The First Purpose-Designed Expedition Ship of This Size in Antarctica
London, 6 August 2026 – Expedition Micro Cruise specialist Secret Atlas has announced the addition of Explorer Yacht Aureum, the first purpose-designed 36-guest expedition vessel operating in Antarctica, to its expedition portfolio for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 Antarctic and South Georgia seasons.
The ice-class explorer yacht will operate under the Secret Atlas banner as part of a long-term partnership with Antarpply Expeditions, featuring the inaugural Antarctica By Air and South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruiseprogrammes.
At a time when demand is growing for smaller, more immersive expedition experiences, Aureum offers travellers a rare opportunity to explore Antarctica and South Georgia in groups that are a fraction of the size of conventional expedition ships.
The introduction of Aureum marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of Secret Atlas, bringing its established Expedition Micro Cruise philosophy from the Arctic to Antarctica and South Georgia. Designed by explorers and led by explorers, every expedition is built around small groups, flexible schedules and meaningful time exploring some of the world’s most remarkable polar environments.
The ship is currently undergoing an upgrade in South America and will accommodate just 36 guests in 22 guest cabins. These will include spacious Suites and eight dedicated Single Cabins with no single supplement, a significant advantage for the growing number of solo travellers seeking expedition adventures.
Following its refit, guests will enjoy a panoramic observation lounge, bridge lounge, expansive outdoor viewing decks, open observation bow, wellness area with sauna and outdoor hot tub, and a restaurant where all guests dine together in a single sitting, reinforcing the intimate onboard atmosphere.
As with all Secret Atlas expeditions, guests benefit from an industry-leading guide-to-guest ratio of one experienced Polar Guide for every six guests offering exceptional access to expert insights from experienced expedition leaders, scientists and naturalists.
“The introduction of Aureum represents a significant milestone for Secret Atlas and our Expedition Micro Cruise concept,” said Michele D’Agostino, Co-Founder of Secret Atlas. “As demand grows for meaningful, small-group polar expeditions, Aureum enables us to bring our distinctive explorer-led approach to Antarctica and South Georgia on a vessel purpose-designed for just 36 guests. By expanding beyond the Arctic and launching our inaugural Antarctic and South Georgia expeditions, we’re building on the principles that have defined Secret Atlas from the beginning: exploration in small groups, deeper wildlife encounters, and access to experiences that larger ships simply cannot replicate. Aureum is the ideal platform to deliver that vision.”
Teodoro Gounaris, CEO of Antarpply Expeditions: “As part of this exciting new chapter, Antarpply Expeditions is pleased to announce a long-term strategic partnership with Secret Atlas, a specialist in premium small-group polar expeditions. Under this collaboration, Secret Atlas will operate its Expedition Micro Cruise programmes aboard Aureum, reflecting a shared vision of authentic exploration, responsible tourism, operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences.”
Secret Atlas Expedition Micro Cruises to Antarctica and South Georgia aboard Aureum are now open for bookings for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons.
Guests can choose from a range of expeditions, including the signature South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise (from £15,995 per person) and the South Georgia & Antarctica – Shackleton Special Expedition Micro Cruise (from £17,995 per person).
The new Antarctica By Air programme offers travellers a fresh alternative to traditional Antarctic voyages. Operating through the Secret Atlas expedition hub in Puerto Natales, Chile, – the getaway to the Torres del Paine national park – guests fly directly to Antarctica, significantly reducing time spent crossing the Drake Passage and maximising time exploring. Expeditions include the Antarctic Circle By Air Expedition Micro Cruise, from £16,500 per person, or the Antarctic Peninsula By Air & Sea Expedition Micro Cruise, sailing one way from Ushuaia on the By Air & Sea departures with focus on the traditional sites, from £13,500 per person.
For more information on Explorer Yacht Aureum visit Aureum | 36 Guest Expedition Micro Cruise Ship | Secret Atlas. Discover more about Secret Atlas at www.secretatlas.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
To arrange an interview with Secret Atlas Co-Founder Michele D’Agostino, please contact Sarah Salord at GEC PR on sarah@gecpr.co.uk.
Media Captions (from left to right):
- Image 1 – Render of Aureum in Antarctica. Photo credit: Secret Atlas / Antarpply Expeditions. Illustrative image based on the current design concept.
- Image 2 – Render of Aureum in South Georgia. Photo credit: Secret Atlas / Antarpply Expeditions. Illustrative image based on the current design concept.
- Image 3 – Render of a Signature Suite on Aureum. Photo credit: Secret Atlas / Antarpply Expeditions. Illustrative image based on the current design concept.
High-res images downloaded from Partner Portal Explorer Yacht Aureum.
About Secret Atlas
Launched in 2019 and run by Explorers for Explorers, Secret Atlas trips are curated for people that want to enjoy the spirit of exploration and be a part of an intimate experience rather than joining an overcrowded commercial cruise. Secret Atlas pioneering Expedition Micro Cruises take the smallest group sizes in the Arctic (only 12 guests) and Antarctic and South Georgia (only 36 guests) offering guests an authentic, unrivalledexperience free from the crowds of larger vessels. To find out more about Secret Atlas, visit www.secretatlas.com.
About Explorer Yacht Aureum
The introduction of Aureum is supported by a long-term strategic partnership between Secret Atlas and Antarpply Expeditions, a respected Antarctic expedition operator with more than 25 years of continuous operational experience in the region. Through this long-term collaboration, Secret Atlas and Antarpply Expeditions bring together complementary strengths in expedition operations, small-group exploration and responsible tourism to deliver a new generation of boutique polar expeditions.
Contact Details
For media enquiries, images and press trips contact:
Sarah Salord
GEC PR
020 3907 6824