Antarctica Holidays & Cruises

Assuming you like daylight, the best time to visit Antarctica is during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere, which typically run from November to March. Cruises to Antarctica typically depart between late November and early March.

Here are some considerations for each month:

November: This is the beginning of the summer season, and the ice is starting to break up. This month offers longer daylight hours and the opportunity to witness the arrival of various bird species, as well as seals and penguins returning to their breeding grounds.

December and January: These months are considered the peak season for visitors. The weather is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from around 20°F to 40°F (-6°C to 4°C). The days are long, and wildlife activity is at its peak, with penguin chicks hatching and a chance to see whales. December and January are ideal for activities like kayaking and camping.

February: The weather remains favourable in February, with temperatures starting to cool down slightly. It's a great time to observe whale activity, as many species gather around the Antarctic Peninsula. The penguin colonies are bustling, and there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration.

March: Towards the end of the summer season, the weather becomes cooler, but it can still be relatively mild compared to the rest of the year. March is a quieter time with fewer tourists, and it offers a unique experience with changing colours and potential early-season snowfall. Wildlife is still active, and you may witness penguins moulting.

For more specific timings regarding your holiday, simply e-mail us at [email protected].

Crossing the Drake Passage can be an exciting and memorable experience - hence its common appellations of "Drake Shake" or "Drake Lake", depending on conditions. The crossing itself, from Ushuaia, takes around two days, depending on weather conditions. The duration and intensity of the crossing will vary from trip to trip.

Here are a few things to know about the journey:

Rough Seas: Yes, the Drake Passage is known for its rough seas. The waters can be quite choppy, with swells ranging from a few metres to over 10m (30 feet). This can lead to notable motion on the ship. It's not uncommon for some passengers to experience seasickness, so it's advisable to come prepared with medication if you are prone. Saying that, we always advise to try and 'go natural' in order to let your body get used to it all and start to appreciate...

Scenic Beauty: despite the challenging seas, the Drake Passage is beautiful. As you make the crossing you are in the most open oceans on the planet with no land in sight. The skies are often dramatic punctuated by soaring seabirds, including occasional albatross sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins too, as they may make appearances during the journey. Apart from there being a lot to see and appreciate, you should stay awake for...
Education: the expedition cruises we use are great at putting on educational presentations during the crossing. Knowledgeable guides and experts offer lectures on various topics, including wildlife, history, geology, and environmental conservation. It's an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Antarctic region and its unique ecosystem before you even arrive. Which helps build...

Anticipation and excitement: crossing the Drake Passage is quite literally a rite of passage, and is one of the reasons why we don't work with fly-cruises to Antarctica. The crossing is a key component of the Antarctica experience, with the icing being your arrival on one of the world's most incredible landscapes. There really is nothing else like it, so every bit we can do together to enjoy its beauty whilst helping to protect it is a gifted opportunity.

Antarctica will be doomed when it becomes too easy to access. And honestly, there's such a sense of anticipation and excitement among passengers as you approach the first landmass of the White Continent that you'd never want to avoid that. This is a time to bond with fellow travelers, share stories, and prepare for the adventures that await and to assimilate them all as you travel back.

All in all, the Drake Passage enhances your time in Antarctica and will be a talked about memory for many a year.

You can, but that would be short-changing you and this precious continent. It's a short flight, which would mean landing planeloads of people for short cruises around the greatest wilderness on our planet.

So, yes, it can be done. It's just not what we do.

Polar bears!

Only joking. You'd be amazed how often we get asked...

Despite the extreme conditions of life on Antarctica, it is home to an amazing array of wildlife. Here are some of the beasties you might encounter:

- Penguins including the Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, Emperor, and Macaroni penguins.
- Seals such as the Weddell, Leopard, Crabeater, and Ross seals.
- Whales including the Humpback, Minke, Orca and even Blue whales.
- Birds such as Antarctic Petrel, Snow Petrel, Southern Giant Petrel, Wilson's Storm-petrel, and various species of albatrosses. And penguins.
- Fish are less easy for you to see but the Antarctic Toothfish and Antarctic Icefish are curious, having evolved unique physiological adaptations to survive in icy conditions.
- Krill, if you thought the fish was hard to spot...but still, these little shrimps feed almost all of the animals above - a job's a job.

Bear in mind that your expedition guides will give lectures on board and on shore which introduce you to all of your surroundings and wildlife..

Visiting Antarctica is governed by multiple regulations aimed at protecting the fragile ecosystem of the continent. Here are some of the key ones:

- Antarctic Treaty System: The Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement that regulates human activity in Antarctica. It designates Antarctica as a scientific preserve, prohibits military activity, mineral mining, and nuclear testing. The treaty promotes peaceful cooperation, scientific research, and environmental protection. So that's all good...but assuming you aren't going to get your drill bits out, you should be fine.

- Permits and access: all visitors to Antarctica must have authorised access and obtain permits from the appropriate national authorities. Fear not, this is built in to any cruise or trip organised by Pura Aventura and our partners. Honestly, our competitors do it too so this isn't what makes us special!

- Restricted areas: several areas in Antarctica are designated as specially protected or restricted zones to preserve unique ecosystems or sensitive wildlife breeding grounds. You will be warned by your on board team but if you do end up visiting one of these areas, you can expect even more stringent rules.

- Wildlife interactions: wherever you are, you are expected to maintain a respectful distance from wildlife, not disturb their natural behaviors, and avoid touching or feeding them. Specific guidelines exist for approaching different species, such as penguins, seals, and birds, to minimise stress and prevent any negative impact on their well-being. This is one of the main reasons that larger cruise ships (over 100/120 passengers) are restricted to time on shore in a way that doesn't apply to the more expeditionary cruises which we favour.

- Environmental protection: strict environmental guidelines are in place to minimise human impact on the Antarctic ecosystem. These guidelines govern waste management, wildlife interactions, and protection of historical sites. As a visitor, you are required to follow very strict guidelines to prevent the introduction of non-native species, manage waste responsibly, and respect wildlife and their habitats.

- Biosecurity measures: to prevent the introduction of non-native species and diseases, visitors must adhere to strict biosecurity measures. This includes cleaning and disinfecting gear, clothing, and footwear before arrival to prevent the transfer of seeds, spores, or pathogens to the delicate Antarctic environment. This is the boot room...you'll get used to it. The whole process is quick and simple but reassuringly rigorously applied.

- Safety and emergency preparedness: given where you are, you must comply with safety regulations and guidelines provided by expedition leaders. This includes attending safety briefings, following instructions, and being prepared for potential emergencies, including extreme weather conditions. Again, these are all things that will be drilled into you when you first board and is a reassurance. Operations in this part of the world, the ones we associate with at least, are remarkably tightly run on the whole.

You can either use our general enquiry form, or e-mail us at [email protected].

If you'd rather chat through the best options for your trip, simply call on +44 1273 676712.

One of our Antarctica specialists will help to create your perfect holiday.

Our Antarctica cruises run with fixed departure dates and routes, but we do have the flexibility to tailor almost all other aspects of your holiday just how you want them.

Want to spend a little more time sipping Malbec in Buenos Aires or Syrah in Santiago? No problem. Feel like extending your South American adventure with a trip to Machu Picchu or the Amazon? We can do that too!

Contact us and one of our experts will be happy to help plan your holiday.

We're only an email away on [email protected] if you have any queries.

Or call us on +44 1273 676712 if you'd prefer to chat through.