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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
 
 

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Visit South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

South of the infamous Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands run parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, stretching across 540 kilometres of krill-rich ocean, happy feeding grounds for whales, penguins, seals and sea lions.

Approaching the South Shetland Islands
Weddell seal, AntarcticaWeddell seal, AntarcticaCrabeater seal, AntarcticaChinstrap penguins, AntarcticaAntarcticaAdelie penguins, AntarcticaAdelie penguins, AntarcticaWeddell seals, AntarcticaGentoo penguins, AntarcticaAdelie penguins, AntarcticaChinstrap penguins and whale bone, AntarcticaIceberg, AntarcticaAntarcticaIceberg, AntarcticaAntarctica

South Shetland Islands

Antarctica

South of the infamous Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands run parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, stretching across 540 kilometres of krill-rich ocean, happy feedinggrounds for whales, penguins, seals and sea lions.

King George Island is the most populated, with permanent settlements of eight nations, including Brazil, Argentina, Russia and South Korea, and summer stations manned by many other countries, each staking their rival claims to a cake-slice share of Antarctic territory.

Livingstone Island was a popular whaling station in the 19th century; now gentoo penguins play amongst the remnants of abandoned whaling stations, elephant and fur seals bask on the beach.

Elephant Island is where Shackleton’s crew hunkered down to survive an Antarctic winter, and you can still see remnants of the Endurance on the southwest of the island along with chinstrap penguins and seals.

Deception Island is one of Antarctica’s two most active volcanoes, blown out into a perfect horseshoe-shaped harbour. Stroll to the breathtaking caldera that last erupted in 1992 or bathe in Pendulum Cove, warmed to bathwater temperatures by geothermal heat.

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

Other countries in The Polar Regions:
The Arctic

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