When do tourists go to antarctica

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Wildlife highlights include migrating whales passing through, seal pups on the beaches of South Georgia, and the courting season for seabirds, making this a good time for birding enthusiasts. If you want to know more about what to expect on a December cruise to Antarctica, make sure you read Alex's review of his Christmas cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula with Silversea.

Peak season for Antarctica continues into January, with near hour daylight giving you ample opportunity to snap away with your camera. In early January you can expect to see adorably fluffy grey penguin chicks, and it's also a good month for spotting seals and whales. As the sea ice breaks up in eastern Antarctica you have the chance to join one of the rare voyages into the Ross Sea, where you can visit the remote huts used by Scott and Shackleton on their famous expeditions.

These sailings are typically amongst the most expensive Antarctica cruises on offer, but they offer you the chance to go ashore in places where few other people have ever set foot.

February is the best time for whale watching in Antarctica, with species including humpback, sperm, minke, southern right and orca, and you still have a chance of seeing penguin chicks.

Fur seals are also abundant at this time of year, and you'll find that seal pups are more inquisitive now that their parents are out hunting in the surrounding seas.

By this point in the season you're unlikely to encounter any issues with sea ice, and this is the best month for cruises that venture beyond the Polar Circle. In South Georgia you may also find that the wandering albatross nesting sites, which are closed during the mid-season to protect hatching chicks, are now open to visit.

In March the season begins to wind down, and you'll see fewer and fewer ships in Antarctica as the month progresses. By this point it's too late to see penguin chicks and temperatures are getting colder, though it's a still great time to spot whales, and fur seals are abundant on the Antarctic Peninsula.

With snow cover at its lowest and the penguins moulting, this is perhaps not the month to see Antarctica at its most photogenic, but you will likely experience some spectacular sunsets, and there are often some great value fares on offer. By April the cruise ships have left Antarctica, almost without exception; on very rare occasions you may still find icebreakers venturing this far south. Discover the best time to go and what wildlife you can see.

Ready for an incredible adventure to discover Baffin Island glaciers? Our guide on exploring the Canadian Arctic prepares you for a memorable voyage. This guide helps you set your expectations, learn what gear to bring, and have the voyage of a lifetime! Wildlife viewing—especially for polar bears—bird-watching, witnessing calving glaciers, and exploring fjords are among the best things to do in Svalbard.

Learn about the Arctic wildlife species you can observe and also learn about Mt. In this guest post by Jupiter Kayonga, you'll follow his exciting journey to Antarctica on our Crossing the Circle itinerary. No one country governs or owns Antarctica. Arctic Terns are fascinating. They sleep and eat while they glide.

They have the longest migration route in the world, and get more sun than any other species. Can you fly to Antarctica? The answer is yes if you travel with experienced polar adventurers. This guide prepares you for a journey to the Antarctic. On December 4, , a rare total solar eclipse will occur over Antarctica and we have two action-packed adventures for you to witness the event. When is the best time to visit Cape Horn in southern Chile?

This article offers helpful tips and information to prepare you for the voyage of a lifetime. Quark Expeditions is uncompromisingly polar, specializing in expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. The spirit of exploration runs deep in our polar pedigree and we are passionate about creating transformational experiences for fellow adventurers visiting these regions. Subscribe today for all the latest news on the polar regions including stories, insipiration and exclusive deals. Daven Hafey. Photo: David Merron Despite its seemingly impossible remoteness, Antarctica has never been so accessible to adventurous travelers.

You can travel to Antarctica! When can I travel to Antarctica? Photo: Sam Crimmin The best time to visit Antarctica is from late spring to early fall, which in the southern hemisphere is from October to March. How long is an Antarctic expedition? King penguins in South Georgia. Photo: David Merron How is an expedition to Antarctica different from a cruise? Photo: David Merron Expedition ships in Antarctica have reinforced hulls that are ice-class rated, meaning they are designed to withstand contact with bits and pieces of sea ice and small fragments of icebergs.

What can I do while in Antarctica? Photo: David Merron Expedition trips to Antarctica provide daily opportunities to get off of the ship and into the environment.

Camping in Antarctica Passenger pictured after camping overnight in the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: David Merron Imagine setting up your sleeping bag under the midsummer night skies of Antarctica as you watch your expedition ship slowly disappear behind a neighboring island.

Photo: Abbey Weisbrot Although Antarctica has a reputation for being fiercely cold, in the summertime, the Antarctic Peninsula can be quite inviting! Sea Kayaking in Antarctica A kayaker's perspective in Antarctic waters. Photo: Quark Passenger Sea kayaking has long been a favorite way for adventurers to explore the Antarctic. Are all trips the same?

Pole to pole Spot the difference Polar extremes The importance of Polar science Your polar proposal — become a scientist Decision time Collect Antarctic data Guess the gadget Prepare to travel south Collect data about the ocean Collect atmospheric data Collect data about the land Using your data Understanding Antarctica Bases for understanding Developing understanding Contemporary understanding Using the past to research the present Conserving the past Understanding the past and the present Geographic Information Systems GIS Mapping wind speed and direction in Antarctica Working in 3D using digital elevation models Ice shelf retreat on the Antarctic Peninsula Tourism Destination Antarctica Why Antarctica?

A trip of a lifetime Avoiding footprints The future of tourism Acting responsibly Visit Antarctica Impacts and Management Environmentally friendly tourism Challenges Antarctica under pressure A treasure trove of resources Farming Antarctic waters Putting you under pressure Antarctica under pressure Sustainability Impacts of climate change Mineral resources Overfishing Future of Antarctica What future for Antarctica? Which view of the future?

You decide! Reporting on the future How is Antarctica governed? The Antarctic Treaty All agreed? In this section. Close Tab.

A trip of a lifetime Avoiding footprints The future of tourism Acting responsibly Visit Antarctica Impacts and Management Environmentally friendly tourism Challenges Antarctica under pressure A treasure trove of resources Farming Antarctic waters Putting you under pressure Under pressure: Land Antarctica under pressure Sustainability Impacts of climate change Mineral resources Overfishing Future of Antarctica What future for Antarctica?

All resources. Visit Antarctica. Warm up Why visit Antarctica? Wildlife Antarctica is the only permanent landing area for the Emperor Penguins. Landscape Deception Island is an active volcano. Sheer cliffs Massive sheer cliffs with jagged peaks drop straight into the sea.