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Scotia Arc Expedition

42 days voyage

Starting from €15.120,- pp

Map Ushuaia - Ushuaia

Antarctica expedition

An adventurous 42 day expedition to South Georgia and Antarctica

Dates & prices

Step on board Bark EUROPA for the true Southern Ocean experience, that takes you to the most remote and awe-inspiring corners of the Southern Hemisphere. This once in a lifetime voyage takes you to the rugged shores of South Georgia and ventures into the icy wilderness of Antarctica. Sail across the Southern Ocean, where towering waves and powerful winds test your endurance, witness the most beautiful glaciers, abundance of wildlife and pristine landscapes before crossing the untamed Drake Passage back to Ushuaia.

Sailing Southern Seas on board EUROPA
Sailing the southern seas on board EUROPA

The remains of the lonely historic huts on the snow-covered hills tell the stories of these adventurers of the past and we, we follow their stories, curious of where Bark EUROPA will bring us on our quest for adventure.

Bark EUROPA in Antarctica

Destination

Departing from Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands/Las Malvinas, we will set sail to one of the most spectacular destinations of all: South Georgia. After signing you on to the crew list at the gate, you will be welcomed on board. You will meet your fellow travellers, a first glance at who you will share your Scotia Arc Experience with. They will be solo travellers, friends or couples, young and old, from various countries and with different backgrounds, all united in one dream of visiting the remote wilderness of South Georgia and Antarctica on board EUROPA.

At this time, the watch system will be in full force. During your watch you will stand on look out, steer the ship and help with sail handling. Together with your fellow watch mates you will help the permanent crew with sailing the ship through heavy weather. For many on board this will be their first time on the Southern Ocean, while some will have done similar voyages before. This mix of beginners and more experienced tall ship sailors creates a learning atmosphere on board, where each person can contribute in their own way to keep the ship sailing.

Route

The Southern Ocean is infamous for its roughness, hence the names ‘roaring forties’, ‘furious fifties’ and ‘screaming sixties’ corresponding with the degrees of latitude. This Scotia Arc expedition is therefore definitely a real sailing trip, with more than half of the voyage days as sailing days. During these many sailing days, you will experience all the aspects of the seaman’s life. Nature decides the daily work on board and it forces you to adjust to it. You will learn how to sail a square rigger and when the weather allows: to enjoy the lecture program put together by our guides and crew. During these talks you will learn more about the various bird species, the history of the area we visit, glaciology, meteorology and how to make the best pictures of everything we will encounter.   

Map Route Ushuaia - Ushuaia

Itinerary

Itinerary

Departing in Port Stanley

Departing from Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands/Las Malvinas, we will set sail to one of the most spectacular destinations of all: South Georgia. You will meet your fellow travellers. They will be solo travellers, friends or couples, young and old, from various countries and with different backgrounds, all united in one dream of visiting the remote wilderness on board EUROPA.

Falkland Islands

Itinerary

Life on board

When you have all gotten used to the movement of the ship and the rhythm of the watches, the silhouette of land will appear in the distance. On the horizon, the ice-covered mountains of the Sub Antarctic Island South Georgia will appear.

Sailing Southern Seas on board EUROPA

Itinerary

South Georgia

When we reach South Georgia we will anchor in different bays every day. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers, beaches and steep cliffs, inhabited by albatrosses and thousands of penguins, including the King Penguin, we will make landings, hikes and follow the stories of the heroic pole traveler Ernest Shackleton.

Thousands of penguins

Itinerary

Antarctica's wildlife

The wildlife is overwhelming: the sound and smell of hundreds of penguins reaches you when we get closer to the shore, whales slowly pass by the ship and we encounter the first seals ashore. It is something out of your wildest dreams, something you looked forward to for so many months or years and now you’re here.

Bark Europa in Antarctica

Itinerary

Back to Ushuaia

After having spent the past week doing daily trips ashore, it is time to say goodbye to Antarctica and sink back into the rhythm of the sea watches. We have to sail approximately 450 nautical miles to cross the stormy seas of the Drake. One last time the watch system will be back in place and together with your fellow watch mates you will help our lady EUROPA ride these untamed seas.

Crossing the Southern Ocean on board EUROPA

Reviews

Stephanie Fowler - OceanCape Town to Horta

You may imagine what a trip on bark Europa will be like. But the journey is beyond imagination. The sights, the places, the people, the activities were all extraordinary and incredible.

Bartosz Lipinski - ANTAntarctic Peninsula

I wouldn't want to experience it any other way, amazing adventure, people and experience. This journey sealed in my memory for the rest of my life. I will definitely come back on board this ship, I recommend it to everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Kathi Blömer - OceanTenerife - Puerto Madryn

This voyage was the experience of a life time for me, it was absolutely amazing. I learnt a lot about sailing, other people and myself. The camaraderie between voyage crew and permanent crew was outstanding in all circumstances. The food was great, healthy tasty and every day different, there were very few dishes which were repeated in 46 days on board! We lived together in close quarters but because of the different watches and different sleeping time it never felt crowded.

Bark EUROPA crew

Why choose us

  • A journey of adventure and personal growth

    Confront the elements in one of the most extreme environments on the planet, developing resilience, teamwork and a deeper connection with the natural world.

    Bark EUROPA in Antarctica by Benjamin Hardman

  • Exploration of remote destinations

    Visit some of the most breathtaking and inaccessible places on earth, all on board a historic tall ship, taking our time to venture this part of the world.

    Sails in the wind

  • Unparalleled wildlife encounters

    Witness extraordinary wildlife in its natural habitat, from penguin colonies and fur seals, to whales and albatrosses that glide majestically through the sea and air.

    Penguin by Benjamin Hardman

Dates & prices

This season the Scotia Arc expedition will depart in the Falklands/Las Malvinas and will sail to South Georgia and Antarctica, a beautiful 42 day expedition that will offer fantastic wildlife, hiking and sailing opportunities.

Don't forget that sailing is a huge part of the experience. The Southern Ocean is infamous for its roughness and the amount of sailing days on the Scotia Arc voyage (+28 sailing days) should not be overlooked. It is a fantastic experience, where you'll learn more about all the aspects of seaman's life and get the chance to visit remote locations and experience its beautiful wildlife.

What's included?

  • Small and personal voyages with a maximum of 40 voyage crew members
  • Sailing lectures and instructions from our professional crew
  • Delicious meals from our experienced cooks
  • Spend your “off watch” time in the ships library, lounge, poker corner, deckhouse or ships bar

Look out for new voyages on the horizon! We will open the new voyages for Antarctica 2024/2025 in February 2025!

FAQ Booking information

Feel free to contact us in case you have any questions before booking. Perhaps below FAQ can already help you answer some of your questions!

All FAQ
When do bookings for the next Antarctica season open?

The Antarctica season 2025/2026 will be open for bookings early 2025. Please subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated. 
 

What sort of boots do I need for Antarctica?

We might not always be able to land ashore and there is a chance that you will have to walk a bit through water when stepping out of the zodiac to reach the shore. Next to that the soles of the Muckboots have great grip for the exploring we will do on land and are easy to clean to follow biosecurity regulations. To stay dry, warm and comfortable during landings, we'd recommend bringing a pair of knee-high Muckboots, like the Arctic Muckboots or similar. 

Can I bring a drone on board?

No, drones are not allowed on board EUROPA. While they offer incredible perspectives, they can pose risks & safety concerns for other guests, crewmembers, and potentially disrupt the ships' operations. 

What about using underwater cameras?

Please be aware that regulations for the use of underwater cameras vary per location. Familiarize yourself with local rules to ensure responsible photography during your voyage.

What does a day on board the EUROPA look like?

Every day on board is different and unexpected, due to continuously changing weather conditions and the watch system, but we’ll try to sketch how a day could look like: you get waken up at 4 am by another watch: It's your turn to stand watch with your watch mates. You check out the weather and put on your sailing gear. Then, you head outside and take turns keeping a lookout, steering, and handling the sails with the crew. After 4 hours, you wake up the next watch and its breakfast time. The cook has prepared a delicious buffet: fresh bread, yoghurt, granola, and all sorts of fruits. Then, you can catch up on sleep or hang out outside, chatting with your fellow travelers or helping the crew with ship maintenance. Once lunch is served, it's back to your watch duty. The weather and course may have changed, so you need to hoist or lower the sails accordingly. After dinner, you can either take a nap or grab a drink – the choice is yours. Read here to learn more about the watch system on board!