Antarctica. The seventh continent. A vast, icy wilderness at the bottom of the world, often glimpsed in nature documentaries and scientific journals. Its remoteness might conjure images of an inaccessible, almost mythical land. You might wonder, “Can you actually travel to Antarctica?” The answer is a resounding yes, and it’s more achievable than you might think.
As someone immersed in the world of Antarctic expeditions, guiding travelers to this extraordinary destination, the most common reaction I encounter is disbelief. “People can actually go to Antarctica?” is a frequent question. My response is always the same: “Absolutely! And you can too.”
Contrary to its perceived inaccessibility, Antarctica has become increasingly attainable for adventurous travelers. The numbers speak for themselves: in the 2016-2017 season alone, over 45,000 individuals from across the globe, including the United States, China, Australia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and India, embarked on journeys to this icy realm.
The first step in any adventure is knowing it’s possible. This article aims to provide you with the knowledge that not only can you travel to Antarctica from virtually anywhere in the world, but also how you can make this incredible journey a reality.
How to Get to Antarctica: Your Gateway to the Ice
Once the initial surprise fades, the next logical question is, “How do I even get to Antarctica?” While images of researchers on military planes from New Zealand or epic sailing voyages from South Africa might come to mind, the most straightforward path to Antarctica is surprisingly simple. Your journey begins in South America, specifically in either Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. Both of these vibrant, cosmopolitan cities boast international airports with excellent connections to destinations worldwide.
For the vast majority of Antarctic voyages, Ushuaia, Argentina serves as the departure point. A short and scenic three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Buenos Aires brings you to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. During the Antarctic summer season, Ushuaia’s port buzzes with activity as expedition ships embark and disembark, facilitating access to the Antarctic wilderness as smoothly as any popular cruise harbor in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Alaska.
Voyages departing from Ushuaia navigate to Antarctica by sea, traversing the legendary Drake Passage. This 600-mile (1,000 kilometer) stretch of water separating South America from the Antarctic Peninsula is known for its sometimes-challenging conditions, but it’s also a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. The Drake Passage crossing, typically lasting around a day and a half, offers prime opportunities for spotting iconic seabirds like the majestic wandering albatross.
For those seeking to bypass the Drake Passage, an alternative option exists: flying from Punta Arenas, Chile, directly to an airstrip on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula. From there, you’ll board your expedition ship and find yourself surrounded by breathtaking glaciers and playful penguins within mere hours of leaving Punta Arenas. This “fly and cruise” option significantly reduces travel time at sea and is ideal for those with limited time or those who are concerned about sea sickness.
When to Travel to Antarctica: Seasons of Wonder
The Antarctic travel season is dictated by the continent’s unique climate and ice conditions. The optimal time to visit Antarctica is during the southern hemisphere’s late spring to early fall, which corresponds to October to March. This period offers the most favorable conditions for navigation and wildlife viewing.
The early season, from late October to November, marks the beginning of spring. Sea ice begins to break up, allowing ships access to pristine, untouched glacial landscapes. This is a fantastic time for witnessing the Antarctic environment awakening after the long winter, with landscapes still largely covered in snow and ice.
The peak summer months, December to February, bring longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures (relatively speaking!). This is the height of the penguin breeding season, offering unparalleled wildlife encounters. Whale sightings also become more frequent as these marine giants migrate to Antarctic waters to feed.
Late season, from late February to March, transitions into Antarctic autumn. While temperatures start to cool slightly, the wildlife activity remains vibrant. This period often provides stunning sunsets and a different perspective on the Antarctic landscape as the ice begins to reform.
Each season offers unique highlights, and the “best” time to visit really depends on your personal preferences and what you hope to experience.
Antarctic Expedition Length: Tailoring Your Adventure
When researching your Antarctic adventure, you’ll encounter various expedition “itineraries,” or sailing plans. These itineraries serve as guides, shaping the direction and duration of each voyage. You’ll find expeditions focused solely on Antarctica, as well as those that incorporate the remarkable sub-Antarctic islands of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia.
The range of Antarctic expedition lengths is diverse, designed to accommodate various schedules and interests. “Express” expeditions, utilizing flights to the Antarctic Peninsula, can whisk you to the continent and back in as little as eight days. On the other end of the spectrum, “epic explorations” encompassing sub-Antarctic islands and extended Antarctic exploration can span three weeks or more.
The most popular Antarctic expeditions typically last around nine to ten days, including approximately five full days dedicated to exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. These voyages generally depart from Ushuaia and embrace the Drake Passage crossing, allowing you to experience the beauty and wildlife of this famed waterway. Time spent at sea varies based on weather conditions, but typically involves one and a half to two days each way. The majority of the voyage is then spent immersing yourself in the breathtaking coastal environment of the Antarctic Peninsula.
For those with more time and a deep desire for in-depth exploration, extended voyages of twenty days or longer are available. These comprehensive expeditions often include visits to the wildlife havens of the Falkland Islands and the otherworldly landscapes of South Georgia, in addition to extensive time in the Antarctic Peninsula, providing the most thorough exploration of the Southern Ocean’s wild environments.
Expedition vs. Cruise: Experiencing Antarctica Authentically
To truly immerse yourself in the Antarctic experience, choosing an authentic expedition ship is key. Expedition ships differ significantly from traditional cruise ships. Smaller in size, expedition vessels are designed to not only get you closer to Antarctica but to allow you to actively explore and set foot on the very landscapes that define this continent.
Large cruise ships, often carrying upwards of 500 to 2,000 passengers, may offer scenic “cruise-by” views of Antarctica from a distance. In contrast, expedition ships typically accommodate between 70 and 200 passengers, with a maximum of 200 permitted for landings in many Antarctic locations. Smaller group sizes are crucial for adhering to Antarctic tourism regulations and enable a much wider range of activities. These include daily landings on islands and the continent itself, as well as intimate Zodiac cruises among icebergs and wildlife – experiences simply not possible on larger cruise ships.
Expedition ships operating in Antarctica are built to withstand the challenging polar environment. They feature reinforced, ice-class hulls designed to navigate sea ice and small icebergs. Engineered for self-sufficiency over extended periods, these vessels are equipped to explore the dynamic seascape of Antarctica’s coastline, inlets, bays, and channels. Expedition travel embodies the spirit of early exploration, with meticulous planning ensuring all necessities are onboard, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity to capitalize on weather windows and wildlife sightings.
A variety of expedition vessels are available, catering to diverse preferences in size, accommodations, and adventure options. Consulting with a Polar Travel Advisor can help you select the ship that best aligns with your travel style and desired Antarctic experience.
Activities in Antarctica: Beyond Sightseeing
Antarctic expeditions are designed to be highly active and immersive. Daily opportunities to disembark the ship and engage with the environment are a core component of the experience. While cruising along the coastlines of the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, and South Georgia, most voyages include at least one landing per day. These landings allow you to walk amongst penguin colonies and seal haul-outs, hike to scenic viewpoints for panoramic vistas, or simply absorb the awe-inspiring beauty of glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife.
Zodiac cruises, using small inflatable boats accommodating around 12 passengers, are another daily highlight. These excursions enable close-up exploration of intricately sculpted icebergs, encounters with marine wildlife like seals, penguins, and whales, and access to remote, seldom-visited areas, fostering a profound sense of connection with this vast wilderness.
For those seeking to elevate their Antarctic adventure, optional add-on activities are available. These include unique experiences like overnight camping on the ice, stand-up paddleboarding in tranquil bays, and sea kayaking through iceberg-strewn waters.
Camping in Antarctica
Imagine the unparalleled experience of camping overnight in Antarctica. Setting up your sleeping bag under the Antarctic midsummer sky, watching your expedition ship recede into the distance, and being enveloped by the profound silence of the continent. The subtle sounds of glaciers calving and the calls of penguins become amplified as you realize you are truly immersed in the Antarctic wilderness, camping alongside a small group of fellow adventurers. Waking up to the sight of glaciers bathed in soft morning light and perhaps a curious penguin or two nearby is an unforgettable experience unique to Antarctic expedition travel.
Stand-up Paddleboarding in Antarctica
While Antarctica is synonymous with extreme cold, the Antarctic Peninsula during summer can be surprisingly inviting. Under favorable conditions, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offers a unique and intimate way to explore icy bays. Paddling through calm, isolated coves allows you to connect with the subtle sounds of Antarctica – penguins porpoising nearby, the gentle crackle of glacial ice, and the stillness of the polar landscape. The waters teem with life, and close encounters with penguins, whales, and seals gliding beneath your board are not uncommon.
Sea Kayaking in Antarctica
Sea kayaking has long been a favored method for adventurers to explore Antarctica. Similar to SUP, kayaking provides a quieter, more intimate way to experience the wilderness. Without the sound of motors, you can fully appreciate the natural soundscape of Antarctica. Kayakers often venture further afield, navigating through icebergs and paddling along shorelines teeming with penguin colonies. Encounters with marine mammals, always from a safe and respectful distance, are a humbling and awe-inspiring aspect of sea kayaking in Antarctica, often fostering a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation.
Snowshoeing, introductory mountaineering, guided hikes, and the exhilarating polar plunge are often included as complimentary activities on Antarctic expeditions, further enhancing your engagement with this extraordinary environment.
Choosing Your Antarctic Itinerary: No Two Journeys Are Alike
No two Antarctic expeditions are identical, adding to the unique allure of this destination. Your voyage will be distinctly yours, shaped by weather, ice conditions, and spontaneous wildlife encounters. The dynamic nature of the Antarctic environment means itineraries are flexible, adapting to weather windows and opportunities to access otherwise inaccessible locations.
While you are guaranteed to witness countless glaciers, towering mountains, and vast penguin colonies, each voyage holds its own unique moments and serendipitous discoveries. These unexpected highlights create truly one-of-a-kind experiences that distinguish each expedition. Every Antarctic voyage has its own character, its own rhythm, and its own story, making your personal journey all the more special.
Why Visit Antarctica? Connecting with a Legendary Land
Since ancient times, the notion of a vast southern landmass has captivated scholars and explorers. As scientific understanding of the world evolved, the idea of a “Terra Australis Incognita,” an unknown southern land, persisted, believed to exist as a counterweight to the landmasses of the Northern Hemisphere.
Driven by both scientific curiosity and the allure of the unknown, England commissioned Captain James Cook on voyages to the Southern Ocean. His missions aimed to improve navigational accuracy and, crucially, to discover this fabled continent. While Cook never sighted the Antarctic mainland, his explorations deep into the Southern Ocean, encountering formidable sea ice and icebergs, led him to conclude that any land in this region would be frigid, ice-bound, and virtually inaccessible.
In the 1820s, explorers, sealers, and whalers began to reach the Antarctic Peninsula region. Names like Bellingshausen, Palmer, and Bransfield are etched into the Antarctic map, commemorating the early pioneers who first laid eyes on the southern continent. The century that followed witnessed intrepid explorers battling treacherous seas, disease, and isolation as they ventured into the far reaches of this wilderness. Sir Ernest Shackleton, Sir Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen, Otto Nordenskjold, and Douglas Mawson are just a few of the legendary figures whose courageous and often harrowing expeditions marked humanity’s first encounters with the seventh continent.
Today, travelers are drawn to Antarctica for reasons echoing those of these early explorers: a desire to push personal boundaries, to connect with raw nature, and to disconnect from the everyday. Traveling to Antarctica taps into a deep-seated human yearning to explore the edges of the known world and to experience something truly transformative. Like the explorers of old, a journey to Antarctica offers a profound shift in perspective. The sight of landscapes rarely seen by human eyes, the sounds of colossal glaciers calving, and the shared space with vast colonies of charismatic penguins create indelible memories. These are the very sights and sounds that drew Antarctic explorers back time and again, and they are the scenes you will carry with you long after your return.
Yes, Your Antarctic Adventure Awaits
Despite being the most remote continent on Earth, situated over 1,000 kilometers from its nearest neighbor, Antarctica is indeed accessible. With a range of embarkation ports, voyage durations, itineraries, and seasonal options, an Antarctic journey is within your reach. While Antarctica remains geographically isolated, preserving its pristine wildlife and untouched landscapes, its breathtaking beauty and profound experiences are there to be explored.
To discover more about traveling to Antarctica and to find the perfect expedition for you, reach out to a Polar Travel Advisor. Your adventure to the seventh continent is waiting.
