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The best time to visit Antarctica is from December to March. The introduction of summer means the sea ice begins to melt away and it becomes possible to explore the wildlife, frozen landscapes and glacial waters.
With more than 20hrs of sunlight, this is a fabulous time to visit Antarctica. Temperatures can rise as high as 15ºC. Penguin chicks are a highlight at this time of year.
The ice is starting to recede and cruises can start their polar circle voyages to 66 degrees south. With the opening of the ice comes the opportunity to access the Ross Sea and make visits to Shackleton and Scott’s huts.
Arguably prime time to visit Antarctica, with substantial daylight hours and average temperatures of -6°C. The sea ice melts enough to allow access and it is one of the best times to spot whales, sea birds and fledgeling penguin chicks having their first swimming lessons. February is when having had their fill of krill, the humpback whales start to show off a little more breaching, spy hopping and lobtailing.
If cetaceans are of more interest than fluffy baby penguin chicks then March is a fabulous time to travel. Before they start heading north the whales begin to congregate together, so the opportunity to see large groups together increases. Wilhelmina Bay is situated along the west coast of Graham Land between Reclus Peninsula and Cape Anna and is one of the best places to see groups of humpback whales. As the summer draws to a close and the whales are refuelled on krill they are more playful, increasing the chances of them putting on a spectacular display for visitors.
Closed Season
Closed Season
Closed Season
Closed Season
Closed Season
Closed Season
October is the start of the Antarctica season and the first opportunities for cruises as the ice starts to break up. Penguins such as Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap start to come ashore and pair up for mating. Southern elephant seals are breeding (Aug – Nov), which means you have a better chance of seeing them hauled out on the beeches. October is a great time to see their adorable pups.
With the sun low in the sky and icebergs at their largest November can be a great time for photographers. It marks the egg-laying when the female penguins can be seen waddling around with their eggs. It is also the end of the breeding season for elephant seals.
Peak season really starts to get going in December, as the penguin chicks start to hatch in the middle of the month. The summer brings with it over 20hrs of sunlight giving you the maximum amount of daylight to discover this incredible destination. Towards the end of the month popularity with travellers grows and so too prices. If you wish to travel over Christmas or New Year make sure you get in contact with us early, so as not to be disappointed. Many of our clients book with us 1-2 years in advance.
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Our Antarctica experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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