Antarctica
Explore this wild and wonderful frozen continent and see penguins, whales and seals in their natural habitat.
Antarctica Expedition Cruises
Explore Antarctica’s epic icescapes, sculpted by the rawest forces of nature. Visit landing sites, offering some of the most breathtaking scenery on this planet. See spectacular wildlife, including Antarctica’s famous penguins, whales, and seals. Guided by our Expedition Team, you’ll actively explore Antarctica on hikes, in a kayak, as a Citizen Scientist, or even camping in Antarctica. See our itineraries, activities and offers.
Antarctica itineraries
As one of the most experienced operators in Antarctica, we offer 12-day Antarctica highlights tours, in-depth itineraries also exploring Patagonia, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia or the Chilean coast. Choose to visit in the Antarctic spring or summer, starting from Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile.
Activities in Antarctica
Your expedition cruise comes with a full program of included and optional activities taking in the best of Antarctica. Whatever your activity level or interests, you’ll find something that suits you.
Wildlife in Antarctica
Penguins aren’t the only animals you’ll see in Antarctica, although you’ll see plenty. Spring and summer offer the best chances for whale watching, bird spotting and viewing seals.
Expedition Team in Antarctica
Experts in their field, our Expedition Team will give lectures about Antarctica on topics from glaciology, marine biology and history to photography and ornithology. They’ll also be your guides on landings, hikes and when expedition boat cruising.
Antarctica FAQ
Find information on travel to Antarctica, from the weather, what to bring to and what to expect in our FAQ section.
Wonders of the Seventh Continent
Sail among the sublime frozen icescapes of Antarctica, between icebergs, close to calving glaciers, and past huge ice floes in the Southern Ocean.
Cruises to Antarctica
Immersive exploration
Experience Antarctica in all its raw majesty. Hike to penguin colonies or kayak among icebergs.
Activities in Antarctica
Our expedition cruises to Antarctica are packed with active adventure and immersive experiences. You’ll explore not just sightsee, boarding small boats, touring iceberg-filled bays and going ashore to see penguin colonies and other wildlife. No matter your activity level or interests, you’ll find included and optional activities to suit you.
* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.
Pristine wildlife
Delight in the wonder of nature as you see thousands of Antarctica’s penguins going about their daily business.
Wildlife in Antarctica
A vast polar desert, consisting of 98 percent ice and snow, Antarctica is a haven for millions of penguins and thousands of seals. The krill-rich seas attract large numbers of whales and 47 species of birds. On ice cruising and landings, you’ll encounter some of the wildest and most inspiring animals on the planet.
Science and learning
Discover what lies beneath the Antarctic ice in lectures hosted by your Expedition Team, chosen for their scientific and conservation knowledge.
Expedition Team in Antarctica
An expedition cruise to Antarctica is immersive. That’s why you’ll be accompanied by our expert Expedition Team who will guide you on landings and activities, ensure we adhere to strict guidelines to protect the fragile ecosystem and assist with science experiments. They’ll also host lectures on topics from glaciology and ornithology to environmental impacts and exploration history.
When to see
Antarctica has two seasons: summer and winter. We sail to Antarctica during its summer months from October to February/ March (Southern hemisphere). This is when the days are longer and the weather is milder. January is the warmest month when average temperatures can climb up to 0°C. There are some subtle differences in what you can see depending on when in the summer season you visit. Each offers different opportunities for wildlife sightings and observing different stages of the cycle of life.
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 forth 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 feeding upon fish, squid and plankton. In addition orcas may also be spotted, sometimes predating upon penguins.
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.
| oct | nov | dec | jan | feb | mar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||
| Pristine ice conditions | Best | Best | ||||
| Penguins | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Good |
| Whale watching | Good | Good | Best | Good | ||
| Seal pups | Good | Best | Best | |||
| Warmer weather | Best | Best | Best | |||
| Typical best value | Best | Best | Best | |||
Make a difference
Support the scientific community in collecting valuable data on Antarctica that contributes to global research by participating in our Citizen Science Programme.
Stories from Antarctica Expedition Cruises
Antarctica FAQ
Find out how cold it is in Antarctica and the answers to other common questions on our FAQ page.
