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Passengers hiking in Antarctic Landscape

Polar Expeditions

antarctic expeditions

arctic Expeditions

Science and Discovery

Polar Regions

antarctic regions

arctic regions

Science and Discovery

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Guests in yellow parkas carefully watch an orca spyhopping as it tries to get better look at a seal resting on an ice flow.

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Science and Discovery

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Science and Discovery

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Science and Discovery
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Science and Discovery

Science and Discovery

Overview

Our new Science & Discovery Program was designed to foster community, curiosity, and education. Through researcher-led sessions, and interactive learning and field experiences with our expedition team, guests will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the polar wilderness. 

The program will enable guests to: 

  • Interact and connect with scientists and researchers who are actively collecting data during expeditions. 
  • Participate in citizen science programming to broaden their understanding and knowledge of the incredible polar ecosystem. 
  • Work with our expedition team to help collect and record data during experiences ranging from conducting seabird surveys on deck to documenting whale sightings. 
Science and Discovery

Citizen Science and Academic Science Support 

As we continue to explore the polar regions, we also aim to study what makes them so special so we can learn how to preserve this pristine part of the world. 

Science and Discovery

Observational Citizen Science   

Available on: All Arctic and Antarctic departures 

In collaboration with the Polar Collective, projects may include conducting seabird surveys from the ship deck while crossing the Drake Passage or reporting whale sightings through photographs to HappyWhale. 
Science and Discovery

Interactive Citizen Science   

Available on: Select World Voyager departures

In collaboration with established scientific organizations, these projects may include measuring water salinity or dragging phytoplankton tow nets from a Science Zodiac. 
Science and Discovery

Professional, Academic Research

Available on: Select World Voyager, Ultramarine, and Ocean Explorer departures 

Engage with academic researchers through presentations and workshops about their work and at dinner or over drinks on select voyages. 

Science and Discovery on the World Voyager

World Voyager—the newest addition to our fleet—is a modern expedition ship built for science and discovery and features our all-new Science Hub. 

Science and Discovery

QUARK SCIENCE HUB

Gather with scientists, researchers and expedition guides to share findings and insights from the voyage.

Engage with interactive digital displays featuring multimedia content for self-guided discovery even when staff aren't present.

Learn how data collection methods, such as drones, wildlife tags, and biopsy and guano sampling, enable us to study the health, population, and migratory pathways of unique birds, whales, seals and other Antarctic marine mammals.

Review and discuss observations and explore samples collected during science Zodiac cruises with other participants.

Note:The Science Hub is open to guests for self-guided exploration when staff are otherwise occupied.

Featured Voyage

Science and Discovery

Antarctica Marine Mammals:
The World of Whales and Seals 

On this voyage, you aren’t just a guest, you’re also an active participant in citizen science. Alongside Ari FriedLeander, founder of the Friedlaender Lab, you’ll help collect data on whales of the Antarctic while learning about their behavior and ecology.   

View Expedition Details

Science and Discovery Partners

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FAQ

Observational citizen science is available on all Antarctic departures, regardless of the ship. However, interactive citizen science is only available on select World Voyager departures in the Antarctic 2026-2027 season.

Quark’s Science & Discovery program is an included activity for all to participate. There is no signing up required. Note that activities differ between ships and departures, and are subject to weather.

Please contact our Polar Travel Advisor team to see which departures works best for you.

More Adventure Options

A guest jumps off the gangway (with a safety harness) into Antarctic waters during the Polar Plunge.
Polar Plunge

Polar Plunge

The Polar Plunge is scheduled once during each voyage. Throughout the journey, the Expedition Leader and Captain constantly monitor conditions in order to choose the optimal time and location. The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore or, in many cases, from the gangway or Zodiac. All participants wear a tethered harness and plunge into the polar waters from the side of Zodiac or safety of the gangplank cheered on, of course, by fellow passengers and Expedition Team. Safety is paramount—the onboard physician always attends the Polar Plunge. Guides in survival gear circle the area in Zodiacs as guests take their turn jumping or cannon-balling into the polar waters.
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Zodiac Cruising in Svalbard
Zodiac Cruising

Zodiac Cruising

Zodiacs are used for transferring you ashore, transporting your luggage when necessary and for taking you ocean-level cruising among icebergs, whales and seabirds. During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are accessible only by Zodiac. These large, heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe and were specially designed for expedition work. Zodiacs are the workhorses of Polar expeditions. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if these sturdy boats are damaged. Their flat bottom design permits the craft to land directly onto the cobble and ice-strewn beaches that you will encounter on your Polar expedition.
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Passengers hiking in Antarctic Landscape
Walking/Hiking

Hiking

Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Stepping ashore anywhere in the polar regions means you’re not a distant observer. Our organized hikes range from short jaunts to the top of lookouts or visits to see wildlife or longer walks of several kilometers over ice and rock and snow. Hiking excursions may last from two to three hours with plenty of time for photographs of wildlife, learning moments from your experienced guides, or just time to stand back and admire the incredible polar surroundings. No experience is necessary but participants should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac and walk on uneven terrain. Hiking options are tailored to all interests and abilities, from those who want to contemplate the landscape in silence to photographers who want that perfect image to energetic travelers who want to summit a peak in the hopes of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. Equipment you’ll be provided with for hiking outings Other recommended gear/clothing
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Photography
Photography

Photography

Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guides will help you hone your skills to capture the beauty of the polar regions.
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Presentations
Presentations

Presentations

Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts—expedition guides, specialists, photography guides and other special guests who will introduce you to the fascinating history, biology, ornithology, glaciology and geology of the region, and much, much more.
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Science and Discovery
Heli-Landing

Exclusive Heli-Landing

Imagine setting foot in an area of the world that can only be safely accessed by helicopter. With a small group of fellow passengers and expert guides, you’ll board one of Ultramarine’s two twin-engine helicopters to soar off to an exclusive polar site where no ships can navigate. Expect stunning bird’s-eye views during your flight, and then, upon arrival, simply sit back, relax and take in the splendor from “the best seat in the house”: glacial amphitheaters, breath-taking summits, and more. Traveling in groups of 12 with no more than 4 groups (48 guests) at a time on each landing, you’ll have time to relax and quietly reflect on the beauty of your polar surroundings, after which you’ll be picked up by the helicopters in the same location and returned to Ultramarine. Each heli-landing experience is uniquely curated by our expedition team, taking conditions and location capacity into consideration.
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Passenger taking a photo of Arctic landscape from Helicopter
Flightseeing

Flightseeing

Imagine soaring over the polar regions from the comfort of a helicopter and enjoying the most astounding aerial views imaginable of the frozen Antarctic Ocean, of snow-capped ice ridges, massive crevices, and of melt pools ranging from cerulean to deep, spectacular turquoise. Flightseeing on polar vessels like Ultramarine provides guests with an entirely different perspective of the polar regions. Helicopters take passengers to places Zodiacs and ships can’t reach. Helicopter flightseeing typically includes 7 to 9 passengers. No experience is necessary. Bring your camera—and enthusiasm.
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Passengers Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Antarctic
Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-up Paddleboarding

Combining surfing with kayaking or canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding will give you a very personal and unique perspective on Antarctica. Taken in small groups in good weather conditions in Antarctica.
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Guests enjoying the paddle excursion in Greenland. Photo by Acacia Johnson.
Paddling Excursion

Paddling Excursion

Our sit-on-top, two-person, inflatable kayaks provide guests with an intimate, water-level experience in unforgettable locations.
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Passengers kayaking in icy landscape
Alpine Kayaking

Sea Kayaking

The kayak adventure option is open to all levels of experience. However, it is highly recommended that you have some sea kayaking related experience prior to kayaking in the polar regions with Quark Expeditions. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to slow down and connect with the pristine natural environments and surroundings.   Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.   Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.  
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