Overview

Antarctica is surely the ultimate destination! The scenic settings are as magnificent as any on earth, and the scale of nearly everything is grand to say the least. Complimenting these astounding vistas are vast colonies of majestic penguins, brash skuas, giant petrels, weird sheathbills, somnolent seals and feeding whales that all add life to the region’s stark and amazing beauty. Our birding cruise traverses some of the most interesting areas in the Southern Ocean; notably the Falkland and South Georgia Islands, both of which are renowned as among the richest of all Subantarctic islands. South Georgia’s rugged beauty is worthy of Antarctica itself, while the Falkland Islands are better known as the battlegrounds for the 1982 Anglo-Argentine War. Several days are spent at sea, cruising from one island group to the next until we find ourselves at the very tip of the icy continent itself. These crossings provide thrilling pelagic birding, with huge numbers of albatrosses, petrels, prions, skuas and other seabirds making a daily appearance. Cetaceans are also regular, ranging from the largest whales to the striking Hourglass and Commerson’s Dolphins. This journey to Antarctica is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and cannot come more highly recommended!

Tour Facts Top Birds
King, Emperor, Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, Southern Rockhopper, Macaroni & Magellanic Penguins; Flying, Fuegian & Falkland Steamer Ducks; Upland, Kelp & Ruddy-headed Goose; Yellow-billed Pintail; Wandering, Southern Royal, Northern Royal, Light-mantled, Black-browed & Grey-headed Albatrosses; Wilson's, Grey-backed & Black-bellied Storm Petrels; Southern & Northern Giant Petrels; Southern Fulmar; Antarctic, Cape, Snow, Blue, White-headed, White-chinned, Kerguelen & Great-winged Petrels; Antarctic, Slender-billed & Fairy Prions; Sooty & Great Shearwaters; Magellanic, South Georgia & Common Diving Petrels; Rock, Imperial, South Georgia & Antarctic Shags; Snowy Sheathbill; Magellanic & Blackish Oystercatchers; Two-banded & Rufous-chested Plovers; Dolphin Gull; Chilean, South Polar & Brown Skuas; Striated Caracara; Blackish Cinclodes; Dark-faced Ground Tyrant; Grass & Cobb's Wren; Austral Thrush; Correndera & South Georgia Pipits; Black-chinned Siskin; Long-tailed Meadowlark; White-bridled & Black-throated Finches.
Top Mammals
South American & Antarctic Fur Seals; South American Sea Lion; Leopard, Weddell, Crabeater & Southern Elephant Seals; Burmeister's Porpoise; Southern Bottlenose, Long-finned Pilot, Killer, Antarctic Minke, Sei, Fin & Humpback Whales; Peale's, Hourglass & Commerson's Dolphins.
Habitats Covered
coastal and pelagic waters, sub-Antarctic islands & Antarctic Peninsula, pack ice
Expected Climate
temperate to subzero, sunny and calm to gale force conditions can be expected
Max Group Size
up to 191 with 9 Rockjumper, Oryx & ABA tour leaders & expedition staff
Tour Pace & Walking
easy pace, mostly undemanding walks
Accommodation
comfortable expedition cruise ship
Ease of Birding
easy
Number of Species Expected
80+
Other Attractions
spectacular sub-Antarctic scenery, the most remote continent, icebergs and pack ice, nesting albatrosses, vast penguin colonies
Photographic Opportunities
incredible
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials
Dusan Brinkhuizen
LE, Antarctica

Dusan was a big hit with most of the people onboard. The obsessed birders appreciated having a bird expert on board who would lead the quest to see everything. I'm certain everyone knew him by the 5th day. He even volunteered to do a presentation on the Galapagos that was very well attended and very professionally done.

Harriet Faithfull
CE, Antarctica

I had a wonderful time, I give the highest rating to the staff and crew. Our Rockjumper guide, Holly Faithfull was terrific. She made the cruise, which was excellent, even better!

Markus Lilje
KM, Antarctica

Markus was an awesome guide. His knowledge and people skills were excellent. This is one of the top birding tours I have taken. RBT was easy to work with and all your help was appreciated. I will keep the company in mind when I travel again. Thanks again for enabling me to have a once in a life time memorable trip.

Harriet Faithfull
FS, Antarctica

Holly was great! I hope to travel with her again.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2021 DEPARTURES
2022 DEPARTURES
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