The First Antarctic Sailing Yacht Expedition Is Here
Terra Nova Expeditions just announced something genuinely unprecedented: a 20-day Antarctic voyage that combines traditional expedition cruising with five nights aboard a sailing yacht. If you've been waiting for something that breaks from the standard small-ship formula, this is it.
The "Ultimate Antarctic Adventure" puts just six guests aboard Icebird, a purpose-built polar sailing yacht, while the rest of the expedition happens on St Helena, their 140-passenger expedition vessel. It's the first program of its kind in Antarctica.
Why This Matters
Most Antarctic expeditions follow a similar pattern. You board a ship ranging from 100 to 500 passengers, make zodiac landings with groups of 16-20, and share landing sites with other vessels according to IAATO scheduling.
This program throws that out the window for the sailing portion.
When you're on Icebird, your landing party is you and five other guests. That's it. No coordinating with other zodiac groups. No IAATO rotation schedules. No crowds.
The yacht operates independently from St Helena, meaning it can access locations and timing that wouldn't work for the larger ship. You get flexibility that simply isn't possible on standard itineraries.
How It Works
The expedition runs 19 nights across three distinct phases:
Days 1-10: St Helena Expedition
You board in Ushuaia and experience a full Classic Antarctica expedition. Drake Passage crossing, Antarctic Peninsula exploration, daily zodiac landings, kayaking, camping. All the standard expedition activities with Terra Nova's expert guides.
Days 11-15: Icebird Sailing
On Day 10, you transfer to Icebird. For five nights, you sail around Antarctica with just five other guests. The yacht carries its own zodiac and kayaks for intimate landings at spots the larger ship can't easily access.
This is the industry-first component. Overnight sailing in Antarctic waters on a small yacht has never been packaged into a commercial expedition before.
Days 16-20: Return to St Helena
You rejoin St Helena as she returns with the next group of passengers. More peninsula time, more landings, then the Drake crossing back to Ushuaia.
What's Included
Terra Nova structures this as all-inclusive. That means:
- All accommodation on both vessels
- All meals, snacks, and house beverages (beer, wine, soda)
- Daily shore excursions and zodiac cruises
- Kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, and yoga
- Expedition parka (yours to keep)
- Loaned muck boots
- All gratuities
- Port fees and landing permits
- Basic WiFi on St Helena
The sailing yacht portion includes all the same activities: zodiac boat, kayaks, and the flexibility to explore based on conditions.
The Day Sailing Alternative
Not ready to commit to five nights on a yacht? Terra Nova also offers single-day sailing experiences on select departures between December 28, 2026 and January 25, 2027.
For $1,295, you spend a full day sailing with Icebird while still returning to St Helena in the evening. It's a way to experience polar sailing without the multi-night commitment.
This works well as an add-on to a standard St Helena departure during that window.
Physical Requirements
Here's an important caveat: Icebird sailing requires a medical and physical assessment before booking confirmation.
This isn't unusual for more adventurous activities in Antarctica, but it's worth noting. The yacht operates in remote waters where rescue would take time, so Terra Nova needs to ensure all participants can safely handle conditions aboard a small vessel.
If you have questions about whether you'd qualify, ask before putting down a deposit.
Pricing
The Ultimate Antarctic Adventure starts at $21,080 per person.
That's for quad share accommodation on both vessels. Double private cabins run higher. Given this is a 20-day expedition with five nights on an exclusive 6-passenger yacht, the per-day cost compares reasonably to premium operators.
Standard Terra Nova Classic Antarctica voyages run 10-11 days starting around $8,000-10,000. So the premium for the sailing component works out to roughly $10,000 additional for the yacht experience and extended expedition length.
Who This Is For
This isn't a typical Antarctic cruise. It's designed for travelers who want:
- True intimacy: Maximum six people on the yacht
- Flexibility: Weather-dependent itinerary, not a fixed schedule
- Sailing: Actual wind-powered navigation through Antarctic waters
- Adventure: Multi-night camping-style experience on a small vessel
- Access: Landing sites that aren't accessible to larger ships
If your priority is spacious cabins, onboard amenities, and predictable scheduling, this isn't it. But if you want the most immersive, exclusive Antarctic experience currently available, Terra Nova just set a new standard.
The Bottom Line
The Ultimate Antarctic Adventure represents genuine innovation in a market where most "new" products are incremental variations. Combining expedition cruising with sailing yacht operations hasn't been done before.
It's expensive. It requires physical fitness. And only 6 people per departure will get the sailing experience.
But for travelers seeking something truly different in Antarctica, this is it.