Terra Nova Expeditions has unveiled what it describes as a world-first Antarctic cruise–sailing hybrid, combining a purpose-built expedition ship with an intimate polar yacht experience in one seamless journey.
Founded in Sydney by Australian travel veteran Greg Carter, the company’s new 20-day Ultimate Antarctic Adventure blends expedition cruising aboard St Helena with a six-day micro-expedition under sail aboard the Icebird yacht.
Redefining Antarctic exploration
The hybrid format is designed to deliver deeper access and greater flexibility, allowing guests to explore remote bays and narrow channels beyond the reach of larger vessels.
“As visitor numbers to the Antarctic Peninsula continue to rise and competition for landing sites intensifies, we’re leveraging our deep regional knowledge and independent operating model to venture beyond the crowds,” said Greg Carter, CEO and Founder of Terra Nova Expeditions.
“By combining expedition cruising with intimate yacht sailing, we can offer flexible routing, quieter anchorages and access to rarely visited bays, delivering a more authentic, truly exploratory experience.”
Carter said the concept reflects a return to the traditional spirit of exploration.
“Sailing among icebergs with just a handful of guests, feeling the wind and hearing the ice shift around you, is profoundly personal. We’re proud to create a world-first experience that invites guests not just to visit Antarctica, but to truly participate in it.”
The 20-day Ultimate Antarctic Adventure
The journey begins with a Drake Passage crossing aboard St Helena, where guests attend expert-led presentations and wildlife spotting sessions before arriving in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
The program includes daily shore landings, Zodiac cruising, kayaking among icebergs, snowshoeing and wildlife encounters with penguins, seals and whales. With more than 500 potential landing sites, itineraries are shaped by prevailing conditions to maximise discovery.
On Day 8, guests transfer to the expedition yacht Icebird for a six-day sailing expedition into remote anchorages inaccessible to larger ships. Activities include sailing, hiking, kayaking, Zodiac exploration and optional polar plunges.
Participants then rejoin St Helena for further Peninsula exploration and the return crossing of the Drake Passage.
Departures for the 2026/27 season are scheduled for 28 December 2026, 6 January 2027, 16 January 2027 and 25 January 2027.
Day sailing option
Terra Nova Expeditions is also introducing a six-hour Day Sailing Experience aboard Icebird for select voyages. Limited to eight guests, the private sailing offers a quieter, close-to-nature perspective of Antarctica’s ice formations and glacial landscapes.
The company operates with a maximum of 98 guests aboard St Helena and includes activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, yoga and photography workshops at no additional cost.
