Antarctica
The ‘White Continent’ is a photogenic dream, and the last frontier for intrepid explorers.
Enter a frozen world where seals lazily watch the ships go by and stark white icebergs stand out against the deep blue sea. A once-in-a-life-time adventure awaits for anyone making this voyage across the sea. Despite the harsh conditions, Antarctica holds a remarkable concentration of wildlife, much of which has evolved to survive in this extreme environment. The deep guttural calls of penguins in their thousands are carried across the landscape on fierce winds. With their swagger-like walk and comical habits, penguins are a firm favourite with visitors. Look to the skies and petrels, skuas and albatross glide overhead. Mammoth cetaceans including humpback, southern right and minke whales are at home in the freezing waters below, and Antarctica also boasts a large population of Orca.
Wildlife, photography and a love of the extraordinary are what draw most people to visit this remarkable place, but a little further afield there is also a historic side. Cook, Scott and Shackleton are names all closely associated with Antarctica, and for good reason. Their explorations of this vast and icy continent are legendary, and many people are interested to see the conditions through which they battled many years ago.
Cruise ships now commonly combine journeys to Antarctica with the surrounding islands including South Georgia and the Falkland Isles. These remote and barren specks of land in the middle of the ocean are beautiful in their own right. Although they are missing the magnificent pure white landscapes, what they do have is dramatic snowcapped peaks, sweeping valleys and coves, and an astounding concentration of bird life. Hundreds upon thousands of king penguin nest on South Georgia, alongside Gentoo, chinstrap and Macaroni penguins. In addition, there are 4 different albatross species, plus skua, shearwater and petrel among others. The Falkland Isles boast similar wildlife populations, with five penguin species, and many types of whale and dolphin in the surrounding waters. During a cruise to these fascinating and rarely-visited islands, it is also possible to visit abandoned whaling stations, Shackleton’s grave, historic churches and war memorials.
- Currency
- Time Zone
- Language
- CAPITAL CITY
- NATIONAL DISH
- PEAK TIME
Key Experiences
- Wildlife
Encounter vast colonies of penguins with their unique behaviours, listen to their calls carried by fierce winds, and observe soaring seabirds like albatrosses and petrels, as well as majestic whales such as humpbacks, minkes, and orcas in their natural, icy habitat.
- Nature
Experience the striking snowcapped peaks, sweeping valleys, and secluded coves of Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia, a truly unlike-anywhere-else environment.
- History
Discover the legendary sites and stories of famous explorers like Cook, Scott, and Shackleton, gaining insight into the harsh conditions they endured while exploring the Antarctic continent.
Key Locations
When to Visit Antarctica
The best time to visit Antarctica is November to March, when milder temperatures, long daylight hours, and accessible seas make exploration possible. This summer season also brings incredible wildlife activity, from penguin and seal breeding to peak whale-watching opportunities.
BEST WEATHER IN Antarctica
- Best
- Good
- Average
Antarctica by Month
November is the beginning of the travel season in Antarctica and signals the arrival of the first few boats. It’s the middle of spring, the penguin rookeries are bursting with activity, and the presence of fast ice gives you the opportunity of walking on sea ice.
- The penguin population in the rookeries are growing at a rapid pace and the birds are busy courting and building nests.
- Sea ice is still prevalent and at its most impressive, providing the rare chance to walk on the ocean.
- Extensive snow covers Antarctica in an unspoiled whiteness, providing fantastic photo opportunities.
- In South Georgia, rowdy Elephant seals are fighting to determine who will be deemed the dominant male.
- Albatross, marine fulmars and petrels fly the Drake Passage while Blue-eyed shags return to mainland Antarctica.
In December, Antarctic travel is becoming more popular as the temperatures begin to rise and the days start to get longer. Wildlife numbers are increasing, hungry humpback whales start arriving and the first penguin chicks are starting to hatch.
- With the summer months bringing up to 22 hours of daylight a day, there is more time for exploring.
- The density of wildlife is increasing. Penguin rookeries are at full capacity, and seal and whale sightings are becoming more common.
- The hungry humpback whales arrival back in Antarctic waters after their long migration journey.
- beginning to hatch in the Falklands from the beginning of the month, and then towards the end of December on the Peninsula.
- Access to the landing sites becomes easier in December and breakup of ice allows wider exploration.
In January you can get face-to-face with newborn wildlife, who are now curious and playful. As the temperatures rise and ice melts, new areas become accessible and voyages down to the Polar Circle are now possible.
- It is the height of summer on the Peninsula with warm temperatures and generally stable weather.
- The opening up of the ice allows the season’s first voyages to reach the Polar Circle.
- Penguin chicks are at their fluffiest and making strong demands on their parents for food.
- Humpback whales are actively seen at the surface gorging on krill.
- The ice in the Ross Sea opens up allowing access the historic huts of Shackleton & Scott.
February is Antarctica’s most active month for wildlife with penguins, seals, whales and birds at their highest numbers. The melting and breaking of the ice allows for the maximum exploration of the region.
- February is peak whale watching season as all migrating pods have now made it down to Antarctica’s rich waters.
- The penguin chicks are now very active and inquisitive, and are learning to swim in the shallows now that they are developping wing feathers.
- The moulting stage begins for the adult penguins, making them look rather silly at times.
- It’s the perfect month to explore the Polar Circle, now that the ice has receded to its maximum.
- The full-up whales are now beginning to explore and play, approaching boats and breaching the water.
Whale season is in full swing proving great chances of sighting the different types of whale. The juvenile penguins are busy learning to swim and catch fish themselves. With fewer boats about now the season is coming to an end, prices are generally lower with good cabin availability.
- With fewer boats around, it feels like you have Antarctica all to yourself.
- On South Georgia, the King penguin rookeries are at their most impressive and Macaroni penguins are in their greatest numbers.
- There are great whale watching opportunities.
- The penguin chicks are starting to successfully catch their own fish and approach visitors when walking on the mainland.
- With the sun now lower in the sky, there are wonderful sunsets and sunrises, making march the perfect month for photographers.
Our Antarctica
The Humboldt team’s Antarctica highlights
The taste that stayed with me…
“You’ll never eat as well as you do aboard your ship on an Antarctic cruise. After a day out exploring the ice and spotting wildlife, returning to a beautifully prepared meal, often with fresh seafood and fine wine, feels all the more special against the stark, icy backdrop outside your window.”
FOUNDER, TRAVEL DESIGNER
FAQs
Antarctica expeditions typically range from 10 to 21 days, depending on the route and itinerary. A classic Antarctic Peninsula cruise is around 10 to 12 days, including time to cross the Drake Passage. Longer itineraries may include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, allowing for a more comprehensive journey through the Southern Ocean’s remote archipelagos. If you opt for a fly-cruise, bypassing the Drake by plane, you can reduce your time commitment to about 7 to 9 days without sacrificing the core Antarctic experience.
While Antarctica is a destination in its own right, trips typically depart from Ushuaia in southern Argentina, which pairs naturally with time in Buenos Aires, Patagonia, or even Chile. We recommend spending at least a few days in Argentina or Chile before your voyage to adjust to time zones and allow for potential weather delays. For many travellers, this trip is part of a longer South American journey.
You do not need a visa for Antarctica itself, as it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System. However, you will need to meet the entry requirements for the country from which your cruise departs, typically Argentina or Chile. Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand travellers do not require a visa for short stays in those countries, but always double-check with the relevant consulate before travel.
No vaccinations are required specifically for Antarctica. However, since all trips begin and end in South America, you should be up to date with routine vaccinations such as MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and typhoid depending on your travel history and routing. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for Antarctic voyages, and it’s strongly recommended to visit a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
In short, it’s a case of ‘the earlier the better’. To be confident of securing your first choice you need to be booking at least 10 – 18 months in advance; this is doubly important for the most popular trips and during peak times like the Festive Season. Being organised and booking ahead also means you may be able to take advantages of any early booking incentives. However, we know that many people aren’t used to planning holidays or simply aren’t able to commit to set dates this far ahead and it’s perfectly possible to book an Antarctic trip only 3 – 6 months before you go. But expect to have less choice if you do due to restricted cabin availability. Ready to start planning? Get in touch and start the conversation with one of our experienced Travel Specialists who can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
The easiest way to get to Antarctica is from Chile and Argentina. Both countries have southern hubs from where most ships and cruises depart. Punta Arenas is wherevmost ships leave from Chile and Ushuaia is where the leave from Argentina. To get to those places, there are several daily direct flights from their respective capitals. When booking your Antarctic cruise with us, we can sort out your transportation right from your home country. While sailing from southern Chile and Argentina to Antarctica is the traditional route, and remains the most common, for those time-short travellers or anxious sailors, flights to Antarctica are becoming increasingly popular.
This is an important question. There’s an exciting selection of Antarctic cruises to choose from ranging from 6 – 35 days in duration. Whether you are considering the Antarctic Peninsula, the Polar Circle, South Georgia or the Falkland Islands, simply get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists who can talk you through the options and help speed up the process of matching you to the right trip.
A trip to Antarctica is a big ticket item in anyone’s book and it’s important to understand from the outset what to expect and what influence on the final cost options you’re considering will have. There are a lot of significant variables which influence price, and no two ship operators are the same. The size of the ship, standard of accommodation, and quality of food and service all play a part. But there are less obvious factors too: the calibre of the expeditionary staff, what clothing is provided, whether wine is included, staff to passenger ratio and the variety of complimentary activities. Price Guide (prices per person in British Pounds): Classic Antarctica Peninsula cruise (10-12 days) – £5,000 – 10,000 Fly & Cruise Antarctica (8 days) – £8,000 – 22,000 South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctica cruise (18-23 days) – £8,000 – 18,000
The Drake Passage is the stretch of ocean between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, known for some of the roughest seas in the world. The experience varies, sometimes you’ll encounter the “Drake Lake” (calm waters) and other times the “Drake Shake” (strong swells). Modern expedition ships are well-equipped for comfort and stability, and sea sickness medication is widely used and effective. For those who prefer to avoid the crossing altogether, fly-cruise options are available, flying you over the Drake Passage to meet your ship.
Yes, most expedition cruises offer multiple landings at sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, where you’ll step ashore to view penguin colonies, seals, and ice formations. Visits are carefully controlled to protect the fragile environment, and group sizes are limited per IAATO guidelines. Zodiac excursions are also common, offering up-close views of icebergs and wildlife without landing.
Why Travel with Us
A truly personalised service
We offer a truly personalised service providing a more authentic, caring experience. As a family-run business, we like to treat our guests like an extended part of our family rather than just clients.
Tried and tested expert knowledge
Our team have visited and experienced every region we sell. We design your holiday using this first-hand knowledge, ensuring you have the benefit of our specialist’s depth of experience.
Luxury travel with a conscience
We believe that luxury travel can be a force for good, creating transformative experiences that give back; enriching lives, uplifting local economies, and preserving the planet’s most precious places.
Don’t just take our word for it
At Humboldt we go the extra mile and pay attention to the smaller details so that your trip is individually crafted with care.
Independent Service Rating based on 296 verified reviews.
Chat to us to start planning your adventure
Get in touch with us and one of our travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream trip.