Here are the best gay cruises to Antarctica so you can tick off the ultimate travel bucket list item.
Antarctica – free of mankind, homophobia, and city noise!
A vast landscape of snowy ice caps and monumental glaciers, home to an assortment of creatures that couldn't survive anywhere else… now THIS is the ultimate Winter Wonderful!
What used to be a destination only for scientists and explorers, Antarctica is fast becoming a popular tourist destination with many luxury cruises on offer. Gay travelers who wish to plant the rainbow flag in Antarctica can now do this aboard a fabulous gay cruise!
We've rounded up the best gay cruises to Antarctica for LGBTQ travelers. So grab your cuddly Olaf toy and live out your Elsa fantasy on the world's most remote continent!
Note: all the gay cruises mentioned here are made of gay groups joining a larger expedition trip with other (i.e. non-gay!) travelers. Be sure to read about our very own gay Antarctica adventure with Out Adventures and Quark Expeditions.
Heads up: We just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links. That means if you book something through one of those links, we'll get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep our blog going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥
1. Out Adventures Antarctica Gay Expedition: every December
The cruise at a glance
- Prices start from $15,445
- Large luxurious cruise ship
- Ushuaia – Drake Passage – Antarctic Peninsula
Out Adventures is one of our favorite gay cruise companies out there, and their annual gay Antarctica cruise is notorious!
The group starts in Ushuaia, located right on the southern tip of Argentina. Here you'll kiss the world of grass and rocks a final goodbye before heading out into the icy waters…and beyond!
Penguins and seals and whales, OH MY! When you think about it, Antarctica is very much like Oz. Spot as many of these creatures as you can, as you're unlikely to see them anywhere else. This gay cruise will take you on an exploration of the Drake Passage – a vast body of water between South America's Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Whilst the waters around here can be unpredictable, the South Shetland Islands are a big highlight of the cruise. You get to go on Zodiac boat excursions onshore to visit penguin rookeries and seal spotting. You also have the option to go kayaking and do stand-up paddleboarding. You can even take a plunge into the freezing Antarctic waters…(if you dare!), in what is coyly referred to as “The Polar Plunge!”
The Out Adventure gay cruise to Antarctica takes place aboard the luxurious World Explorer expedition ship. The ship features luxurious rooms, all with exterior views. Some have private balconies so you can watch the icebergs sliding by. There are plenty of open spaces for relaxing and socializing, like the glass-domed Observation Lounge and the ship's library. You can also keep fit in the small gym, or go for a run on the outdoor track. There's even a sauna and spa to relax in after the daily excursions.
2. HE Travel Antarctica Adventure: Feb/March
The cruise at a glance
- Prices start from $11,000 per person
- Dates: February 25 to March 9, 2025
- Large eco-friendly and comfortable expedition ship
- Ushuaia – Drake Passage – Vernadsky Research Base
Starting in charming Ushuaia, you'll spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the tip of South America. From here you wave goodbye to civilization as you know it before heading south toward Antarctica.
Crossing through the Drake Passage, you'll be treated to marvelous sights. It generally takes two days to make the trip giving you ample time to chill, kick your feet back, and gasp in awe at the towering glaciers and icecaps.
This gay cruise, in particular, takes a deep dive into all the surrounding islands of the mainland like Melchior, Brabant, and Anvers. Here you can see penguins, sea lions and if you're lucky, a few blue whales. You'll have the option to join shore excursions on Zodiac boats, allowing you to cross off ‘walking on Antarctica' from your bucket list. The best part? You don't have to worry about checking your surroundings before indulging in any PDAs as there's no such thing as a homophobic penguin!
You'll also get to learn about all of the fascinating projects conducted by scientists who call Antarctica their home. They do various research studies, discovering all sorts of secrets of the Earth. You'll swing by The Vernadsky Research Base – where the hole in the ozone layer was first discovered. And to top it all off, there's a visit to the world’s southernmost bar for some Antarctica-inspired cocktails!
The gay cruise takes place on the m/v Hondius, a very comfortable polar expedition ship that's also one of the most environmentally friendly ships out there. This means you get to enjoy the incredible landscapes and wildlife of Antarctica while impacting them as little as possible. The rooms vary in size but with a high standard of comfort. If you're looking for a splurge, you can book a grand suite, which has its own private balcony.
HeTravel is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount valid for their gay cruise to Antarctica. Click the button below to find out more.
3. Out of Office Antarctica Expedition: Feb/March
THE CRUISE AT A GLANCE
- Prices start from $10,900
- Dates: February 25 to March 7, 2025
- Small-ish expedition ship
- Ushuaia – Drake Passage – Vernadsky Research Base
Out of Office always curates 5-star experiences, and this cruise to Antarctica is no exception!
Join other gay travelers on a cruise to the uttermost south and see how many seals, penguins, whales, and birds you can spot.
This is quite an intimate experience, as you'll be traveling with other gay men and women on the MV Plancius; an ice-strengthened passenger expedition ship that only carries 108 passengers. But a small group means you're likely to make friends for life as you experience some of the most stunning sights in the world together.
The ship is comfortable but this is not a journey that focuses on luxury. It's all about the views to enjoy the scenery and wildlife (with large open decks including the ability to walk all the way around on deck four), along with lots of quality time ashore.
If you want to spend the majority of your trip getting up close to nature then this cruise is for you, as there are many shore excursions on zodiac boats to see penguin colonies, seals, terns and gulls while Humpback, Minke, or Fin Whales can often be spotted from the boat. A real highlight is a visit to the Vernadsky Research Base and a drink at the world’s southernmost bar!
PREVIOUS GAY CRUISES TO ANTARCTICA
The following are gay cruises to Antarctica that have departed but have not yet announced future dates. We've kept them here just in case they operate another Antarctica expedition. When they do, we will update this article, so watch this space…
- Antarctica Pride Cruise with Aurora Expeditions: February 2025
- Pied Piper Travel South America and Antarctica Cruise
- Aquafest Hosted Group Cruise to Antarctica
- Brand G Antarctica Luxury Expedition Group Cruise
Read more travel adventures like this in our book!
We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.
We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!
Click on the book to order:
For more inspiration:
- If you prefer some warmer destinations, make sure you also check out our bumper guide to the best upcoming gay cruises worldwide
- And if you like a bit of sunbathing au naturel these are the best gay nude cruises out there!
- For more cheeky nudity, these are the best nude beaches worldwide
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- As well as our gay city guide to Barcelona
- Find out what it's like to attend gay Pride in Barcelona
- And then read about the biggest gay pride events in the world
- Get inspired by these fabulous gay pride outfit ideas as well
- And don't forget to pack these must-have pride accessories!
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