Our expedition leaders, guest lecturers, researchers and other experts in their fields guide and educate you through your Antarctica expedition. Immersing you in your remote destinations with FREE shore landings and Zodiac safaris, they bring you closer to extraordinary wildlife and landscapes. They’ll also guide you on paddling, kayaking and standup paddling excursions. Their expert guidance enriches your explorations while helping to keep the environment pristine.
Jonathan Zaccaria grew up in France and graduated as an engineer in spectrometry. His work brought him to Antarctica to the French Dumont d’Urville Station, best known for its role in the documentary March of the Penguins. He made another overwinter in the only international station in the Antarctic. Later, he began working as a guide on board expedition ships in Antarctica and the Arctic. He has worked for 10 years in the polar regions, leading trips on small, expedition vessels.
Jean-Roche de Susanne left France at 24 for a backpacking trip to discover Latin America. After a year of adventure, he arrived at the Galápagos Archipelago first as a volunteer, then became the Galápagos National Park Graphic Designer. In 2005, he graduated as a Galápagos Naturalist Guide, when he started his career as a naturalist and then expedition guide. In 2011, Jean-Roche expanded his horizons and became a tour leader in countries including Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, France, Spain and Portugal. In 2019, he combined his experience in tourism and communication to join Polar Expedition cruises and explore Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Christophe Bassous grew up in West Africa, where he also went to school and later completed his small plane pilot license. He left for Quebec, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Montreal. Christophe pursued a career in the medical industry but continued to be active in tourism as a diving instructor and managing his own tour operator business focused on skiing and diving. He has sailed from the Mediterranean Sea to the Polynesian lagoon, and the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Horn. Christophe has led expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica aboard cruise ships for the last ten years. His lectures primarily focus on underwater ecosystems, but he also lectures on the history of exploration, geopolitics, and wildlife.
Every Antarctica expedition is led by an experienced, international team that consists of up to 14 wilderness guides, naturalists, tourism professionals and other experts with decades of combined experience. They have explored Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, British Columbia, Patagonia, the Galápagos and many more remote destinations of the world, bringing this experience to your expedition for a comprehensive exploration.
With decades of combined experience in the maritime profession and kayaking, your guides lead you through your kayaking excursions as you glide amid ice floes. Along the way, they point out incredible wildlife as you venture near penguins, seals, whales and more.
Look to the water and learn more about the whales, seals and penguins that make these icy waters their home with the help of PhDs and Masters in biology and marine biology, as well as guides with experience in whale watching tours. Discover the importance of the delicate ecosystems and how to help keep it unspoiled.
Experts who studied bird biology and behavior help you identify the various species of seabirds found throughout the polar regions. They’ll pass their knowledge onto you as you keep your eyes on the sky, appreciating the different birds that make the biodiversity of these regions.
Capture the perfect footage of your polar expeditions with the assistance of professional photographers and videographers. They will teach you expert techniques to find the right lighting and angles for recording proof of your explorations.
Professionals with masters, doctorates and law degrees share their knowledge of natural history, local and indigenous communities – including the Inuit, Aymara and Quechua – the history of polar exploration and the creation of the Antarctic Treaty System.
Scientists, PhDs and founding members of the Polar Footprint Association, including experts with 30 years’ teaching experience, who have worked with environmental research and literacy help you connect more closely with the environment. Their passionate lectures will inspire you to gain a greater appreciation for nature.
Experts who study polar weather and atmospheric changes help you understand the importance of these regions and how they affect the world.
Expedition guides with experience in mountaineering, hiking and other activities, including about 25 years working in polar regions, help bring you to incredible vantage points as you step foot in remote landings.
Your expedition team leads the way on your watersport excursions, Zodiac safaris and shore landings. With their assistance, you experience the polar regions to the fullest.
Atlas takes you closer to your environment as you embark on one of the custom-made Zodiacs made for World Voyager ™, World Traveller ™ and World Navigator ®. Cruising Antarctic coasts, your knowledgeable experts guide you through the continent’s many wonders. As your Zodiac driver navigates the waters, stop and listen to the natural sounds that surround you. At first, you might think it’s all silence, but if you focus, the cries of snow petrels echo in the distance. You may encounter marine wildlife while out on the water, so focus on the soft but distinct rush of water and watch for the bubbles just before a breach. This is an essential excursion that truly gives you a pure feeling of triumphant exploration.
All Expedition Experiences operate if weather permits. Occupancy is limited. If you need to make a cancellation, you must do so no later than 72 hours before your sailing date.
Connect with your wild side as you plunge into the icy waters of Antarctica, much like the seals and penguins of the continent. The moment of truth comes as you approach the edge of the platform and prepare to make the jump. But with your fellow explorers cheering you on, it’s easy to take on the challenge. And feel free to be a spectator as you cheer on your fellow explorers while they take the dive.
All water and land programs operate if weather permits.
Your expedition guide may lead you to dedicated points for the best views and instruct you on how to properly interact with wildlife at a safe distance so that you leave only footprints behind. Pique your curiosity with field interpretations on location.
All water and land programs operate if weather permits.
You could spend a night camping in Antarctica for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget. This is one of the few encounters that truly brings you as close to the continent and its raw beauty as possible. Expedition guides build the camp in the afternoon as you spend a day exploring the grounds. Before settling in for a night in the camp, you have one last chance to grab a hot meal and shower on board. Once the Zodiac brings you back to shore, it’s a truly wild experience as you and your fellow adventurers are left with required gear, drinking water, and a few extra layers of clothing for warmth.
All expedition experiences have limited occupancy and are subject to cancellation if minimum participation is not met. Excursions operate if weather permits. Requests for reservations may be made in advance, however, payments and reservation confirmations will be processed once you are on board the yacht. If you need to cancel your reservation, you may do so up to 72 hours prior to voyage departure to receive a full refund. Prices shown are subject to change any time without notice.