1. Discover the wonders of East Antarctica
2. Walk in the footsteps of great explorers 
3. Immerse in wild and breathtaking landscapes
4. See the vast White Continent from above
5. Life-affirming wildlife encounters 
6. Take the Polar Plunge
7. Discover it all from your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht
8. Featured itineraries

Located south of Australia and New Zealand, East Antarctica is a place of awe, with untouched and wild landscapes that only the most renowned explorers of the past dared charter. Becoming one of the few to step foot onto these remote landscapes is a life-affirming experience of natural wonder, geological and environmental extremes and astounding exploration history.

Journey to East Antarctica, one of the farthest reaches of Earth, on a Scenic Eclipse II Expedition Voyage that combines wild and staggering beauty and geological wonders with ultra-luxury and unforgettable experiences. And with departures from Australia and New Zealand, it’s closer than you think.

For most, Antarctica is a place only for the imagination. The southernmost continent is one of the last truly wild places on Earth, of pristine ocean, colossal icescapes, snowy expanses and lofty mountain ranges.

Today, only one per cent of the world will ever reach this frontier, but even fewer make it to East Antarctica. “It is so remote, so spectacular,” says Jason Flesher, Scenic’s Director of Discovery Operations, who has undertaken 102 expeditions to Antarctica himself.

“There are now well over 60 ships cruising the Antarctic Peninsula, which is reached from South America. Sailing from New Zealand or Hobart, Australia, it takes several days to get to East Antarctica and the most capable expedition ships, so there are very few ships in the region which means we can deliver a more exclusive experience for our guests,” he says.

For the December 2025 to February 2026 season, Scenic Eclipse II will operate its last three planned voyages to East Antarctica for a total of just 200 guests per departure.

This far-flung land was a speculative inclusion on early European maps. Its existence was confirmed in 1773 – when James Cook led the first expedition south of the Antarctic Circle – and it has been a cradle of exploration ever since.

“In East Antarctica, the polar plateau extends to the ocean, so you can literally walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest explorers,” says Flesher. On the Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife voyage, you can visit Shackleton’s well-preserved 1908-built hut, as well as Scott’s base for his 1911–1913 expedition to the South Pole. While on Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast, guests have the rare opportunity to visit Mawson’s Huts, shuttled by only accessible by helicopter shuttle which we’ve included for our guests on this departure”.

Retracing the steps of these pioneering explorers provides a rare sense of wonder, says Flesher. “Stepping into the hut and touching the bunk where Scott slept is an experience you can’t put into words.”

On board, guests will gain invaluable insights from special guest experts Dr Louise Emmerson, Seabird Ecologist of the Cape Denison Seabird Research team and conservation consultants from the Mawson’s Huts Foundation. Ian Godfrey, Head Conservator has been part of the Mawson’s Hut Foundation for more than 20 years, leading expeditions to Antarctica to monitor the stability and condition of the 112-year-old buildings at Cape Denison.

From the floor-to-ceiling windows of your spacious suite or with the navigational team at the open Bridge, you’ll see captivating landscapes floating by crystalline ocean, strewn with thick ice sheets and tabular glaciers, peaks reaching up to 5,000 metres, and dramatic canyons and fjords.

During Scenic Discovery excursions, you will explore by Zodiac to see these natural formations from an even grander scale. Paddle a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard~ around glowing blue glaciers and sheer cliffs, take nature walks over tundra or join an ice walk. There’s always the Discovery Team of polar experts on hand, including marine biologists, naturalists, glaciologists and historians, who are all masters in their fields.

Scenic’s exclusive helicopter^ excursions give you an aerial perspective of the White Continent – the second-biggest continent in the world – and take you to places most can’t reach, for experiences that will have your skin tingling in awe. See the Mertz Glacier Tongue from above; soar over and then land at the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the driest place on Earth; view Mt Erebus, Antarctica’s most active volcano; and see the Ross Sea Ice Shelf, the world’s largest body of floating ice that reaches up to 56 metres tall and almost 1000 kilometre long. “Until you experience Antarctica from above, you haven’t fully seen her come alive,” Flesher says.

The wildlife in Antarctica is mostly migratory, including many sea birds, penguins, seals and whales, such as humpback, minke and blue species.

However, the remote East Antarctic region has a plethora of indigenous species that are here year-round, such as Adelie and Emperor Penguins, Ross Sea and Weddell Seals and the rare Ross Sea orcas.

Cape Adare is home to the Antarctic region’s largest colony of Adelie penguins, and you’ll often see Ross and Weddell seals together on ice floes.

It is a rite of passage in Antarctica to take the polar plunge. That is, jump from the stern of your Discovery Yacht straight into the icy waters. You’ll experience a revitalising rush and afterwards, warm up with a steaming hot chocolate or choose from over 130 fine whiskeys on board. Either way, you will create stories for life to share with family and friends.

The 6-star ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse II is purpose built to explore Antarctica. State-of-the-art technology makes the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage crossings more comfortable, while the Discovery Yacht itself is a very welcome sanctuary after days spent on the frozen continent.

Join lectures with your Discovery Team to learn about the region’s wildlife, history and geology to enrich your experiences. Spend downtime in your spacious suite, sipping on hot coffee delivered by your butler as the White Continent floats by. Unwind at the Senses Spa^# with the saunas and salt therapy lounge or rejuvenate with a class at the dedicated yoga and Pilates studio. Read a book in The Observation Lounge, interrupted only perhaps by the sighting of a whale. Mingle with fellow guests over a glass of bubbles at Lumiere Champagne Bar or choose from over 130 whiskeys at the Scenic Lounge Bar and share stories about the life-changing experiences you’ve had in East Antarctica.

A trip to Antarctica is an aspirational journey for travellers all over the world, yet few ever get the chance to visit. Fewer still have an opportunity to discover the treasures of East Antarctica. With Scenic, it’s possible to explore this incredible region in unrivalled ultra-luxury and make your dream destination a reality. Now is the time to start planning your journey of a lifetime with only three more voyages planned to depart conveniently from Australia and New Zealand.