Antarctica
Go ashore and on small boat cruises to discover charming wildlife and spectacular frozen landscapes - from snowy mountains to icebergs and glaciers.
We’ve sailed these polar waters for over 20 years. Our expedition ships combine hybrid technology with a premium onboard experience, designed for your safety and comfort.
Learn about Antarctica’s fascinating history and science through lectures and hands-on projects. Fully enjoy your discovery of the white continent knowing that we have the lowest possible CO2-footprint of all expedition cruises to Antarctica.
Top experiences
Cruising to Antarctica with Hurtigruten
When to see
Pristine ice conditions
During the Antarctic early summer, in November, the ice hasn’t started melting and it is possible to observe the areas we visit at its most pristine and untouched. This is a great opportunity to indulge in landscape photography and get once-in-a-lifetime shots!
Penguins
In Antarctica you will see thousands of penguins eagerly nesting and feeding during the short summer months, starting as early as November for Adélie penguins. The penguin chicks on the peninsula start hatching at the beginning of January and the colonies are busy with parents going back and forward to feed. February is when chicks start gathering into creches and begin to moult into adult plumage.
Whale watching
During the summer, Antarctic waters are full of many different types of whales looking to eat fish, squid, penguins and plankton. Killers whales are one of the species travelers might be able to spot on their trip.
Seal pups
Antarctic waters are rich with weddell, crabeater, leopard, fur and elephant seals. Fur seal pups are born mid-November to late December. They are nursed for 5-8 days and then visited every day or two for four months before being fully weaned in March/April.
Warmer weather
Antarctica only has two seasons: summer and winter. Because it's located in the southern hemisphere, Antarctica's summer is from October to February. January is the warmest month in Antarctica, during which average temperatures climb all the way up to 0°C|32°F in the Antarctic Peninsula. However, the average temperatures ranges from -10°C|14°F to -60°C|-72°F depending on how far into the continent you travel.
Typical best value
Typical best value indicates typical times where prices are on average lower. They do not take into account offers or guarantee prices.