Questioning when to go to Antarctica? Having personally visited the White Continent 6 instances at totally different components of the 12 months, here’s a month by month breakdown of what to anticipate and what it’s prefer to journey to Antarctica in the course of the summer time season of the Southern Hemisphere: November – March.
Antarctica is unquestionably, the wildest and most distant place on Earth.
We’ve been everywhere in the world, spending 15 years travelling to 100+ international locations, and we are able to truthfully say that there’s nowhere fairly like right here.
Solely essentially the most intrepid individuals make the trek all the way down to this frozen continent on the globe’s Polar Circle. And it’s not essentially a simple journey to make!
You shouldn’t simply e book a visit to Antarctica on a whim. A profitable Antarctic expedition requires months and months of cautious planning and preparation.
To not point out, visiting Antarctica is pricey as a result of it’s such a uncommon and distinctive journey expertise.
So when you’re going to spend your hard-earned cash on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, figuring out when to go is crucial to your preparation as properly!
No matter how rugged and distant the Antarctic Peninsula is, many travellers who make this journey south declare it’s the very best journey of their lives.
Panorama photographers, wildlife fans, and journey seekers flock to Antarctica for a lot of causes.
There are huge, untouched landscapes crammed with colossal icebergs, fields of pack ice, dramatic shows of sunshine, and icy Antarctic waters.
Penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds thrive within the Southern Ocean and all the way down to the Antarctic Circle.
READ MORE: Uncover every part else there may be to know concerning the white continent in our detailed journey to Antarctica information!
This continent is among the finest locations on the planet to see whales breaching, fluffy penguin chicks hatching, and seal pups frolicking.
When you’re prepared to begin planning a visit to the pristine snowy landscapes of Antarctica, it’s vital to contemplate which month you’ll be visiting.
We’ve been in any respect the same old instances – early season, peak season and late season – and know what to anticipate.
We additionally get a whole bunch of emails yearly from individuals eager to know the very best time to go, so we’ve lastly put this text collectively.
This text will function an final information to the very best time to go to Antarctica! So learn on for a month by month breakdown of the wildlife happenings and climate situations of Antarctica!
| Month | Why Journey to Antarctica at that Time? |
| November | Pristine landscapes, sea ice |
| December | Secure climate, penguins constructing nests |
| January | Secure climate, penguin chicks, higher accessibility for a lot of touchdown websites |
| February | Nice accessibility for many landings, good climate, whales |
| March | Peak whale watching season, lovely sunrises and sunsets, potential for recent snow |
When is the Finest Time to Go to Antarctica?
It’s tremendous vital to analysis the very best time to go to Antarctica earlier than you e book a visit all the way down to the Polar Circle, so properly accomplished for locating your solution to this text!
Vacationers can solely go to in the course of the summer time months, and it is strongly recommended to begin planning your journey not less than 12 months upfront so you may work out the very best time and itinerary to go.
From November to March, Antarctica expedition cruises run regularly. However every month provides one thing a bit totally different!
After our very profitable tour to Antarctica this season, we’re going to be operating one other unique journey all the way down to the Peninsula in 2025, this time crossing the Antarctic Circle! Try the Crossing the Antarctic Circle pictures tour web page when you’d prefer to be taught extra.
The most effective months for whale watching might not be the very best months for seeing child penguins for instance.
Cooler temperatures imply large icebergs, however hotter temperatures imply much less sea ice and due to this fact additional exploration into the Antarctic Circle.
You’ll want to try our record of what to do in Antarctica that will help you put together in your journey!
We are going to give an in depth rationalization of every month in Antarctica and what which means for wildlife actions, journey prices, and landscapes!
Some Antarctica journeys additionally embrace visits to close by islands like South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, so we’ll point out a few of the vital happenings there as properly.
Antarctic Summer season Season – Month by Month Breakdown
This information to the very best time to go to Antarctica will solely cowl the ‘summer time months’: November to March.
Some Antarctic cruises might start in late October, however it’s fairly uncommon. And those that do are normally on a mission into the Weddell Sea to go to the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill, which is a really totally different and dear expedition.
We might advocate visiting Antarctica no sooner than November.
Many individuals additionally marvel about crossing the Drake Passage, and whether or not this notoriously tough patch of ocean is calmer at sure instances of the 12 months.
Sadly, the notorious Drake Passage might be turbulent at any time of 12 months, so that you’ll simply have to beat that impediment regardless.
Belief us although, it’s a part of the expertise and regardless of probably being seasick for a couple of days, it’s a badge of honour you may at all times put on proudly.
With immediately’s trendy ships (in contrast to Shackleton’s Endurance) and complicated security measures, crossing the Drake Passage isn’t essentially harmful, it’s only a bit rocky.
Simply pop some movement illness capsules, loosen up, and benefit from the experience! You’ll be in Antarctica very quickly!
Here’s what you may count on once you arrive, relying on which month you go to.
November
November marks the beginning of the vacationer season in Antarctica. Which means comparatively low costs and fewer vacationers on the continent.
Cruise ships are simply beginning to arrive, and the wildlife is simply simply beginning to turn out to be extra lively after a harsh winter.
Temperatures are nonetheless under freezing, snow ranges are excessive, and icebergs are enormous.
The plus aspect of those chilly temperatures?
In November Antarctica’s panorama stays very a lot pure and untouched, with blankets of snow in all places.
In a typical 12 months, that is the one time to see important blocks of sea ice earlier than they begin to soften over the summer time.
The November solar continues to be fairly low within the sky, which makes for spectacular sunsets.
Due to all these info, our private ideas are, and plenty of would agree that, November is the very best time to go to Antarctica for panorama photographers!
By way of wildlife, mating season is starting for a lot of species. Penguins start mating and laying eggs.
Chances are you’ll even see some females waddling round with their eggs balanced on their ft.
In South Georgia, you’ll get to see elephant seals courting, which is a particular, dramatic and confronting scene.
READ MORE: Wish to see the massive king penguin colonies in South Georgia? Try our professional information on the finest time to go to South Georgia!
And within the Falkland Islands, November is a superb time to see wildflowers and lively seabirds.
In late November, costs rise and tourism ramps up because the climate begins to get hotter!
December
When you needed to decide the very best month for visiting Antarctica, December is likely to be it.
Temperatures heat as much as round 0 levels Celsius! But as a result of the summer time has solely simply begun, you may nonetheless see some massive icebergs lingering from winter.
By late December, the summer time solar is in full swing. The solar rises and barely units, leaving round 20-22 hours of daylight the additional south you get.
Hotter climate and longer days imply ample time for exploring Antarctica. It additionally implies that wildlife turns into extraordinarily lively, so get your cameras prepared!
Migrating whales start to move by means of the Antarctic waters, able to feed on nutrient-rich organisms within the chilly ocean.
Humpback whales are beginning to turn out to be extra frequent, having completed their migration south from the tropics.
Penguin chicks are additionally beginning to hatch! You possibly can see child penguins in early December on the Falkland Islands, although the chicks are extra frequent in the direction of the tip of the month on the Antarctic Peninsula.
In South Georgia, elephant seal pups are born and courtship rituals for seabirds are frequent.
There’s additionally an airstrip on King George Island that opens up in December when you’d slightly fly to Antarctica than sail by means of the tumultuous Drake Passage.
A good warning although – climate is unpredictable and flights aren’t 100% assured, so that you do run a danger that your journey could also be shortened if the planes can’t land.
So in our private opinion, December is arguably the very best time to go to Antarctica, because of the heat climate, lengthy days, and lively wildlife. Be mindful, that is additionally some of the costly instances to go to Antarctica!
January
January can also be thought of peak season for travelling to Antarctica.
With nearly 24 hours of daylight and temperatures round 10 levels Celsius, many would take into account January to be the very best time to go to Antarctica.
That is the very best time for land expeditions, because the snow and ice have receded, opening up extra touchdown alternatives, and heat temperatures make climbing, Antarctica tenting, and exploring extra comfy.
January implies that sea ice breaks across the Antarctic Peninsula as properly. So cruise ships can enterprise additional into the continent, and the Ross Sea opens up for entry.
Cruises into the Ross Sea are very unique. They’re uncommon and costly, however those that make the journey into the elusive Ross Sea can see the historic huts of earlier explorers like Scott.
January can also be the very best time to see new child penguin chicks on the Peninsula! These lovely critters are at their fluffiest in January, and the grownup penguins are introducing their infants to the world.
You can too see penguin chicks in South Georgia. King penguins, gentoo penguins, macaroni penguins, and chinstrap penguins are frequent species to see on the island.
Seals and seal pups are additionally very lively in each Antarctica and South Georgia. Fur seals are within the breeding season in South Georgia and due to this fact might be fairly aggressive, so many operators battle to make landings to make sure guests maintain their distance.
Whale sightings are additionally probably in January. Fin whales, minke whales, and orca whales make frequent appearances, although humpback whales are the most typical ocean giants at the moment.
READ MORE: Try our record of essentially the most fascinating Antarctica info we’ve discovered!
February
As February approaches in Antarctica, summer time is nearing its finish. However temperatures are nonetheless fairly excessive and sea ice and snow continues to shrink.
Sea ice is definitely at its lowest in February. Which means cruise ships can cross the Antarctic Circle with relative ease, and the Ross Sea continues to be open for entry.
Penguin chicks are a bit older, which means they’re extra lively and extra inquisitive! You’ll typically see mum or dad penguins diving out and in of the water to seek out meals for his or her rising chicks.
Lively penguins additionally imply lively predators. Orcas and leopard seals are simpler to identify in February, as are fur seals and elephant seals.
February additionally provides wonderful whale watching. Minke, sperm, southern proper, and humpback whales are frolicking by means of the Antarctic waters, and blue whales may even make an look.
Seabirds are additionally playful within the late Antarctic summer time. In South Georgia, you may even go to unique albatross nesting websites.
February provides nice situations for crusing and water actions like kayaking, although temperatures start to drop later within the month.
One factor to contemplate although is that as there was hotter temperatures and little or no snow over the summer time, lots of the important touchdown websites will now be fairly rocky and muddy.
They’ve additionally had hundreds of individuals stroll there earlier than you, so the pristine really feel is beginning to fade and from a photographer’s perspective it’s not fairly so unspoilt.
That’s to not say February is a nasty time to go. The additional wildlife exercise greater than makes up for it.
March
March marks the tip of the vacationer season within the Antarctic Peninsula.
Temperatures begin to get colder, daytime shrink creating epic sunrises and sunsets, and the climate begins to shift.
That additionally means there are fewer ships in Antarctica, and tour costs drop considerably.
By March, penguin chicks are a bit older and extra curious. They’re typically not afraid to stroll proper as much as people, so wildlife photographers can have a blast.
Child penguins are molting as properly, which means they shed their gray fluff. As a result of snow cowl is at its lowest since November, the landscapes aren’t as pristine in March as they have been earlier within the season.
However March is by far the very best time for whale watching in Antarctica!
Whales can have been feeding closely for a few months now, so by March they turn out to be extra playful and fewer centered on meals.
It’s frequent to see whales breaching, and typically whales will even come proper as much as boats and kayaks to research what’s occurring on the floor.
Fur seals and leopard seals are additionally nonetheless seen in March.
Sunrises and sunsets are extra vibrant as properly as a result of the solar is dropping decrease within the sky once more.
Don’t let the late season deter you – March continues to be a good time to go to Antarctica.
Can Vacationers Go to the Antarctic Peninsula in Winter?
Although it’s not really prohibited, vacationers can’t actually go to Antarctica within the winter.
Throughout winter within the Southern Ocean, situations are simply not appropriate for vacationers to go to. The hours of daylight lower quickly.
By the height of winter, the solar doesn’t rise in any respect, leaving the continent in full darkness.
Temperatures are sometimes -50 levels Celsius, and snow and ice storms are frequent. Sea ice covers all the conventional factors of entry for ships as properly.
You gained’t discover any Antarctica cruises operating till late October, and this isn’t actually a spot the place regular public transport exists! So vacationers don’t have any purpose to go to Antarctica in winter.
Finest Time To Go to Antarctica Conclusions
Many would take into account late December or early January to be the very best months to go to Antarctica.
Climate situations are at their most favorable, with heat temperatures, low ranges of pack ice, and lengthy daytime. Wildlife can also be very lively, each in Antarctica and on neighbouring islands like South Georgia.
Nonetheless, the early season and late season each have a lot to supply as properly.
November is the very best season for panorama photographers. The icebergs are nonetheless mighty, the snowy landscapes are nonetheless preserved, and the low solar makes wonderful colours at dawn and sundown.
February and March are the very best months for whale watching! When you go to within the cooler months, simply ensure you pack appropriately so you may keep heat.
So irrespective of which month you go to, one can find one thing particular in Antarctica.
What’s the finest month to go to Antarctica?
The most effective month to go to Antarctica will depend on what you’re on the lookout for. November is nice for pristine landscapes, December and January is ideal for steady climate and penguin chicks, and February and March are the very best time for whale watching.
When ought to I go to Antarctica?
In our opinion based mostly on a number of journeys always of the summer time, you must go to Antarctica based mostly on what you wish to see – Unspoiled landscapes in November, ample wildlife in December and January, and whales in February and March.
