Feedback

Antarctica

6

Reasons To
Visit Antarctica

  • Birds

    As the austral sun warms Antarctica, 100 million birds fly south to feed and often breed, 35 main species will be your constant companions as you cross the Drake Passage. Pelagic birds such as the albatross, fulmar, petrel and shearwater are perhaps the most spectacular, with coastal species such as cormorant, skua, tern and sheathbills busy along the shores. The shortage of ice-free nesting land means the birds nest together in huge colonies, with almost unlimited food a few flaps away in the sea.

    Birds

  • Icebergs

    Antarctica’s ice comprises 70% of the world’s fresh water, a dense coat of white up to four kilometres thick. Don’t fill up your camera on the first iceberg you see: changing hues with countless shades of blue, icebergs can be stunningly beautiful. Every visitor soon becomes something of an expert in identifying different iceberg types, from low-lying ‘growlers’ that hover about the ship’s waterline to flat-topped tabular icebergs freshly broken from pack ice. Only a tenth of any iceberg can be seen above the water.

    Icebergs

  • Whales

    The super-chilled waters of the southern seas are rich in nutrients and it’s not for nothing the earliest explorers were whalers: the sub-Antarctic region sees the whales at their most prolific and relaxed. Orca, blue, humpback, minke, southern right and sperm whales are amongst those thronging the region from January to March (although many arrive early), blowing, breaching and mating in chilly waters of unbelievable clarity.

    Whales

  • Penguins

    Enjoy spotting the penguins swim alongside your ship, dive off icebergs into the sea and fiercely guard their nests from intruders. Antarctica will give you the opportunity to walk amongst vast colonies and in January and February, enjoy watching the new chicks explore their homes.

    Penguins

  • Silence

    When the penguins aren't calling to each other, enjoy the chance to listen to total silence, broken only by the occasional groan or crack of an iceberg or glacier.

    Silence

  • Swimming

    Really! Take a dip in the waters of Deception Island, warmed by the volcanic crater that surrounds them and feel the cold on your face contrast with the warm on your body.

    Swimming
 
 

Often Paired With:

Request a Brochure

Audley Antarctica Brochure

Antarctica

By Post Download Online 3685140
PrintShareLike

Visit Carcass Island, Falkland Islands

When the sun is shining, Carcass Islands is arguably the most beautiful of all the Falkland Islands. Wildlife spotting opportunities here are plentiful, with gentoo and magellanic penguin colonies dotted along the coast and a wide variety of migratory birds.

Elephant seal, Carcass Island, The Falkland Islands
Carcass Island, the Falkland IslandsCarcass Island, the Falkland IslandsCarcass Island, the Falkland IslandsGorse, Carcass Island, The Falkland IslandsElephant Seal, Carcass IslandCarcass Island, The Falkland IslandsElephant Seal, Carcass IslandCarcass Island, The Falkland IslandsTussoc bird helping to clean an Elephant Seal, Carcass Island, The Falkland IslandsA young Elephant Seal, Carcass IslandCarcass Island, The Falkland IslandsA view from a Figas Flight, The Falkland Islands

Carcass Island

Falkland Islands, Antarctica

When the sun is shining, this is arguably the most beautiful of the islands.

With rolling green hills contrasting with vibrant yellow gorse, white sand beaches and the pale blue sea. Wildlife spotting opportunities are plentiful, with gentoo and magellanic penguin breeding colonies within a few hours scenic but windy walk from Rob McGill’s settlement, although if you do not feel like a long walk the penguins sometimes obligingly nest within the settlement itself. Other sighted inhabitants include kelp, upland and ruddy geese, Patagonian crested duck, flightless steamer duck, Falkland thrush, caracara, and pied, black and magellanic oyster catchers.

Other places within Falkland Islands

Further reading:
AntarcticaWhen to GoHighlightsAntarctic CruisesPlaces to ExploreThings to DoAbout AntarcticaCountry Guides

Other countries in The Polar Regions:
The Arctic

{BA338EFD-24C5-456D-8169-D265E3274860}