Aurora Expeditions Completes Largest Antarctic Season
Aurora Expeditions has completed its largest Antarctic season to date, operating 30 voyages, facilitating an estimated 819 landings and welcoming a 30 percent increase in expeditioners representing 56 nationalities, according to an announcement.
“This season represents a significant milestone for Aurora Expeditions,” said Michael Heath, chief executive officer at Aurora Expeditions.
“Delivering 30 voyages to Antarctica, including a return to East Antarctica, and operating three ships in the region for the first time reflects both our heritage and how we continue to evolve.”
The 2025-26 program included the launch of the company’s third expedition vessel, the Douglas Mawson, in Sydney in November ahead of its inaugural Antarctic season.
This was the first time in the company’s 35-year history that Aurora operated three ships simultaneously in Antarctica.
The season marked a return to East Antarctica after 15 years, alongside the introduction of Active Antarctica voyages featuring 14 included activities.
The Douglas Mawson reached 78 degrees 44.405 minutes south, marking the southernmost voyage in history, the company said.
Aurora also recorded 2,835 polar plunges, delivered 269 on board lectures and saw expeditioners contribute thousands of hours to on board citizen science programs supporting initiatives such as whale and seabird monitoring, oceanographic data collection and polar ecosystem observation.
The program introduced AI-powered routing technology and microplastic filtration systems to Antarctica.
The season also marked the introduction of drone-supported scouting used to assist bridge teams with real-time ice and landing site assessment.
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