Final Up to date on September 20, 2024
Prior to now 20 years, I’ve traveled far and vast, to over 150 nations throughout 7 continents – and Antarctica stays essentially the most unimaginable place I’ve ever been. Right here’s my expertise on how you can journey Antarctica.
Etched on the backside of the world, Antarctica is as far south and distant as you will get. The seventh continent, as some name it, is roofed in icebergs, glaciers, mountains, and thick layers of snow all yr spherical. It’s harsh, distant, and actually far past. There is no such thing as a cell phone service. There are not any city squares, no motels and no vacationer traps.
To expertise Antarctica is about witnessing a number of the final wilderness areas of on earth – earlier than they disappear. It’s about being awed by a way of scale, drawing alongside nice icy mountainous peaks and glaciers and being dwarfed by their shadow. It’s about watching completely different species, resembling whales and walruses, of their pure habitats and marveling that these apparently stark locations are such biodiverse environments.
One can actually get a way of being on the fringe of the world right here – there’s hardly any signal of humanity, and we solely noticed one different ship throughout our 13-day expedition. Antarctica provides the feeling of discovering a spot for the primary time, even on a ship with 120 different passengers. On board our cruise, I felt like we have been voyeurs – taking a peek into a unique world.
Antarctica Journey Information
What’s Antarctica Journey Like?
Antarctica is among the most distant locations on Earth, and the journey of a lifetime for a lot of, together with myself. It’s not simple to get to Antarctica, and it’s definitely not an inexpensive journey.
Most individuals journey on Antarctic expedition cruises that depart from the southernmost a part of Argentina and Chile. Expedition cruises aren’t your typical cruises – they have an inclination to solely have the capability for lower than 500 individuals they usually embody day by day landings on the continent. Nightly leisure is within the type of informative lectures on the geology, historical past and wildlife of Antarctica.
Individuals who journey to Antarctica are typically skilled, adventurous vacationers who’re keen to splurge to discover this distant, unimaginable a part of the world. They perceive the significance of being accountable and taking good care of the delicate setting in Antarctica. Vacationers don’t essentially need to be match to hitch an Antarctic expedition cruise, however they need to have the ability to stroll on snow for a mile or two.
Is Touring to Antarctica Definitely worth the Excessive Value?
Excursions to Antarctica should not low cost. Count on to spend round US$5,000-18,000 on an expedition cruise, with costs various in your route, the corporate you select and the kind of cabin. There’s a cheaper solution to get to Antarctica: onboard a ‘cruise-only’ ship, however you gained’t be allowed to disembark on the continent.
When you consider how distant you’re touring and the way luxurious an expedition cruise normally is – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime expertise you can’t put a price ticket on. Of all of the locations I’ve been, Antarctica actually an journey of a lifetime and it’s value each penny. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to have the chance to embark on a voyage, you’ll be considered one of solely 100,000 individuals a yr that really go to!
Find out how to Get to Antarctica
By Expedition Cruise
The most well-liked solution to attain Antarctica is onboard an expedition cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile. These are geographically the closest factors to the Antarctic Peninsula. Each are lovely vacationer cities in Patagonia which might be worthwhile locations are their very own. The journey to Antarctica from both port is roughly 2 days, and also you’ll need to cross the notorious Drake Passage to get there.
There are additionally Antarctic expedition cruises departing from Hobart, Australia and Invercargill, New Zealand. However these journeys contain extra sea days (as they’re geographically farther from the peninsula) and are costlier. Nonetheless, most of them additionally cease at New Zealand’s subantarctic islands and Macquarie Islands, that are extraordinarily distant and only a few individuals get to go to.
You’ll discover fairly just a few tour operators operating passenger journeys to Antarctica, with completely different value vary, itineraries and kinds. I’ll advocate some beneath.
By Aircraft
It’s doable to fly to Antarctica, nevertheless it’s normally very costly. You’ll be able to truly fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island on the northern finish of the Antarctic peninsula. As soon as there, you’ll embark in your ship. Antarctica21 combines the 2-hour flight from Chile with cruises that passengers can board in Antarctica. This selection means that you can reduce down on journey time considerably and keep away from cruising the well-known Drake Passage, thereby minimizing the danger of seasickness. Nonetheless, departure dates are rather more restricted than for those who select to sail (Dec to Feb).
An alternative choice is to fly on a sightseeing aircraft – nevertheless, it doesn’t land on the Antarctic continent. Antarctica Flights fly from Australia to Antarctica and provide a in the future tour that’s guided by licensed expedition leaders. Costs begin at $1199 for a 12-hour return flight. A buddy of mine took this flight on New 12 months’s Eve and rang within the new yr whereas flying over Antarctica.
Aircraft vs Cruise?
Compared to flying, cruising is extra reasonably priced and accessible; it’ll additionally will let you see and expertise extra of Antarctica because the ship stops at many locations. There are much more choices when it comes to tour operators that run Antarctic cruises vs flights. One other professional of cruising to Antarctica is that there are extra departure dates (the season for air journey is especially from December to February because of climate).
I don’t advocate taking the sightseeing aircraft as you gained’t be touchdown on Antarctica itself. Flying throughout to King George Island could prevent time however you’ll be lacking the Drake Passage, which is a ceremony of passage for my part. After I cruised to Antarctica, the Drake Passage was surprisingly calmer than typical and we had easy journey (who is aware of, you is perhaps fortunate like me?!).
Which Antarctic Expedition Cruise Firm to Select?
Luxurious Small-Scale Cruises
There are some reputed firms focusing on Antarctic and polar cruising they usually embody Polar Lattitude, Aurora Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, and Lindblad Expeditions. These firms have a tendency to supply small ships which might be icebreakers particularly designed for polar journey. Quark Expeditions, as an illustration, is a pioneer in polar exploration and their fleet are a number of the finest icebreakers int he business, purpose-built for navigating frozen waters.
Inexpensive Journey Cruises
G Adventures and Intrepid Journey each provide reasonably priced but stable journeys to Antarctica, and neither requires single dietary supplements for solo vacationers. I went to Antarctica with G Adventures on their Antarctica Traditional In Depth (XVAESX) and had essentially the most wonderful expertise; every part concerning the journey was good, from the educated lectures to the day by day landings and zodiac excursions, in addition to the connoisseur meals and opulent cabin. There have been additionally non-obligatory add-ons resembling kayaking and tenting on land, which I regretted not including to my journey.
Low-cost Antarctic “Cruise-Solely”
There are low cost cruises that market themselves as Antarctica cruises, however persist with “cruise-only” itineraries and really don’t disembark in Antarctica. These cruises are likely to pack in additional than 500 passengers – which in response to IAATO rules, means no person will get off the ship. Meaning you’ll solely get the prospect to easily have a look at the landscapes from afar.
Princess Cruises, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean function such cruises, normally departing from Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. They will go for as low cost as US$1,800 per individual. In the event you’re on a good price range and don’t thoughts simply cruising previous Antarctica, then this may very well be an choice for you.
However I like to recommend saving up and ready till you’ve acquired the price range to go on a correct Antarctic cruise the place you get to land on the continent, swim within the icy waters and have penguins waddling just some ft away from you. It makes a complete of a distinction!
Final Minute Antarctica Cruises
When you have time available, there may be one other solution to discover good offers on Antarctic cruises. Those that wait lengthy sufficient in Ushuaia for a cancellation to return up, you will get amazingly good offers. Nonetheless, you might find yourself spending every week or extra down in Ushuaia ready to listen to.
On my cruise, a gaggle of younger backpackers of their late 20s managed to attain last-minute spots for simply US$3,500 per individual! Thoughts you, they waited round for two weeks and weren’t positive in the event that they have been truly going to make it to Antarctica or not.
Ideas for Selecting Your Antarctic Tour Operator
With so many choices obtainable, I’d advocate doing as a lot analysis as you may and select a tour operator based mostly on three primary components: itinerary, price and variety of passengers.
- Antarctica is one place the place smaller boats provide an enormous benefit. I don’t advocate a ship over 200 individuals – as your time on land can be severely restricted. IAATO states that not more than 100 individuals can step foot on the continent without delay.
- Think about the itinerary rigorously. I recommend spending at the very least 13 days in Antarctica as you’ll be taking 2 days simply to cross the Drake Passage and one other 2 days again. I’d extremely advocate selecting an itinerary that stops at South Georgia Island and Falkland Island (the few locations the place you may see king penguins).
- Cruising Antarctica is dear, nevertheless it’s additionally a once-in-a-lifetime expertise for many people. You actually shouldn’t skip sure experiences simply to save lots of just a few hundred bucks. I actually regretted not including on the in a single day ice tenting and kayaking excursions!
- A good way to chop price with out sacrificing on experiences is to e book the most cost effective cabin on the ship. You gained’t be spending a lot time within the cabin anyway! You’ll get the identical guides, identical locations, identical actions however you’re paying just a few a whole lot much less.
- Do your analysis and browse critiques for the cruises you’re contemplating, however remember that everybody has completely different preferences and necessities – consider what issues most to you (is it security or add-on experiences or itinerary?)
Greatest Time to Journey to Antarctica
The most effective time to go to Antarctica is between November and March, throughout the summer time season within the southern hemisphere. Temperatures are larger than ever (summer time in Antarctica is akin to winter in most locations), the times are getting longer and sea ice melts sufficient to allow entry for cruise ships. Antarctica is positioned deep within the Southern Hemisphere, and its distant location makes accessibility a problem exterior of the summer time months.
Antarctica’s cruise season is brief – visiting the white continent shouldn’t be doable from April to October for leisure vacationers. When selecting when to go in your Antarctic journey, take into account basing your choice on the sorts of animals that can be most lively, or if there are actions you would possibly wish to do in Patagonia earlier than or after your journey.
I went in December, when there was 24 hours of solar and hotter temperatures. Throughout this time, frequent journeys to the shore and in a single day ice tenting on the Peninsula have been doable. January is the most well-liked month to go to Antarctica as a result of the peak of summer time brings secure climate and temperatures reaching 10°C/50°F. That is the height of the ice soften, making it doable to cross into the fabled Antarctic Circle (at latitude 66°33’S).
How A lot Time Ought to You Spend in Antarctica?
Most Antarctica cruises are 10-13 days, however there are cruises that go as much as 20 and even 36 days! I went on a 13-day Antarctic cruise and felt that it was the right quantity to see and expertise Antarctica at a snug tempo. I did want I had chosen an itinerary that stops at South Georgia and Falkland Islands to see the king penguins there! That stated, a cruise doing that route will take much more time (22 days) and price nearly double.
Understand that you’ll be taking 2 days simply to cross the Drake Passage and one other 2 days again. So 13 days needs to be a minimal. That sound like lots of time to be spent on a cruise, however you’ll be stunned at how briskly time flies and the way a lot there may be to do.
What’s It Like on an Antarctic Expedition Cruise?
Occurring an Antarctic expedition cruise includes a number of actions, social hours, and studying classes with consultants. You can even have as a lot downtime as you need – it’s all as much as you! I’ll take you thru a typical day onboard, from the early morning wake-up name to the night’s social hour.
- 8:00am: Every morning on an Antarctica cruise begins with a wake-up name over the loudspeakers to all of the passengers onboard. The crew updates everybody on the present climate and a short define of the schedule for the day.
- 8:30am: It’s time to benefit from the large unfold of breakfast! Feast on dishes like pastries, toasts, bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs and oatmeal with fruit. The meals on my boat was wonderful! And I at all times loved my breakfast whereas chatting with different passengers.
- 9:30am: After breakfast, it’s time to dress for our morning tour; consider us after we say getting dressed to go exterior in Antarctica is a serious exercise!
- 10:00am: Time to go out! Our excursions have been completely different day-after-day and at all times thrilling with actions starting from strolling to touring analysis bases to hanging out with a whole lot of cute penguins and visiting a seal colony. On days when the excursions aren’t doable, the crew normally plans a zodiac cruise or different enjoyable actions, like a polar plunge.
- 12:30pm: Lunch is served once more buffet-style, however with high quality, wholesome meals. Select from the salad bar, or go for the pasta, sandwiches and soups.
- 2:00pm: After lunch, the ship cruises for just a few hours to our subsequent vacation spot. That is the right downtime for sitting within the lounge and ingesting within the views of Antarctica. Typically the captain makes bulletins when a humpback whale or orca is noticed!
- 4:00pm: On a typical afternoon, we could have one other touchdown within the afternoon, in any other case it’ll be a Zodiac cruise to identify marine life. You’ll normally get to see all types of wildlife from penguins swimming within the ocean to seals lounging on the shore.
- 6:00pm: Each night following the afternoon tour, everybody on the ship meets collectively for a debrief of the day’s occasions and to go over the deliberate schedule for the next day. There’ll even be lectures on completely different topics pertaining to Antarctica: from geology to wildlife and historical past.
- 7:30pm: Dinner is normally a much bigger meal. On our boat, we had a 4-course meal each night time, ordered off of a menu. The menu modifications day-after-day and included soups or appetizers for a starter, grilled fish or meat and veggies for the primary, and decadent desserts.
- 9:00pm: After dinner, most individuals head to the bar to take pleasure in some drinks and music. I had a lot enjoyable attending to know fellow passengers and partying below the midnight solar!
How Secure is Antarctica?
Journey to Antarctica shouldn’t be a very harmful endeavour, with the one doable discomfort ensuing from crossing the Drake Passage, considered the world’s most tumultuous physique of water. However that’s solely when it misbehaves. Most incidents that occur to cruise ships in Antarctica includes the pack ice, however that is a particularly uncommon prevalence at the present time.
It’s vital to know that your tour operator evaluates all dangers and manages the journey round perceived hazards. Security is their primary precedence. As we speak we’re capable of predict icebergs, pack ice and unexposed hazards with forward-scanning sonar and ice radars, and all cruise ships have them in use.
Climate situations in Antarctica are very unpredictable. We can’t promise something besides two issues: ice and dangerous climate.” All of us broke out right into a sequence of nervous laughter. Based on the expedition crew, passengers on the voyage previous to ours had skilled one of many worst Drake Passage crossings of the season — dinners within the restaurant have been switched to sandwiches on the lounge, solely 10% of the passengers made it to the lectures, and a few them even acquired injured as a result of they hadn’t held on tightly.
Do You Have to Be Match to Journey Antarctica?
Anybody who within reason match and wholesome can simply journey to Antarctica. Most Antarctic cruises don’t embody something overly strenuous. Which means that the one probably difficult factor you’ll need to do in Antarctica is make your manner from the expedition ship to the smaller Zodiac boats for shore landings (that and pulling your self again onto the ship after you’ve taken the polar plunge into the Southern Ocean), however there’ll be crew members to assist.
Antarctic cruises cater to vacationers of all age teams – on my Antarctic cruise, I met tons of individuals from my age group (30-40 years previous) in addition to senior residents (of their late 50s to 60s)who have been pleasant and joyful to socialize. There have been additionally extra individuals of their 20s than I anticipated.
Some Antarctic tour operators require passengers to return a signed medical from their normal practitioner, however mine didn’t ask for one. So long as you inform them of any pre-existing situations or disabilities, try to be positive to go.
Can Children Journey to Antarctica?
The minimal age for kids on most Antarctic cruises is 8. Any individual below 18 years of age should journey with their authorized guardian. There weren’t any baby on my Antarctic cruise however I’m positively hoping to convey my daughter to Antarctica sometime! For many who are eager to journey Antarctica with children, my buddy wrote about his journey to Antarctica together with his 8-year-old.
High Locations to Go to in Antarctica
Lemaire Channel
Probably the most photogenic components of Antarctica, Lemaire Channel is nicknamed ‘‘Kodak Hole’ for good motive. Steep cliffs hem within the iceberg-filled passage like naturally-sculpted gateways and bergy bits litter the glassy water surrounding us. At simply half a mile-wide in it narrowest half, Lemaire Channel is a stunner for each its spectacular formation and measurement. Not solely is it scenic, the protected waters are normally as nonetheless as a lake, a uncommon prevalence within the storm-wracked southern seas.
Deception Island
Due to its geographical formation, Deception Island is among the most secure harbors in Antarctica. It was used as a whaling station just a few a long time in the past. The island is definitely the caldera of an lively volcano and it’s stated to be probably the greatest locations to swim in Antarctica due to its scorching springs. I went on a polar plunge right here (proper off the seaside) and the water actually wasn’t hotter than wherever else!
Port Lockroy
You’ll be able to’t come to Antarctica and never go to Port Lockroy. The previous analysis base of Port Lockroy, which is now put up workplace, is essentially the most southerly mailing depot on Earth. I despatched myself a postcard from the put up workplace right here, solely to obtain it at residence solely after 4 months! The gorgeous setting of the black and red-roofed put up workplace backdropped by the snow mountains and glaciers is exceptionally photogenic.
South Georgia Island
It is a place I want I had gone on my Antarctic cruise! South Georgia is dubbed “the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean” as a result of abundance of wildlife concentrated right here. It’s not unusual to see a whole lot of 1000’s of king penguins cuddled collectively or elephant seals battling one another right here. You’ll must go on an extended cruise to get right here, however mates who’ve been all say it’s properly value it!
Cuverville Island
The island is a 252-meters excessive (826 ft) rock with a protracted shingle seaside at its foot. About 6,500 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins name Cuverville residence, forming the most important rookery on the Antarctic Peninsula. On my cruise, a pair from Hongkong determined to placed on their marriage ceremony outfits for a particular images session right here!
What to Pack for an Antarctic Journey
Irrespective of while you’re touring to Antarctica, it’s good to pack for chilly temperatures. The secret’s to pack a number of layers so you may peel them off if the temperature climbs or add extra layers when it’s chilly.
Miscellaneous Gadgets
Closing Ideas for Antarctica Journey
- E book a cruise with lower than 200 passengers! Ensure that it truly means that you can disembark on the continent.
- Purchase a superb journey insurance coverage coverage. Antarctica is so remoted that your journey coverage ought to at all times embody an emergency evacuation cost.
- Spend money on your digital camera gear. That is presumably the most scenic place on Earth, you actually wish to seize it with nice images so ensure you brush up in your images expertise and get correct images gear.
- Preserve an open thoughts and be versatile, because the climate in Antarctica could be unpredictable. Which means that your itinerary and tour schedule can change at a second’s discover. Somedays, the excursions occur precisely as deliberate. On different days, we have now to attend round on the ship because the crew searches for a spot to land.
- Preserve distance from the wildlife. The rule of thumb on interacting with wildlife in Antarctica is that you need to preserve your distance, at the very least 5 meters away from all wildlife, but when they method you that’s no drawback.
Learn Extra on Antarctica Journey
Any journey to Antarctica can be an journey of a lifetime. Sure it comes with a hefty price ticket, however you’ll comprehend it’s worthwhile the minute you attain the Antarctic peninsula and step foot on the white continent. There’s nowhere else on Earth fairly like Antarctica.
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