Destinations, Expedition
Expedition Yacht Charters.
Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, and the Galapagos. Yachting at the edges of the world, aboard vessels built for the journey.
The Peninsula
Svalbard, Greenland
Inside Passage
Ecuadorian archipelago
SECTION 01
Why charter here
Expedition yachting is a distinct discipline within the industry, requiring purpose-built vessels, experienced crews, and a different kind of planning entirely. The rewards, for guests who want them, are proportional: landscapes and wildlife that few people on earth will ever see, and cruising that goes far beyond the familiar Mediterranean or Caribbean itineraries.
These destinations are arranged through partners who specialise in polar and expedition cruising. Availability is limited, planning windows are long, and every itinerary is shaped around the specific vessel and season.
SECTION 02
The cruising grounds
Destination 01
Antarctica
The white continent.
Antarctica is the most remote and least visited continent on earth. A yacht expedition here reaches the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia at the tip of South America, crossing the Drake Passage before entering the ice. Penguins, seals, whales, and landscapes of a scale and stillness that has to be seen. The experience is genuinely transformative for guests prepared for it.
Antarctic yachting requires ice-class vessels, expert captains, and detailed planning. The season is short and availability is limited. We work with partners who specialise in these expeditions.
Destination 02
The Arctic
Svalbard, Greenland, and beyond.
The Arctic offers expedition cruising that spans Svalbard’s polar bears and glacial fjords, Greenland’s ice-choked eastern coast, and the Northwest Passage for the most ambitious voyages. Each destination requires its own vessel, planning, and expertise. The season is short: only a few months in high summer when conditions allow.
For guests interested in wildlife, the light of the polar summer, and landscapes on a scale beyond the ordinary, few destinations rival the Arctic.
Destination 03
Alaska
The Inside Passage.
Alaska offers a form of expedition cruising more accessible than the polar destinations. The Inside Passage runs through sheltered waterways from Seattle north to Glacier Bay, with dramatic fjords, glaciers that calve directly into the sea, and wildlife including bears, whales, sea otters, and eagles. Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan serve as points of interest along the way.
Alaska is well suited to guests who want the drama of high-latitude cruising without the extreme requirements of Antarctica or the Arctic.
Destination 04
The Galapagos
A world of its own.
The Galapagos Islands sit six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador and hold wildlife found nowhere else on earth. Yacht charters here are strictly regulated by the Ecuadorian government to protect the fragile ecosystem, and only a limited number of vessels are permitted to operate in Galapagos waters. Access requires advance planning and specialist operators.
The reward for the effort is significant. Marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and the sense of stepping into a scientific field guide made real.
Year round
SECTION 03
Charter season
Expedition seasons are dictated by the destination and the vessel. Antarctica operates during the southern summer (November to March), the Arctic and Alaska during the northern summer (June to September), and the Galapagos year round with two distinct seasonal patterns.
Availability is significantly more limited than in more conventional cruising grounds. We recommend beginning planning eighteen months to two years in advance for the most sought-after expedition weeks.
SECTION 04
Embarkation and logistics
Departure points are specific to each expedition destination. Ushuaia for Antarctica, Longyearbyen for Svalbard, Reykjavik for Greenland, Seattle or Juneau for Alaska, and Baltra or San Cristobal for the Galapagos.
Each expedition requires vessel selection appropriate to the ice conditions, wildlife regulations, and specific itinerary. We work with a small group of trusted expedition operators who specialise in polar and remote cruising.
Antarctica, Arctic, Alaska, Galapagos
Ice-class or expedition-rated
Eighteen to twenty-four months
Extremely limited
Via Argentina, Norway, Alaska, Ecuador
Ten to twenty nights
SECTION 05
Sample ten-day itinerary
A directional guide to an Antarctic expedition from Ushuaia, crossing the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Every itinerary is shaped around the vessel, the weather, and the ice conditions.
SECTION 06
Explore nearby
SECTION 07
Frequently Asked Questions
Are expedition yachts different from conventional charter yachts?
Significantly so. Expedition vessels are ice-class rated, carry reinforced hulls, and are equipped with tenders, zodiacs, and equipment for landing in remote locations. Crews carry expedition-specific credentials in navigation, ice handling, and wildlife safety.
How far in advance should I book an Antarctic charter?
Eighteen months to two years is standard for the most sought-after weeks. The suitable fleet is small, seasons are short, and expedition operators require significant lead time to plan logistics.
Which expedition destination is best for a first polar voyage?
Alaska for its accessibility, Svalbard for its wildlife concentration, or a shorter Antarctic Peninsula voyage for the classic experience. All three offer genuine expedition character without requiring the most extreme itineraries.
Do expedition charters carry a naturalist or guide?
Most do. Trained naturalists and expedition leaders travel with the vessel to lead landings, brief guests on wildlife, and manage safety in remote environments. This is often what distinguishes a genuine expedition charter from a conventional cruise.
Is the Galapagos as strictly regulated as it sounds?
Yes. The Ecuadorian government limits vessel numbers, requires naturalist guides for all landings, and restricts many landings to specific routes. This has preserved the ecosystem but means access must be arranged well in advance through licensed operators.
PLAN A CHARTER
Every itinerary begins with a
conversation.
Tell us the destination that draws you, or ask us where might best
suit the trip you have in mind. We will shape something around it.