Antarctica 2027 Photography Adventure
Living Wilderness & Immersive Icescapes
Experience Highlights
Ultimate Polar Itinerary – Antarctica headlines the journey, but it’s in the Falklands and especially South Georgia where nature gathers at a grand scale—massive King Penguin colonies, sculpted landscapes, and a concentration of wildlife found nowhere else. From breaching Humpbacks to playful Fur seals and ethereal kingdoms of ice, this voyage provides front row access to the natural wonders of the far south .
Extraordinary Wildlife Encounters – Photograph six species of penguins as well as Elephant and Leopard seals, Orca, Humpback and Minke whales. Watch as albatrosses, skuas, petrels, and other seabirds ride the polar winds. Each excursion is a new opportunity to capture life thriving in one of the most remote and untamed regions on Earth.
Immersive Icescapes – Sail through surreal realms of towering icebergs and glaciers illuminated by ever-changing polar light. With 17 Zodiacs and frequent landings, we’ll step ashore in locations few ever reach—places that inspire both the eye and the imagination.
Mentorship in the Moment – an expedition cruise just may be the perfect platform for a photography workshop. Our extended time together lets us work on images experiences are still fresh. Combined with in-the-field coaching, image reviews, lectures, and group discussions, it creates a rich environment for creative growth, meaningful feedback, and deeper connection—to your craft and to the place itself.
At A Glance
Feb 13 - Mar 7, 2027
Cost:
Starting at $16,950 USD.
Price varies by cabin choice
20% Non-refundable deposit required at time of booking
Instructor:
Ken Lee
Difficulty:
Easy (see FAQs for details)
What's Included: Accommodations and Meals aboard ship; Expedition shore excursions; Naturalist’s programs/ Lectures; Photography instruction
What's Not Included: Flights to/from Ushuaia); Pre and post trip lodging in Ushuaia; Travel Insurance; Personal Expenses; (laundry, alcohol, etc.); Gratuities; Meals ashore
This trip is offered in partnership with Oceanwide Expeditions, a leader in polar expedition cruising with over 30 years of experience and specializing in journeys blending ship-based comfort with immersive land-based adventures.
Art of Seeing Photography Adventures is acting as a booking agent for Oceanwide Expeditions. Payments to Art of Seeing will be forwarded to Oceanwide Expeditions, and this trip will be conducted in accordance with Oceanwide’s policies and terms and conditions.
For comprehensive information about this journey, please visit Oceanwide’s Expedition Page.
Beyond the Seventh Continent
Far from a frozen wasteland, the Antarctic region is bursting with life on a scale that’s difficult to comprehend! Our extended itinerary offers a rare opportunity to experience and photograph some of the most remote and biologically rich regions on Earth.
Stand among massive colonies of King, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Chinstrap, and Macaroni penguins. Photograph Elephant seals, Leopard seals, and a wide variety of seabirds including albatrosses and skuas, all set against dramatic backdrops of ice, rock, and sea.
Timed for peak whale migration, this journey also offers excellent chances to witness and photograph Humpback whales and other marine mammals in their element.
Why Book with Us?
By booking through Art of Seeing Photography Adventures, you’re not just joining an expedition—you’re joining a community. In addition to everything included when booking directly with Oceanwide Expeditions, you’ll receive a full photography workshop – at no additional cost.
Traveling alongside passionate, like-minded photographers who understand the joy of chasing light, waiting for the perfect moment, and seeing the world through a creative lens elevates an already extraordinary journey into an even more immersive experience designed to sharpen your skills, awaken your vision, and connect you more deeply to the stunning world around you.
Active Exploration, Deep Engagement
“It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that we can focus instead on fast, effective access to shore and near-shore activities… Our top priority is taking advantage of every wildlife and terrain opportunity as it occurs.”
–Oceanwide Expeditions
This is not a passive sightseeing cruise—it’s an expedition designed for those who want to engage deeply with the natural world. With 17 Zodiacs and up to 4 off-ship excursions per day, we won’t just witness Antarctica—we’ll step into it. Whether hiking among penguin or seal colonies, cruising through ice-filled bays, or photographing seals at eye level, each outing is an opportunity to participate, observe, and create.
Between landings, Oceanwide’s expert naturalists deliver engaging presentations on polar ecology, Antarctic history, and the wildlife we encounter—turning travel into a continuous, immersive learning experience.
Safety, Comfort & Style
Our home during our voyage is the m/v Hondius, the newest and most modern ship in Oceanwide’s fleet–a stabilized expedition vessel purpose-built for polar exploration. Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 passenger vessel, making her among the most structurally fortified and technologically advanced polar cruise ships on the seas.
Ready to Join the Adventure?
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight | Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 13 | Departure from Ushuaia – Our voyage begins where the world ends – Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city on the planet.
After dropping off our luggage in the morning to be loaded aboard the m/v Hondius, we have the rest of the day to explore this small resort town nicknamed “The End of the World.” We’ll board the Hondius at 4pm and set sail shortly after along the mountain fringed Beagle Channel Note: We advise arriving in Ushuaia at least one day early in case of travel delays which are common in this part of the world. Lodging in Ushuaia is not included, but hotel recommendations will be provided to registered participants. |
m/v Hondius | D |
| 2 | Feb 14 | At Sea – a full day at sea on our way to the Falkland Islands. Enjoy the ships amenities and naturalist programs. We’ll also use this time to get everyone up to speed on our photo gear and settings. Ken will also introduce his “Whole Brain” approach to addressing the craft and creative aspects of photography. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Falklands Arrival - Our first wildlife encounters begin in the Falklands, a remote archipelago rich with approachable birdlife and marine mammals. We’ll make multiple off-ship excursions (conditions permitting)—both landings and near shore Zodiac cruises—to photograph albatrosses, imperial shags, and several penguin species, including King, Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper. Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins are often seen in surrounding waters, adding to the photographic potential of this lesser-known gem. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 4 | Feb 16 | Port Stanley, Falkland Islands – After an overnight sail, we arrive in Port Stanley—the historic capital of the Falklands and a unique blend of remote frontier and British charm. With its colorful homes, vintage pubs, and century-old shipwrecks, this town offers photographic opportunities around every corner. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like upland geese and caracaras as you explore. A visit to the Falklands Museum is included, offering insight into the islands’ storied past—from early settlement to the Falklands War. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 5–6 | Feb 17–18 | At Sea, en Route to South Georgia – As we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the sea comes alive with birdlife—albatrosses, petrels, prions, and other seabirds drawn to the nutrient-rich waters where ocean currents collide. Take this opportunity to rest, reflect, or join our optional photography sessions. Work on your images individually or join a group editing session, connect with Ken for one-on-one feedback, or simply relax, read, or watch seabirds from the deck. All photography activities are completely optional—this is your time, and how you spend it is entirely up to you. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 7–10 | Feb 19–22 | South Georgia Island – South Georgia is one of the most ecologically extraordinary places on Earth. This rugged sub-Antarctic island hosts an overwhelming abundance of wildlife—millions of Fur seals, vast rookeries of King Penguins, towering cliffs alive with nesting seabirds, and Elephant seals sprawled across beaches in every direction. It quickly becomes apparent why South Georgia earned the nickname “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean.”
We’ll make the most of this wildlife spectacle with multiple off-ship excursions daily—both landings and Zodiac cruises—to maximize our photo opportunities and immersive, up-close wildlife encounters. We’ll explore iconic sites such as Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbour, each home to massive King Penguin colonies and teeming Fur seal nurseries. At Fortuna Bay, we’ll photograph seals and penguins set against glacier-carved landscapes, near the final leg of Shackleton’s historic crossing to Stromness. We’ll also explore Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station now reclaimed by nature, where King Penguins wander the ruins and Elephant seals nap in the streets, while visiting Shackleton’s grave and the South Georgia Museum. |
m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 11 | Feb 23 | At Sea – There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 12 | Feb 24 | South Orkney Islands Arrival – Remote and seldom visited, the South Orkneys offer a dramatic polar landscapes, rugged coastlines, and rich photographic potential. If conditions allow, we may land at Orcadas Base on Laurie Island, where panoramic views of ice and sea surround one of Antarctica’s oldest research stations.
Alternatively, we may explore Shingle Cove on Coronation Island—a sheltered bay framed by rocky outcrops and ice cliffs, ideal for capturing moody landscapes, wildlife sightings, and the quiet drama of the polar environment. |
m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 13 | Feb 25 | South Orkney–Elephant Island – Arriving at Elephant Island, we retrace part of Shackleton’s legendary 1916 rescue journey—a story of endurance that still echoes across the ice. If weather permits, a Zodiac landing at Point Wild offers the chance to stand where his crew survived for months against towering cliffs and relentless seas. For photographers, it’s a rare opportunity to capture not just a landscape, but a story—one of survival, scale, and the raw power of nature. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 14 | Feb 26 | Elephant Island – Antarctic Peninsula – Conditions allowing, we’ll sail into the Antarctic Sound, where colossal tabular icebergs drift silently through vast, glassy waters—an awe-inspiring gateway to the eastern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula. Photographer or not, this is likely the Antarctica of your dreams: towering walls of ice, endless textures, and ever-changing icescapes—ideal for dramatic compositions that highlight the scale and silence of the polar environment.
A potential landing at Brown Bluff offers a powerful visual contrast: dark volcanic cliffs, glacier-fed slopes, and colonies of Adélie and Gentoo penguins along the shore. It’s also one of the few places we may set foot on the Antarctic continent—an unforgettable experience for any explorer or photographer. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 15 | Feb 27 | South Shetland Islands Arrival – Shaped by volcanic forces and often shrouded in mist, the South Shetlands offer a moody, evocative landscape. These islands are home to a surprising variety of life — gentoo and chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels, and hardy polar flora like mosses and lichens that cling to the rocky terrain.
Deception Island, where our ship navigates through Neptune’s Bellows into a flooded volcanic caldera is one of the photographic highlights here. Inside, you’ll find haunting remnants of an abandoned whaling station, dramatic black-sand beaches, and swirling birdlife, including cape petrels, skuas, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. Whether capturing stark landscapes, wildlife behavior, or the interplay of steam, ash, and snow, this is a place where storytelling and composition come alive. |
m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 16–20 | Feb 28–March 4 | South Shetlands – Antarctic Peninsula – This segment of the voyage offers some of the most iconic and varied photographic opportunities in Antarctica. We’ll navigate through the Gerlache Strait and surrounding areas, where snow-covered peaks, glacier faces, and towering icebergs create powerful backdrops for both wide landscapes and intimate wildlife scenes.
In Neko Harbour, dramatic mountain reflections and close encounters with penguins and seals provide chances to photograph wildlife in striking alpine settings. At Paradise Bay, we’ll cruise through still, iceberg-laden waters where Humpback and Minke whales often surface—a prime setting for capturing motion and scale in serene conditions. If conditions permit, we may cross the Antarctic Circle, visiting lesser-traveled sites like Crystal Sound, known for its dense sea ice and ethereal light, and Weather and sea conditions will shape our route, but this region consistently delivers some of the most atmospheric, diverse, and rewarding photographic moments of the entire voyage. |
m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 21–22 | March 5–6 | At Sea, En Route to Ushuaia – Our return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, we’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them. | m/v Hondius | B-L-D |
| 23 | March 7 | Arrival– Ushuaia – Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. | – | B |
Note: This itinerary is our general plan but is subject to change without notice due to weather, sea conditions, logistical considerations or other reasons.
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Ken Lee, the founder Art of Seeing Photography Adventures is as passionate about helping others grow as photographers as he is about creating his own images. Ken’s Whole Brain approach to teaching photography addresses both the Craft (gear, technique, post-processing) and Creative (Composition & the Photographer’s Eye) aspects of image-making – and the completely different approaches needed to master both. Click the links to read more about Ken Lee and The Art of Seeing, what you can expect from an Art of Seeing workshop, or to see examples of Ken’s photography.
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Please note that Art of Seeing’s standard policies DO NOT APPLY to the Antarctica 2027 workshop. This expedition is operated in partnership with Oceanwide Expeditions. All bookings are subject to Oceanwide’s terms and conditions, including cancellation and refund policies.
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Below is a selection of Frequently Asked Questions which are particularly relevant to our journey. In addition, Oceanwide maintains a well organized and searchable FAQ database with answers to over 460 questions.
Q: What are the cabin choices and costs?
A: Click here to view descriptions and photos of the various lodging options available and their costs. When you’re ready to sign up, click any of the Sign Me Up buttons on this page and complete the registration form to join the Art of Seeing Photography Adventures group.
Q: I don’t have a travel partner. Will you find a roommate for me?
A: Yes, we will first try to pair you with a same gender roommate(s) from our (Art of Seeing) group. If one is not available, Oceanwide will match you with a same gender roommate(s) from the general passenger list.
If you do not want to share a cabin with another passenger, you can book a twin cabin for your own individual use. The single supplement of 1.7 will then apply.
The single supplement is only applicable when you request a guaranteed single cabin. If you end up being alone in your cabin simply by chance, Oceanwide does not charge the single supplement.
Q: What are the Physical Fitness Requirements for this trip?
A: You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities and evacuation by air may not be possible, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment.
Q: Why this trip/itinerary?
A: This extended voyage includes not only the Antarctic Peninsula but also the Falkland Islands and South Georgia—two of the most wildlife-rich regions on Earth. Shorter trips often miss these highlights. Scheduled for late February to early March, the itinerary also aligns with peak whale migration, mild temperatures, and balanced day/night light—making it ideal for both exploration and photography.
Q: Why book with Art of Seeing?
A: When you book through Art of Seeing, you receive a full photography workshop—at no extra cost—on top of everything included with Oceanwide Expeditions. You’ll travel with a creative community of like-minded explorers, turning an already extraordinary journey into a deeper, more immersive experience.
Q: Do I need to be an expert photographer?
A: No, we welcome photographers of all experience levels. Whether you’re an expert photographer or just enjoy taking meaningful photos as part of your travel experience, you’ll find inspiration, support, and instruction designed to meet you where you are—sharpening your skills and enriching the way you see the world.
Q: Can my non-photographer partner attend?
A: Absolutely, all photography related activities are optional. There are plenty of activities and people aboard to keep those who might not share your passion for pictures entertained and occupied.
Q: What kind of photography equipment do I need?
A: A complete list of recommended photography gear and accessories will be provided to registered participants. In general, a dSLR or Mirrorless camera(s) with a selection of lenses ranging from wide angle (≤ 24 mm) to telephoto (≥400mm) is a good starting point. Some high-end point and shoot (I.e. “bridge” cameras) With a good zoom are also an option. An action-cam (e.g. GoPro) could also be handy. Other important items include a dry bag or good rain cover for your camera bag and PLENTY of extra memory cards & batteries. Lastly, don’t forget your smartphone is a fantastic camera! If you’re considering purchasing equipment, we’re happy to make specific recommendations, just ask.
Q: Can I bring a Drone?
A: No, the use of drones is prohibited on ship or during excursions in accordance with guidelines from IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and AECO(Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators).
Q: What will the weather be like? How Cold does it get?
A: Surprisingly mild–February/March is summer in the southern hemisphere. Typical temperatures for our major destinations are:
· Falklands: Daytime highs in the low 50’s °F (~11 °C), Overnight lows mid 40’s °F (~7 °C)
· South Georgia: Daytime highs around 40°F (~4 °C), Overnight lows mid 30’s °F (~1 °C)
· Antarctic Peninsula: Daytime highs in the low to mid 30’s °F (~1 °C), Overnight lows in the high 20’s to low 30’s °F (~–1°C)
Keep in mind these are just historical norms–Mother Nature makes no promises so it’s good to be prepared for conditions outside the normal range. Also, precipitation is possible throughout our voyage.
Q: What clothing should I pack?
A: Oceanwide’s blog post: What to Pack for Your Expedition Cruise to the Arctic or Antarctica answers this question in detail. Additional information will be provided to participants after registration
Q: Can I rent cold weather gear?
A: Yes, Oceanwide works with an outfitter in Ushuaia that can rent you whatever you need for the voyage. Let us know if you are interested in renting clothing.
Q: How many passengers will be onboard?
A: The m/v Hondius can carry up to 170 passengers.
Q: Is Wi-Fi Available Onboard?
A: Yes, Oceanwide provides complimentary Wi-Fi internet connectivity up to 1.5 GB of data per day. Additional data can be purchased outside of this free allowance.
Q: Is Laundry Available?
A: Yes, an additional charge applies. Turnaround time is approximately 24 hrs.
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