First, you should remember that almost all tourists visit in the summer when the sun nearly never sets and the weather is mild. Along the Antarctica Peninsula, where most cruises visit, temperatures hover around freezing with dry days. This makes it reasonably straightforward to pack for, as most will have experienced this weather.

As travelers, we always recommend packing in layers as it is the most versatile and packs nicely in a suitcase. With that in mind, the basic premise is to pack a shell jacket, insulating layer, thermals, and weatherproof pants. The vast majority of Antarctica cruises supply parkas and muck boots for onshore activities, so it removes a lot of stress around packing for the continent.

Our biggest tip when thinking about what to wear in Antarctica is to think more about your time on the ship and less about your time on the continent. Sea days along the Drake Passage can be long, and day excursions rarely last more than a few hours, so the vast majority of your time will be spent on the ship.

What to Wear in Antarctica: Tips From Our Antarctica Cruise!

• A lightweight hiking jacket or shell jacket is an Antarctica outfit staple that should be in every traveler’s luggage, no matter the season. You will 100% want a waterproof jacket in Antarctica — granted, most expedition cruises supply an Antarctica jacket.
• Take advantage of the gear supplied. On-shore visits to the continent can be very dirty as the snow melts in the summer. Landing sites are often muddy and complete with penguin poop. You can wear your boots, but we never bothered as the large muck boots supplied were much better.
• Packing cubes are excellent at separating dirty clothes from clean clothes or wet from dry. Opt for a packing cube with mesh that will allow wet clothes to dry.
• We love to pack wool base layers such as thermals, socks, and underwear to help fight off the cold.
• Packing rain pants is always a good idea. We usually try to avoid packing them as they are bulky, but they can be true lifesavers in Antarctica. They are standard wear and recommended on all the cruise packing lists.
• A good toque/hat and gloves are a great way to stay warm without much space.
• Sun protection is a good idea in the summer, so bring sunblock, sunglasses, and possibly UPF clothing. Ice, snow, and water are highly reflective UV environments.
• Pack some items to pass the time on board the cruise ship. You’ll have plenty of downtime to play cards, read a book, or paint watercolors.
• Motion sickness medicine and remedies are well worth packing for the notorious Drake Passage. We experienced the Drake Shake at its worst and could barely escape from the bed. The doctors on board can not supply motion sickness tablets, so consult your doctor or visit a pharmacy before departure.
• Pack a tablet and download entertainment before you depart on the cruise ship. Satellite internet onboard the ship is outrageously expensive and too slow to download or stream content. It’s a good idea to download movies, podcasts, or TV series with a stable internet connection.
• Verify what your cruise ship operator provides before packing for a trip. One or two operators do not provide boots or parkas for their guests, but they are a minority. Please do your due diligence.
• If you forget anything, you can find most goods in Ushuaia before you leave. There are pharmacies, a grocery store, and outdoor stores – though the outdoor stores especially were much higher priced than back home, not unusual given the location.

The Weather in Antarctica

Travel to Antarctica is only during the summer months – from October to March. This is when it’s warmer, and lighter, and the sea ice melts enough to let ships safely navigate the waters, so most visitors will not experience Antarctica at its worst. We’d go so far as to say most will have seen worse winter weather at home. We certainly have (granted, we live in Alberta!)

Most visitors head to the Antarctic Peninsula, not the South Pole, so the weather remains mild. Temperatures on most days range from a few degrees below freezing to several above freezing, around -4 C to 2 C (5 F to 35 F). The weather remains stable thanks to the ocean’s current and long summer days.

Large swells and wind that pass through the Drake Passage are the greatest weather threat to visiting the continent; however, guests will remain inside a cozy ship during this time. That being said, it’s a good idea to come prepared for the possibility of wind and cold weather. Expedition parkas do a great job protecting your core, but a hat and gloves will make a massive difference in comfort.

Antarctica Cruise Packing List Essentials

• Passport – This is obvious, but you won’t make it far without a passport. It’s a fun Antarctica fact that Antarctica does not require a passport as it’s not a country, but you will most likely need to pass through Argentina to reach the continent.
• Credit Cards – We use several travel credit cards offering purchase protection, rewards, and no foreign transaction fees. This has to do with purchases on the ship, as there aren’t many day-to-day expenses once you’re on board.
• Visa – Make sure you have a visa if you need one.
• Cash: This is super helpful for tipping staff on the ships. Almost all ships allow guests to tip on their account; some add an automatic gratuity to the final bill. However, having USD dollars is an excellent idea if you’d like to tip staff directly or individually. We also wished we had extra cash on hand for our Port Lockroy visit as the post office did not accept credit card.
• Argentinian Pesos: This is not something you’ll need on the ship. However, as ships depart from Ushuaia, most travelers spend some time in Argentina. The country is currently being rocked by hyperinflation, which makes the international markets and currency exchange very odd. Travelers can best exchange money with USD on the black market or via wire transfer to Western Union.

What To Wear In Antarctica

Before you pack for Antarctica, it’s good to determine what you’ll need for your trip. Travel plans have an enormous impact on this. You’ll likely need some outdoor gear that is well-suited for movement and offers protection from the elements. As most cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, it’s a fabulous time to tack on a trip to Patagonia.

There are several staple items that I would recommend everyone bring for their trip to Antarctica. Pack functionality with clothes that can serve multiple purposes. Layers are key, as the weather and temperatures change significantly in one day. The right outfit and layers can handle just about any environment or climate.

Wool Sweater

Our first concern for an expedition cruise to Antarctica is comfort and warmth. If one article of Antarctica clothing is made for travel here, it’s the wool sweater. You’ll always want a sweater on your packing list, and it’s likely the same thing the first explorers wore on their trips to the South Pole.

The versatile piece can be worn under a jacket as a layer of insulation or as casual loungewear onboard the ship. They’re comfortable, stylish, and warm. We each brought two sweaters and they were easily our most worn items on the ship.

We have plenty of sweaters, but our favorites are made with organic materials like wool. If you’re not a fan of wool or don’t own a wool sweater, polyester or synthetic-based sweaters like the Patagonia Better Sweater are a tremendous alternative.

Shell Jacket

Although most Antarctica cruise ships give visitors a parka to wear for the duration of the trip (and keep for later), we still suggest a packable rain jacket for the outdoors/hiking as an additional jacket. It’s an excellent jacket for visiting Patagonia before or after the trip. They also make a great additional jacket if you’re lucky enough to get a mild weather day. Parkas tend to be a little overkill.

Any rain jacket will do, but the top-dollar ones designed for the outdoors will hold up and help in inclement weather. They are lightweight, durable, packable, waterproof, and windproof — the wind may be the most important as it can be unrelenting.

It’s a great second jacket on extended expeditions that visit South Georgia or the Falkland Islands, as the weather at those destinations is often too mild for a heavy parka. You’ll never regret having a shell jacket in your luggage.

Down Jacket

A packable down jacket is an outdoor staple and perfect for any trip to Antarctica and we travel everywhere with our Arcteryx Cerium jackets. They’re warm and provide decent protection against wind. Although down jackets were created for outdoor sports, their comfort and practicality have made them perfect for daily life.

It’s a rare day when the weather is too warm to warrant a down jacket. Down jackets are lightweight by design and easy to pack in a backpack or suitcase. We always have one in our luggage on any extended trip.

Thanks to the parka’s many expedition cruise supplies, you may not get a ton of use out of your down jacket. However, just like our shell, we like to come prepared and find them super useful for time off the ship in destinations like Ushuaia.

Favorite Travel Outfit

Most time is spent on board the ship, so you should pack outfits that are comfortable for briefings, ship activities, and dinners. It all has to do with personal style. However, the ship is very casual, and unless you’re sailing on a luxurious cruise, there is no dress code or formal evenings. Walking around the ship in daily wear was expected, and we saw everything from dress shirts to athletic shorts.

We prefer to keep it simple and spend most days on the ship in our favorite travel clothing that combines technical elements with modern styles. Some great examples of our favorite travel clothing include DU/ER, Western Rise, Unbound Merino, Handful, prAna, and Kuhl. I’ll cover a few of my favorite items.

Laundry onboard the ship is prohibitively expensive, so you’ll want smart packing strategies to avoid a considerable bill. We do this by packing base layers that get dirty the fastest with synthetic materials. Our favorite underwear is from Icebreaker, and our socks are from Darn Tough.

When it comes to shirts, we love the classic style and wool performance from Unbound Merino. Wool shirts are tremendous as they stay fresh longer and do better at thermoregulation. A wool shirt can keep you cool in hot and warm in cold weather, but don’t make the mistake that they’re scratchy like an old wool sweater.

When it comes to men’s staples like dress shirts and pants, we love Western Rise. They have an excellent selection of wardrobe staples with technical elements for travel clothes that are durable, comfortable, and look sharp. We love brands like Lululemon, prAna, and Handful for women’s clothes.

Loungewear

Any Antarctica cruise packing list needs to have loungewear on it. There is a lot of downtime on the ship, and guests will spend a lot of time in their rooms lying down to combat seasickness. We can not recommend some comfortable loungewear enough. We both wore Athleisure clothing comfortable enough for a nap but appropriate for a lecture or quick lunch in the galley.

We were extremely unfortunate with our Drake Passage crossings and had some of the worst seas possible. Our passage videos even created a bit of a media storm, reaching hundreds of millions of people and various news outlets covering the crossing.

This meant we spent a lot of time in our room napping away the seasickness. Our classic outfit on the crossing days was comfy joggers from Lululemon and our wool t-shirts from Unbound Merino.

Hiking Pants

With the often wet weather in Antarctica and Patagonia, we suggest some technical pants made from synthetic material. Most of these pants, such as the Kuhl Renegade and Freeflex pants, are designed for hiking but look casual. Technical pants are water-resistant, quick-dry, and comfortable.

Anarctica is all about the landscapes and spending time outside, so a pair of hiking pants should be in your suitcase. If you want to know our favorite hiking pants, we suggest the Fjallraven Keb Trouser. The pants in the photo are the Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants, which we use for winter sports. That being said, at the staff and crew’s advice, we wore rain pants for most of our landings. We highly recommend this for the Antarctic Peninsula.

Rain Pants

In all our traveling, we’ve never felt a need for rain pants except in Iceland and Antarctica/Patagonia. While technical hiking pants can easily handle snow or brief rain showers, they aren’t great for rough seas. Rain pants do an exceptional job on the small boats, where guests spend most of their time exploring the coastline or making landfall. One day, the wind picked up, and we would have been soaked had it not been for our rain pants. This is why almost all expedition cruises recommend rain pants.

The Helly Hansen Loke Rain Pants offer exceptional protection and are what we wore on our cruise. Not that it should be a surprise as the Norwegian company designs and makes sailing clothes for those tackling the Arctic Oceans along their coastline. Best of all, their gear has tremendous value, and we find them were worth their price. Amazon has some affordable options if you’re not a serious enthusiast who needs performance rain pants.

Rain pants offer much better performance than “snow pants” that are often insulated and cumbersome. When the insulated pants soak through, they remain wet and take ages to dry. Our biggest complaint about these pants is that the large “snow pants” trap moisture, pulling heat away from your body. We spend half our year playing in the winter mountains with far colder temperatures and confidently say that insulated pants should be avoided.

Thermals

Thermal underwear is essential to remain warm and dry. Your base layer is the first key to wicking away moisture and keeping your body heat from escaping. We always wear quality base layers when active in cold temperatures like hiking, snowboarding, scrambling, or camping.

For the base layer, we recommend they fit snugly and are made from a noncotton material like nylon or wool. We wear wool thermals from Helly Hansen and Smartwool. Most days, it was the only thing we wore underneath our parkas and rain pants.

However, as we also had our hiking pants, sweater, and down jackets, we could layer up when needed. Those items were also tremendous when we visited Patagonia after our cruise to Antarctica.

Wool Socks

We’ve learned to love our feet with a good pair of socks. You will want to keep your feet dry with all the wet weather in Antarctica. Most importantly, wool socks stay fresh for several days as they have natural antimicrobial properties.

We travel with several pairs of wool socks on any trip. They make every style and cut, so finding your desired pair is easy. Our recommendations for socks are Darn Tough, Smartwool, and REI Co-op. If you still want some classic cotton socks, check out Bombas.

Gloves

With all the wind and ice around Antarctica, a pair of gloves will make your voyage far more pleasant. We suggest a lightweight and water-resistant pair of gloves as temperatures are mild. There is no need for anything bulky as it makes it more difficult to grip things like a camera or the sides of a boat when you land on the continent.

Bulky winter gloves in mild temperatures make your hands sweat which will, in turn, leads to cold hands. A lot of people will then combat this with hand warmers, which in turn leads to a vicious cycle of hot and cold hands. If you want to pack hand warmers, keep them in your pockets and grab them when your hands are cold, don’t place them in gloves.

We both wear leather gloves from Hestra and compliment them with wool liner gloves. With the two gloves, we’re able to mix and match to adjust to any temperature comfortably. Our cruise weather was below freezing, and we felt comfortable the entire trip with lightweight gloves.

Hats

Along with gloves, a hat is an exceptional item to pack for Antarctica as it takes up no room in your luggage and provides a lot of warmth. A well-fitted toque is perfect for those blustery days on the continent.

We say well fitted because a loose one does a poor job insulating your head and can blow off when the winds pick up. Antarctica is the windiest continent, so come prepared! In general, loose clothing is a bad idea when visiting the continent. We love this beanie from The North Face as it’s comfy and affordable.

If you’re after a fantastic souvenir Port Lockroy is a stop on many cruises, selling some fantastic wool penguin hats. If you plan to shop, one of our top Antarctica travel tips is to make sure you have USD or British Pounds as it’s the only currency they accept (it shouldn’t be any surprise they don’t accept cards).

Swimsuit

A swimsuit is not the first thing you expect to pack for a cruise to Antarctica, but you may regret leaving one home. Fortunately, we were on a ship with hot tubs on the top deck, an incredible way to warm up and take in the views.

While not every ship has a pool or hot tub, most expeditions offer guests the opportunity to do a “polar plunge.” Under the supervision of staff, they set up a floating dock or zodiac, and guests can leap into the frigid waters.

As the water temperature is often below freezing (salt content), the polar plunge is very invigorating, to say the least. Our favorite women’s swimsuits come from Londre, and men’s from Vuori.

Neck Gaiter

A neck gaiter may be the smallest item in your luggage, but it provides a nice layer of warmth. Similar to a hat and gloves, it helps with protection from the wind, which can chap your face. Additionally, a neck gaiter is a great line of UV defense on sunny days.

We both have wool neck gaiters from Buff, the industry standard. Buff offers a wool thermal neck gaiter and a traditional lightweight synthetic neck gaiter. For our cruise, a lightweight one was more than adequate, plus it had a cute penguin print.

Sunglasses

A stylish pair of sunglasses is an excellent addition to an outfit. Everyone owns at least one pair of sunglasses. However, it’s best to ensure they have UV protection for the health of your eyes. UV exposure is at an all-time high, with all the water, snow, and ice reflecting the sun. Snow blindness is real, but it’s unlikely you’ll be out long enough to worry about it.

We always travel with two pairs of sunglasses as we’re pretty active. A pair of Smith Optics for hiking and outdoor adventures and a couple of stylish sunglasses to wear at the beach or around town for the day. My stylish ones are Persol, and my Active ones are always the Smith Lowdowns.

Comfy Down Booties

This is the one item we did not pack for our cruise that we regretted. When we first started packing for our trip, we thought about adding booties to our Antarctica packing list, but they got cut because we were traveling to too many other destinations.

However, down booties are for cold weather camping and can be worn inside the tent on cold evenings. While you likely won’t be in a tent while visiting Antarctica, they are tremendous ship shoes.

We often found ourselves running out on our deck to take in a quick site like a whale and running up to the lounge for some hot tea. A pair of booties are easy to slip on and perfect for those moments. We have The North Face Thermoball Booties at home and LOVE them!

Boots

Another excellent suggestion for footwear is a pair of leather boots. However, we never wore our boots on the continent as the cruise supplied muck boots. We still recommend packing a pair of boots for landings in destinations like the Falkland Islands and Patagonia. A pair of lightweight hiking boots or leather boots will cope with all the wet weather.

We recommend boots with a thick sole to protect your feet and that the boots have some form of weatherproofing. It’s up to your style preference and plans, but a leather or synthetic hiking boot works best.

We’re active and love hiking, so we packed trail runners and Blundstones on our last trip. The one thing you need to know about footwear is to pack one shoe for casual wear and one that is weatherproof and matches your travel plans.

Casual Travel Shoes

A comfortable pair of shoes is always nice when packing your bag for Antarctica. The majority of your time on an expedition to the continent is onboard the ship. So a pair of casual shoes will get the most use.

A comfortable pair of travel shoes that are easy to stash in the bag is a great idea. We love Allbirds as a lightweight shoe, but any comfortable casual shoe will work. A more casual shoe is great for heading to dinner or exploring Buenos Aires on your way to Ushuaia for the cruise departure.

Daypack

A daypack should be enough to hold your belongings if you’re not going on an overnight backpacking adventure. You’ll likely want a daypack to carry your belongings. My daypack usually consists of a shell jacket, down jacket, hiking poles, snacks, water, gloves, chapstick, a buff, and a camera.

I love a versatile size around the 30L mark if you only have one pack. The size gives enough room for gear-heavy days, but it’s light enough for short treks or walking around a town. That being said, by the end of the trip, the excursions were so short we stopped taking out backpacks on shre.

Accessories To Pack For Antarctica

Toiletry Bag

Keeping your toiletries organized and separated from your clothes is a great idea. It almost feels like a toiletry bag is essential for any trip. Plus, it should not be surprising that ships’ bathrooms are cramped.

Buying a hanging toiletry bag is an excellent option if you are limited on counter space. This bag style tends to have a better organization system with various sections for storage than the traditional option. We love the Peak Design Wash Pouch. It contains a hidden hook to hang and features terrific organization.

E-Reader/Good Book

We love to spend our time on holiday with a good book. If the seas are not too rough, it’s perfect for crossing the Drake Passage. Some great books to get in the spirit of Antarctica are Endurance, South, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and Mawson’s Will.

Power Bank

I love traveling with a power bank to ensure my electronics never die. I usually don’t need to use it on long flights as some new international flights provide entertainment systems with USB ports! (Always make sure your charging cable is handy when boarding the plane)

We also find a charging point during layovers, but getting to a new city without your hotel reservations and map can be a significant pain. I recommend purchasing this power bank because it’s a great value with solid reviews.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are phenomenal for the organization of any backpack or suitcase. They are one of those packing essentials that should be in every bag as they keep all of your clothes and toiletries organized. Cubes also keep clothes folded and protect them from wrinkles.

Our favorite packing cubes are from Peak Design. It’s a slick design, and each cube has a divider to separate clean from dirty clothes. This saves the need for additional cubes and makes organization easier.

Sunblock

Ice, water, and snow create an extremely high UV environment. We can not recommend packing some sunblock for your face and body enough. We like to use sunblock from SunBum and carry one of their portable sticks for applications while we’re out and about.

Lip balm

Along with sunblock for your skin, you’ll want some lip balm to fight chapped lips and supply sun protection. We always carry the classic Blistex.

Cards

Cards are another great way to pass the time on a long cruise. You’ll spend a minimum of 10 days on board the ship, so you’ll want plenty of ways to stay entertained.

Ginger Candies

Ginger is a natural way to soothe the stomach and combat seasickness. Our ship supplied plenty of candied ginger along with herbal teas to soothe the stomach. However, we still appreciated having a bag of ginger candies. We loved these Tummydrops ginger candies.

Cough Drops

Lots of cold, windy air can dry out your throat. A pack of throat lozenges is worth throwing in your suitcase for Antarctica.

Antarctica Flag

The passengers often bring those cool flags you see people posing in their Antarctica photos. Our ship did not have one onboard; however, we were able to make friends with some fellow passengers who let us borrow their flag and penguin suit!

If you want to dress up to take an Antarctica photo, it’s pretty easy to become a penguin.

Tablets

We were lucky enough to have smart televisions on our ship; however, if your ship does not have programming, it’s nice to have some entertainment downloaded onto a tablet or laptop. We wouldn’t buy a new one for the trip, but it’s nice to pack if you have one.

Seasickness Medicine

The stretch of ocean known as the Drake Passage, between Ushuaia and Antarctica, is one of the most fearsome bodies of water. If you’re embarking on a voyage along this route by ship, we recommend you have some seasickness medication. Even if you typically don’t experience seasickness, we suggest you add it to your Antarctica packing list.

We suggest you pick up meclizine, the non-drowsy generic version of Dramamine. The other option is a prescription for the Scopolamine patch, which can prove highly effective for certain individuals. That said, we highly recommend you consult your doctor or pharmacist prior to taking any medicine.

More Motion Sickness Gear

If you think you will get motion sickness or nausea on your way to Antarctica, here are some items we recommend purchasing.

• Motion Sickness Glasses: They make look funny, but you’ll have the last laugh if you get a bad Drake Passage crossing!
• Wristbands: We didn’t have these, but everyone that did said they worked wonders.
• Dramamine: Take it before the Drake crossing – trust me!
• Ginger candies: Our ship had ginger candies on board, but some may not.
• Motion Sickness Patch

However, we all know that would start to get old after a while, so instead, we have narrowed it down to some of the most interesting facts about Antarctica to help you learn about this beautiful place.

Facts About Antarctica To Know!

1. The Antarctic Continent is a Fairly Recent Discovery

There were suspicions that there could be another landmass to the south, but no one actually saw it with their own eyes until 1819.  Antarctica was the last of the seven continents to be discovered. 

2. What’s in a Name 

Although Antarctica is a recent discovery, the word itself, which means “opposite the poles” was used as far back as 350 B.C. Although there was no evidence to support the theory, many people believed that there was a giant land mass at the bottom of the earth long before it was discovered. 

3. Antarctica is quite Large

Although small compared to other continents, Antarctica is actually quite large at 14 million square kilometers.  

4. Winters are Long and Dark 

As if Antarctic winters aren’t bad enough, imagine a long, bitterly cold winter without any sun.  During winter, the sun does not rise which means Antarctica is plunged into months of total darkness. 

5. But you have the Long Bright Summer to Look Forward to!

Summer in Antarctica is the complete opposite of winter when it comes to the sun; it rises and doesn’t set for the entire season which means you get several months of sunshine 24 hours a day!

6. Seasonal Changes

Antarctica’s size changes depending on what season it is.  In winter, when the sea ice expands, the continent nearly doubles in size!

7. A Treaty to End Tensions

Like any other new lands discovered by humans, tensions run high when several different nations feel that they have ownership of it.  Since Antarctica is the only continent to have never been settled and to have no indigenous population, many countries vied for ownership at the same time. 

To quell these tensions, a Treaty was introduced in 1959 and it was an agreement to share the continent and reserve it for science and unity between the nations. 

8. A Desert Wasteland

Something that will likely be shocking to you is the fact that Antarctica is mostly desert.  If you’re like most people, the words hot, dry, and vast come to mind.  Well, Antarctica is definitely vast and dry but it’s definitely not hot! 

But a desert doesn’t need to be hot to be classified as a desert.  It just needs to be very dry and Antarctica, particularly its valleys, is the driest place on the planet with only two inches of rain per rain.

9. A Very Important Current

The Circumpolar Current is a very well-known wind-driven current that moves clockwise around the continent.  It moves air, salt, nutrients, and marine species to keep things flowing as they should.

10. Meteorites are often Found in Antarctica

It’s easy to spot things that are out of place in Antarctica because the landscape is not all that varied. This is why the meteorites that land here are so easy to find. 

So many are found here that it makes it seem like meteorites fall here all the time but, in fact, they don’t fall on Antarctica any more than they do anywhere else. To date, over 10,000 meteorites have been found here.  

11. An Abundance of Life

If you thought Antarctica was a barren, dead land, think again!  There are over 9,000 animal species thriving on the continent, some large, some small and some live on land while others live in the waters surrounding it. This is one of the coolest facts about Antarctica yet!

12. Fire and Ice

Active volcanoes might not be something you thought were present in Antarctica, but there are actually at least two active ones on the continent and there could be more yet to be discovered. Mount Erebus is the most southerly active volcano on the planet and also the highest on the continent. 

13. Someone Skied Across Antarctica

This is one of the most incredible facts about Antarctica! Professionally, Felicity Aston is a meteorologist, but she is mostly known for the adventurous endeavor she undertook in 2011.  She skied 1,744 kilometers across Antarctica in just 59 days!

14. Antarctica was Once a Tropical Paradise

It’s hard to picture, but Antarctica was once a lush landscape with tropical weather according to 50-million-year-old fossils that have been discovered there. Even dinosaurs were able to thrive in Antarctica millions of years ago!

15. A Land for Everyone, Everywhere

Despite many countries attempting to claim ownership of Antarctica, currently no one person or country owns it.

It is currently under a treaty with 48 countries having signed the agreement that designates it a peaceful place removed from conflict and a natural reserve dedicated to science and exploration. 

16. A Big Chunk of Ice

At nearly four miles thick, the Antarctic Ice Sheet is the biggest mass of ice on earth. 

17. Home to the Largest Ice Shelf

At over 510,000 square kilometers, Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf is the biggest ice shelf ever found. 

18. Taking the Plunge

While only advisable if you’re healthy and have sought advice from your doctor first, it is possible to go for a little swim in Antarctic waters.  If you dare, of course! This organized dips take place throughout the tourist season and is usually organized through the tour operator or expedition ship guests booked with.

19. Mountains Galore

Stretching more than 1,200 kilometers and with peaks as high as 2,800 meters, the Gamburstev Mountain Range is one of the largest mountain ranges on the planet. 

20. A Rival to the Mighty Grand Canyon

Only discovered in 2010, a trench thought to be one of the biggest ones on the planet can be found in Antarctica. At 100 kilometers long, nine kilometers wide and almost two kilometers deep, it just might be bigger than the Grand Canyon.  Only further exploration will tell!

21. A Unique Birth Rite

Only ten people have ever been born in Antarctica but it’s Emilio Marco Palma who holds the title of the first person ever born on the continent. 

22. When Ice Breaks Away

Sometimes ice chunks break away from the Ross Ice Shelf and the one that broke away in March of 2000 was quite large at 270 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide!

23. A Deep and Salty Lake

There’s a lake in Antarctica that is so salty it never freezes despite the frigid air temperatures!

Don Juan Pond contains a dense, syrupy brine that is exceptionally rich in calcium chloride, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. The remarkable feature of this pond is that it can remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, which is well below the freezing point of regular water.

24. An Abundance of Fresh Water

Antarctica’s ice holds around 90% of Earth’s freshwater ice and 70% of the freshwater on the entire planet! Now, if we could only tap into that water and solve the shortage that many places around the world are facing!

25. A Warming Continent

There’s no doubt that the earth is warming but did you know that Antarctica is warming quicker than anywhere else on the planet? Not quite one of those fun facts about Antarctica. Over the last five decades, the average temperature rose by 3°C which is five times faster than anywhere else. 

26. You can only go North!

Think about it; you’re in the most southerly place on the planet. What other way can you go but North? 

27. Where Blood-red Water Flows

Explorers noticed something strange back in 1911 when they stumbled upon the Taylor Glacier; red water was flowing from somewhere deep inside the glacier. 

It wasn’t until 1917 that researchers discovered the source; it was coming from a lake deep within the glacier.  The lake’s waters have high levels of salt and iron which cause the water to turn red when it makes contact with the air. 

28. Diamond Dust Falls from the Sky

Antarctica is the only place on earth where diamond dust floats through the air. It’s not really diamonds though, it just looks that way.  It’s very small ice crystals that sparkle when the sun hits them so they look like diamonds. 

29. Plants are Rare

There are no trees or shrubs anywhere in Antarctica.  When it comes to plant life, Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic Pearlwort are the only two flowering plants on the continent. 

30. The Things that Lie Beneath the Ice Shelf

Picture Lake Michigan. It’s huge. Now picture a lake that size hiding four kilometers under the Antarctic ice sheet.  This is Lake Vostok, and it’s just one of more than 200 bodies of water that lie beneath the ice. 

32. There’s such a thing as Anti-freezing Fish in Antarctica

Despite the fact that the saltwater temperatures in Antarctica can drop to a very cold -1.8°C before freezing over, there are a number of living things thriving in this water!  How do they survive in such cold?

Well, there are several fish species that live in these waters that have an anti-freeze-like substance in their blood that prevents them from freezing. 

33. There are Very Few Permanent Residents in Antarctica

Only 140 people live in Antarctica all year round but at certain times, there could be thousands of people living and working there temporarily. These people aren’t there for leisure; they are there to explore the vast landscape, study the animals and plant life and discover the unique natural phenomena that occurs in this fascinating place.

A handful of tourists also explore the continent, mostly during the summer months but their excursions are only limited to certain areas and only last a short time. 

34. A Daring Adventure

It’s widely believed that James Cook and his crew were the first to cross the Antarctic Circle in the early 1770s. 

35. A Threat to Sea Levels

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is so big that if it melted, sea levels around the world could rise about 16 feet. 

36. First to Walk on the Continent

As far as we know based on the first documentation, the first people to land on Antarctica and walk on the continent were the crew of a whaling and sealing expedition back in 1895. 

37. That’s some Thick Ice!

The ice around Antarctica is very thick. In some places, the average thickness is up to 1.6 kilometers!

38. Tiny but Abundant

The most common land creature in Antarctica is not the penguin as many people think.  It’s a tiny worm known as the nematode worm. 

39. It’s Very Windy!

Hurricane-force winds along the Atlantic Coast don’t even compare to Antarctica’s winds!  These winds often reach 320 kilometers per hour making it the windiest place on the planet. 

40. Would you expect to see Sand Dunes in Antarctica?

Believe it or not, there are giant sand dunes in Antarctica. The tallest one rises 230 feet and is over 650 feet wide and can be found in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. 

41. It Surely does get Cold!

I’m sure this is one of those facts about Antarctica that comes as no surprise.  Antarctica recorded the coldest temperature ever on earth. That temperature was -93.2°C and it was measured on the East Antarctic Plateau. 

42. Another First

In 1907, the crew of the Nimrod Antarctic Exploration were the first people to reach the magnetic South Pole.  In 1911, An expedition led by Roald Amundsen reached the geographic south pole first. 

43. Time Stands Still

As a place with no time zones, no one really knows what time it is at any given moment in Antarctica.  Researchers staying on the continent for any length of time usually just go by the time zone they know best, the one at home! When we traveled to Antarctica we operated on Ushuaia time, which was where we departed from.

44. A Continent United

Scientists from 30 countries work out of 80 research stations situated around Antarctica. Summer is the busiest time of year when about 4,000 people man these stations. Only 1,000 people are brave enough to endure the long, hard Antarctic winters!

45. There’s a Post Office in Antarctica!

You read that right, and this one of our favorite Antarctica facts! There is a post office in Antarctica, and tourists can send letters home from there.

Port Lockroy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antarctica, attracting thousands of visitors every year as almost every cruise ship to Antarctica makes a stop here. It’s not just a post office though, this site features historic buildings, including a museum that showcases the history of the area and the research conducted by the British Antarctic Survey.

Visitors can also visit a gift shop to buy Antarctic goodies, with proceeds going back to the Antarctic Heritage Trust. Pick up some stamps at the post office and kiss your letters goodbye! Postcards can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years to reach home (mine took 6 weeks to make it back to the United States). In case you’re wondering about currency, the post office accepts USD, Euro, and British Pounds.

46. A Big Continent

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in the world, with a surface area of 14.0 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles).

Antarctica was once a part of the supercontinent Gondwana, which also included South America, Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica, but began separating from the other landmasses around 160 million years ago!

47. That’s Quite Cold

Probably not one of the most surprising facts about Antarctica. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, with temperatures reaching as low as minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 89.2 degrees Celsius) in the winter!

48. Real Life Happy Feet

The Emperor penguin, which is the largest penguin species, is found only in Antarctica. They can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Though if you’re traveling to Antarctica it’s unlikely you’ll see them, they l Iive in some of the hardest to reach parts of the continent.

49. Iceberg Right Ahead

The icebergs that break off from Antarctica can be massive in size. In 2017, an iceberg known as A-68 broke off from the Larsen C ice shelf and was twice the size of Luxembourg, and larger than the state of Delaware!

50. No Northern Lights, But…

The southern lights, or Aurora Australis, can be seen from Antarctica during the winter months. Meaning that dedicated scientist and researchers get to enjoy them, as tourists can’t travel to Antarctica in the winter. This natural light display is caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.

There you have it! Some of our favorite Antarctica facts! What facts about Antarctica would you add?

We had a fantastic trip to the frozen continent, and although it was likely a once-in-a-lifetime trip, there a few Antarctica travel tips we wish we had known before we went! There is no mobile phone service, and WiFi is expensive, there’s no Starbucks, no restaurants, and no annoying tourist traps that you’ll find in places like Paris or Rome. Don’t expect an airport, and definitely don’t expect anything about getting to Antarctica to be easy.

Instead consider traveling here to disconnect completely, to view wildlife unseen by most human eyes, and to see one of the coldest and windiest places on earth with your own eyes. Before you travel to Antarctica, take note of all our tips so that you know what to expect!

What You Need to Know Before You Travel to Antarctica

Who Did We Travel to Antarctica With?

Our number one question is always – who did we travel to Antarctica with, and would we recommend them? We booked with Albatros Expeditions on the Ocean Victory ship and had the most memorable trip of our lives!

We wouldn’t hesitate to book them again! They have even offered us special discounted rates to our readers. Check their prices here and when enquiring, make sure to mention The World Pursuit to get your discount!

Can you travel to Antarctica?

One of the most common misconceptions about Antarctica is that you cannot travel there. While Antarctica has typically just been visited by researchers and scientists on scientific research expeditions, the general public can now travel to Antarctica.

However, the average person can not just travel to Antarctica independently like they could to say…Italy. There are no commercial flights to Antarctica and no hotels, lodging, or restaurants catering to tourists, and you must cross over the Drake Passage to get there.

Antarctica is a remote and harsh environment, and travel to the continent is heavily regulated to protect its unique ecosystem and prevent harm to visitors.

Most of the general public must hop on expedition ships or cruises to enjoy Antarctica travel, and these trips and itineraries are heavily regulated. They can only stop in certain places for a certain amount of time – more on that later.

Is it against the law to visit Antarctica?

It is not illegal to travel to Antarctica, but keep in mind that traveling to Antarctica is heavily regulated. Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, a set of international agreements designed to preserve the continent for peaceful scientific purposes and protect its unique environment.

If you want to travel to Antarctica, you must comply with the regulations set forth by the Antarctic Treaty System. This includes obtaining the necessary permits, which tour operators can do for you, and adhering to environmental guidelines to minimize your impact on the ecosystem.

Additionally, most travel to Antarctica is organized through tour operators licensed by the countries’ governments that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty System. These tour operators must follow strict guidelines to ensure their activities do not harm the environment or violate the treaty’s terms.

Is Traveling to Antarctica Safe?

Traveling to Antarctica is not considered safe for the wallet, however it is safe in most other aspects! Traveling to Antarctica is considered safe if proper precautions and preparations are undertaken. Though keep in mind that Antarctica is a harsh and remote environment, and traveling there requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and adherence to strict guidelines, all set forth by most tour operators.

All tourists are carefully regulated when traveling to Antarctica to ensure safety for all and that they are taking care of the precious environment. Some factors to consider for safe Antarctica travel include:

• Choose a reputable tour operator: Do your research and ensure that the tour operator you choose has experience and expertise in Antarctic travel and follows all safety protocols. We personally went with industry leader, Albatros Expeditions.
• Acquire necessary permits: Obtain the required permits and approvals from the appropriate authorities before traveling to Antarctica. Most travel operators will handle all these logistics for you.
• Prepare for extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures and strong winds. Dress in appropriate layers and use specialized gear suitable for polar environments.
• Physical fitness: Maintain good physical fitness and consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on the journey if you have any health issues or concerns, as Antarctica’s remote location can pose challenges for medical assistance or evacuation.
• Follow environmental guidelines: Respect and follow strict environmental regulations to protect the fragile Antarctic ecosystem.
• Transportation safety: Choose a reputable transportation method, such as a well-equipped ship or aircraft, to reach Antarctica safely.

Is Antarctica a Country?

Antarctica is not a country but a continent – the fifth-largest on Earth! Antarctica has no human population, though some people live there for part of the year for scientific research.

Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, a set of international agreements designed to preserve the continent for peaceful scientific purposes and protect its unique environment. More than 50 countries have signed the treaty system! These countries include the United States, Russia, China, and the United Kingdom.

So while Antarctica is not a country, it is governed by a set of international agreements agreed upon by other nations. These agreements ensure its protection and preservation for scientific and environmental purposes.

Who “Owns” Antarctica?

No country owns Antarctica, although seven countries – Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, Norway, the UK, and New Zealand all have territorial claims. These claims are not recognized by the United States or most of the world.

There are more than 70 active research stations in Antarctica! The United States, Russia, China, Australia, and others all operate year-long and part-time research stations in Antarctica.

When is the Best Time For Antarctica Travel?

Antarctica has two main seasons: Antarctic summer and Antarctic winter. The Antarctic winter season starts in late March and lasts until early September. It is freezing and dark during this time, and the sun does not rise over the horizon for many months.

It’s not the ideal time to be in Antarctica, and most research stations even shut down for the season. Even if you like -40 degrees Celsius and extreme darkness, you couldn’t travel here during this time anyway.

Travel to Antarctica is only during the summer months – from October to March. This is when it’s warmer, lighter, and when the sea ice melts enough to let ships safely navigate the waters, so if you’re wondering when the best time to visit Antarctica is during these months.

Now within those months, there are some pros and cons:

October: (great for the most sublime ice conditions and good value) Cruises won’t start operating earlier than late October at the earliest. This is considered shoulder season for Antarctic travel, and you may be able to catch an early-season deal. It’s still pretty cold during this time, and plenty of sea ice is lingering, making landings and ship navigation more challenging. The upside? The frozen tundra makes the landscape views that much more pristine.

November: November is excellent for large icebergs! Most cruise ships kick off their season in November! This is when we traveled to Antarctica and had a wonderful time. Days get longer during November, and the air is slightly warmer. The first tourists of the season arrive in November, and places like Port Lockroy begin to staff up and open up for the season. The bad news? Sea ice is still lingering, and the winds and weather are a bit wilder, meaning continent landings aren’t guaranteed. We had three canceled landings on our ship due to weather and sea ice blockage. The good news? The landscapes are at their most dramatic.

December: December is excellent for warmer weather and seeing penguin chicks! Many would say that December is the best month to visit Antarctica. Temperatures are getting warm (by Antarctica standards, that is). The sun barely sets, so you get long days, and the wildlife is at its most active. It’s an excellent time for birders.

Ready for the con? December is also the most costly time to go, especially around the holiday season – book this trip well in advance!

January: Best for access to the Ross Sea and warmer weather and seeing seal pups. It’s still peak season for Antarctica travel. Travel during this time, and you’ll get 24 hours of daylight and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Because the sea ice has broken up, you stand a good chance at making all your continent landings and might be blessed with good weather.

February: February is excellent for Antarctic circle crossings. February is the best time for whale watching in Antarctica, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even see some fur seals and seal pups. You likely won’t have any issues with sea ice, and as it retreats, more Antarctica itineraries open up, including the Ross Sea, Crossing the Circle, and East Antarctica voyages. Penguins are most active during this month, and adult penguins begin molting.

March: March is the best time for whale activity! March is the last Antarctica travel season, and things have started winding down. It’s beginning to get cold again, though March is an excellent time for whale watching and photographers since the sun is often so low in the sky.

How to Get to Antarctica

There are a few different ways to travel to Antarctica, but 90% of people will go the Ushuaia cruise route. Ushuaia, in Argentina, is the southernmost city in the world. It sits at the tip of Argentina, and one can fly to Buenos Aires and then take a domestic flight to Ushuaia from there. Most cruises depart from Ushuaia, which considered the gateway to the Antarctic.

It may take you a few days to get to Ushuaia from wherever you are (it took us three days from Cape Town!) And once you arrive in Ushuaia, your journey is just starting. So truly, it may take you about a week to reach Antarctica, depending on where you are coming from!

Ushuaia is where most will board their ship; from there, it takes nearly three days to cross the infamous Drake Passage, and after a hopeful smooth sailing, you have made it to Antarctica! From Cape Town it took us nearly a week to take our first steps on the continent. It’s definitely the longest journey we’ve ever taken to a destination, and it was not a cheap affair, but well worth it!

What Are the Gateway Cities to Antarctica

Besides Ushuaia, several other gateway cities serve as departure points for Antarctic expeditions. They are Punta Arenas (Chile), Hobart (Australia), Christchurch, New Zealand, and Cape Town (South Africa).

Though it’s worth noting that routes from those other destinations are fewer and further between and often more expensive, we had a group of Kiwis and Aussies on our ship that traveled all the way to Argentina to tackle the Ushuaia route that everyone else was on.

We were coming from Cape Town, which is technically a gateway city, though upon further research, this option is only for those with a considerable budget as luxury tour operator White Desert owns much of this space, and their tours are upwards of $100k per person.

Book a Reputable Tour Operator

We did extensive research before traveling to Antarctica about who to travel with. Hundreds of companies seem to be now vying to take tourists to Antarctica. While just a few years ago, it was mainly expedition ships going to Antarctica, now large cruise ship companies like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity are getting their little piece of the Antarctic pie.

We didn’t want to travel to Antarctica on a standard cruise ship. We wanted more of an expedition-style ship, so we chose Albatros Expeditions, which operates Arctic and Antarctic expedition-style tours. Unlike traveling to Antarctica on an expedition ship just five years ago, where staterooms and mess halls feel precisely like an expedition, Albatros makes expedition-style trips while still having pretty luxurious rooms and couldn’t have been happier with our choice.

Albatros is one of the many tour operators members of IAATO. IAATO stands for the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. This group of select tour operators was founded in 1991 to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic.

Today is membership comprises more than 100 respected companies from across the world. Nothing in the world is quite like IAATO, but because no one owns Antarctica, this is a great way to initiate rules and regulations that tour operators must follow.

IAATO aims to promote safe travel to the region and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to minimize environmental and wildlife impacts. Before booking your Antarctica trip, we recommend looking into IAATO and ensuring your tour operator is a member.

Follow environmental guidelines

This should go without saying, but all tourists in Antarctica need to follow the environmental guidelines set by IAATO. It’s important to understand that you are one of the few lucky people on earth traveling to such a fragile environment, and Antarctica must be treated with the utmost respect.

Stay on the designated trails, don’t touch wildlife, and, god forbid, don’t litter. Your tour operator will review everything, and the rules might change. For instance, when we traveled to Antarctica, there was an Avian bird flu outbreak, so we weren’t allowed to place backpacks, cameras, or tripods on Antarctic grounds.

How Bad is the Drake Passage?

After a few viral social media posts, I can’t count how many times I was asked about the Drake Passage.

But first, what is the Drake Passage? The Drake Passage is a body of water between South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It is the shortest crossing from Antarctica to any other continent. Most must cross the Drake Passage to get to Antarctica unless you look into some of the few flight options.

Crossing the Drake is pretty notorious as it is considered one of the world’s most treacherous and unpredictable bodies of water. The passage is known for its fierce winds, strong currents, and rough seas, which can cause waves up to 30 meters (100 feet) high. Thankfully, ships nowadays are well equipped to handle the drake; ours even had stabilizers to help.

You can get the “Drake Lake” or the “Drake Shake” while crossing. Drake Lake is what it sounds like when the water feels like a calm lake. The Drake Shake is precisely the opposite. Unfortunately for me, we got the Drake Shake going to and coming back from Antarctica. I thought I was immune to getting seasick, but I was so SO wrong. On a scale of one to 10, our captain said our Drake Passage was about 7; even the well-seasoned staff had some green faces. To me, it felt like a 15!

I can’t tell you how bad your Drake Passage crossing will be. There’s no “good” season to cross the Drake, so there is no way to plan for smooth sailing – sorry!

How Long Does it Take to Cross the Drake?

A typical Drake crossing takes two full days. For us, leaving Antarctica was way worse seasickness-wise, plus we didn’t have all the built up excitement of getting to Antarctica to push us through!

Choose your floor wisely

If you get seasick, one of my top Antarctica travel tips is to request a lower floor when booking your room. Although the best rooms are typically on the higher decks, I couldn’t have been happier to be on a lower deck during our time.

The lower decks experience less movement than higher decks. So if you get a terrible Drake Crossing and are on the top floor, you’ll feel every rock the ship makes.

What Time Zone is Antarctica?

Antarctica has no designated time zone since it is not a country. However, the time zone used by research stations on the continent is usually determined by the government that operates the station.

For example, the United States operates the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, which uses New Zealand Time (NZT), UTC+12. For tourism purposes, most cruise ships operate on Ushuaia time.

Do You Need a Visa For Antarctica?

There is no government and no population, meaning anyone from any nationality can travel to Antarctica visa-free. There are no customs officials and no passport checks. You won’t even get a “real” passport stamp (though they do have fun ones you can stamp yourself at Port Lockroy!)

That said, you will need to check entry and visa regulations from the country of your departure point. For most, this will be Argentina.

How Much Is a Trip to Antarctica?

There is no one way to answer how much a trip to Antarctica will cost. The cost of a trip to Antarctica dramatically depends on your itinerary, the time of year you are going, the operator, the ship, and so many other factors.

All that being said, a trip to Antarctica is never cheap. The average trip cost is between $8000-$10,000 per person for a 10-14 day trip, and this doesn’t include your travel to your departure point. This cost includes lodging, food, and excursions (not including add-on excursions like camping or kayaking).

At the very least, a journey to Antarctica will run $4000-$5000 a person. Some of the most luxurious ships cost more than $20,000, and some high-end luxury camps can reach upwards of $100,000 per person! The Antarctica trips traveling to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands take more time, and cost upwards of $20,000.

How To Save Money on An Antarctica Trip

I’m sure you see that $5,000 number and wonder how you can make travel to Antarctica happen for that amount. Well, there are a few ways this can happen:

Book exceptionally far in advance: You can usually score deals by booking over a year in advance.

Wait it out: We met multiple backpackers on our ship who paid $4500 (at least that’s what they said) by flying to Ushuaia and waiting until last-minute deals came along. How last minute? We met cruisers who booked their trip to Antarctica less than three days before departure. As the ship approaches the departure date, they will try to sell off their last remaining empty rooms at heavily discounted prices. This method only works for those who are super flexible and have time on their hands. It also helps to be in Ushuaia already, as you can waltz into tour operators daily and ask them for last-minute deals. This is best done during the shoulder season months.

Book the cheapest cabin: If you want to save money, book the cheapest cabin on the ship. You get exactly the same service, food, excursions, and overall experience. The only difference is your cabin won’t be as luxurious as the others.

Lastly: We’ve worked out a special reader discount with Albatross Expeditions, who have agreed to offer readers up to 25% off bookings if you mention The World Pursuit.

Book a Small Cruise Ship to Antarctica

We were unaware that regulations stipulate that no more than 100 individuals per voyage can disembark the ship at any given time. This means that if you are on a huge ship with 500 passengers, your time on land could be severely limited, and you’ll be waiting around while others take their journey to Antarctica, before you get to land.

Additionally, selecting a larger cruise vessel may present an even greater issue, as it may prove too cumbersome to approach the continent, resulting in more distant sightseeing opportunities. The smaller the ship, the better when traveling to Antarctica.

What is the Currency in Antarctica?

What is the currency in Antarctica? Well, chances are you won’t pay for much on your ship, and most shops on board accept credit cards.

They also accept USD, Euro, Argentinian Pesos, and British Pounds. We only found we needed cash when we visited the Port Lockroy giftshop as they did not accept credit cards. Port Lockroy accepts USD, Euro, and British Pounds. As with anywhere in the world, it never hurts you to have USD handy anyway.

Antarctica Travel is expedition cruising, not Disney cruising

Our cruise director said this multiple times on our journey to Antarctica. Sailing to Antarctica is not your typical cruise with scheduled ports of call and guaranteed destinations. Nothing about traveling to Antarctica is 100%, and it’s even possible for some expeditions never even to make a continent landing if the weather doesn’t work out. Or it’s possible that the weather is fantastic and the expedition team crams in more stops than on the itinerary!

Everything about traveling to Antarctica revolves around the weather. This means that if the weather isn’t in your favor, you might be unable to leave the ship. You may have to miss specific stops if there is a storm, or the zodiacs might not be able to break through the sea ice.

Treat your itinerary as a guideline. Your tour operator will do everything they can to stick to that general itinerary, but if they can’t, don’t leave a bad review because they can’t control the weather, and you are in the most inhospitable place on earth.

We couldn’t make three of the planned stops we hoped to make on our trip because the weather was too wild and unpredictable. While at Port Lockroy, we had to rush through the museum as a storm rolled in fast, and the crew had to get everyone back on board the ship safely and as soon as possible

We were supposed to visit one of the largest penguin colonies on the continent, but because it was November, the sea ice was too thick for the zodiacs to make a safe landing, so we went on a zodiac cruise instead. The moral of the story is to prepare for anything when traveling to Antarctica.

What is a Zodiac?

What is a zodiac? A Zodiac is an inflatable boat commonly used for transportation to and from shore, as well as for exploring shallow waters and getting up close to marine wildlife.

These boats are small and lightweight, with a capacity of about 6-12 passengers. They are known for their stability and maneuverability, making them popular among scientists, photographers, and tourists for observing and studying marine life.

Antarctica has no docks, and ships must anchor at sea and transport passengers to Antarctica by zodiac. They are essential for accessing remote locations, and it’s important that visitors can adequately enter and exit a zodiac. That said, expedition ships welcome disabled guests and have ways of getting them onto the continent.

If you are disabled and worried about traveling to Antarctica, inform your tour operator.

Is There a Medical Requirement For Traveling to Antarctica?

It’s best to be in good health when traveling to Antarctica so you can move about the ship quickly and enjoy Antarctica to the fullest.

Before boarding, all guests must complete a medical information declaration to inform the medical staff on board of any medical conditions, allergies, or illnesses that could impact the voyage. Your operator will likely require you to have travel insurance with high evacuation coverage. As you can imagine, a medical evacuation for Antarctica would be quite costly. Also, a medical evacuation from certain places could take up to two days.

There are doctors on almost every ship, though they are limited in their capabilities. If you have a stomach bug, they’ll be able to help, but there wouldn’t be much they could do in the event of something like a heart attack.

Go to The Lectures

You may wonder what you will do with all that downtime crossing the Drake Passage. It depends on your ship and what amenities are offered. Our ship had a library, board game center, fitness center, and hot tub. Though one thing that is common on almost every boat is a series of lectures and talks

On every expedition ship is a team of experts that will give presentations related to your trip. These presentations may be about things like learning photography, hearing about regional birds, stories about Shackleton or Roald Amundsen, living in Antarctica, and everything in between.

I’m unsure of the exact number, but if I were a guessing gal, I’d say there were at least 40-50 different lectures throughout our cruise. Of course, it’s not expected to go to every single one, but we highly recommend you attend as many as possible as they will be highly beneficial!

Our ship, thankfully, aired their lectures on the in-room televisions as well, a godsend for me when I was lying horizontal trying not to throw up on the Drake Passage days.

Do the Polar Plunge!

Most ships have an opportunity to do a polar plunge. What is a polar plunge? Well, it’s when you jump into the icy Southern Sea. If you are in good health with no heart issues, we highly recommend braving the water and taking the plunge.

Although I was nervous, I couldn’t believe how refreshed I felt after – I even wanted to jump again! The jump isn’t just for young people either!

Over 120 people on our ship jumped, ranging from 16 to 70+! Just make sure you have no heart conditions that impact you jumping into icy water.

Are Kids Allowed to Go to Antarctica?

This is another question I get asked often, and the rules depend on your tour operator. Ours required that kids be over 12 years old; this is mainly for a safety aspect.

However, I personally don’t think an Antarctica trip suits young children. Not only will you want to bring them on such an epic journey that they can remember and appreciate the beauty. But also, there’s not enough to do for children on most Antarctica expeditions.

There’s no daycare, no children’s playroom, and no reliable WiFi to rely on for entertainment. Of course, you can bring books and movies, but there is a lot of don’t time. Remember when I said you go to lectures during your downtime?

Well, that is what children have for options too, and unless they are super intrigued with Antarctica facts and information, I can’t imagine young children would hold attention well. But it’s all up to you and your family. I do know that Disney has since started operating Antarctica cruises, which may be a good option for families.

Extra Excursions in Antarctica

Most Antarctica tour operators offer three extra excursions, though some offer more. These range from kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkeling, to camping overnight on the continent to snowshoeing. These extras are often not included in the price of your trip.

Even though these activities cost extra, they remain in high demand and cannot accommodate everyone on board. This means there is a lottery system if demand is high enough. If you want to take part in these excursions and have the opportunity to book in advance, we recommend doing so!

Pack Accordingly

We have an entire Antarctica packing list, but remember to pack accordingly for your trip! We packed for fall/winter weather. That means jeans, leggings, boots, sweaters, fleece jackets, a hat, gloves, and buff.

Most ships will give you a jacket on the trip; and you will probably get to keep this warm jacket and bring it home. We thought we would need sturdy hiking boots too, but we found out when we got on the ship that they also provided a pair of wellies.

Beyond that, you need your own waterproof pants (the zodiacs get wet), base layers, a hat, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Do you need to bring dress clothes for your trip? Our journey had no “captains’ nights” or formal dinners where guests were requested to dress up. When not on the zodiacs or exploring, I wore essential everyday wear. Sweaters, leggings, and jeans; however, you’ll have to check your ship itinerary to see if there are times when you may want to dress up.

Don’t forget a swimsuit if your ship has a hot tub and workout clothes for the gym. The number one item I wish I had was slippers. There’s a lot of downtime on the trip, and walking around the ship in comfortable slippers would have been more than acceptable.

Take Care of Your Skin!

Speaking of things to bring, don’t forget face moisturizer, lotion, and sunscreen. Although it’s cold and you may not think you’re getting much sun, the weather in the Antarctic circle is dry and harsh on the skin, but trust me when I say you can get sunburned in Antarctica VERY EASILY and all that ice and snow sure is reflective.

It only took me forgetting sunscreen on my face one day to learn a valuable lesson while traveling to Antarctica.

Seasickness Traveling to Antarctica

If you are prone to seasickness (or even if you’re not), bring Dramamine with you for your Drake Passage journey. Any other motion sickness relief may be helpful too. Wristbands, ear patches, motion sick glasses, and ginger candies – I wish I had it all!

Prepare for a rocking boat

If it’s looking like you’ll have a rough crossing, which the crew should be able to tell you, pop that Dramamine before the ship gets a rockin’ and rolling. Once the seasickness has set in, it’s typically too late for a motion sickness tablet to have any effect.

Use Your Time on Land Wisely

There are many rules and regulations when traveling to Antarctica, and these rules trickle down to your stops and time on land. To minimize our impact on the eco system there are only a certain amount of people allowed on land at any given time, and for a certain amount of time.

For example, our ship had less than 200 guests on board. Guests were separated into four groups, sorted by color. Land visits were staggered by color, and then the zodiacs carrying those 40-50 passengers were also staggered, meaning there were never more than a certain amount of people on shore at once.

Almost all of our visits were less than an hour on land – so use your time wisely. Take your photos, observe, and ask the expedition team all your questions!

Stay on the Path!

Before you make it to land, the expedition team will go before you to set up a guided path for visitors to walk around.

This path ensures people don’t trample on the fragile ecosystem. Please stay on this path.

Bring a Camera When You Travel to Antarctica

You do not want to forget your camera for this once in a lifetime trip! Make sure to bring extra memory cards and batteries. Having a drybag for your camera gear will also be very helpful. The zodiacs can get soaked.

The Best Travel Camera to Buy • Your Ultimate Guide

Is There Wi-Fi in Antarctica?

Amazingly, you can get WiFi anywhere, and this is true for Antarctica. Most ships will have WiFi that you can pay extra for. Be forewarned, it’s pretty expensive.

Does the WiFi actual work? I was shocked by how well the WiFi worked on our ship, even in the middle of the Drake Passage, I was able to send emails and work a bit. (Though I barely wanted to look at my screen with the boat rocking so much).

However, if you don’t need the WiFi, we recommend not worrying about it. Not only is it expensive, but it may detract from your whole experience on board!

If you’re sending a postcard

This is one of my most random Antarctica travel tips, but if you plan on sending postcards from Port Lockroy, have them written out and ready to go beforehand. I unfortunately purchased postcards at Port Lockroy as I didn’t get any in Ushuaia.

While the postcard images may have been slightly better, I ultimately rushed through writing my postcards against a wall in the Port Lockroy Museum. Getting multiple postcards written, addressed, and stamped quickly resulted in some anxiety on my end!

Do You Have to Take a Cruise to Antarctica?

You don’t have to cross the Drake Passage by ship, as there are ‘Fly the Drake” tours where tourists can pay a bit more to take a charter plane over the Drake. Though, as all great explorers had to cross the Drake before us, we think it is a right of passage that you must cross the Drake to get to Antarctica.

Plus if you opt to skip the Drake Passage, you’ll miss out on all that time learning from the seminars and preparing yourself for the best week of your life!

If you want to fly, more than 98% of flyers fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, less than 1% fly from Punta Arenas to the South Pole. There is no commercial flight to Antarctica, meaning you must book a chartered flight. These don’t run frequently and operate between December and February.

Make Sure to Check Your Itinerary

All itineraries to Antarctica are not the same. Most 10-day cruises take you to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Longer cruises go to South Georgia and The Falklands, and some of the most extensive (and expensive) trips half-circumnavigation the entire Antarctic continent! Itineraries depend on your budget, time, and interests.

You Likely won’t see emperor Penguins

Maybe I should have done more pre-travel research – okay, I definitely should have, but for some reason, I was under the impression I would see emperor penguins on our trip. I guess I’ve seen Happy Feet too many times. I mean, I was going to Antarctica – and Emperors live in Antarctica.

Little did I know that even the most experienced birder on the crew, with over 20 years of experience, had never seen an Emperor Penguin. Emperor Penguins only live in Antarctica but in the harshest, most hard-to-reach areas of Antarctica. They are adapted to Antarctica’s most freezing temperatures and can survive winter.

Most visitors to Antarctica will not see emperor penguins. Seeing these giant birds requires a Drake crossing and venturing to places like Snow Hill Island, where travelers need to brave the icy Weddell Sea aboard the most resilient polar vessels, followed by a helicopter ride. Finally, the last leg of the journey entails trekking on foot.

But it still really is like happy feet

Even though you won’t likely see Emperor Penguins, plenty of wildlife remains to see. Penguin-wise, you still have Adélie Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, and Macaroni Penguin.

Other wildlife you’ll likely encounter are Antarctic seals like the Weddell Seal, Leopard Seal, Crabeater Seal, Ross Seal, and Antarctic Fur Seal.

Different species of whales can be found in the waters around Antarctica, such as the Humpback Whale, Orca (also known as the Killer Whale), Minke Whale, and Blue Whale.

Birders will have a fantastic experience, so pack the telephoto lens! Besides penguins, various bird species inhabit Antarctica, including the Snow Petrel, Antarctic Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar, South Polar Skua, and Wilson’s Storm Petrel.

Lastly, don’t forget about Albatrosses. Several species of albatrosses, known for their impressive wingspans, can be spotted in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, including the Wandering Albatross.