Zodiac Cruises

On your voyage, there is a whole world of glittering glaciers and breathtaking icebergs to discover, and at Aurora Expeditions we pride ourselves on being able to bring you closer to some of the incredible scenery and wildlife that make the region so unique.

While our ships are small enough to manoeuvre through the icy waters, sometimes you just want to get up close and personal with some of the sights, which is why we can take you one step further with our Zodiac cruises. These inflatable boats are perfect for cruising around Antarctica, giving you the chance to see the world from a completely new point of view.

What is a Zodiac boat?

A Zodiac is an inflatable, highly buoyant boat, capable of carrying up to 16 guests at a time – although groups are usually capped at 12 to allow for extra room and comfort. Its special design gives it a low centre of gravity, making it very stable, and easy to navigate in a range of different conditions. These lightweight boats allow us to make spontaneous landings or excursions should our crew spot an incredible ice formation or an unexpected wildlife sighting.

What do we use Zodiac boats for?

In your small groups, you’ll set out from the ship in your Zodiac. Manned by an experienced driver, all you have to do is hold tight and feel the exhilaration of the fresh air as we cruise across the water.

Our Zodiac excursions can be used either for a cruise or a shore landing; throughout the course of your expedition, you’ll have the chance to visit historic huts used by the explorers of old, scientific research bases and whaling sites – all of which is made possible thanks to our sturdy Zodiacs.

We also rely on our Zodiacs to get up close to the dazzling beauty of grounded icebergs, as well as leopard seals lazing on ice floes, busy penguin rookeries or even whale sightings!

Capturing landscapes and wildlife

While most of these excursions will be planned in advance, the Zodiacs also enable our renowned flexible itineraries, giving you the chance to witness spontaneous sightings in a totally unique way. Your crew will train you on how to safely board and disembark from these inflatable boats, so you can enjoy the ride as safely as possible.

If you are a photography enthusiast, a Zodiac excursion is also a fantastic way to capture the essence of your adventure in a completely different perspective. Take the decisive shot as an immense glacier drifts into the viewfinder of your camera, or snap away at the endearing antics of curious leopard seals and bustling penguins.