Antarctica Cruises
Antarctica cruises are typically the trip of a lifetime. These expeditions take you to the far reaches of the planet, to places few have had the chance to explore. Whether you are drawn to the spectacular icy landscapes or the unique ecosystem and wildlife of Antarctica, you will have an unforgettable experience. Depending on your interests, it is important to choose the time of the year to take your Antarctica cruise as well as the itinerary and the company that will allow you to fully enjoy it. The size of the ship will determine which sites are accessible, as some sites limit the number of passengers who can visit them. Some ships even have submarines, helicopters or speedboats for excursions.
When is the best time to cruise to Antarctica?
The best time to cruise to Antarctica is during the austral summer, from November to March. At this time of year, the ice is receding, allowing for better access to the continent, the weather is milder, and the days are longer. Additionally, this is the time when Antarctica’s wildlife returns to the continent to feed or breed. Here’s a look at what to expect at each time of the season:
November in Antarctica
This is the best time to see pristine landscapes with fresh snow. Icebergs and snow-capped mountains will be spectacular early in the season. It will most likely snow during your trip. You will also be able to see beautiful sunsets.
Penguins are courting and starting to prepare their nests. You will also see some seals on the ice floes. Many birds can be observed.
There will be very few whales during this time.
In South Georgia, elephant seals are mating and fighting over territories. King penguins are moulting to renew their feathers, so they stay on land, because until the process is complete, they do not have adequate waterproof protection to go in the water.
December in Antarctica
Daylight is much more present and the day lasts between 20 and 22 hours. The temperature is also milder.
Penguins are covering their eggs which hatch towards the end of the month. Seals are more present and active at this time as the shores are freed from the ice. Whales are also starting to arrive in the region. Many birds can also be observed.
In South Georgia, elephant seals have had their young.
This is a very popular period to visit and it tends to be more expensive.
January in Antarctica
Daylight is the most present as the day lasts almost 24 hours. The temperature is also milder and can reach 10 degrees Celsius. Ships can go a little lower towards the continent and the Ross Sea.
Penguins are raising their chicks and take turns to go and look for food. The penguins take micro-naps of a few seconds in order to always stay alert and protect their offspring.
In South Georgia, fur seals are mating and are very aggressive. Many birds can also be observed.
Whales are more numerous and their observation is easier.
February in Antarctica
This is the time when the ice is the least present giving access to more sites. The temperature is still very mild. The landscape will be rockier and less snowy.
Penguins are raising their young who are now more active. Parents go back and forth to the sea to look for food.
Leopard seals and orcas take advantage of this excitement to hunt.
February is a very good time to observe whales, elephant seals and fur seals.
March in Antarctica
This is the time for the gradual return of cold. The last trips take place at the beginning of the month. Sunsets tend to be spectacular.
Little penguins are moulting and losing their down in order to cover themselves with waterproof feathers.
This is the best time to watch whales which are very curious and sometimes approach ships and kayaks.
Itineraries and destinations visited in Antarctica cruises
There are two types of cruises that visit Antarctica. Traditional cruise lines offer trips that will sail to Antarctica, but do not allow disembarkation. You must observe the landscapes and wildlife from the ship. Large ships with thousands of passengers do not have zodiacs and ships with more than 500 passengers are prohibited from disembarking passengers in Antarctica. These cruises are generally less expensive. Then there are Expedition cruises on smaller ships that allow disembarkation by zodiac to see the wildlife up close.
Drake Passage
The famous Drake Passage is notorious for its rough sea conditions. The wind can be very strong, causing large waves (Drake sake). But if you are lucky, the sea could also be calm like on a lake (Drake Lake). January is generally calmer with warmer temperatures. Ship captains are familiar with these conditions and do everything they can to make the crossing comfortable, even if it means moving the crossing forward or delaying it a bit.
South America and Antarctica Sailing
Traditional cruise lines such as Azamara, Celebrity, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent and Norwegian offer voyages that visit South America and sail a few days in Antarctica. These itineraries usually start or end in Buenos Aires in Argentina and Santiago in Chile. Some of them also make a stopover in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. This stop can allow you to see penguins up close. However, the weather often prevents landings due to wind. You can also see little penguins in Puerto Madryn and in the Bagel Strait near Ushuaia.
Fly to Antarctica
A few expedition cruise lines, including Silversea, Linblad Expeditions (National Geographic), and Quark Expeditions, offer expedition cruises from King George Island. By flying directly to Antarctica, you avoid the famous Drake Passage. These cruises sail for 5 to 7 days in Antarctica. Flights depart from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natale in Chile.
Antarctic Peninsula
The majority of Antarctic expedition cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula. These cruises depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, Puerto Williams or Punta Arenas in Chile. Usually the flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia or from Santiago to Puerto Williams or Punta Arenas is included in the cruise price.
The typical itinerary is 10 days, 5 of which are in Antarctica. Some departures offer itineraries of 12 nights, 7 of which are in Antarctica.
South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
Some itineraries also combine stops in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. These itineraries are 15 to 20 days. These trips are usually offered at the beginning and end of the season. Early in the season, this allows you to see several species of animals, including king penguins in South Georgia while enjoying the still snowy landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. In South Georgia, you can also visit the remains of the whaling stations where whales were processed at the time when they were hunted in Antarctica. At Grytviken station is the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great explorer whose ship, the Endurance, met a tragic fate.
Beyond the Antarctic Circle
Some itineraries visiting regions inside the Antarctic Circle. These 12-14-night itineraries either visit the Weddell Sea to the east of the peninsula or the area to the west of the peninsula towards Margerite Bay and Charcot Island. Very few ships can venture this far, as they must be certified to sail in conditions where ice is present. Ponant offers this type of voyage, as the Commandant Charcot has a polar classification of class 2 (icebreaker).
Ross Sea
These itineraries depart from Australia. Ponant and Scenic offer these voyages lasting more than 20 days. You will be among the very few people to visit this region of the world and see the Ross Ice Shelf. It is the largest expanse of floating ice in the world with an area equivalent to France.
Where to go in Antarctica to see:
Penguins
| Species | Description | Regions where it is found |
|---|---|---|
| Emperor penguin | The largest penguin, with black and white hues and orange-yellow markings. | Antarctic ice floes, unlikely to see them on cruises |
| King penguin | Similar to the emperor penguin, slightly smaller, with a bright orange chest. | Falkland Islands, but mostly on South Georgia |
| Adélie penguin | Small black and white penguins, with a white ring around the eye. | Antarctica (coasts and islands) |
| Chinstrap Penguin | Characterized by a collar-like black band across its throat. | Antarctica, South Georgia |
| Magellanic Penguin | Has two distinct black bands on its chest and a robust bill. Nests in burrows or under bushes. | Falkland Islands |
| Gentoo Penguin | Bright red bill, white cap, and brisk walk on land. | Falkland Islands and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula |
| Macaroni Penguin | Distinctive orange-yellow crest and black and white plumage. Colonies often established in steep locations. | South Georgia |
| Rockhopper Penguin | Recognizable by its bright yellow crest that extends over its black eyes. Lives in large colonies on rocky coasts. | Falkland Islands (West Point) and South Georgia |
Seals and Sea Lions
| Species | Description | Found Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Weddell Seal | A robust seal with a silvery-grey coat marked with dark spots. | Antarctica (coasts, Weddell Sea and pack ice) |
| Crabeater Seal | A small, pale-furred seal, named for its consumption of krill rather than crabs. | Antarctica (pack ice) |
| Leopard Seal | A large predator, recognizable by its slender body and dark spots on a light grey background. | Antarctica, South Georgia |
| Ross Seal | Rare and secretive species, with a short body and rounded head, and a brown-grey coat. | Antarctica (isolated areas, Ross Sea) |
| Southern elephant seal | The largest seal in the world, with a male having a trunk-like nose. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Antarctic fur seal | A seal with dense, dark brown or silvery-grey fur, very agile on land. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
Whales
| Species | Description | Found areas |
|---|---|---|
| Blue whale | The largest animal species on Earth, blue-grey in colour with lighter spots. | Antarctica, South Georgia |
| Humpback whale | Recognizable by its long pectoral fins and spectacular leaps out of the water. | Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia |
| Antarctic minke whale | Small whales (compared to other rorquals), with a slender body and curious behaviour. | Antarctica (ice floes), South Georgia |
| Killer whale | A marine predator with a distinctive black and white body. Several types of killer whales (orcas) live in these regions. | Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia |
| Fin whale | Second largest whale, with a slender body and asymmetrical colouration of the jaw. | Antarctica, Falkland Islands |
| Southern right whale | Stocky, black body, with distinctive white calluses on the head. | Falkland Islands, subantarctic coast |
| Sperm whale | Large square head and slanting blow, spectacular dive to feed on giant squid. | Falkland Islands, South Georgia |
Birds
| Species | Description | Found regions |
|---|---|---|
| Wandering albatross | One of the largest seabirds, with a wingspan of over 3 metres and black and white plumage. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Snow Petrel | A small, elegant, all-white bird that lives mainly on pack ice. | Antarctica |
| Antarctic Skua | A scavenger and opportunistic predator with brown plumage and aggressive behaviour. | Antarctica, South Georgia |
| Brown Skua | Similar to the skua, but smaller, often seen around penguin colonies. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Southern Giant Petrel | A large, brown or grey seabird known for its powerful flight and ability to feed on carrion. | Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Blue Prion | A small, blue-grey seabird known for its agile, rapid flights over water. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Antarctic Fulmar | A robust, gull-like seabird with white-grey plumage. | Antarctica, South Georgia |
| White-chinned Shearwater | Black plumage with a distinct white throat, excellent glider. | South Georgia, Falkland Islands |
| Imperial Cormorant | A black and white cormorant with a metallic sheen and a blue ring around the eye. | Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia |
| Dove Gull | A robust gull with white and dark grey plumage found on the coasts. | Falkland Islands, South Georgia |
| Arctic Tern | An exceptional migratory bird, with white plumage and a black cap. | Antarctica (summer season), Falkland Islands |
Before embarking on a cruise to these remote regions, it is advisable to research the itineraries, the required fitness level, the necessary equipment and the weather conditions to ensure a safe and rewarding experience.