A Beginner’s Guide to Antarctica: Everything You Need to Know
Towering blue glaciers, pristine, nutrient-rich waters, otherworldly landscapes of twisting ice formations, and abundant wildlife adapted for this extreme climate—these are just the start of an Antarctica tour. The continent’s ethereal splendor makes for the trip (and photo ops) of a lifetime. If you’re planning this bucket-list trip—the ultimate destination for adventurous travelers—read on for everything you need to know, from cruise sizes and embarkation destinations to what to pack and what visas you might need.
Here at WT, we have over 30 years of experience partnering with the most elite small-ship expedition vessels in Antarctica. On one of our first-class tours, where a day of snowshoeing the White Continent ends with a gourmet meal and hot tub soak, you’ll be led by expert naturalists on twice-daily excursions. Whether you’re looking for a super-active adventure with camping and mountaineering, an air-and-sea trip that avoids the Drake Passage, or an immersive three-week journey, we have an Antarctica tour for you.
Why Travel to Antarctica?
Beyond the continent’s appeal as a once-in-a-lifetime destination, it’s one of the world’s truly untouched environments. For some travelers, it’s the seventh and final continent to check off their list. For others, it’s a photography and wildlife (Penguins! Seals! Whales!) destination like no other.
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle in a literal way, a trip to the southernmost continent thrusts you into an otherworldly destination few other humans have even seen—and just might give you a new perspective on life on our beautiful blue planet.
And why travel to Antarctica with WT? Our highly curated Antarctic program emphasizes smaller size cruises to allow travelers better land access with immersive shore landings and exceptional guides. We also offer world-class office support to answer any and all questions and help you find the right Antarctica tour for you.
When is the Best Time to Visit Antarctica?
The best time to visit Antarctica is from late October through mid-March—the southern Hemisphere’s late spring through early fall.
From late October through December, Antarctica’s spring, icebergs are at their largest mass, birds and seals begin mating, and fewer ships explore the region (not that Antarctica ever gets crowded). From January through mid-February, peak summertime means up to 20 hours of daylight and mild temperatures reaching 45°F and above—icebergs transform into artistic shapes, and you can expect to see baby seals and penguins. And from mid-February to March, you’ll experience more whale sightings and landing sites as sea ice continues to recede.
Should I Fly or Sail to Antarctica? How to Choose
Both sailing and flying to Antarctica have their benefits, and WT offers trips that enter the continent both ways. Sailing the Drake Passage between South America’s Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula is the classic approach, and is considered part of the adventure. Flying from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island, on the other hand, gets you there faster and skips the bumpy boat ride.
Notoriously choppy and famous for unpredictable weather, Drake’s Passage isn’t a guaranteed rough crossing. Sometimes it’s more like “Drake’s Lake” than “Drake’s Shake.” But we recommend bringing anti-nausea medication for anyone prone to seasickness, which tends to make the boat’s rocking a non-issue. Sailing gets you to Antarctica in about 48 hours—and gets you the complete Antarctic experience.
To skip the choppy boat, consider taking a charter flight from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island. While it costs more to fly instead of sail, you’ll see some of Antarctica’s surreal landscapes from above and reduce your total trip time. WT also offers hybrid trips that fly one way and sail the other.
Where to Go in Antarctica: Regions & Routes Explained
With an area twice the size of Australia, Antarctica’s vastness means you’ll only explore a tiny fraction of the continent. Travelers typically spend the most time on the Antarctic Peninsula—it’s wildlife-rich, and it’s the closest mainland Antarctic point to South America.
The Weddell Sea is south and east of the peninsula, and gives you views of otherworldly ice formations and a higher chance at emperor penguin sightings—our In Search of Emperor Penguins trip dips into the Weddell Sea, where a helicopter ride from the ship takes you to Snow Hill Island to see the Emperor Penguin Colony. And our Crossing the Antarctic Circle trip, with the most remote, adventurous itinerary, brings you the furthest south.
Some Antarctica tours include stops at the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. While not part of the White Continent, the southerly islands brim with wildlife like birds and seals, breathtaking vistas, and Ernest Shackleton history.
Choosing the Right Antarctica Tour for You
Whether you want to fly or sail, see emperor penguins or whales, or travel for one week or three, our Area Specialists can help you decide how to choose the right Antarctica tour for you.
Our classic Antarctica cruise features a characteristic White Continent itinerary—the 12-day trip includes penguin, whale, and seal sightings, exploration via Zodiac and hiking, and a dip in Deception Island’s thermal waters. Other shorter trips include the 8-day Antarctica Air Cruise and the 11-day Weddell Sea: In Search of Emperor Penguins journey.
The Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands journey and the Falklands and South Georgia Expedition Cruise are both three-week, cruise-based trips, while the Antarctica and South Georgia Sail & Fly Cruise flies you back to South America after you sail to Antarctica, and Crossing the Antarctic Circle brings you to an extreme latitude few have ever visited.
Expedition Ships: What to Know Before You Book
While the ships we use for Antarctic tours vary in size, they’re all relatively small—the largest takes less than 200 passengers. All Antarctic cruise ships tend toward the small size (usually maxing out around 250 people), allowing maneuverability in remote regions and letting passengers quickly get on and off shore for easy daytime expeditions. WT’s ship capacities, ranging from 65 to 192 passengers, allow for even more time on land plus attentive service on board. Note that according to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), only 100 passengers can be on shore at one place at one time.
Learn more about the vessels we use for Antarctic cruises here, along with which journeys you’ll find them on. Most ships were built specifically for polar travel, and you can learn more about their specs like ice-strengthened hulls, ice-class ratings (1A Super is the best), accommodation sizes, and amenities like gyms, lounges, and medical facilities. Some even offer fine dining, saunas, hot tubs, or private balconies.
What Will You Do in Antarctica?
As comfortable as your cabin will be, there’s no shortage of ways to get out and about—whether you’re leaving the ship or staying on board.
Twice-daily excursions bring you to shore via Zodiac and might have you walking among throngs of penguins, visiting historic sites, snowshoeing along the Antarctic shores, or exploring the coastline at your own pace. Optional adventures include sea kayaking, snorkeling, photography workshops, mountaineering for incredible views, polar plunging, and even camping out on land under the stars.
And there’s hardly less excitement on board. You’ll likely get some incredible wildlife sightings of whales, seals, and seabirds, and your on-board naturalists will give lectures to contextualize your journey.
What Wildlife Can You See in Antarctica?
While frigid and isolated, Antarctica is far from barren—it supports some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife. Endemic species include the regal emperor penguin, known for their large size and orange head coloring (and their adorable chicks), along with Weddell seals and birds like the snow petrel and the snowy sheathbill.
Other animals you can expect to see on an Antarctic tour? Penguin species like petite Adélies and distinctive chinstraps, and whales like huge humpbacks, lithe minkes, and killer orcas. You might also spot seabirds like albatrosses and cormorants, along with vicious leopard seals and mammoth elephant seals.
What to Pack for an Antarctica Tour
When packing for an Antarctic cruise, make sure to bring breathable, layered clothing with waterproof outer layers. Insulated vests along with lightweight fleece tops and pants, like you might wear while skiing, will keep you warm and comfortable, while ensuring you can remove layers if you warm up. A fully waterproof jacket and waterproof over-pants are required, and you won’t want to forget a hat and gloves.
All cruises have waterproof boots available to borrow, and most include polar jackets. Check out our Gear Store to buy or rent base layers or gear like waterproof gloves, balaclavas, or goggles.
Other equipment you’ll want to pack? Binoculars, a camera, hand warmers, heavy socks, polarized sunglasses, a bathing suit, sunscreen, anti-nausea medication (and any other medications you take), moisturizer, and a travel outlet adapter. And you might want a small waterproof backpack, a waterproof phone case, books for days at sea, water shoes, and casual clothing for the ship.
Planning & Practicalities: Visas, Flights, Insurance & More
Antarctica has a relatively short travel season, so trips sell out quickly and booking early ensures you access to your preferred dates, vessel, and cabin type, along with early booking discounts. Note that booking “early” in Antarctic terms means more than one year in advance, and prime travel dates over the holidays often sell out even earlier.
You’ll need a valid passport to travel to Argentina or Chile and to board your ship to Antarctica. Most travelers fly via Buenos Aires en route to Ushuaia, or via Santiago to reach Punta Arenas. We recommend arriving a few days early if time allows, to explore these vibrant cities and allow for any travel delays. Be sure to check visa requirements between your home country and the countries you’ll be transiting through before booking your trip.
Because of Antarctica’s remote location, emergency medical evacuation insurance is required by ship operators on all Antarctica tours. While these trips are relatively physically easy, you’ll need to feel comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, being on your feet for multiple hours a day, and completing on-board safety drills with no assistance.
On board, you’ll likely have internet access (though signal strengths may vary). All meals are taken on board in the ships’ communal dining spaces. Recommended tipping amounts vary—if you book with WT, you’ll be given tipping info in your pre-departure documents.
If you’re considering extending your journey, our team of expert Antarctica Specialists is here to help. Whether you’d like to add time in Buenos Aires, explore the wilds of Patagonia, or enjoy a stay in Santiago, we can assist with coordinating custom extensions, hotel arrangements, transfers, and more to ensure a seamless and well-organized travel experience.
How Wilderness Travel Does Antarctica Differently
Founded in 1978, Wilderness Travel has over 45 years of experience curating authentic, active adventure travel journeys, and over 30 years in Antarctica alone. We know this continent inside and out, and we’ve handpicked the best-crafted itineraries and the most comfortable, expertly operated expedition vessels in Antarctica—true to our signature style of active, expert-led travel.
With an ethos that prioritizes small group travel, we only partner with small ship operators—most take fewer than 150 passengers. The small sizes mean more personalized service on board, and each ship has an expert team of naturalist guides who lead you on twice-daily shore expeditions. Past clients rave about not only the scenery and excursions, but also the provided historical and scientific context and the on-board cuisine.
Plus, we offer the same price as the cruise operator but also give you the benefit of unbiased expert advice to help you choose the boat and itinerary that is perfect for you. Since we don’t own or operate the vessels ourselves, we’re able to offer impartial, honest guidance on which journey best suits your interests, budget, and sense of adventure. Our cruise experts have personally traveled aboard these ships and are happy to share insights and answer any questions you have as you compare the options.
September 18, 2021
