Aurora Expeditions vs Quark Expeditions
Choose Aurora for a smaller, more intimate fleet and X-Bow-smoothed sailing across the Drake Passage.
Choose Quark for the largest fleet in the category and twin-helicopter access aboard Ultramarine.
| Feature | Aurora Expeditions | Quark Expeditions |
|---|---|---|
| Primary ships | Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, Douglas Mawson | Ultramarine |
| Capacity | Up to ~130 | Not verified† |
| Guide ratio | 1:8 | 1:6 * |
| Founded | 1991 | 1991 |
| Certification | B Corp; AECO founding member; IAATO member | Not verified† |
* Guide ratio per our verified source data. † Not independently verified for Quark.
Fleet & Comfort
Aurora Expeditions runs modern, purpose-built vessels using Ulstein's X-Bow hull design, intended for smoother sailing across the notoriously rough Drake Passage. Its three ships — Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and Douglas Mawson — carry up to roughly 130 passengers.
Quark's flagship Ultramarine carries twin Airbus H145 helicopters for flightseeing and remote landings, a capability Aurora's fleet doesn't have.
Destinations & Access
Both operators run itineraries across the Arctic (Svalbard, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage) and Antarctica. Aurora's programme centers on Zodiac-based landings and onboard activities.
Quark's Ultramarine helicopters open up flightseeing and remote landing options that Zodiac-only operators can't match, extending reach into terrain otherwise inaccessible.
Inclusions & Price
Aurora's published fares for its Arctic season range from $8,427 (Spitsbergen: Realm of Ice & Wildlife, 8 days) to $29,995 (Northwest Passage, 16 days), sourced directly from aurora-expeditions.com. Aurora includes house-level drinks and Wi-Fi in the fare, with premium spirits and kayaking as paid add-ons. Quark's comparable published fare range is not independently verified , though Quark has included drinks and Wi-Fi in its fare since the 2024/25 season.
Sustainability & Certification
Aurora Expeditions is B Corp certified and an AECO founding member and IAATO member. Quark's equivalent certifications are not independently verified.
"Passengers on Aurora sailings describe the smaller ship size as making landings faster and the expedition team feel more like fellow travelers than staff."— paraphrased from the Tripadvisor thread "Quark vs Aurora 2026"
"Travelers who've flown in Quark's helicopters describe the aerial view of the Antarctic Peninsula as revealing a scale of ice that isn't apparent from the water."— paraphrased from the Tripadvisor thread "Quark vs Aurora 2026"
Which Operator for Which Traveler?
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| First-time polar traveler | Not verified — no sourced recommendation for one operator over the other |
| Wants helicopter flightseeing | Quark (Ultramarine) |
| Prioritizes smallest possible ship | Aurora (max ~130 passengers) |
| Wants B Corp / sustainability credentials | Aurora (B Corp certified) |
FAQs
Is Aurora or Quark better for first-timers?
Not independently verified — we haven't found a reliable source recommending one over the other specifically for first-time polar travelers.
Does Aurora offer helicopter flightseeing?
Not based on current fleet data — helicopters are a distinguishing feature of Quark's Ultramarine, not part of Aurora's fleet.
Which has the better guide ratio?
Quark's stated ratio is 1:6, versus Aurora's 1:8 — meaning Quark puts more guides per group of guests.
Do both operators include drinks and Wi-Fi in the fare?
Yes, both do — Aurora includes house-level drinks and Wi-Fi as standard, and Quark added the same since its 2024/25 season under the "Raise a Glass and Stay Connected Free" program. Older sources describing Quark's drinks/Wi-Fi as an extra cost are outdated.
Are Aurora and Quark direct competitors?
Yes — both were founded in 1991 and run similar Arctic and Antarctic small-ship expedition itineraries, making them one of the more directly comparable pairs in the category.