Our Story

About Us

Our Story

How it all
started

Our Story

White Desert began with a simple but radical idea: that Antarctica — a place long reserved for scientists and extreme explorers — could be experienced in a way that was both deeply respectful of the environment and entirely unlike traditional polar travel. The company’s origins trace back to years of expeditionary work in some of the continent’s most remote regions, where the promise of sharing this extraordinary landscape with others first took shape.

What started as a small, ambitious venture operating from just a handful of tents has grown into a world-leading Antarctic enterprise that welcomes guests into the interior while supporting scientific research and protecting the fragile environment that makes the continent so unique. From the outset, the mission was clear: to open the door to Antarctica responsibly, blending logistical precision with a level of comfort previously unheard of on the ice.

The story of White Desert is the story of the people who believed it could be done.

We found the interior surreal and inspiring and felt others should experience this breath-taking place in luxury and, hopefully, be changed in the most positive way. It also had to be environmentally sound; with 24 hours of sunshine and the relentless wind, solar and wind power were obvious choices from the outset.

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Patrick Woodhead

Polar Explorer

Our
Founders

Patrick Woodhead

Patrick Woodhead

Co-Founder & CEO

Robyn Woodhead

Robyn Woodhead

Co-Founder

White Desert was born from real exploration and a belief that Antarctica could be shared.

More
about us

Foundation

Foundation

Making an impact at the edge of the world.

Operation

Operation

Go behind the scenes in creating each White Desert season.

Sustainability

Sustainability

The guiding principle of our entire organisation.

Regions

Regions

Discover the unique areas we operate in across Antarctica.

Start planning your adventure