An Adventurer's Guide on How to Visit Antarctica

Whether you are drawn to crossing off your seventh continent or seeing wildlife in their natural habitat or you just want to sail in the footsteps of historic adventurers, Antarctica promises to provide you an adventure of a lifetime. Ever since returning from my trip to Antarctica with my 13-year-old son I can only think about how to return! The white continent really is a mind-blowing destination where you can never get enough. You might show up like me just hoping to see penguins, but leave with a lifetime of knowledge about whales, Antarctic history, ice science and so much more!

Why Should You Visit Antarctica

For us, Antarctica had been a long held dream that we didn’t think we would ever achieve. Visiting the “Seventh Continent” as it is often dubbed in travel circles felt out of reach. But as my last continent and 53rd country (if we add it to my country count), I can say confidently it is unlike any place I have ever visited. There is a quietness and peacefulness in Antarctica that is hard to match. the myriad of colors in the range of white and blue that leave you speechless on a daily basis is astounding. From watching majestic humpback whales sleeping on still waterways to adorable penguins porpoising in and out of the water at lightening speed, you will be changed. You will see the world in a whole new light. It truly is a once in a lifetime gift that you will never want to end.

How far in advance to start planning a visit to Antarctica

Some people start planning two years in advance to ensure they can save the money, but also to get the often hard to get kayaking spots on boats. In order to have your choice of ship, excursions, dates, etc I highly recommend planning earlier than later. In general prices for Antarctica cruises do not fluctuate much, so you will not lose out by booking well in advance.

That said, if you are flexible on dates and can manage missing out on excursions like ice camping or kayaking, you can often book last minute and save some money. Cruises to Antarctica are expected to be up 40 percent this year, so I anticipate more sold out boats earlier, leaving less for last minute deal seekers.

What is the best time of year to go?

The tourist season in Antarctica is typically November to March. Each month offers something unique and in my opinion you can’t go wrong with any time period. For a little break down, November is the coldest, but has the most picturesque snowy landscapes that are still untouched. You may not see many whales or many penguins during this time however as this is the start of the season. In December, you will find penguins arriving and busy preparing their nests for the egg. January brings the arrival of baby chicks. February is the ideal time in my opinion as there are many penguins but also the whales have begun arriving. Lastly March offers whales every where you turn and penguins, but not as in high numbers as earlier in the season.

The most coveted time to visit Antarctica is often December and early January. The days are at their longest, it is a bit warmer and like I mentioned, penguin babies!

How Many Days Do You Need?

Most classic Antarctica cruises are around nine to 11 days. For the few companies that offer fly-sail cruises, they could be as short as eight days and some cruises offer comprehensive tours taking in the South Georgia Islands, the Falklands and Antarctica and can last as long as 23 days. I recommend spending as much time as you can, but you will need at least two days before your trip for travel and a day or so after to get back home. For our 10-day cruise, we were away for 14 days.

Where do you stay in Antarctica

There are no hotels or places to stay in Antarctica. Whether you fly or sail over the Drake Passage, you will sleep onboard a cruise ship for your time in Antarctica. However, some cruises do offer a night of camping on Antarctica as an add-on excursion for your trip, so if spending a night on the seventh Continent is on your bucket list – you may just be able to make this dream a reality!

How do you get there?

As mentioned above you can get to Antarctica in two main ways - flying over the Drake Passage and then cruising from there or embarking on a cruise from Argentina, most often Ushuaia, but occasionally Buenos Aires. Crossing the Drake Passage can take anywhere from one and a half days to two full days each way.

How to decide which company?

Regardless of what your preference is - an intimate expedition ship or luxurious large ships, there is something for everyone here. That said, there are a few factors we find are important to consider when choosing a company.

• Size of the ship and the number of the passengers. This is important to consider as only 100 people can go on shore at a time in Antarctica. Ships with more than 500 people cannot step off their boat and can only cruise through Antarctica. If your goal is getting off the boat and spending the maximum time exploring the White Continent, it is best to choose boats with 200 or less passengers.

• Type of Activities you want to do. Most ships, large or small offer kayaking and snowshoeing, but only a few boats offer more unique excursions likes camping on ice, helicopter rides, paddle boarding and even snorkeling.

• Fly or Sail the Drake Passage. And lastly, you will need to decide if you will sail or fly the Drake Passage. Only a few companies fly passengers over, but this does reduce the amount of time you are in rough water as the waters in Antarctica are quite calm once you are in the peninsula area.

A few companies that we highly recommend include: Atlas, Aurora, Quark and Antarctica 21.

Do I need any special gear?

Depending on which boat you chose, you may not need anything other than your base layers and mid layers and clothes for on the ship. All cruise companies offer specialized boots for use on the cruise and many companies also provide winter parkas for use on the trip but also to take home.

What do you do when you are in Antarctica?

This depends a bit on the boat that you choose, but in general a classic Antarctica cruise will look like this:

• Day 1: Board your boat, security briefings and set sail

• Day 2-3: Sail the Drake Passage

• Day 4-7: Cruise Antarctica

• Day 8-9: Sail the Drake Passage

• Day 10: Disembark

When you are in Antarctica, depending on the size of your boat, you will often have two excursions per day. These could be landings or zodiac cruises to see icebergs, wildlife, historical sites and more. You can also expect an opportunity for a polar plunge, educational lectures on the history, wildlife and science of Antarctica as well as great dining options and panoramic views from the ship.