In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton

The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the most fascinating places in the continent’s human history. 

With shipping restricted by impenetrable pack ice to just two brief months each austral summer, few people have ever visited this strange and beautiful territory, with opportunities for non-scientific personnel limited to a handful of tourist expedition ships. Heritage Expeditions offers such a voyage on its own fully equipped and ice-strengthened ship Heritage Adventurer, crewed by some of the most experienced officers and sailors in the world and staffed by a passionate and knowledgeable expedition team. Heritage Expeditions are the original and most experienced Ross Sea operators and have been exploring the Ross Sea region for more than 35 years. Our iconic In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton voyage has featured in television documentaries Go Further South, Antarctica from Above (narrated by Lucy Lawless) and Nigel Marven’s The Last Penguin.

The Ross Sea takes its name from Sir James Clark Ross who discovered it in 1841. The British Royal Geographical Society chose the Ross Sea for the now famous British National Antarctic Expedition in 1901-04 led by Robert Falcon Scott. That one expedition spawned what is sometimes referred to as the ‘Race to the Pole’. Ernest Shackleton almost succeeded in 1907-09 and the Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase tried in 1910-12. Scott thought it was his, but was beaten by his rival, Norwegian Roald Amundsen in the summer of 1911. Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic expedition in 1914-17 marked the end of this ‘heroic’ or ‘golden age’ of exploration, but many of the relics of this era, including huts, remain. The dramatic landscape described by these early explorers is unchanged. Mt Erebus, Mt Discovery and the Transantarctic Mountains are as inspiring today as they were 100 years ago. The penguin rookeries described by the early biologists fluctuate in numbers from year to year, but they still occupy the same sites. The seals, which are no longer hunted for food lie around on ice floes seemingly unperturbed. The whales, which were hunted so ruthlessly here in the 1920s, are slowly coming back, but it is a long way back from the edge of extinction, and some species have done better than others. Snow Petrels, Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, Antarctic Petrels and South Polar Skuas all breed in this seemingly inhospitable environment.

There is so much to do and so much to see here, from exploring historic huts and sites to visiting penguin rookeries, marvelling at the glacial ice tongues and ice shelves, and understanding the icebergs and sea ice. Then there are all the seabirds, seals and whales to observe and photograph, modern scientific bases and field camps to visit and simply the opportunity to spend time drinking in the marvellous landscape that has always enthralled visitors.

Lying like stepping stones to the Antarctic continent are the little known Subantarctic Islands which, along with Heritage Expeditions and our voyages, featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s influential ‘The 25 Best Places to Go in 2025’ list. Our journey also includes The Snares, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell Island. They break our long journey, but more importantly, they help prepare us for what lies ahead, for these islands are part of the amazing and dynamic Southern Ocean ecosystem of which Antarctica is at the very heart. It is the powerhouse which drives this ecosystem upon which the world depends.

Our 6 January 2027 voyage offers guests the opportunity to join Nikon Ambassador and multi-award-winning seabird photographer, Rachel Bigsby, on an exclusive wildlife photography workshop. With accolades including Wildlife Photographer of the Year and
Bird Photographer of the Year, Rachel’s hands-on approach and specialisation in seabirds offers the perfect blend of creativity, technical skill and adventure whether you’re a seasoned photographer or beginner. Join interactive sessions on board as well as guided excursions and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to capture rare wildlife and stunning landscapes.

These expeditions include the option to join sea kayaking excursions with an expert guide. Kayaking around the Subantarctic Islands and the Ross Sea, Antarctica offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a wide array of habitats to explore beyond the reach of our Zodiacs.