If you’re wondering how to visit Antarctica, you’ve come to the right place! While it may be daunting to plan a trip to the end of the world (heck, we had no clue where to start!), we’re here to help. We just returned from the most life-changing trip there, and we’re sharing all the details on how you can too!
Okay, here’s everything you need to know to visit Antarctica!
Why Visit Antarctica?
Antarctica was our 7th continent and 52nd country, and we can wholeheartedly say there is no place like it. There is a beauty and a serenity about it that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. The landscapes are overwhelming and legitimately left us speechless. Watching the wildlife in their natural habitats is beyond mesmerizing – the whales rolling around with their friends, curious seals swimming up to the boat, penguins hopping and swimming. It’s magical.
There were so many times we had to pinch ourselves to believe this experience was really happening. So why Antarctica? Because it will change you, in the best way, and show you the beauty of this world in a whole new light. This experience is once in a lifetime, and you’ll never want it to end.
Can You Visit Antarctica As A Tourist?
Yes! Starting in the 1960s, Antarctica started welcoming tourists via the sea, and nowadays tourists can visit by boat or by plane. Under the Antarctic Treaty, tour companies must have a permit to land in Antarctica.
Can you go to Antarctica alone?
No, you cannot visit Antarctica without a tour group. I know, I know, we aren’t necessarily tour people either, but hear me out. This is not your standard tour or cruise. There are so many logistics of how to safely visit the 7th continent, and there is SO much to learn from the guides. Each guide has a specialty (be it photography, marine biology, ecosystems, you name it), and experiencing this place with their expertise makes it 100x better. We never felt like we were just being herded from place to place like a tour through Rome, thank goodness. AND the people that go to Antarctica have some pretty darn cool stories, so we loved getting to know our shipmates from around the world!
Which Antarctica Tour Company?
Choose a company that prioritizes sustainability
Above all else, choose an ETHICAL company that is committed to sustainability and keeping this unique part of the world pristine. That was one of the main reasons we chose to use Quark Expeditions. Not only were they professional & logistically savvy, but it was so clear they cared about the ecosystems and environment we were experiencing together.
In 1991, the International Association of Antarctic Tourism Operators (IAATO) was founded to “advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic“. These days, over 100 tour companies are a part of this, but some still aren’t. So make sure to choose one who has these values!
Check the size of the ship & number of passengers
Another aspect to take into consideration is the size of the ship and the number of passengers. Since 2009 Antarctica has not allowed ships to land that carry more than 500 passengers, which means if you go on a big ship, you won’t be able to actually walk onto Antarctica. Another rule is that only 100 people can be on land at a time. So, for us, on a ship of 199 people, that meant two waves of people, which was no biggie since we’d just take turns going on zodiac cruises and being on shore. Logistically, it was really smooth. However, if you have, say, 400 passengers, you’ll have 4 waves of people at every landing, and that can really slow you down.
What Company We Recommend
Overall, we absolutely recommend going with Quark Expeditions and honestly don’t think you need to look any further than their website. They have the BEST staff, incredible programming, unbelievable ships and food, and the purest hearts.
How to decide which cruise?
Each cruise option is packed with its own adventures and some key differences. Some take you to different islands but don’t land on the mainland continent of Antarctica, some sail over the Drake Passage, while some fly over, some cross the Antarctic Circle, some leave from Chile, and others from Argentina, etc. Comparing them all can be a bit confusing – we’ll give you a summary of our thoughts below, but I’d definitely recommend calling Quark! We stayed on the phone for hours weighing options, etc., and their team was so helpful.
We chose to do the “Discovering the 7th Continent” cruise for a few reasons: you get to actually land on the mainland of Antarctica, it is 11 days long, and it was the least expensive.
Crossing the Circle Southern Expedition is another great option. This is a newer cruise, and you get to cross the Antarctic Circle (the one thing we wish we’d experienced), and it’s not much more expensive. It also includes a FREE helicopter ride to see Antarctica from above – yes, please! Honestly wish we had known haha. The only downside is that you need a full 14 days for it.
If you’re nervous about sailing the Drake Passage and would rather fly, you can do either the “Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle” or the “Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake.” While sailing the Drake Passage may not be the most enjoyable, the price difference to fly just wasn’t worth it to us. But it’s definitely an option!
How To Get To Antarctica
Getting to Antarctica is no easy feat (duh!), but it’s so worth the trip. Most trips leave from either Punta Arenas, Chile, or Ushuaia, Argentina. Our journey began by flying into Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE). From there, we drove across town to the local airport (AEP) and caught a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Ushuaia is where we boarded our ship to sail to Antarctica. If your ship leaves from Punta Arenas, I assume you fly into Santiago and then to Punta Arenas, but I’m not 100% sure.
Note: ships don’t wait, so make sure you’re set to arrive at your embarkation city at least a day early!
From the embarkation site, you start the journey to Antarctica. This includes crossing the Drake Passage (the roughest water in the world!) and then onwards to the 7th continent. Our first few stops were at some islands like the South Shetlands before we reached the mainland of Antarctica, but each cruise will differ. In any case you will likely only go as far as the Antarctic Peninsula since it is the easiest part of the mainland to reach.
Where To Stay In Antarctica
Whether you fly or sail over the Drake Passage, you will sleep on a cruise ship for your time in Antarctica. However, some cruises do offer a night of camping in Antarctica as an add-on excursion for your trip, so if spending a night on the 7th Continent is on your bucket list – fear not!
Best Time To Visit Antarctica
The “Antarctic Season” is November to March. Each month offers something different, and in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with any time. November is the coldest but the most pristine, with massive icebergs and untouched landscapes. The most coveted time to go is December and early January, when the days are super long, it’s a bit warmer, and there are tons of penguin chicks.
However, note that most coveted means priciest and books up the quickest. February and March are the best for whales, and March is the best for potential sunsets.
We went in March, and we were worried it wouldn’t be as pristine or magical… It’s safe to say we had NOTHING to worry about. We saw plenty of icebergs, plenty of snow, tons of wildlife, and gorgeous light. Plus, March is a less expensive time to go, so you can save a bit of money by going in this shoulder season!
How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Antarctica?
Most cruises are 11-14 days, but there is one Quark Expedition, the “Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake”, that is only 8 days. I would recommend spending as many days as you can, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip! However, if getting time off or scheduling is a concern, this abbreviated option could be a good thing to look into. I would also recommend budgeting 2 days before your trip and at least 1 day after for travel days, as getting to these embarkation towns is no easy feat.
How Far In Advance To Start Planning A Visit To Antarctica
We started planning Antarctica 6 months before our trip, which for us is NUTS. We have never planned a trip more than a month out like… ever. However, if you want your choice of ship, excursions, dates, etc. I’d highly recommend planning sooner rather than later. There is also a ton of paperwork required before you go, so take that into account.
However, if you are flexible on dates, you can always keep an eye out for last-minute deals to hop on if they have extra space onboard. AND if you’re feeling really bold, you can just fly to Ushuaia and see if there are any last-minute deals for cruises leaving soon. That’s calling it a little too close for our comfort level. However, if you’re into that and looking to get the best price, it might be a risk worth taking!
Camera Gear For Antarctica
This is all of the camera gear we brought to Antarctica:
- Our go-to camera – the Sony A7Riii
- Sony 16-35 G-master lens (wide angle, great for landscapes)
- Sony 70-200 mm f/2.8 G-master lens (zoom lens, great for wildlife)
- GoPro & waterproof casing
- iPhone (for video)
Health Precautions When Visiting Antarctica
It’s definitely important to stay healthy when visiting Antarctica. Being on a ship in uneasy waters, dry air (yes, Antarctica is a desert!), and lots of new elements means you’ll want to be prepared. Although every boat should have a doctor on staff, here are a few things you should bring:
- Scopolamine patches – these are little patches for nausea that you put behind your ear for 3 days at a time. You need to get a prescription for them, and they have quite a few side effects. However, they’re very useful when crossing the rocky Drake Passage.
- Bonine – I’ve always called this my miracle drug for seasickness. While you shouldn’t take it with the patch, we both took this daily instead of the patch once we finished crossing the Drake.
- Throat lozenges – one of the biggest side effects of the nausea patch is unbelievably dry mouth.
- Advil/Tylenol – always good to have on hand, especially for the headaches that come with the nausea meds
- Extra of your usual medications (you can’t refill in Antarctica!)
- Chapstick & lotion – Antarctica is indeed a desert, and it is SO dry. Definitely take care of your skin and pack extra of these!
Insurance For Antarctica
I’m sure every company is different, but we were required to have up to $50,000 worth of medical insurance to go on our expedition. This is definitely something to talk with your cruise company about to clarify what type of coverage you need.
