It’s the very best time of the year to check out Antarctica and what much better Christmas present for the tourist in your life than a journey to the 7th continent? The southernmost continent in the world will shock you. It is a lot more than snow and ice. From experiencing the stunning charm of towering icebergs and huge glaciers to coming across varied wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales, this guide reveals the very best things to do in Antarctica, guaranteeing your exploration is not simply a journey, however a transformative experience. When you check out Antarctica, ensure to include these activities to your Antarctic Cruise travel plan.
Finest Things to do in Antarctica
We took a trip to Antarctica with Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar experiences. Considering that our Antarctic cruise, the white continent has actually opened to take a trip with a cruise liner to fit every kind of tourist. We cruised on an all-suites cruise liner, however there are enormous high-end cruise lines, experience cruises, and little ships that are cruising throughout the Drake Passage nowadays.
When we went to Antarctica, we followed our journey with a cruise to the Galapagos Islands. As we get ready for another journey to the Galapagos with Hurtigruten (another polar exploration leader), we wished to motivate tourists to go out and begin checking out completion of the world.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photography lover, or merely looking for the adventure of the unidentified while including the last frontier to your travel list, an Antarctic exploration provides the supreme in boasting rights. Whenever anybody asks us what our preferred location is and Dave responses Antarctica, individuals do a double take. What? You’ve been to Antarctica?
So, if you wish to boast to your good friends too, begin conserving up your money for an Antarctic Cruise.
1. Kayaking
When we saw that kayaking was an Antarctic activity used on our ship, we weren’t sure if we wished to hop in cold water kayaks. I fidgeted about kayaking in such cold water and feared toppling. So we reserved a couple of lessons in the regional swimming pool to find out how to do a damp exit and self-rescue. Because that time, we have actually discovered to whitewater kayak, however having that standard understanding assisted our self-confidence in the water. I am delighted we did it.
The expense of including kayaking to a cruise exploration is high, and we questioned if the cost would deserve it. We believed we may go out on the water one or two times throughout the cruise. Nevertheless, we wound up kayaking 8 times nd it was stunning.
We drifted silently previous leopard and Wedell seals sunning themselves on ice circulations, circumnavigated icebergs drifting in the middle of the sea, and paddled with penguins leaping through the air at the front of our boats.
It was an amazing method to see marine life up close while we silently checked out the Antarctic Peninsula. It was the experience of a life time as we paddled through sea ice while minke whales appeared to state hey there along the wild Antarctic coast. Learn more about Kayaking in Antarctica– our preferred thing to do in Antarctica
2. Polar Plunge
If you asked me what I considered the polar plunge while I was participating in this zany experience where we jumped into the freezing Antarctic waters, I would have informed you not to do it. It was horrified of striking the cold water. Nevertheless, now that I am home and in the conveniences of a warm and relaxing home, I state is among the very best things to do in Antarctica.
Why? How frequently do you get to inform individuals that you delved into sub-zero waters in the South Pole and lived to inform the tale? It’s difficult to top this experience. If somebody states “I did the polar bear plunge in the regional lake? You state, oh yeah, I did it in the Antarctic Circle! It’s quite difficult to top that!
With warm bathrobes and hot chocolate waiting on us, we conjectured of vodka and as soon as my teeth stopped chattering, we commemorated in the jacuzzi on the primary deck. All the worry dissolved and I was all set to do it once again! Wondering what an Antarctica journey resembles? Have a look at our Antarctic Exploration Explained.
Outdoor Camping on the Sub-Antarctic Islands
In the grand plan of things, really couple of individuals have actually taken a trip to Antarctica and even less have in fact remained over night on the continent. Camping on Antarctica is an extraordinary experience. Generally individuals sleep on exploration ships or fly to Antarctica to be able to step on the land. However very few individuals have actually camped in a bivy sack in the middle of the snow next to snoring leopard seals.
Outdoor Camping in Antarctica is a must. Yes, it’s cold, it’s unpleasant, and you can’t consume, consume, or pee when outdoor camping in Antarctica, once you are back on board your ship after making it through a night as the early explorers did, you’ll be filled with pride and thankfulness that you never ever need to do that once again. Camping on the Continent is among the very best things to do in Antarctica, learnt more about it here.
A little group people got on zodiacs to the coast where we were dropped off prior to sundown. Equipped with our sleeping bags and bivy sacs, we strolled to our picked areas where we settled in for the night. We needed to mark out our camping location to flatten the snow around us and after that we went inside zipping whatever in the small bag. Before going to the continent, we hardly at and consumed as low as possible. There was an emergency situation toilet must we require to go, however we were motivated to hold it up until the next early morning when we returned on the ship.
We advise bringing booties and hand and feet warmers for the night. Ensure to have a balaclava to keep your face warm along with all your layers. It gets cold in the wee hours of the early morning. Learn more: 5 Winter Season Layering Tips to Gown for Extreme Winter
4. Zodiac Cruises
Many explorations to Antarctica will use zodiac trips of bays and icebergs. Seeing humpback whales surface area best next to a small zodiac will take your breath away. Whales, seals, and calving glaciers from a zodiac are minutes you will not quickly forget.
We typically headed out two times a day on zodiacs to go wildlife enjoying. There is an unexpected quantity of wildlife on the white continent. We saw killer whales and humpback whales, leopard and Weddell seals drifting on ice developments, and lots of penguin nests along the coast.
Zodiac cruises weren’t almost wildlife either. There are numerous fascinating things to check out in the Antarctic waters. We enjoyed running around icebergs and puttering through thick bold ice looking for amazing ice developments. We stopped to enjoy calving glaciers and circle enormous icebergs as our specialist exploration group managed the zodiacs with ease.
Leaving the ship to see things in this intimate way is a must. We had whales surface area next to our boats and after that dive beneath for a closer view. We took a look at these fantastic mammals in the eye as they appeared to offer us a friendly hey there. See more of what it resembles on a Zodiac Trip in Antarctica
5. Penguin Post Workplace at Port Lockroy
There are no irreversible locals in Antarctica, just a little settlement of scientists that invest a couple of months a year on a research study base. There are numerous research study stations in Antarctica that you can check out however among the leading Antarctica destinations is a real post workplace on the British base Porto Lockroy. Yes, you heard me: stopping at Port Lockroy research study station is an enjoyable stop on an Antarctica travel plan. It’s an area where you’ll face other Antarctic explorations and get the opportunity to talk with the personnel of the English research study base.
A penguin nest populates the coasts of the research study station and you’ll see lots of them hanging out in the location, for this reason its label Penguin Post Workplace.
In Port Lockery, you can search the museum, have fun with the penguins, and purchase some mementos. However the leading antarctic activity here is to by a postcard and mail it to somebody you like from the bottom of the world to your enjoyed ones in your home. Check out everything about it at– A Post Workplace in Antarctica?
6. See Penguin Colonies
Mentioning penguins. An emphasize of any Antarctica go to is to engage with penguins. The Antarctic Circle and Weddell Sea have lots of Penguin nests, and seeing penguins up close is at the top of all Antarctica destinations.
We could not get enough of checking out penguin nests all around the Antarctic peninsula. Penguins are genuinely the prettiest animals on earth and enjoying them set about their every day lives will bring pleasure to anybody’s heart.
They waddle through their penguin routes making their method to the sea in frenzied style. It’s cute to see the energy of penguins hurrying about doing their service.
Moms secure their chicks and penguins call out to one another. They stroll in arranged lines along routes to the sea from one penguin nest to another. When you check out Antarctica, you are visiting a great deal of penguins. Be prepared, they smell awful. However they are so darn adorable, you forget the odor and merely delight in
The most unforgettable of all penguin encounters are when you sit silently and let the curious animals approach so close that they stroll on your legs or select at your coat. You are not permitted to technique or go within 5 meters of penguins, however if you sit still, in some cases they will stroll right approximately you and state hey there. They are so curious. It’s a memory of a life time.
7. See Deceptiveness Island
Among the most threatening things to do in Antarctica is to check out Deceptiveness Island. Deceptiveness Island is among the best harbors in Antarctica which so occurs to be an active volcano. In the early 20th century, it was an old whaling station and trips will take you to see the residues of that dark time.
Going To Deceptiveness Island is a plain tip of the evils of humanity. At one time whales were hunted to near termination in Antarctica and when checking out Deceptiveness Island, you will see old oil drums, boilers, and whale bones from a darker time. It’s as scary as it is stunning.
The active volcano heated up the waters off the beach and at one time, individuals dug holes in the sand to delight in the warm sand. However thanks to the Antarctic treaty that is no longer permitted. This would be overrun with the variety of individuals taking a trip to Antarctica today. For more read The Threatening Deceptiveness Island
8. Cruise the Lemar Channel
Nicknamed the Fuji Funnel, Kodak Canal, and Agfa Street the Lemaire Channel is among the leading things to do in Antarctica for professional photographers.
If you took photos pre-digital world, you will recognize with Fuji, Kodak, and Agfa; all popular brand names of movie.
Throughout our going through the narrow channel, we invested hours standing outside on deck taking photos of the most amazing landscapes on earth.
Antarctica is genuinely the last frontier of natural charm and the Lemaire Channel is the most stunning of the leading location. Now that’s stating a lot.
9. Photography Trip
Among the leading things to do in Antarctica is to sign up with a photography exploration. Numerous expert photographers lead picture trips to Antarctica and if you wish to take home fantastic memories, you can schedule a photography trip on many ships.
On our Antarctic Cruise, there was a different group of individuals on the trip concentrating on photography. They had their own different trips where the expert photographers headed out together, focusing more on recording images than the experience. Both methods of taking a trip are a fantastic experience, you can pick whichever method you desire. Mentioning photography, among the best things to see in the world is real icebergs.
Your guide will reveal you how to catch the textures of the ice developments, how to get memorable pictures of wildlife and take advantage of your landscape images recording Antarctica’s snow-capped mountains and glaciers. This is the method to take a trip if you are a professional photographer.
10. Antarctica Ice
In Antarctica, the icebergs are enormous. They have lots of layers of vibrant colors of blue producing a few of the most fascinating developments. Sometimes, the icebergs overshadowed our ship and we were grateful for the proficiency of our captain who kept a safe range from the developments that were bigger than apartment. If that much was revealing above the water, two-thirds more were above. And icebergs relocation and roll. You can not take a trip to this location without guides and individuals who understand the waters.
At one point, we took a cruise through an iceberg graveyard where icebergs have actually grounded on the bottom of the sea and this is the area where they will invest the last days disintegrating in the water up until they liquify into absolutely nothing. It’s spooky and stunning at one time. Have a look at our photos of Icebergs in 23 Legendary Photos of Antarctica Ice
11. Whale Seeing
I do not believe there is a much better location in the world to enjoy whales than in Antarctica. We discussed whale enjoying from zodiacs, however a few of our finest whale enjoying occurred right from the ship. There are lots of types of whales residing in the Antarctic waters from Antarctic Minke Whales, Southern Right Whales, Orcas, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, and Pilot Whales, you will have a lot to pick from.
In Antarctica, whales have no worry of guy. They have not been searched for more than a century and they are at the top of the food cycle. For that reason, whales have no factor to conceal. Since of that, the whales of Antarctica are really curious.
When we were kayaking, on a zodiac or on the ship, they constantly appeared close-by for a better look. Seeing a whale in the wild is a wonderful experience and when taking a trip to Antarctica, you can get so near to them, you can nearly connect and touch them.
Throughout among our days at sea, we had 2 killer whales display for us breaching regularly. It resembles they were thrilled to see us! Another day, we had a mom and calf follow our ship, and the calf continued to breach for 45 minutes, placing on an amazing program for the viewers on board. This experience was among the coolest things we have actually ever experienced in our journeys.
12. Cross the Drake Passage
Okay, so it’s not in Antarctica however the Drake Passage takes you to Antarctica. Lots of individuals are taking other paths to Antarctica to prevent the Drak Passage, however we feel that crossing the Drake Passage is genuinely a badge of honor.
The Drake is among the most treacherous bodies of water on earth.
If the weather condition is calm, it’s uneventful and simple, if the seas are rough, the Drake Passage will set you on a rumble and topple two-day journey that will turn even the most experienced sailor into a ball of mush.
We had a smooth deleting, however returning to civilization was another story and our team informed us it was among the worst of the season.
How do we understand it was bad? When Dave decreased for supper one night, just 2 other guests joined him in the dining-room. Throughout a really rough day, lectures were canceled due to guests and team alike being stuck in bed with a bad case of seasickness. It’s a rough trip, however it produces an excellent travel tale.
Other Antarctica Activities
Antarctica is a location that is continuously developing and brand-new activities are being contributed to travel plans. From ski visiting to stand-up paddle boarding, there are lots of brand-new things to see and do. To offer you a concept of other things to do in Antarctica, keep reading.
13 Diving
We didn’t scuba dive in Antarctica, however Antarctic explorations are contributing to their experience travel list each year. A diving exploration in Antarctica is genuinely an unique chance for passionate scuba divers.
This special experience lets you check out the enchanting undersea world of the Southern Ocean, where clearly colored marine life, significant ice developments, and the heavenly charm of the polar seascape wait for. You’ll dive from zodiacs with skilled guides.
This is not an activity for newbies, diving in Antarctic needs experience in dry fit diving and cold water diving. You’ll have the chance to see special marinelife and if you have actually gone diving all over the world, this is another location to contribute to the container list.
14. Ice Climbing
Throughout our exploration we did some glacier walking and we believed that was the supreme experience for polar tourists, however you can now include Ice Reaching your Antarctica experiences. We didn’t do it throughout our journey, however we have actually dealt with ice climbing up in other parts of the world. If your exploration provides this activity, we extremely advise it. Can you envision informing individuals that yo
Antarctic Travel Plans to Think About
Our travel plan took us through the South Shetland Islands, which is among the leading paths to take through Antarctica, however there are other travel plans you might wish to think about or contribute to your impressive experience.
The primary locations to cruise in the Antarctic consist of the Antarctic Peninsula which frequently consists of the South Shetland Islands. (which we did) and the sub-Antarctic islands that are often consisted of in a few of these explorations are the Falklands and South Georgia
Lesser took a trip locations consist of the Weddell Sea, and Ross Sea which is the least-visited tourist area. If you are including these to your travel plan, intend on longer explorations approximately thirty days.
15. Falkland Islands
A remarkable include on for a journey to the South Pole is checking out the Falkland Islands. This British Nest has lots of things to see and do. The Falkland Islanders, referred to as “Kelpers,” are understood for their warm hospitality and fascinating stories about island life.
The capital of the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley, is frequently an emphasize. This little, vibrant town has a clearly British character, with charming homes, English-style clubs, and a historical cathedral.
The Falklands are likewise abundant in history, with different websites associated to the Falklands War of 1982. This was such huge news when we were kids. You can check out battlegrounds, memorials, and museums that supply insights into this substantial occasion in the islands’ history.
You’ll likewise see an abundance of abundance of bird types, consisting of King Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, and Rockhopper penguins, along with other seabirds like albatrosses. The islands are likewise home to elephant seals and sea lions, providing amazing wildlife seeing chances.
16. South Georgia
A lot of our good friends have actually gone to South Georgia and we are green with envy. It is here that you’ll see the world’s biggest king penguin nests. Typically hailed as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean you’ll likewise see enormous elephant seals and lively fur seals.
It’s notoriously referred to as the last resting location of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famous Antarctic explorer. You can visit his tomb in Grytviken, a previous whaling station, and find out about the island’s history in its museum.
South Georgia provides a few of the most significant landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere, with rugged snowcapped mountains, huge glaciers, and fjords. These landscapes supply a sensational background for photography and expedition. It is high up on our list to check out.
17. Snow Hill Island
You can likewise see Emperor Penguins in South Georgia, however if it is your objective to truly see this penguin types, the very best location to see them is the Emperor Penguin Nest at Snow Hill Island. Found in the Weddell Sea, this island is off the beaten course and can be reached by helicopter. If you have the cash and the ways, book a helicopter flight to see the Emperor Penguin Nest of Snow Hill and make history as being among the couple of individuals in the world to witness them. Container list anybody?
18. King George Island
Among the very first stops as you leave from Ushuaia in South America is King George Island. Found off the coast of Antarctica in the South Shetland Islands, King George is noteworthy for hosting a number of research study stations run by different nations. These stations play an important function in cutting edge research study in the area. A few of the popular research study stations on King George Island are. Eduardo Frei Base from Chile, Great Wall Station from China, King Sejong Station from South Korea and Bellingshausen Station from Russia, simply among others.
19. Ushuaia
Nestled at the southern pointer of South America in Argentina, Ushuaia is not simply a departure point however a location overflowing with special destinations.
Before setting sail to the icy continent, immerse yourself in Ushuaia’s must-do activities. Eplore Tierra del Fuego National forest, providing a mix of glaciers, forests, and wildlife. Or ride the historical End of the World Train for a journey through stunning landscapes. We invested 2 days delighting in Ushuaia before setting sail and are delighted that we did.
You need to check out the Museo del Fin del Mundo to look into the area’s abundant history. You’ll be leaving Ushuaia through The Beagle Channel where you’ll see the rugged charm of the location from your ship.
So there you have it. These are the leading things to do in Antarctica. This is a location that is altering each year. So even if you check out in 2024, it will have most likely altered once again by 2025. Let us understand what’s altered in the remarks listed below.
Preparation Resources for Antarctica