{"id":3828,"date":"2026-02-18T22:56:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/?p=3828"},"modified":"2026-03-05T23:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T23:35:33","slug":"journey-to-antarctica-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/journey-to-antarctica-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey to Antarctica, February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Some journeys stay on the wish list for years. This expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula was one of them \u2014 a long-anticipated trip that finally became reality with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarctica21.com\/\"><strong>Antarctica21<\/strong><\/a>. Traveling with my friend Leanne, we set out with clear priorities: the smallest ship possible, no Drake Passage crossing, a route that crossed the Polar Circle, and an experience that felt as close to Antarctica as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We chose Antarctica21\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarctica21.com\/our-expeditions\/polar-circle-air-cruise\">Polar Circle Air-Cruise<\/a><\/strong>, a fly-in expedition designed to bypass the notoriously rough crossing and maximize time on the ice. It proved to be exactly the right decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NY38Jkd7yP7QKizAovfN6WJo5IaWY82SbIeC31LLq01NZ5uWnzflAEoSqPEN96Q9ozXz5EpKSaRYpRk8sh2Zl9OP54jlCvFgh6NATq6WXBpvRfN1DNimW4caDtn4wWmzh5GtA_Q6AHr6c3UxrAVpr56Y8g4wA5bIgcOM5xi7NaQK4QslWYHM6x6In99RZoWQLnpuyI=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/cdn.prod.website-files.com\/66f12032b3f2015fa639ef3e\/67470b95880531be402f5f4f_aeb5c8825902aad5b7624b0ad40df193%201.webp\" alt=\"https:\/\/cdn.prod.website-files.com\/66f12032b3f2015fa639ef3e\/67470b95880531be402f5f4f_aeb5c8825902aad5b7624b0ad40df193%201.webp\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n    Our Ship (photo by Antarctica 21)\n  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our home for the trip was the <strong>Ocean Nova<\/strong>, carrying just <strong>64 passengers<\/strong>. Small ships mean faster landings, less waiting, and a more intimate atmosphere on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The passenger mix was interesting. More than half of the passengers were Israeli travelers on a photography expedition with <a href=\"https:\/\/phototeva.com\/\">PhotoTeva<\/a>, and the rest were an international blend: Chinese (6), Australian (5), British (4), American (3), Canadian (2), Italian (2), Thai (1), German (1). We ended up hanging out with the Canadians the most. The 13 person expedition crew was mostly British or Australian, plus a Kiwi, a Russian and an Argentinian \u2014 all excellent guides who clearly loved what they were doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life on Expedition: Landings, Zodiacs, and Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day followed a similar rhythm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two excursions per day, about three hours each<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Either landings on shore or zodiac\/kayak explorations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Afternoon nap after lunch! <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The weather was unusually good. Temperature ranged from 28-35 degrees F, and most days were sunny. The crew kept saying it was the best weather they had seen so far that season. Even the guides were constantly taking photos, which felt like a good sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-771x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-771x1024.jpg 771w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-768x1020.jpg 768w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_135110968-scaled.jpg 1928w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo from my Pixel8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wildlife Beyond Expectations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Amazing wildlife every day: 3 types of penguins, 3 types of whales, 4 types of seals, lots of birds, and a rare Antarctica Ribbon Worm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But one outing stands out. We entered a sheltered bay and suddenly realized we were surrounded by <strong>humpback whales<\/strong> \u2014 12 of them in total, in groups of 3 (<em>papa, mama, and junior<\/em>). The guides said it was the most whales they\u2019d ever seen together in one place on an excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The whales surfaced right beside our zodiacs, sometimes close enough to hear their breath, and smell their musk. Penguins were everywhere, darting through the water feeding in the same area. It felt less like watching wildlife and more like hanging out in their world. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2gVpbrCBAe0\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2gVpbrCBAe0\">video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"978\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penguin-1024x978.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penguin-1024x978.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penguin-300x286.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penguin-768x733.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penguin.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Leanne Guy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_ARP3278-2048x1153.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo by Antartica21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kayaking in Antarctica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If there\u2019s one piece of advice I\u2019d give anyone planning this trip: <strong>Choose a cruise with kayaking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gliding quietly through the ice, away from engines and chatter, completely changes the experience. You hear ice crackling, birds overhead, and the soft movement of water against the kayak \u2014 moments that feel almost unreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26-Sergei-Sakharov-00618-2048x1153.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Antartica21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Polar Plunge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What trip to Antarctica is complete without a polar plunge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/A21_OCN15-PC_2025-26_ANAISAFRIKA_DSC4036-2048x1153.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Antartica21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Weather Twist at the End<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antarctica always reminds you who\u2019s in charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Toward the end of the trip, forecasts began showing strong winds moving in. The expedition team decided to return early to ensure flights could depart safely. We ended up flying out a day ahead of schedule \u2014 a decision that proved wise. The cruise scheduled after ours was canceled because passengers from the previous voyage were unable to fly back. Imagine the disappointment of arriving in Punta Arenas only to have the trip called off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the unexpected extra time near Punta Arenas, Antarctica21 arranged a visit to a <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/w7wZ9H9WVbdBX8Pv8\">sheep farm<\/a> outside the city, which was OK, but not great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This season was the last for the <strong>Ocean Nova<\/strong> with Antarctica21. Future trips will use slightly larger ships (around 80 passengers), which are reportedly newer and nicer \u2014 but also more expensive. Looking back, I\u2019m really glad we did this trip when we did: small ship, intimate atmosphere, and a truly expedition-style feel. But I highly recommend Antarctica21, and their new ships look really nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/ijqQKsk1ny6voPbb8\">full set of photos<\/a> are here. Most are from my Pixel 8 phone, but a few are from Leanne or one of the guides on a &#8216;real&#8217; camera&#8217;. Its pretty clear which are which, but I got some great shots on my phone. Most of the passengers spent a lot of time seeing Antarctica through the lens of a camera, but I much preferred to use my own eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Antarctica21 also made this <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2VIfi4dN4mI?si=Zp9Kp7hoqS6W5gxh\">amazing video<\/a> for us. And generated this great &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1C6CFXmgPtLkqW-d4dLfXPkKKbUhMyQn5\/view?usp=sharing\">logbook<\/a>&#8220;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before\/After the Cruise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I spent a few days in <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/HgznttxfRRdCnJSV8\">Santiago<\/a> on the way to Punta Arenas before the cruise, and then a few days in the <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/2J8bKZUEPZDmevbWA\">Elqui Valley<\/a> after (star gazing, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ancient-origins.net\/ancient-places-americas\/valle-del-encanto-0017105\">petroglyphs<\/a>, and pisco, and got to visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/nZjAVPLSvsVYD5tD6\">Vera Rubin Telescope<\/a> with her. So very cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The obvious question now is: what next? Maybe the <strong>Arctic?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minimalimpactexpeditions.com\/\">This ship<\/a> looks really cool! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some journeys stay on the wish list for years. This expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula was one of them \u2014 a long-anticipated trip that finally became reality with Antarctica21. Traveling with my friend Leanne, we set out with clear priorities: the smallest ship possible, no Drake Passage crossing, a route that crossed the Polar Circle,Continue reading &rarr;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","no-thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3828"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3901,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828\/revisions\/3901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.bltierney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}