Quark Expeditions has unveiled the ‘New Adventures: Whales, Camping, and Science’, its highlight anticipated Antarctic 2026-2027 season with a series of exciting firsts.
The upcoming season, with its 13 meticulously designed itineraries and 43 departures, provides unparalleled opportunities for guests to customise their journey to match their own unique sense of adventure. Whether camping under the southern sky, soaring above dramatic landscapes by helicopter or listening to whale songs under the guidance of our scientists in residence, Quark Expeditions is unlocking more avenues than ever for guests to experience the wonders of Antarctica. Adventurers eager to secure their spot can enjoy early booking savings of up to 15 per cent, plus an exclusive Early Booking Bonus available until 31 May 2025.
Joining Quark Expeditions’ industry-leading fleet is World Voyager, a modern, 168-passenger expedition ship, ice-classed for polar exploration and retrofitted with scientific discovery and immersion in mind. Guests can enjoy deluxe all-balcony suites with sweeping views of the icy wilderness, ideal for wildlife viewing from the comfort of their room and access a state-of-the-art presentation theater and Science Hub.
Debuting in the Antarctic 2026-2027 season, the Science & Discovery Program plays an integral role in all World Voyager departures. This program offers guests the unique opportunity to engage directly with scientists and researchers and participate in citizen science activities with the expedition team to collect and record data. Activities include conducting seabird surveys on deck, documenting whale sightings, and participating in interactive water sampling activities to measure environmental conditions.
This program provides travellers with rare, first-hand experiences that contribute to global scientific research and deepens their understanding of and appreciation for the polar environment. Designed with the spirit of discovery, World Voyager enhances wildlife immersion, fosters exploration, and creates meaningful learning opportunities, delivering a luxurious and enriching adventure both on and off-ship.
Continuing Quark Expeditions’ longstanding commitment to scientific research, the company has formed an exclusive partnership with the Friedlaender Lab at the University of California, San Diego. Led by Ari Friedlaender, founder of the Biotelemetry and Behavioral Ecology Lab at UCSD and Professor in the Ocean Sciences Department, this collaboration is at the heart of the Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals expedition, which offers guests a rare opportunity to observe research being conducted by world leading marine mammal experts.
Throughout this 11-day journey, guests assist experts collect data on whale behavior, listen to underwater whale sounds through portable hydrophones, and follow the path of migratory species like minke, humpback, and fin whales. They also engage with Friedlaender’s team and research associates from Happywhale, contributing to citizen science efforts focused on whale identification and conservation. With access to the Science Hub, guests can further immerse themselves in marine mammal research, playing a key role in conserving Antarctica’s pristine habitat.
“To truly conserve and protect the Antarctic ecosystem, we must deepen our understanding of whales’ needs, habits, and movement patterns around the Antarctic Peninsula,” University of California’s Friedlaender Lab founder, Ari Friedlaender, said. “This kind of knowledge can only be gained through dedicated research, backed by the necessary support to carry out this vital science. Our partnership with Quark Expeditions presents an incredible opportunity to spend time with these magnificent creatures, studying and observing them in their natural habitat. This is essential in gathering the critical information needed to advance conservation efforts—not just for these baleen whales, but for the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem.”
In the true expedition spirit, Quark Expeditions also continues to push the boundaries of polar exploration with new and expanded off-ship adventures designed to deliver extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. For the upcoming Antarctic season, select departures of Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent aboard the Ocean Explorer capitalises on pristine early-season conditions, offering enhanced camping experiences providing twice as many guests the chance to spend an unforgettable night under the Antarctic sky.
Additionally, a brand-new adventure Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle & the Peninsula (16 February 16 to 1March 2027) invites guests to soar above Antarctica’s dramatic landscapes aboard Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters. This exhilarating expedition offers the rare opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle, blending breathtaking aerial views with unforgettable terrestrial exploration, offering a minimum of two flightseeing and one heli-landing below the Antarctic Circle, included in the price of the expedition.
With 30 years specialising in Polar-only travel, Quark has assembled an expert team with the deepest knowledge and know-how of the world’s most remote wildernesses. At the heart of every journey is the exceptional expedition team whose mission is to ensure guests spend more time exploring both on and off the ship. Whether on the vessel, in a helicopter, on a zodiac, kayaking, biking, camping, hiking, or immersing in local cuisine and culture, Quark’s field team helps guests get closer.
With an unparalleled guide-to-guest ratio, Quark’s expedition team, comprised of Marine Biologists, Historians, Glaciologists, and other polar experts, can seamlessly adapt plans and adjust schedules to capture extraordinary moments so each day brings more unforgettable moments. This flexibility ensures guests have the best experience possible, leaving them with stories to cherish and memories to treasure for a lifetime.
