HX Expeditions has delivered a record Antarctica season, bringing more travellers to the continent than any other operator and underscoring its position as the largest operator in Antarctica.
The company’s October 2025 to March 2026 Antarctica season has been its most successful on record, with expanded kayaking and camping capacity and it highest-ever suite bookings.
Across the season, HX completed:
- 34 sailings, welcoming thousands of guests on transformative journeys to the White Continent.
- Exceptional guest satisfaction, with 272 TripAdvisor reviews, including 252 five‑star ratings and an outstanding 93 per cent five‑star score
- Highest-ever suite bookings, with a global 5 per cent increase from 2025 and up to an 80 per cent increase in select regions
- Enhanced pre- and post-expedition guest journey, introducing new experiences designed to improve comfort, connectivity, and destination immersion
- Expanded activity capacity, enabling more guests to kayak and camp than any other operator, with a 188 per cent increase in kayaking capacity and double the camping spots, all while operating fully within IAATO guidelines.
Science-first season
This season also marked a series of scientific milestones, including:
- 1,801 Guest Scientist cruise nights donated to global research, reinforcing HX’s commitment to science‑led exploration.
- 27,869 Green Stay nights, where guests opt out of cabin servicing to raise funds for HX’s philanthropic arm, the HX Foundation, reflecting the company’s industry‑leading sustainability initiatives.
- 1,111 Happywhale submissions, offering guests unforgettable wildlife experiences.
- 2,250 eBird checklists submitted, supporting global citizen‑science efforts.
- Guests on board also helped raise EUR124,882 (around AU$207,341) for the HX Foundation, supporting conservation, plastic pollution initiatives, and community projects in the destinations HX travels to, including Antarctica.
- 2,307 guests have taken the University of Tasmania Antarctica ‘Introduction to Antarctica’ learning module, contributing to over 4,614 hours of studying. The award-winning program is now available in English and German, with Mandarin launching soon.
“As we close the 2025–2026 Antarctic season, I’m proud of how our Science & Education programme this season again enabled scientists to access remote environments while engaging guests directly in the process,” HX chief scientist Verena Meraldi added.
“A highlight for me was our work with Dr Manuel Novillo, documenting rare spawning behaviour of Antarctic blackfin icefish near Danco Island using our underwater drones. Capturing these moments in situ provides valuable insight into critical habitats that are still largely unknown. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when expedition travel actively supports science in a rapidly changing Antarctic environment.”
Enhanced pre- and post-expedition
HX also introduced a series of enhancements for the 2025–2026 Antarctica season focused on improving the experience before embarkation and after disembarkation, making travel to and from the expedition more seamless, comfortable, and connected to the destination:
- Before the expedition, guests benefit from later departures from Buenos Aires, allowing more time to rest, along with to-go breakfasts for a smoother transfer experience. Charter flights have been upgraded with JetSMART’s new A321 aircraft, offering more space and comfort, while the in-flight experience has been enhanced with locally made alfajores, commemorative canned water, and upgraded service touches.
- After the expedition, later return flights provide additional time to explore Ushuaia. Guests also receive a curated self-guided map highlighting local businesses offering complimentary items, alongside a takeaway lunch featuring regional products for their onward journey.
- For suite guests, the experience is further elevated with rooftop welcome drinks in Buenos Aires, exclusive access to Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa (including private check-in, dining, and wellness facilities) and VIP lounge access at Ushuaia Airport.
As the largest operator in the region, HX works under the world’s strictest environmental and visitor‑management regulations, ensuring that its scale never compromises the protection of Antarctica’s fragile ecosystems. Every voyage complies with IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) guidelines, including limited shore landings, wildlife‑distancing protocols, strict biosecurity measures, small‑group operations, and capped daily visitor numbers.
HX’s continued growth in Antarctica is driven by its long-standing philosophy that access must be paired with responsibility. The company’s science program, environmental commitments, and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks ensure that every guest interaction contributes positively to understanding and safeguarding the world’s last great wilderness.
“This has been an extraordinary season – not only in terms of guest numbers and satisfaction, but in the depth of scientific engagement and responsible travel practices,” HX Expeditions CEO Gebhard Rainer said.
“As the largest operator, we recognise the responsibility that comes with our scale. Our focus is, and always will be, ensuring that Antarctica remains protected for future generations. HX’s record-breaking season underscores a clear message: high‑quality expedition travel and rigorous environmental stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand.”
