Overview
Antarctica travel guide, including map of Antarctica, top Antarctica travel experiences, tips for travel in Antarctica, what to pack for a trip to Antarctica
Stunning icebergs of myriad sizes, shapes and colours. Pristine snowscapes. Leopard seals chasing penguins. Antarctica is everything you expect but much more too. This is a destination that certainly lives up to the hype. And Antarctica’s haunting beauty will stick with you forever.
A growing number of visitors are making it to Terra Incognito, usually on an expedition cruise. However, you should still be able to avoid other people, other than your fellow passengers, and get to appreciate the solitude. A trip here isn't for those who like a fixed itinerary: Antarctica’s weather is unpredictable and a salutary reminder of the power of nature.
Wanderlust recommends
- Get off the ship – some trips offer the opportunity to hike, camp overnight on the ice, or go sea kayaking.
- South Shetland Islands – this archipelago of 20 islands extends for more than 500km, and is home to enormous penguin rookeries.
- Whale watching – humpback, Antarctic minke and orca are frequently seen in Antarctic waters
- Ross Sea – accessed from New Zealand rather than Argentina, this is the even wilder side of Antarctica (and the more expensive to visit)
Wanderlust tips
This will be a trip of a lifetime – so make sure you choose the right ship and with no more than 100 passengers. If you’re going all that way consider a trip that all takes in South Georgia and the Falklands.
Give a lot of thought to what to pack. You’ll want as many layers as possible but you need to be able to fit it in your bag. Ensure that your jacket is windproof, waterproof and roomy, and that it covers your lower back. Bright colours, such as red, look better in photos. You’ll need a hat that covers your ears and that won’t fly off on a speeding Zodiac.
Camera batteries run down faster in the cold, so take spares, and allow for much more memory than you would normally expect to use. It’s worth investing in a decent pair of binoculars too.
Further Reading
When to go to Antarctica
The southern summer months (November to March) are the only times the Antarctic is hospitable enough to travel. Temperatures typically hover around zero, but it can feel much much colder thanks to wind-chill.
November is best for ice and snow. December and January are warmer with longer daylight hours, and the chance to see penguins feeding their chicks. February and March are best for whales.
Getting to Antarctica
You’ll almost certainly be going on a cruise ship. The most common access point is Ushuaia (Argentina) but ships also go from Hobart (Tasmania), Christchurch (New Zealand) and Cape Town (South Africa).
Getting around Antarctica
You’ll be on a cruise ship, but with excursions and shore landings via Zodiacs. A few ships use helicopters (eg cruises that offer the possibility of visiting the emperor penguin rookery at Snow Hill) and some offer the opportunity to kayak.
Health & safety in Antarctica
Seasickness is the biggest potential problem – the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is particularly notorious. However, you can be lucky and have no rough seas at all. Take a commercial remedy and/or an acupuncture wristband, and don’t forget that ginger is nature’s remedy.
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