About the vessel

The Polar Athena

The ship was built in Finland in 1982 and was originally an ice-strengthened research vessel with ice class 1A Super, which is perfect for navigation in polar regions with heavy sea ice

The legendary Polar Athena is a strong, capable veteran expedition ship loved by guests and expedition leaders for her capability in ice and her small size with a proven track record exploring the remote polar regions.

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    Length

    Designed for access to landing sites larger ships can’t reach. Open deck space and raised areas for photography.

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    Launch Boats

    The vessel is equipped with six zodiacs for shore landings. All guests fit in together, so no waiting to go ashore.

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    Passengers

    Built for polar expeditions with a tough design and top ice-class rating. Smallest group size in Antarctica and South Georgia.

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    Crew

    A skilled team of crew and guides experienced in polar navigation and providing expert assistance on every journey.

The small big ship

Get away from the crowd

Polar Athena benefits from taking just 52 guests on an authentic expedition adventure free from the crowds of larger vessels. All guests can fit in the Zodiacs at the same time ensuring there is no waiting to go ashore and all guests can explore together.

Polar Athena can transit open water crossings with ease and comfort due to the integrated dynamic water ballast system, which guarantees a great reduction of rolling in heavy seas. Her stability system works also during the zodiac’s loading/unloading operations and while sitting at anchor, which makes Polar Athena one of the most stable ships on operations in the Polar regions.

See the cabins

A Floating Hub for Crews and Teams Everywhere

While the Polar Athena was built for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, its versatile design makes it ideal for much more. With spacious cabins and facilities, it can comfortably house maintenance crews working on offshore wind farms, research teams, or even construction workers at remote sites. Whether it's a long-term base for professionals or a floating hotel for specialized needs, the Polar Athena brings mobility and comfort to even the most challenging environments.