Five Must-see Islands on the Way to Antarctica

 Kayak past elephant seals, leap into geothermal heated waters and zip around enormous icebergs in inflatable Zodiacs as you discover a frozen world once known only to ice-hardened explorers. With intimate, ultra-luxury ice-class ships, small enough to go where others can’t, Silversea’s 18-day return voyage to Antarctica, leaving from Chile’s Puerto Williams, allows you to explore the fragile beauty of this remote region aboard the luxurious 156-metre Silver Wind. 

Kayak with marine life off West Point Island

The passage from the southern reaches of Chile takes visitors through the subantarctic archipelago of the Falkland Islands. Known for bounteous birdlife, its islands and islets are crowded with rockhopper penguins waddling on the sand, orange-collared king penguins and rookeries filled with albatross. As pioneers of luxury expedition cruising, Silversea journeys are elevated by the incomparable expertise of its team of guides, whose first-hand knowledge of each stop creates an immersive experience. Here, they’ll lead the way on a hike over the sweeping green interior of West Point Island. Keep your eyes peeled for Magellanic penguins and fur seals on the beaches. From a kayak, you can admire the soaring sandstone formation of Cliff Mountain as whales and playful Commerson’s dolphins surface nearby.

Discover a slice of Britain on East Falkland Island

After cruising overnight and indulging in your choice of one of Silver Wind’s four five-star restaurants, you’ll awaken in your plush, ocean-view suite to Port Stanley, the colourful capital of the Falklands. It’s a fascinating bastion of Britishness in a remote, wind-lashed location. You’ll find fish ’n’ chips, Union Jacks flying and pubs serving English ale. On a guided exploration, learn about the island’s wartime history and explore uncovered shipwrecks at the Historic Dockyards Museum. 

Pilgrimage to see the penguins of South Georgia

About 1300 kilometres east of the Falklands, far-flung South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are accessible only by ship. Known as the Galapagos of the Southern Ocean, the mountainous island of glaciers supports an incredible array of birdlife such as yellow-quiffed Macaroni penguins, petrels, terns, shags and the South Georgia pipit.  On shore, you’ll tour the 20th-century whaling station of Grytviken, taking in the museum, a tiny post office and the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton (who led three Antarctic expeditions) – it’s customary to take a wee dram of whisky at his headstone. 

Explore Elephant Island’s namesake seals on a Zodiac

Mountainous, sheathed in white and devoid of flora, Elephant Island in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands is most famous for providing a safe haven (of sorts) to Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 28 crew after their ship, HMS Endurance, was crushed by ice floes in 1916. It’s also named after the elephant seals you’ll be able to get a closer look at on a Zodiac or kayak. Afterwards, retire to your blissfully warm and spacious suite aboard the Silver Wind.

Sink into geothermal springs on the Shetland Islands

Before you tackle the notorious weather of the Drake Passage on the return voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula, there are wonders to experience among the South Shetland Islands. The largest island, King George, hosts several research stations, thousands of penguins and hordes of enormous elephant seals. Boats can sail into Deception Island’s incredible collapsed volcano caldera. In what must be one of the world’s most paradoxical experiences, you’ll dig holes in the black sand of Pendulum Cove, which then fill with improbably warm geothermal waters. Strip down to your swimmers and bask in the steamy natural pool in the middle of the icy tundra.