Weddell Sea & Snow Hill Island Cruises: Itineraries & Prices
Emperor penguins are the hardest Antarctic animal to see, and the most rewarding. Only a few trips each season can reach a colony. Here's how they work, what they cost, and how to get a spot.
- No booking fee
- Same fares as booking direct
- Ship options in 2 business days
Most people who visit Antarctica never see an emperor penguin. They breed on sea ice far from the usual cruise routes, in the middle of winter. By the time regular cruises arrive in December, the colonies are usually out of reach.
There are only a few ways to get there: helicopter-equipped ships to the Snow Hill Island colony in the Weddell Sea, or private flights to camps near colonies deep in the continent. Capacity is tiny and prices start around $26,000, so these trips sell out early. This page covers every option.
At a Glance
The most accessible emperor colony by ship is Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, reached by helicopter in October–November. Ship-based emperor trips start around $26,000 per person; fly-in camps cost $65,000 or more.
| Main colony | Snow Hill Island, northwestern Weddell Sea |
| How you get there | Helicopter from an ice-class ship, then a walk across the ice |
| Season | October–November for emperors · November–February for the Weddell Sea in general |
| Typical price | From ~$26,000 per person by ship · $65,000+ for fly-in camps |
| Sightings | Possible but never guaranteed. Sea ice and weather decide. |
Where to See Emperor Penguins in Antarctica
Only a handful of colonies are reachable by visitors
Emperors are the only penguins that breed on sea ice during the Antarctic winter. Males balance the egg on their feet for about two months in total darkness. Most colonies are hundreds of miles from the routes regular cruise ships follow.
- Snow Hill Island (Weddell Sea): the most northerly colony and the one expedition ships aim for, with a few thousand breeding pairs.
- Gould Bay and Atka Bay areas: deep-continent colonies reached only by private flights to luxury or expedition camps.
- Ross Sea: colonies such as Cape Washington can sometimes be reached by helicopter on Ross Sea voyages.
Compare emperors with their smaller lookalike in our king penguin guide, or see all seven Antarctic penguin species.
Snow Hill Island Emperor Penguin Trips
Icebreaker, helicopter, then a walk across the sea ice
Ships can't sail all the way to the colony because it's surrounded by sea ice early in the season. Instead, a helicopter-equipped ship positions itself in the ice and flies guests in small groups to a landing zone a safe distance from the colony. From there you walk the rest of the way.
Timing is everything. Trips run in October and November, when the chicks are a few months old and the sea ice is still solid enough to stand on. Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant's icebreaker with onboard helicopters, has run these trips, and other helicopter-equipped ships offer them in some seasons.
Snow Hill Island has history too. Otto Nordenskjöld's Swedish Antarctic Expedition wintered here in 1902–03, and their hut still stands. Read more about that era in our Antarctic explorers guide.
No company can guarantee emperors. Heavy ice, wind or fog can ground the helicopters. Ask how many days a voyage leaves for attempts. More days means better odds.
Weddell Sea Cruises: Icebergs, Adélies & Shackleton History
Worth it even without emperors
- Antarctic Sound ("Iceberg Alley"). The entrance to the Weddell Sea, full of huge flat-topped tabular icebergs broken off the ice shelves.
- Brown Bluff. A landing on the Antarctic continent beneath a volcanic cliff, with Adélie and gentoo penguins.
- Paulet Island. A large Adélie penguin colony and the stone hut ruins of Nordenskjöld's shipwrecked crew.
- Devil Island. A short hike above another Adélie colony, with views across the sea ice.
- Hope Bay / Esperanza Station. An Argentine base where families live year-round, with a school and chapel.
The Weddell Sea is also where Shackleton's Endurance was crushed by ice in 1915. The wreck was found in March 2022, about 3,000 m (nearly 10,000 ft) down. Standard Weddell Sea cruises without helicopters run from November to February and cost much less than emperor trips. Emperors are only an occasional sighting on ice floes.
Emperor Penguin Trip Options Compared
| Trip type | Length | From (per person) | Emperor odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weddell Sea cruise (no helicopters) | 10–12 days | $10,000–$18,000 | Low: occasional birds on ice floes |
| Helicopter voyage to Snow Hill Island | About 2 weeks | ~$26,000–$50,000+ | Good, weather permitting |
| Fly-in camp from Cape Town (White Desert) | About 1 week | ~$65,000–$115,000 | High, with colony visits built in |
| Fly-in from Punta Arenas via Union Glacier | About 1 week | Price on request | High, weather permitting |
Prices are typical published fares and change each season. Ask us for current departures.
Best Time for an Emperor Penguin Trip
October to November is the window for ship-based trips to Snow Hill Island. Chicks are grey and fluffy, adults are coming and going from the sea, and the fast ice is still solid. Fly-in camps run from about November to January. After that, the ice breaks up and emperor colonies scatter.
Early-season weather is colder and less predictable than midsummer. Pack for temperatures well below freezing, and see our guides to cold weather gear and camera gear.
Weddell Sea Wildlife
- Penguins: emperors at Snow Hill, plus big Adélie colonies and gentoos.
- Seals: the Weddell seal (named after the sea), crabeater seals on the ice floes and leopard seals.
- Whales: orcas that hunt seals off the ice, plus minke whales in the leads.
How to Book an Emperor Penguin Trip
Emperor trips are the scarcest product in Antarctic travel. Helicopter seats are limited, departures are few, and itineraries change from season to season. Working with an Antarctica specialist means someone is watching every company's schedule for you, at no extra cost.
- Tell us your target season and budget.
- We'll compare helicopter voyages and fly-in options, including how many emperor attempts each one allows.
- Secure your cabin with a deposit, and add travel insurance that covers this kind of expedition.
Emperor Penguin Trip FAQs
Can you see emperor penguins on a regular Antarctica cruise?
Rarely. Emperors breed far from the usual Peninsula routes, so you need a helicopter trip to Snow Hill Island or a fly-in camp to see a colony.
How much does it cost to see emperor penguins?
Ship-based helicopter trips to Snow Hill Island start around $26,000 per person. Fly-in camps from Cape Town range from about $65,000 to over $100,000.
When is the best time to see emperor penguins?
October and November for ship-based trips, when the chicks are a few months old and the sea ice is still solid. Fly-in camps run until about January.
Are emperor penguin sightings guaranteed?
No. Sea ice, wind and visibility can ground the helicopters, so pick an itinerary with several days set aside for attempts.
Where is Snow Hill Island?
Off the northeastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the Weddell Sea. Its emperor colony is the most northerly one reachable by expedition ships.
Explore Other Antarctic Regions
Not sure this is the right trip? Compare the other regions we book, or ask an advisor to match one to your dates and budget.