A Norwegian yacht with a New Zealander on board is ending its unauthorised Antarctic voyage and heading north.

Norwegians Jarle Andhoy, 34, and Samuel Massie, 19, New Zealander Busby Noble, 53, and a Russian skipper, are aboard the yacht Nilaya in McMurdo Sound.

Mr Andhoy has been searching for his missing sailboat the Berserk.

He had called his lawyer to say his search had been completed and he was heading north, Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reported.

But the crew was not sailing to New Zealand, believing they will face prosecution there.

Under New Zealand regulations, any ship heading from New Zealand to Antarctica needs permission from New Zealand authorities.

The yacht would instead head for South America, Mr Andhoy's friend Rune Olsgaard told the paper.

Berserk sank in a huge storm in February last year - with the loss of three lives - as Mr Andhoy and Mr Massie tried to reach the South Pole on quad bikes.

Mr Andhoy's expedition has attracted criticism because he does not have permission to be in Antarctic waters and is putting potential rescuers at risk if he gets into trouble.