Best Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruises, Tours & Trips for 2025-2026

When you board your expedition cruise ship bound for the Southern Ocean, excitement awaits en route to the renowned white continent of Antarctica, including a stop at Macquarie Island. This wildlife paradise south of Australia is bursting with thousands of elephant, leopard, and fur seals and millions of penguins. On top of this, there is an Australian base there that is staffed year-round with a small number of people. You can easily spend two days exploring all that Macquarie Island has to offer, including the 200,000-strong King Penguin population, and other penguins populations like gentoos, rockhoppers, and royals. If you can believe it, there are a stunning 72 species of seabirds that call this island home. Contact us when you're ready to start planning your Antarctica adventure to see Macquarie Island!

All Antarctica Tours

Top 10 Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruises for 2025-2026

All Antarctica Tours

Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: New Zealand and Australia's Subantarctic Islands

12 Days from $9,990

Take a 12-day wildlife trip on Heritage Adventurer through New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands: the Snares, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell. These islands' high biodiversity provides enough opportunities to observe and photograph unique Subantarctic flora and wildlife. Expert naturalists aboard the ship provide a wealth of information.

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Mawson’s Antarctica

24 Days from $30,595

Join this 24-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson, tracing Sir Douglas Mawson's historic journey through Antarctica's breathtaking scenery. Encounter diverse wildlife, penguins, and albatrosses while exploring remote landscapes and discovering Mawson's legendary base.

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Subantarctic Discovery

15 Days from $15,295

Join a 15-day Subantarctic Discovery Expedition Cruise roundtrip from Dunedin, New Zealand aboard the Douglas Mawson. Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Subantarctic Islands, Stewart and Ulva Islands, Fiordland, Campbell Island and Auckland Islands. Discover rugged beauty and wildlife, including brown kiwi and flightless weka.

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Aerial view of pack ice in Ross Sea, Antarctica

Ross Sea Odyssey

25 Days from $31,495

Join a 25-day cruise aboard the Douglas Mawson to explore the Ross Sea, where you can see yellow-eyed penguins and nesting albatrosses. Cross the Antarctic Circle to encounter emperor penguins and majestic glaciers at the Ross Ice Shelf, experiencing the raw beauty of this remote frontier.

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Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

34 Days from $42,495

Join this 34-day expedition cruise on the Douglas Mawson to explore the subantarctic islands and the Ross Sea, starting in Dunedin. Experience penguins, albatrosses, and glaciers while crossing the Antarctic Circle, concluding your adventure in Ushuaia.

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Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents

31 Days from $69,000

Embark on a 31-day Antarctic adventure aboard Le Commandant Charcot, tracing the footsteps of legendary explorers. Experience dreamlike landscapes and abundant wildlife, including penguins and whales. Explore iconic sites like Marie Byrd Land and Ross Sea before returning via Macquarie Island.

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5 Best Macquarie Island Antarctica Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife	$68,190	24	Jan 06, 2026	Embark on a 24-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, journeying from Hobart to Dunedin to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter magnificent wildlife, from whales and orcas to penguins and seals, amidst the awe-inspiring icebergs and glaciers that have captivated explorers like Shackleton and Scott for generations. 0
Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife	$57,790	24	Jan 29, 2026	Embark on a 24-day cruise to and from Dunedin aboard the Scenic Eclipse II to explore East Antarctica's Ross Sea. Encounter magnificent wildlife, from whales and orcas to penguins and seals, amidst the awe-inspiring icebergs and glaciers that have captivated explorers like Shackleton and Scott for generations. 0
Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast	$58,990	25	Dec 13, 2025	Embark on a 25-day cruise from Queenstown to Hobart aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Explore Antarctica's remote and captivating landscape, following in the footsteps of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. Navigate wild realms and experience the unpredictability. 0
Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands	$13,860	15	Dec 29, 2025	Set sail from Dunedin on Le Soleal for a 15-day exploration cruise to New Zealand's Fiordland and Subantarctic Islands. Explore the South West World Heritage Area, which is home to the magnificent Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds. Take a Zodiac cruise across the fiords and look for the endangered Fiordland Crested penguin. 0
Scott & Shackleton's Antarctica - Ross Sea Expedition	$30,750	22	Jan 26, 2026	On this 22-day journey aboard Le Soleal, follow in the footsteps of pioneers such as Scott, Shackleton, and Borchgrevink. From New Zealand, cruise to Antarctica through the Ross Sea, visiting subantarctic islands, observing the region's spectacular wildlife, and admiring unspoiled landscapes. 0