Ultramarine

November

Snow Hill on the northeast side of the Antarctic Peninsula is home to 4,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins and is one of the hardest spots in Antarctica to reach due to the levels of ice that remain in the shadow of the peninsula. However, with a helicopter that access is made a whole lot easier and the Ultramarine is one of the few ships that can reliably get you there. Landing a mile or two away from the colony so as not to disturb the birds with the chopper you’ll walk across the frozen land to reach the colony with its iconic birds and fluffy grey chicks.

November to March

The Ultramarine operates a series of expeditions to Antarctica throughout the Austral summer ranging in length from 8 to 14 days. For those who want to avoid sailing across Drakes Passage the 8-day trip includes a flight to King George Island in the South Shetlands. Anyone wanting to really immerse themselves in the White Continent should consider the 14-day voyages which take place later in the summer and aim to cross the Antarctic Circle while the ice allows passage that far south.

All departures offer kayaking and paddle-boarding as adventure options while selected departures also include the option to camp or take helicopter flight-seeing trips.

December

This expedition should be on any wildlife lovers’ bucket list, there can be very few experiences that come anywhere close in terms of the range and sheer number of species that you might see. That is even more true if what you want to see is penguins. The ruggedly beautiful Falkland Islands are home five species; king, gentoo, Magellanic, southern rockhopper and Macaroni. In South Georgia you can add chinstrap to the list as well as giant colonies of kings number up to 400,000 breeding pairs. The sight, sound and definitely the smell, is something quite astounding. In addition to this there are albatross, including wandering, blackbrowed and the gorgeous sooty light mantel.  These waters are rich in marine life too with whales, fur seals and elephant seals all calling them home at this time of year.

Then there is the history of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition and the whaling stations that are being reclaimed by nature as the wildlife takes over. All this and you’ll visit the Antarctic Peninsula too, is this the ultimate polar expedition?

March

April to May

Sail through Scottish Islands and into the Arctic on this wonderful journey starting in Aberdeen and ending in Longyearbyen. The journey includes time on Fair Isle with its puffin colonies before you continue north to the startlingly beautiful Faroe Islands where steep cliffs plunge vertically into the ocean, few places feel quite like the end of the world as the Faroes. It’s not the end of this journey however, as you continue north to Jan Mayen and the Svalbard Archipelago where polar bears outnumber humans and the chance of sighting one hunting on the ice is high.

May to July

During these months 10 to 14-day expeditions to Svalbard, allow you to immerse yourself in an Arctic adventure through stunning glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastlines. You’ll explore the dramatic Svalbard archipelago, home to polar bears, Arctic foxes, and diverse seabird colonies. Activities include guided zodiac cruises, invigorating hikes, and visits to historical sites including ancient whaling stations. During these summer months, you’ll also experience the midnight sun. These journeys cater to nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike, with a strong emphasis on environmental awareness and sustainable travel practices, allowing you to experience the pristine wilderness of the High Arctic responsibly.

August

The largest island in the world and one of the most uninhabited places on the planet, Greenland is a vast and mostly unexplored gem that somehow feels like it was designed by giants. Named by the biking Eric the Red in one of the earliest attempts at false advertising to attract more farmers to a new settlement, this is a land of giant proportions. The largest fjord system in the world, Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund) is found on the east coast. Meanwhile, the Tasermiut Fjord stretches for over 40 miles inland along the south coast and in the west, you’ll find the Kangia (Ilulissat) Icefjord. This is the likely origin of the berg that sank the Titanic and produces a Manhattan block amount of ice every day. At this time of year, the rich waters are home to humpback, bowhead and beluga while there is always a chance of spotting narwhal too. On land, you’ll discover a rich culture and history stretching far back beyond the arrival of the Vikings. With next to no infrastructure on land, exploring on a small expedition ship with specialist guides is undoubtedly the best way to see this captivating country.

August + September

The mystical Northwest Passage remains as one of the most difficult regions to explore. As the ice melts in summer Lancaster Sound becomes a wildlife superhighway with bowheads, polar bears, seals, walrus and even narwhal hunting in the rich waters. This is a region steeped in legend and lore with a human history dating back over 3,000 years with archaeological evidence still visible in places. Then there is the Franklin Expedition that set off in 1854 to find a way through the ice and was never seen again. Despite many attempts to track them down, the boats were not found until 2016. Along the way you may visit key sites that are part of that story such as Beechey Island as well as remote outposts belonging to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the Hudson Bay Company who traded furs through the region over 100 years ago. There will also be a chance to meet the people who live here in one of the harshest places on earth to survive.

The Ultramarine operates a variety of expeditions ranging from 9 to 17 days and covering the heart of the Passage to Ellesmere Island in the far north.