featured – 7 min read
How to choose between the Arctic and Antarctic for your Polar Voyage
Antarctic
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8 mins read
Ushuaia: The True Gateway to Antarctica
Key Takeaways Ushuaia: Where the World Ends and Adventure Begins There are destinations you visit, and then there are places that redefine what travel means. Ushuaia is firmly in the second category. Perched at the southern tip of Argentina, this windswept town feels like the last outpost of civilization. Snow-dusted peaks rise behind it, icy waters stretch endlessly ahead, and somewhere beyond the horizon lies Antarctica. It’s no surprise Ushuaia has earned the nickname “The End of the World.” But once you’re here, you realize it’s not the end at all. It’s the beginning of something extraordinary—your journey to Earth’s most remote continent. For anyone dreaming of Antarctic expeditions, Ushuaia isn’t optional. It’s essential. This is the closest port city to the White Continent, making it the most efficient and iconic gateway to Antarctica for expedition travelers worldwide. The Ultimate Departure Point for Antarctic Expeditions Everything here revolves around exploration. Expedition ships line the harbor, seasoned guides move through the streets, and travelers from across the globe gather with the same goal: to go further than most people ever will. But before you step onto a ship bound for Antarctic expeditions, give yourself time. Because Ushuaia isn’t just a gateway—it’s an unforgettable destination in its own right. The town has a way of preparing you, not just logistically, but mentally and emotionally. You arrive as a traveler. Within days, you think like an explorer. Why Ushuaia Matters for Your Antarctic Journey The Beagle Channel, which separates Ushuaia from Chile, is a historic waterway that offers both practical advantages and profound psychological preparation. Standing on these shores, you begin to understand the scale […]
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Punta Arenas: Gateway to Antarctic Expeditions
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Flying vs Sailing the Drake Passage: Your Antarctic Expedition Crossing Guide
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9 mins read
Eight Days in Antarctica: A Team Member's First Encounter
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The Science of Snow Hill: Why Sea Ice Holds the Key to Discovery
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Arctic
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4 mins read
Narwhals of the High Arctic: Setting the Record Straight on the Ocean's Most Elusive Whale
Every August, as pack ice loosens its grip along Nunavut’s eastern coastline, open leads form between the floes and narwhals move into shallow bays to feed. The window is narrow. Within weeks, freeze-up begins again and the whales retreat to deeper water. It’s one of the shortest, most weather-dependent viewing opportunities in the Arctic, and it’s exactly the kind of moment Quark Expeditions builds its Canadian High Arctic itineraries around, timing voyages through Lancaster Sound and the Northwest Passage when narwhal activity typically peaks. The Tusk Isn’t What Most People Think Ask most travelers for narwhal facts and the tusk comes up first, usually with a myth attached. It is not a jousting weapon, and males rarely use it in combat. The tusk is an elongated left canine tooth that can grow to roughly 2 to 3 metres, spiraling counter-clockwise, and it is embedded with millions of nerve endings. Researchers, including teams affiliated with NOAA Fisheries, have documented tusks responding to changes in water salinity, suggesting a sensory role rather than a purely combative one. Some encounters do involve males crossing tusks at the surface, but marine biologists increasingly read this as a form of communication, not conflict. Where Do Narwhals Live, and Why Sightings Stay Rare Narwhals are among the most habitat-specific whales on Earth. They spend the bulk of the year in the icy waters of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, diving to significant depths to feed on Greenland halibut and Arctic cod, then migrate into the fjords and inlets of the Canadian […]
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6 mins read
High Arctic vs Low Arctic: What's the Difference?
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Greenlandic Food Culture: The Ingredients Behind Every Quark Expedition Meal
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Disko Bay, Greenland: Why This Stretch of Coast Is Called Iceberg Alley
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5 mins read
Arctic Foxes and Musk Oxen: Life on the Tundra's Edge
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Experiences
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Kayaking Among Icebergs: A Bucket List Experience in Greenland
There’s a moment, somewhere between a paddle stroke and a heartbeat, when the world falls silent and all you hear is the gentle creak of shifting ice. That’s what it feels like to embark on an iceberg kayaking experience in Greenland. The air is crisp, the sea glassy and cold, and the icebergs around you tower like floating cathedrals. For those who crave authentic exploration, this is Arctic travel at its finest — a rare opportunity to experience this stunning part of the world from water level, where every ripple tells a story. We’ve guided travelers through Greenland’s labyrinth of fjords and coastal villages for decades, and each voyage reminds us that this land is alive in ways you can’t fully understand until you paddle through it yourself. If this calls to your sense of adventure, explore our Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History expedition or see our range of Arctic expeditions designed for explorers who prefer to travel beyond the familiar. The Rhythm of the Arctic Kayaking along Greenland’s coast is both peaceful and thrilling. The rhythm of paddling becomes almost meditative, broken only by the sound of ice cracking in the distance. Around you, monumental icebergs drift in shades of blue and white, sculpted by time and temperature. Some are the size of city blocks, others no larger than a cabin. As you glide closer, you notice the texture of the ice — intricate patterns that shimmer like glass in the polar sun. Every iceberg carries its own personality. Some tilt and roll, others hum quietly as trapped air escapes in soft hisses. These waters are where Arctic adventure […]
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4 mins read
Polar Trips Filled with Active Off-ship Adventures
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4 mins read
Empower Your Inner Explorer: Why a Solo Polar Trip is the Ultimate Self-Discovery Journey
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First Timer's Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Polar Adventure Activity
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9 mins read
Arctic Communities: Understanding Their Connection to The Remote North
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Know Before You Go
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4 mins read
Raise a Glass and Stay Connected: Free Wi-Fi and Alcohol on Our Expedition Cruise Ships
Free Wi-Fi and alcohol on Quark Expeditions’ voyages includes beer, wine and cocktails, as well as basic Internet service while exploring the Arctic and Antarctic.
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8 mins read
Grytviken, South Georgia Travel Guide
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Best Time to Visit Longyearbyen
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11 mins read
25 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik
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How to Dress in the Polar Regions
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News
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Learn About Ultramarine’s industry-leading helicopter adventure program
Business Development Manager Chris Hanna, Expedition Guide and Glaciologist Colin Souness, and Director of Helicopter Operations Felix Christians share highlights of Ultramarine’s industry-leading helicopter adventure program. Join the webinar to learn about Quark Expeditions’ heli-adventure program: • Unbeatable Polar Helicopter Experiences: Learn how our two twin-engine helicopters can take you further over the polar landscape than any other helicopter in its class, offering the largest portfolio of adventure options in the industry—including flightseeing, heli-hiking, alpine kayaking and exclusive heli-landing. • Most Experienced Crew: Learn what makes our helicopter crew the best in the Polar Regions. • Adventure Meets Luxury: Discover why these helicopters ensure guests will have a superbly comfortable flight—and are great for viewing the polar landscapes. • Industry-leading Polar Safety: Find out what makes our H145 helicopters the industry leaders in helicopter safety. • Advanced Sustainability: Learn about the sustainability features of the H145 helicopters.
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4 mins read
Raise a Glass and Stay Connected: Free Wi-Fi and Alcohol on Our Expedition Cruise Ships
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1 min read
Introducing the New Quark Parka
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6 mins read
Penguins on Ice: How a Hobbyist Captured an Award Winning Photograph
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Polar Learning Channel
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Arctic vs. Antarctic: Identifying the Differences
Do you want to head to the northern Polar Region to see polar bears and reindeer and visit Indigenous communities—or do you have a yearning to see thousands of penguins or perhaps venture beyond the Antarctic Circle in the southern pole? Presenter and expedition guide Nick Engelmann will help you choose between the Arctic or Antarctic for your first polar voyage.
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The Curious Behavior of Marine Mammals
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Conservation of Whales, Penguins and Petrels
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Botanist Samantha McBeth gets to the root of polar flowers
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4 mins read
10 Best Books about Early Polar Explorers
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Webinars
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World Photography Day: Shooting in the Polar Regions
Michelle shares her expertise in the field of photography, taking you through tips to help you identify the ideal photo opportunity, how to capture the best pictures on your phone, how to take the best wildlife photos, composition techniques, and how to choose the right camera. All to help prepare you to take the best possible shots during your adventure in the polar regions. Host: Michelle Sole, Photography Guide Michelle’s photographic work has been published in Africa Geographic and The Guardian. In her free time Michelle can be found somewhere in the wilderness with her camera in tow.
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Fly the Drake
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Get To Know Our New Ship: World Voyager
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Introducing Our New Ship Ocean Explorer
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What’s So Cool About Early Season Antarctica
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Wildlife
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Bird Migration Stories: Barnacle Geese in Svalbard
Each spring, the skies above Svalbard come alive with a remarkable spectacle: the migration of barnacle geese. These elegant birds undertake one of the most extraordinary journeys in the natural world, flying thousands of kilometers from their wintering grounds in Scotland and the Netherlands to the remote Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard. For bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike, witnessing this migration is an unforgettable experience. Svalbard’s high Arctic environment offers a unique combination of accessibility and pristine wilderness, making it a prime destination for observing Arctic birds in their natural habitat. Travelers from the USA, Canada, and Australia are increasingly drawn to birdwatching trips that coincide with the geese’s arrival. On Arctic expeditions, participants can witness the flocks navigating rugged fjords, nesting in cliffside colonies, and interacting with other elements of Arctic wildlife. The Journey of Barnacle Geese Barnacle geese are remarkable for their endurance and precision. Each year, they leave temperate regions in early spring, traveling non-stop across the North Sea and over the Greenland icecap. Their migration is guided by an incredible internal compass and visual cues, enabling them to arrive in Svalbard just in time to breed and raise their young in the short Arctic summer. Observing these birds in flight is not only awe-inspiring but also offers an opportunity to study natural behavior. For wildlife photography, capturing barnacle geese in formation, gliding over icy fjords, or landing near nesting grounds can result in striking images that tell a story of resilience and adaptation. The Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: Rite of Passage is one […]
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Wildlife Guide: Macaroni Penguin Facts
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Wildlife Guide: Sperm Whale Facts
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Meet the Puffins: Iconic Seabirds a Passenger Favorite
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Wildlife Guide: Emperor Penguin Facts
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