Antarctic From 11 days From $13,090 USD

Antarctic Marine Mammals The World of Whales and Seals

Starting from

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ships

World Voyager

Departures

1 Departure in March 2027

Expedition Overview

Imagine sitting in a Zodiac or kayak in the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula in the company of marine mammal scientists, listening to whale sounds—sometimes haunting, sometimes melodic—from deep beneath the ocean surface. You, the guest, aren’t merely an observer; you’re a participant in citizen science. With the deployment of portable hydrophone units—just one aspect of the 11-day hands-on Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales & Seals—you’ll have access to an audio portal into the underwater world of the Antarctic Peninsula. In that moment, as you assist experts who are collecting data on various aspects of whale behavior, you are helping to protect one of the most majestic marine mammals to grace the Antarctic.

Throughout this unique expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, guests will explore alongside Ari Friedlaender, founder of the Friedlaender Lab, a highly respected marine mammal research group at the University of California. Friedlaender co-developed this 11-day itinerary that will maximize migratory whale sightings, primarily minke, humpback and fin whales. Throughout the voyage, guests will learn from Friedlaender and his team, who focus on new biotelemetry technology to better understand the underwater behavior and ecology of whales. You will also have access to a research associate from Happywhale, the educational platform that engages citizen scientists to identify individual whale species for research and conservation purposes.

A special component of this trip is the Science Hub, where you can engage with whale experts, contribute to citizen science projects, and ultimately play a vital role in conserving this pristine polar habitat for all marine mammals.

Highlights

Engage with globally-respected scientists who are actively collecting data on Antarctic marine mammals, especially whales

Participate in hands-on marine mammal identification workshops

Explore highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula

Learn about Antarctic wildlife, history, geology and glaciology from onboard polar experts

In addition observing whales, witness penguins, seals and birds

Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic with an optional paddling excursion.

Science & Discovery

In addition to daily presentations by polar experts, this itinerary also features hands-on educational opportunities as part of our new Science & Discovery program.

Science & Discovery

A new initiative designed to foster community, curiosity and education. Beginning in 2026 on select World Voyager itineraries, Quark Expeditions is collaborating with leading scientists and researchers to enrich guest learning on- and off-ship.

Guest Engagement: 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.

This Science & Discovery 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, ranging from experiences such as conducting seabird surveys on deck to documenting whale sightings on Zodiac excursions or joining interactive sampling activities to measure water conditions.

SCIENCE IN THE FIELD
Quark Expeditions is supporting academic research through partnerships with institutions such as Penguin Watch at Oxford Brookes University, and Friedlaender Lab at University of California Santa Cruz to deepen our understanding through access to projects that are contributing to published research and projects of high importance.

CITIZEN SCIENCE
To support the work of Happywhale, the Polar Citizen Science Collective, and other citizen science projects, guests can engage in meaningful scientific data collection that supports targeted field research.

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.

Marine Mammal Experts

Ari Friedlaender, Friedlaender Lab

Ari Friedlaender, founder of the Friedlaender Lab—the highly-respected marine mammal research group at the University of California—has been studying baleen whales in Antarctica since 1997. Friedlaender—who co-developed this itinerary—and his team of scientists utilize advanced biotelemetry technology, such as drones, suction-cup tags and biopsy equipment, to research whale movements, their health and feeding habits. Friedlaeder and his team are shaping the future of whale conservation. Throughout this voyage, these scientists will collect new data about local whale populations and share historical and live satellite data for tags deployed in previous seasons, while actively tracking whales in the region. This information will be shared through daily recaps, and made available at the Science Hub located on deck 4. Learn more about the Friedlaender Lab.

Research Associate, Happywhale

We will be joined by a research associate from Happywhale, a scientific web platform where users upload photographs of whale tails—which have unique markings—to identify individual whales and track their movements. Guests, with basic instruction from the Happywhale expert, will be able to contribute to the digital crowd sourced database, and learn how it contributes to a better understanding of whale migratory patterns. Feel free to register in advance of your expedition. Visit Happywhale.com

Find Your Ideal Itinerary

11 Days

From Buenos Aires, Argentina, on World Voyager

Duration: 11 days
Departing from: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ship: World Voyager
Learn more about the ship
Starting from: $13,090 USD per person

View Brochure

Upon arriving in this fascinating South American city, known for its vibrant Argentinian culture, European architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, you will independently transfer to your pre- expedition hotel night, included in the Charter Flight and Hotel Package.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the designated meeting spot near the pier, where you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation. After a late afternoon embarkation, we will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the remote Antarctic wilderness.

Crossing the 800-km Drake is considered a rite of passage for many travelers. Traversing this legendary waterway means you’ll experience the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold, northward- flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer, southward-flowing water of the sub-Antarctic. The mixing of cold and warm waters creates a nutrient-rich feeding ground, especially for whales and other marine mammals. Guests are encouraged to keep binoculars close at hand—and to be prepared for Expedition Team members to announce any whale sightings. The team of guest scientists will be introduced early in the voyage. Ari Friedlaender, who co-developed this itinerary, and members of his team from the Friedlaender Lab, are global authorities on the underwater behavior and ecology of marine mammals, particularly whales. Guests will also meet a research associate with the Happywhale platform, which enables citizens to upload their whale photos to help identify species and, possibly, individual whales. (See bios, page 13).

The second day of your Drake Passage crossing is an ideal time to attend scheduled polar presentations that will enhance your Antarctic experience. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit the Science Hub on Deck 4 (see page 5), an instrumental part of your voyage. Spend time on deck watching for whales, which increase in number as we approach the Peninsula—and remember to upload your whale photos to the Happywhale platform.

The timing of this voyage maximizes opportunities to observe various whale species along the Antarctic Peninsula. After the ice recedes in October and November, the food chain begins to reestablish itself. Whales, seals and other marine mammals are drawn to these rich feeding grounds—especially for the krill. By February and March, these creatures, which have been intensely feeding, are satiated and relaxed, making them more easier to spot. In addition to the Zodiac and paddling excursions, we plan to spend a lot of time on the outer decks and other vantage points on the ship to spot—and photograph—wildlife. We’ll spend our days in key marine mammal habitats of the Gerlache Strait and remote inner glacial bays. Over the next three days, we aim to explore whale hotspots such as Charlotte Bay, Portal Point, Graham Passage, Errera Channel, Cuverville Island, Andvord Bay, Fournier Bay and Dallmann Bay. Past whale sightings in these areas have included minke, humpback, fin, orca and the elusive, deep-diving Arnoux’s beaked whale. Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales & Seals is our only itinerary during which we’ll deploy hydrophones— underwater microphones that detect and record sound below the surface. You will have opportunities—during Zodiac cruises and paddling programs—to accompany Friedlaender Lab scientists as they deploy hydrophones to monitor and study marine mammal behavior, such as the vocalizations of whales. Four scientists will accompany guests in Zodiacs, with one hydrophone shared between two groups. Speakers will enable participants to listen for and, hopefully, hear whale sounds beneath the ocean surface. Engaging with scientists who are actively collecting and collating data that can be shared in real time on the water, and, through digital visual aids, brings marine biology to life in a way that transcends the water line. This activity is also available to World Voyager guests who join the Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) program. In addition to the citizen science programming, this itinerary will also feature the wonders of Antarctica: penguins, seals, immense glaciers, snowcapped mountains, icebergs, shore landings, and the polar plunge.

Rounding out our marine mammal experiences, we hope to witness southern elephant seals in the rugged and fabled South Shetland Islands. We’ll also keep our fingers crossed for sightings of fin whales. We’ll explore this geological and historic archipelago while prioritizing shore landings, which offer further opportunities for wildlife sightings. Arriving in March allows us the rare opportunity to potentially explore key excursion sites such as Hannah Point, which is deemed a Restricted Area from early to mid-season. Massive populations of elephant seals and southern giant petrels make for awe-inspiring experiences. As with any expedition, shore landings along the coast are dependent on favorable weather.

Today is the start of the journey back across the Drake Passage. This is an excellent opportunity to spend more time engaging with the Friedlaender Lab scientists, or attend one of the scheduled polar presentations.

Today is your last opportunity to visit Quark Expeditions’ new Science Hub and contribute to citizen science that will support marine mammal conservation efforts. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don’t care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.”

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Guests will be transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.

Duration: 11 days
Departing from: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ship: World Voyager
Learn more about the ship
Starting from: $13,090 USD per person