest species of penguin to be found in Antarctica

Paulet Island is located off the northeastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, south of Dundee Island. Its lunar landscape is made up of lava flows and a cinder cone with a small summit crater, providing perfect geothermally heated and ice-free conditions for Adelie Penguins. Due to the island’s impressive 100,000 breeding pairs, it has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and is a prized landing site for photographers and Antarctic wildlife enthusiasts. 

Leopard Seals 

Leopard Seals sleep both on land and in the water. Whilst snoozing in the water they float in a standing position or float horizontally on the water's surface
Leopard Seals sleep both on land and in the water. Whilst snoozing in the water they float in a standing position or float horizontally on the water's surface


When in Antarctica, The Gullet is the place to head to spot fur and crabeater seals, as well as Leopard Seals – the only cannibalistic member of its family. Leopard Seals are notoriously hard to spot as they spend much of their lives submerged, but when hunting, they can be spotted floating in waters near edges of ice or land where penguins have congregated. Keen naturalists need to keep their eyes peeled though, as Leopard Seals are solitary creatures, only grouping during mating season.  

King Penguins 

King Penguins can be recognized due to their stunning orange colors
King Penguins can be recognized due to their stunning orange colors 

South Georgia Island and the Falklands Islands is where the King Penguin – the second largest penguins in the world – can be found. Identifiable by a fiery golden plumage around their heads and dark grey bodies, the male species, made famous by Disney’s Happy Feet, are renowned for incubating their eggs on their feet while covering them with a special pouch to keep them warm during the harsh winter. 

Killer Whales

Orcas, commonly known as Killer Whales are the largest member of the dolphin family
Orcas, commonly known as Killer Whales are the largest member of the dolphin family

Killer whales – or Orcas – technically form part of the dolphin family and can be found all over Antarctica. Growing to mammoth proportions (the males reach up to 9.5m (31 ft) in length) they are commonly spotted from February to March, when the whales are their most active.  

Elephant Seals 

Male Elephant Seals are out lived by females, with female Elephant Seals living for over 20 years
Male Elephant Seals are out lived by females, with female Elephant Seals living for over 20 years 

The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest seal in the world, at least six times larger than polar bears and nearly twice the size of the next largest seal, the Northern Elephant Seal. The ginormous males can weigh up to 3,700kg (8,000lb) and are hugely territorial. The most dominant develop harems of up to 150 females, and they defend their right to mate with them with their life. Ninety percent of males die before developing a harem. 

Chinstrap Penguins 

Chinstrap Penguins have been given the nickname Stonebreaker Penguins due to the loud shrieking noises they make
Chinstrap Penguins have been given the nickname Stonebreaker Penguins due to the loud shrieking noises they make 

The Chinstrap Penguin earned its name from the narrow black band under its head, which makes it appear as though it’s wearing a black helmet. Living for up to 20 years in the wild, they are known for leaning on the lively side – most penguins have a friendly temperament, but the Chinstrap will stare, glare, charge, stretch, point and gestures if they feel threatened.  


Speak to Burgess to discover more about Antarctic charter opportunities. Enquire now 

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for charter and yachts for sale, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: LondonMonacoNew YorkMiamiSingapore or all other locations.

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