Atlas Ocean Voyages Doubles Drake Fly & Sail Departures for 2028-29

Atlas Ocean Voyages will double its Drake Fly & Sail program to four nine-night departures for the 2028-29 Antarctica season, up from two in 2027-28. The departures are part of a 25-expedition schedule running from October 2028 through March 2029.

The fly-and-sail itineraries pair a sea crossing of the Drake Passage with a private charter flight for the other leg, giving passengers an alternative to sailing the passage in both directions.

“Our 2028/29 season offers guests more ways to experience this transformative destination,” said James A. Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Fly the Drake or cross the Circle

Alongside the expanded program, Atlas will offer two seven-night Drake Express expeditions. Those departures use flights for both passage crossings and provide six full days of exploration around the Antarctic Peninsula. The nine-night Antarctic Discovery itineraries retain the roundtrip sea crossing.

The Drake Passage spans roughly 500 to 600 miles between Cape Horn in southern Chile and the South Shetland Islands north of the Antarctic Peninsula. A ship crossing commonly takes about two days each way. Conditions range from relatively calm water to heavy seas during storms.

For passengers seeking longer Antarctic exploration, two 12-night Crossing the Antarctic Circle expeditions will sail south of 66 degrees 33 minutes South. Each includes seven expedition days exploring Antarctic landscapes, wildlife and waterways.

The season’s 18-night Grand Antarctica voyage departs January 7, 2029, visiting South Georgia and the Falkland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. Selected sailings elsewhere in the schedule coincide with Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.

An Antarctic Discovery departure on November 16, 2028, will commemorate the centenary of Sir Hubert Wilkins and Carl Ben Eielson’s pioneering powered flight over Antarctica. The explorers departed Deception Island on the same date in 1928.

On the expedition

Expedition teams will adjust daily exploration according to weather, sea conditions, ice and wildlife. Early-season departures may encounter penguin courtship and nesting, while later voyages offer opportunities to see chicks and increased whale activity.

Each expedition includes a multidisciplinary team of up to 17 experts. The package also covers pre-expedition hotel accommodation, charter flights where applicable, destination briefings, guided landings and Zodiac excursions. Sea kayaking and Antarctic camping will be available as optional activities on selected departures.

Booking early

Atlas is offering launch savings of up to 10 percent, together with complimentary Explorer’s Choice benefits. Guests can choose from options including air savings of up to $2,000 per suite, a one-night hotel package or enhanced unlimited Wi-Fi.

Bookings made by December 31, 2026, can secure the currently published fares. New pricing takes effect January 1, 2027.

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