Antarctica 2023/2024

Antarctica Travel Guide

Antarctica Cruises Things To Do

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  Participate in a polar plunge

  If you've not participated in a polar plunge before, you're in for a real treat. During this experience, you will get into your swimsuit and brave Antarctica's coldness to hop right into the water, even if it's only for just a few seconds! Though the water is frigid, it's often seen as a rite of passage to do this at least once during your Antarctica cruise. Don't worry; there will be kind people waiting with a warm jacket and a cup of hot chocolate for you as soon as you get out of the water! This might be a bit of an adventurous experience, but it will be one that you'll never forget.

  You Should Know

  It can be a bit of a shock to feel the cold water against your body, but just take deep breaths because it's not that bad!  
• 
  See penguins

  Seeing the Emperor penguins is an absolute must during your trip to Antarctica. You will most likely see them during your Antarctica cruise, whether you'd like to see them or not. They are the most popular penguin species in Antarctica and the Adelie Penguin and the Chinstrap Penguin. Many penguin-watching excursions are offered throughout Antarctica, but they are most commonly seen at Snow Hill near the Weddell Sea, especially if you'd like to see the Emperor Penguins in person.

  You Should Know

  If you do happen to see penguins in their natural habitat, be respectful and kind because this is their home. It's okay to take pictures, but don't get too invasive.  
• 
  Cruise through the Drake Passage

  During your Antarctica cruise, you may go straight through the Drake Passage. This passage is notoriously known for being dangerous and making people seasick, but it truly isn't that bad at all. It's just because the waves here can be a bit bouncy, which can rock the shop. The passage is located near Cape Horn in South America. Many people dramatize their experience going through the Drake Passage, but it truly is an experience. Many adventure seekers come to Antarctica just to go through the Drake Passage.

  You Should Know

  As mentioned earlier in the tips section, be sure to pack seasickness medication just if the rocking of the boat gets to you. This is especially true when passing through the Drake Passage.  
• 
  Snowshoe through Antarctica’s nature

  One of the best ways to witness the nature and beautiful landscapes in Antarctica is to go snowshoeing. Though this is a physical activity, it's unique and not something that you can do everywhere globally. Essentially, this activity consists of putting a pair of snowshoes on and trekking through the wilderness. This may even be included as an excursion already on your Antarctica cruise; just make sure you do your research before booking. This experience is often freezing, so make sure you dress with all your layers on.

  You Should Know

  This activity is best done by active people and can stand walking through heavy snow for a while to keep up with a guide.  
• 
  Go kayaking and whale watching

  There are opportunities to go kayaking in Antarctica while you go whale watching at the same time! Talk about a unique experience. Often, you might not even be on the lookout for whales, but there's a high chance that you'll see at least one depending on the time of year that you visit. Similar to snowshoeing, this is a popular excursion that some cruises do offer. When kayaking, your tour guide will teach you more about the area and the nature Antarctica offers. This sort of activity is best for people who have been kayaking before, but beginners are also welcome to keep up with the group.

  You Should Know

  Because the wilderness in Antarctica is known for being a bit unpredictable, you'll want to stay alert the whole time that you're kayaking.  
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  Explore underwater by scuba diving

  Though diving deep underwater might not be your cup of tea when visiting a place as cold as Antarctica, scuba diving is one of the top things to do here. That's because the water is so crystal clear that you can see quite a ways out when you go underwater. This is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with the few sea creatures in this area of the world as well. The minimum age for scuba diving is only ten years old in most places.

  You Should Know

  There aren't many options to learn how to go scuba diving in Antarctica, so you'll have to have already learned before visiting.  
• 
  Visit Deception Island

  Deception Island is a volcano and island that last erupted recently in 1970. This volcano is still active, and nobody lives on the island, but it's always worth seeing out in the middle of the ocean near Antarctica. The best way to see Deception Island is from an Antarctica cruise or boat tour to safely see it from afar. It got its name, Deception Island, because it genuinely looks like a typical island from far away even though it's home to a deadly volcano that has erupted quite a few times in the past few hundred years.

  You Should Know

  Though the odds of Deception Island exploring are low when you visit, it's still considered an active volcano. Don't worry too much about the odds of it exploding.  
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  See Blood Falls

  Blood Falls is a unique natural phenomenon in Antarctica. It's a waterfall over a glacier that is bright red (like the color of blood), but the color is caused by iron. It provides a fascinating landscape set against the familiar blue and white colors of Antarctica. This waterfall is the largest in Antarctica and is approximately five stories tall. It's said to have started being created around 2 million years ago and feeds into a lake that will forever be covered by ice.

  You Should Know

  The best way to witness Blood Falls is from an Antarctica cruise or tour. This will get you the best views of the waterfalls; don't forget your camera!  
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  Go overnight ice camping

  Though it seems completely crazy, one of the top things to do in Antarctica is going overnight ice camping. It looks freezing too, but you'll be given all the essential overnight gear if you opt to participate in an adventure like this. Often, you'll be lying in a sleeping bag directly on the ice. You can watch the stars as you go to bed! If you aren't interested in laying directly on the ice, you can also opt to do ice camping in a pop-up shelter or tiny house. This is great if you aren't interested in being right out on the ice and cold for the entire night.

  You Should Know

  Camping on the ice overnight is entirely safe! It's best to book something like this with a group of other people trained to spend the night in the cold.  

Antarctica Cruise Packages

• Spring and Fall - September to October and March to April - Shoulder Season

  The shoulder season is always a safe time to visit a country because prices are reasonable, and there aren't many tourists. During this time, the temperature tends to be around -50°F for both the spring and fall months. This time also gets a decent amount of sunlight, which is a massive plus for visiting Antarctica.

• Summer - November to February - High Season

  Antarctica's summer season is between November to February. This is when most people visit because this time has the most daylight. There are even some days that have sunlight for a straight 24 hours! The average temperature is around -15°F in the summer.

• Winter - May to August - Low Season

  The least amount of people visit during the winter because Antarctica indeed doesn't have a lot of daylight. Most days are cold and dark. The average temperature in the winter is around -60°F, though it can fluctuate depending on the year.

Antarctica Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Antarctica cruises?

  Antarctica cruises are the perfect way to go out and explore the South Pole. You can just relax in your hotel room or on the ship's deck while looking out at all of the beautiful scenery. It's truly a vacation that will stick with you for a lifetime because of how unique Antarctica's landscapes are. Your cruise will most likely start in Argentina, which is where the majority of all Antarctica cruises start.

• What’s included on an Antarctica cruise?

    Antarctica cruises typically include accommodation, meals, and room amenities such as a television. There is usually also a 24/7 front desk receptionist who can help you in case you need anything. You'll also have access to everything on the boat, and each ship is incredibly different. There will be at least one form of fun entertainment on board, such as a cinema or place to shop.

• What’s the best Antarctica cruise?

  Every Antarctica cruise is so different, so it's impossible to decide which one is truly the best. You'll have to do your research to find which one suits your needs best. How much is your budget? How long of a trip would you like to take? Are there certain spots in Antarctica that you'd like to see? These are some of the critical questions to ask yourself when planning your Antarctica cruise. If you find that you're having difficulty trying to choose which tour is best for your needs, don't hesitate to call one of our cruise ship experts. They're here to help people like you find the cruise of their dreams! Just call during regular business hours; our number can be seen at the top of this web page.  

• How much do Antarctica cruises cost?

  Antarctica cruises vary drastically in price. The cheapest cruise costs around $150 a day, but the prices go up depending on the number of stops and cruise lines. The great thing is that if you book through Affordable Tours, you can guarantee that you'll be booking your cruise at an excellent price. You can save up to 75% off the price advertised in brochures!