Travel Seasons to Antarctica

Antarctica can be a difficult place to decide when to visit. As the last true wilderness on Earth, it operates on a clock dictated entirely by nature. When you are planning a voyage here, the question is rarely where you will go, but rather when you will choose to go. The Antarctic cruise season is compressed into a narrow window of the Southern Hemisphere summer, roughly from November through March. While the icy landscapes are always spectacular, the specific character of your expedition changes dramatically from one month to the next.

November to Early December

This is the period for those who want to see the continent at its most dramatic and untouched. The landscape is a blinding, brilliant white, as the winter snow has not yet begun to melt or turn to slush.

Wildlife and Weather

• Penguins are returning to land to begin their courting rituals. You will see them squabbling over pebbles and reclaiming their nesting sites. Penguins smell, but this period of time is when you will encounter them at their least stinky.
• Because the sea ice is still breaking up, you are likely to see crabeater and Weddell seals resting on large ice floes.
• This is the best time for photography because the snow is clean and unblemished by the mud and guano that appears later.

Activities to Focus On

• Ice breaking and navigation: Ships often push through thick pack ice early in the season, which is a powerful sensory experience.
• Snowshoeing: Because the snow is still deep and soft, snowshoeing excursions are popular for reaching higher viewpoints.
• Walking on sea ice: Early in the season, ships can sometimes park directly against stable sea ice, allowing you to walk off the gangway and onto the frozen ocean.
• Mountaineering: For more adventurous travelers, the stable snow allows for technical climbs and mountain trekking.
• Skiing: Some ships will offer the opportunity to experienced skiers to ski when possible, and this period from November to December is one of the rare opportunities. 

Late December to January

This is the most popular time to visit because the continent is bathed in nearly 24 hours of daylight. The energy at the landing sites is high, and the weather is generally at its most forgiving.

Wildlife and Weather

• This is the prime time for penguin chicks. In early January, the rookeries are filled with tiny, fluffy gray chicks begging for food. The smell starts to worsen as the rookeries begin to fill with their refuse, but luckily you can’t smell a photo. 
• You will see a lot of predatory behavior as skuas and leopard seals patrol the edges of the colonies looking for a meal.
• Temperatures are at their warmest, often rising above freezing on the Antarctic Peninsula.
• The sea ice has mostly retreated, making more landing sites accessible than in the early spring.

Activities to Focus On

• The Polar Plunge: This is the most popular time to jump into the Southern Ocean because the air temperature makes the recovery a bit more tolerable.
• Kayaking: With the bays clearer of ice, kayaking offers a quiet way to glide past penguins swimming in the shallows.
• Camping: Many expeditions offer the chance to spend a night in a bivy bag on the ice. The soft summer snow and bright nights make this an unforgettable experience.
• Extended Zodiac cruising: The constant daylight allows expedition teams to run longer boat tours into deep bays to look for seals and ice formations.

February to March: The Great Whale Gathering

As the summer begins to fade, the focus shifts from the land to the sea. The snow has mostly melted away from the shoreline, revealing the rocky bones of the continent.

Wildlife and Weather

• This is the absolute peak for whale watching. Humpback, minke, and orcas are abundant and often very curious, approaching the Zodiacs.
• Penguin chicks are now fledging. They are losing their downy feathers and forming large groups called creches as they prepare for their first swim.
• Fur seals become much more common and active on the beaches, sometimes making landings a bit more of a logistical challenge.
• The weather is cooling down again, and the sun finally begins to set, bringing back beautiful golden hours and actual darkness at night.

Activities to Focus On

• Whale watching from Zodiacs: Most of your time will be spent on the water, following pods of whales as they feed in the nutrient rich waters.
• Crossing the Antarctic Circle: Because the sea ice is at its minimum, this is the best time for ships to attempt the journey further south to cross the 66 degree line.
• Visiting research stations: With the ice out of the way, it is often easier for ships to visit places like the Ukrainian Vernadsky station or the British Port Lockroy.
• Shore hiking: With the snow gone, you can hike further inland over the rocky terrain to see historical sites and different geological features.
• Rock climbing: Where possible the snow and ice gives way to rocky outcrops that are climbable with experienced guides, an opportunity not possible in the colder edge seasons. 

Making the Choice

The best time for you depends on your priorities. If you want pristine white photos and the feeling of a frozen frontier, go early. If you want the chaos and cuteness of penguin chicks, go in the middle. If you are there for the whales and the chance to push as far south as possible, the late season is your best bet.