Icebird
ICE-STRENGTHENED, WIND-DRIVEN, EXPEDITION-PROVEN.
Some experiences don't have a category yet. Sailing Antarctica aboard Icebird is one of them.
Built specifically for polar conditions, Icebird is a 61-foot aluminium expedition yacht carrying just six guests and three crew. Where larger vessels follow established routes, Icebird goes further — into bays, channels, and anchorages that no expedition ship can reach. The intimacy is absolute. Antarctica at this scale feels entirely different.
Icebird joins Terra Nova voyages in two ways: as a day sail available on select St Helena departures, giving you a taste of life under sail in Antarctic waters; or as a multi-day extension as part of our Ultimate Antarctic Adventure, where you spend six nights aboard before rejoining St Helena for the Drake crossing home.
HIGHLIGHTS
One yacht.
Antarctica to yourselves.
ULTIMATE ANTARCTIC
ADVENTURE
Featured Expedition
Experience Antarctica in a way few ever will.
This world-first expedition combines the comfort of St Helena with a rare five-night sailing adventure aboard Icebird, delivering a level of access and intimacy unavailable on standard Antarctic itineraries.
Designed for true explorers who value immersion over scale, this journey blends a comfortable Drake Passage crossing with the quiet magic of Antarctica experienced up close. Antarctica truly does not get more intimate than this.
ICEBIRD IS MORE THAN A YACHT, SHE’S A POLAR THOROUGHBRED.
At Terra Nova, we believe smaller ships leave a lighter footprint and create deeper experiences, Icebird is the ultimate expression of that vision.
“Icebird captures the heart of Terra Nova’s mission—real expedition travel, up close and personal. With just six guests, we reach places others can’t, offering true immersion and adventure in Antarctica’s most remote corners.”
-Greg Carter, CEO & Founder
Technical Information
Still deciding?
That's what we're here for.
Our expert team is here to help you choose the perfect expedition. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation with people who know Antarctica.
- 01 Tell us what you're looking for Dates, duration, who you're travelling with, and what excites you most about Antarctica.
- 02 We match you to the right expedition Not the most expensive one, but the right one. Our specialists have sailed these waters.
- 03 We answer what's holding you back Drake Passage, fitness, costs, cancellation - nothing is off the table.
- 04 You decide on your own timeline No pressure, no follow-up if you're not ready. This is a conversation, not a sales call.
About Icebird
Built for the world’s most demanding waters, Icebird is an Australian owned - custom 61-foot aluminium expedition yacht designed by Van de Stadt and constructed to exacting standards at the renowned Trintella Shipyard in the Netherlands. Purpose-built for polar conditions, she’s classified for operation in all oceans — including the Arctic and Antarctic
Icebird’s ice-reinforced aluminium hull features six watertight compartments for maximum safety. Her heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offers panoramic views of the spectacular Antarctic landscapes as the yacht navigates through ice and sea. Fully insulated and climate controlled with a hot water radiator system and air conditioning throughout, Icebird ensures comfort even in the harshest conditions — right down to heated towel rails in the bathrooms.
On Icebird, every voyage is more than just a sail — it’s your personal Antarctic playground. Whether you’re joining us for a single unforgettable day or a longer expedition, you can tailor your journey with a range of optional adventures. Slip beneath the surface to snorkel or dive among ice formations and curious seals, carve fresh tracks on a cross-country ski tour, conquer a snowy peak on a guided climb, or glide silently through iceberg-studded bays by kayak. With Icebird, you’re not just a passenger — you’re the captain of your own Antarctic choose-your-own-adventure.
Her aft garage provides generous storage for the expedition’s equipment: a rigid aluminium-hulled inflatable boat, skis, kayaks, diving gear, and everything needed for making the most of the remote places you’ll explore.
At the heart of her sailing performance is a unique and nearly indestructible AeroRig — a 100-foot rotating carbon spar with a fixed boom — allowing for efficient, no-fuss handling in the Southern Ocean. Icebird can be tacked or gybed with a simple turn of the wheel. With her 3.3-metre keel extended, she sails upwind with ease and can run square before the wind when needed.
Icebird is more than a yacht — she’s a polar thoroughbred. Strong, self-sufficient, and elegantly simple, she offers a rare blend of capability and comfort for small-group Antarctic exploration.
Key Features:
Exclusive, unique itineraries exclusive to Terra Nova Expeditions
Just 6 guests per extended voyages for a truly personal experience // 8 guests on day sail programs
Ice-strengthened aluminium hull for navigating remote Antarctic waters
Guided kayaking, hiking, and shore landings
Icebird is available for day sails (select voyages only) as well as our world first Ultimate Antarctic Adventure: St Helena and Icebird Yacht Expedition