Antarctica Travel Guide

For the travellers who truly love the uninhabited, wild reaches of the planet, Antarctica should be on your horizon. It is the one continent without any permanent human residents, and yet, it is teeming with vitality. Roughly 235 animal species can be found there, and for those who are able to make the journey, it is the ultimate adventure.

Whether you are seriously planning for an expedition, or just beginning to investigate whether people can actually travel to the Antarctic (we do!), our Antarctica travel guide will serve to introduce you to the wondrous and sometimes unbelievable experiences available to you while travelling with Secret Atlas.

If you’re short on time and want to jump to whatever excites you most, feel free to tap on the titles below to go directly to the section; otherwise, keep scrolling to read your micro guide to Antarctic travel.

• Why should I visit the Antarctic?

• How is Antarctica different from everywhere else on planet Earth?

• Where should I go in the Antarctic?

• What can I do on a Secret Atlas Antarctic Expedition?

• When should I go to Antarctica?

Why should I visit the Antarctic?

Visiting Antarctica is something that a very small population of people will ever get to do.

Many factors have to converge perfectly to visit the otherworldly, vast beauty of Antarctica. Supposing your stars align and you find yourself with the funds, the time, and the right adventure travel operator, you will step outside of time and space into the untouched wilderness encapsulated in snow and ice.

Its multi-toned cerulean glaciers will give you an idea of what the 'snowball Earth' may have resembled 716 million years ago. Those imagining pure serenity will be surprised; there are also active volcanoes, the tumultuous Drake Passage, and the never-ending activities of the wildlife who treat Antarctica as their personal playground.

Some people simply want to go for the bragging rights alone. Antarctica is the coldest continent in the world, with the temperatures in the winter dropping below -73°C (-100°F) and highs poised around -20°C (-4°F) in the summer, except around the coast, where highs can actually rise above 0°C (32°F). Luckily, when you travel on a Secret Atlas Expedition Micro Cruise, you will be warm and cosy during your travels. Our vessel even comes with a sauna, so you will never be overly exposed to the elements, nor suffer the cold the way that historical explorers like Ernest Shackleton did in the beginning of the 20th century.

Wondering about the safety of the voyage and how it’s all possible? Today, you can relax and enjoy your visit to the 'White Continent' led by world-class experts who deftly guide you through respectful exploration in this regulated nature sanctuary. Read on to learn more about one of the most unique holidays in existence and just what you can do in Antarctica.

How is Antarctica different from everywhere else?

Antarctica is the least visited continent according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Instead of government controls, here you will find mostly the scientific community and the voluntary collaboration of the few tour operators who bring people on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.​​

While Antarctica is one large landmass of 5,400,000 sq. km and is responsible for 70% of the Earth’s freshwater, there are no full-time residents, no capital, and no set currency (although the currency most commonly used is the Euro, Sterling Pound, and the U.S. dollar). We spend much of our time along the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands within stunning waterways. This area juts outward from the continent and is often fondly known as the 'Banana Belt' for its warmer temperatures and islands brimming with animals.

There are visitor guidelines your expedition company will help you to follow so that you are able to explore freely, but it is a good idea to examine them before picking your tour operator. This will ensure you choose a vessel correctly sized for your needs. For example, ​​vessels with more than 500 passengers can’t land in Antarctica, and a maximum of 100 passengers may be ashore from a vessel at any one time unless site-specific guidance requires fewer passengers, so if your vessel is too large, you might not be able to land!

These guidelines make choosing a small tour provider, like Secret Atlas, not only preferable but necessary for having an optimal experience.

Where should I go in the Antarctic?

Antarctica is a single land mass with several surrounding islands and points of interest for explorers, mainly around the coast.

These are the most highly recommended places to visit in Antarctica, with more detail on each below:

The Lemaire Channel (between Kyiv Peninsula in the mainland’s Graham Land and Booth Island)

The Lemaire Channel is a passage on the Antarctic Peninsula that will make you a believer of wondrous creatures and endless possibilities. Prepare your cameras as you will be engulfed on all sides by calving glaciers, angular peaks, and full-on icebergs.

While you are admiring the ethereal surroundings, don’t forget to keep an eye out for all of the marine wildlife in the Lemaire Channel. You may see multiple whale species surface to greet you (including humpbacks and orcas) in addition to noisy, joyfully jostling seals.

Vernadsky Research Station (on Galindez Island)

Most of our travellers become fascinated about the type of research being conducted there in Antarctica. They find a deep curiosity to learn  more about the scientists and experts residing on the continent. For them, the Vernadsky Research Station is a highlight of their travels. 

The station is the base of the study of all things Antarctica, and most of the year there are six scientists there at a time: a biologist, two geophysicists, two meteorologists, and an ozonometer specialist, and also specialists like a mechanic, diesel operator, doctor, and a system administrator. While researching there, each scientist has predetermined research and measurements they are solely in charge of. For example, measurements of the ozone level have been done the same way since 1957, which makes it possible to see exactly how the ozone layer changes, what affects it, and the results of that change. It is this very data from the Vernadsky station– originally called Faraday station at the time– that led to the discovery of the hole in the ozone layer (uac.gov.ua).

The history of how the station came to be is especially interesting – after the breakdown of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was refused the right to govern any of the 5 existing stations by Russia, but Great Britain wanted to transfer its Faraday station to a country that didn’t have a research base. So on February 6, 1996, the blue-yellow Ukrainian flag was hoisted up, and renamed for Volodymyr Vernadsky – Ukrainian mineralogist, geochemist, founder and the first president of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Today, the scientists conducting research open their doors so that travellers can understand what it is they do, and appreciate what a working scientific Antarctic base is like. The base is also home to the southernmost bar in the world, the Faraday bar. There is also a post office so that you can send a postcard memento to all your loved ones from Antarctica!

South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a small group of islands about 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula. In the islands, the temperature is generally warmer than on the mainland. These islands have a multitude of exploring opportunities.

Deception Island

In contrast to what its name suggests, Deception Island is usually a favourite for Antarctic travellers. The name comes from the appearance of the island from afar, where the entrance for ships into the inside bay is deceptively hidden from view. The protective cove within the sunken volcanic caldera  is narrow and camouflaged by the dark scree flanks of the island that blend together. Although it was abandoned by the British due to its volcanic activity, the surrounding water is  heated by active, steamy vents, making it an ideal spot for a polar plunge!

Deception Island is also a stunning sight to behold with its black sand beaches, Norwegian whaling station (dating back to 1912), and largest penguin colony on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula.

As you continue to explore the island, you will encounter snowy sheathbills and brown skuas (who happen to love penguin eggs). Cape and storm petrels living in the cliff crevices create an interesting backdrop as you hike the beaches to observe the seals such as the famous Weddell seals and big-nosed elephant seals.

Other interesting South Shetland Islands hotspots

• King George Island hosts  Villa Las Estrellas, a Chilean settlement with a population of 15 during the summer and 80 inhabitants in the winter. Nobody is there permanently, people move and leave the island within a maximum of two years, and the majority of them are air force officers and their families. 

• Aitcho Islands, made up of islets and rocks just north of Greenwich, is a birdlife paradise.

• Elephant Island is a notorious, extremely remote island 200 km east of King George, where Ernest Shackleton’s crew took refuge after their ship was crushed by ice.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are a chain of subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. The islands are all UK overseas territories, though they have no permanent residents.

Here, travellers will get the full nature immersion experience: hundreds of thousands of king penguins dominating the beaches, 4-tonne elephant seals engaged in epic battles for mates, scads of fur seals breeding on the beaches, swift gliding – petrels dashing above the white-tipped nutrient rich waters, and the largest bird in the world, the Wandering Albatross.

South Georgia boasts 30 million breeding birds, 7 million penguins, 250,000 albatrosses, 2 million fur seals, plus half of the world’s population of southern elephant seals! There is so much to see in this area alone that we offer an exclusive South Georgia Antarctic expedition for those who want to take their time to explore in depth all it has to offer.

South Georgia Island

Head to the remote and fully wild South Georgia Island for a land and sea wildlife immersion experience. The island looms out of the sea, 1390 km southeast of the Falkland Islands and 2150 km from South America.  South Georgia is covered by rugged terrain on the interior but along the coast, the island is full of bays and islets. It is home to vast arrays of birds, and marine life where you can experience the impressive wildlife statistics of South Georgia in person.

There are no roads on the island, so all travel is by boat or on foot. It is mountainous and covered by massive glaciers, so travel by land requires appropriate gear and backcountry travel skills (don’t worry, Secret Atlas will help you pack).

There are 49 official landing sites on the island for small-to-medium-sized ships. Choosing a small ship expedition with Secret Atlas will give you the greatest opportunity to fully explore the island and experience the overwhelming emotions that accompany the sense of being at one with the nature that surrounds you. The majority of the sites are along the north coast of the island, but depending on the time of the season, some sites are closed to protect  wildlife breeding. 

Other interesting South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands hotspots

• Okay, so this is a stretch to list as a hotspot since its existence is questionable, but you might like to know about the rumoured Aurora Islands, also known as Phantom Islands. First sighted in 1762 between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, they have since been spotted and recorded at about 53°S, 48°W. Only later was it discovered that there isn’t any detectable land at that location. There’s really no satisfactory explanation for the multiple sightings–but we implore you to solve the mystery while in the area! 

• Zavodovski Island is 5 km across and mostly unglaciated, with a million pairs of chinstrap penguins. Travellers love it for its peak, the well-named Mount Asphyxia (551 m), an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 2016, and now exudes sulphurous smoke.

• Lots of islands with recently active volcanoes: Candlemas, Saunders, Montagu, Bristol, and Cook.

What can I do on an Antarctic Expedition Micro Cruise with Secret Atlas?

1. Spend time with wildlife

While expeditioning during Antarctic summer (January to March), you are likely to fall in love with the winter sun 'sunsets' – where the sun hovers near the horizon for several hours, refracting a spectrum of pinks, oranges and purples in the sky, but never setting (24 hours of daylight lends itself to even more wildlife encounters!).

Penguin colonies

There are about 20 million breeding pairs in the Antarctic region, so you’re highly likely to come home with a few penguin experience stories. You will probably be able to see gentoo penguins, as well as Adélie and chinstrap penguins. Depending on the site, you may hike up to some of their colonies and experience them in all their raucous glory. Though macaroni penguins are less common on the peninsula, there’s a good chance to see them, and for those looking for king penguins, a sub-Antarctic island expedition to South Georgia will take you to the heart of their breeding grounds.

Whales, seals, and seabirds

The whale population is slowly making a comeback after years of overhunting. You will be able to whale watch from December to April with peak times in February and March.  

Minke and humpback whales frequent the area, as do large pods of orcas. Sperm whales can also be spotted in Antarctica, although it is slightly less habitual.

One can’t forget the seabirds. Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic is the bird lover’s paradise for a reason – you’ll see rare types of birds wheeling, careening, and calling at sea and over the land. Wandering albatross, cormorants, skuas, blue-eyed shags, sheathbills, terns, prions, gulls. Emperor, King, Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo, and Macaroni penguins, Rockhopper penguins and several types of petrels. Need we say more?

The rule of thumb when it comes to interacting with wildlife on Antarctica is: keep your distance, at least 2 meters away from all wildlife.

2. Visit the historic sites and immerse yourself in wonder

Antarctica’s history is full of spectacular adventure, exploring, risk-it-all behaviour, and, at times, crushing  defeat. The protagonists are explorers, businesspeople, scientists, and fortune-seekers. As a result, you may find yourself immersed in the history of the many places where we will be landing. With a micro-cruise, you have plenty of time ashore, no rushing to get back to the ship so others can come ashore while you wait back onboard your vessel. 

For example, Whaler’s Bay on Deception Island, is a fascinating time machine where you feel transported back in time as you wander through  the remains of the Norwegian Hektor Whaling Station.

You might also visit Goudier Island, where you can see Port Lockroy, a living museum operated by the United Kingdom and managed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. There you will be greeted by a member of the team and guided through the living museum, home to artefacts from many of the historic bases. Proceeds from the gift shop and post office pay for the operation of Port Lockroy and toward protecting other British historic sites on the continent. The Port Lockroy team looks after ongoing conservation management of the area and monitors wildlife and data collection, on behalf of the United Kingdom’s National Polar Research Institute. You can investigate data from this research via the Port Lockroy data portal.

When you land, you’re likely to experience the full explorer fantasy, as you’re unlikely to see any other cruise ships in the area. An IAATO guideline known as 'Wilderness Etiquette' states that only one ship can visit a landing site at a time, with further regulations on the number of visits each site can have per day. It serves to protect the continent and wildlife from overcrowding and noise pollution while allowing each visitor to enjoy their expedition.

3. Do expedition activities and make lifelong memories

Take the Polar Plunge

Whether you’re jumping from a boat or sprint into the icy waters at the beach on Deception Island, it’s going to be frigidly cold. But the pain only lasts a minute, and you’ll have expert guides around you to warm you up with blankets and hot chocolate.

Climb and hike the amazing sites, including Mount Vinson

For those who want a serious adventure, and have the skills to go with it, why not consider climbing the tallest mountain in Antarctica, Mount Vinson!

Kayaking amongst the marine life

Sea kayaking in Antarctica, get even closer to the icebergs, huge glaciers, and if you’re really lucky, you might even encounter whales and other curious marine wildlife!

When should I go to Antarctica?

The best time to travel to Antarctica

The only time to travel on a touristic expedition to Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer (December through March). But what month should you visit? For most, the answer is clear – from late December to March.

November to early December

Considered the early season, or 'spring', this time of year is the way to experience Antarctica in its most undisturbed form. After the winter months, its landscape is covered with a fluffy blanket of snow and ice, leaving everything looking even more striking and mystical. However, you are less likely to see whales as the water temperature is still too chilly, and you may be forced to travel on a larger vessel. 

Summer months – December to March

It’s 'peak' season for a reason. With the highest temperature and 20-24 hours of daylight, think of a plenitude of animals, and even more adorable, baby animals. Vessels have more access to areas blocked by sea ice at other times of the year to reach more sites. However, make sure to travel with the smallest ship possible to ensure you can have an authentic cruise experience. This is currently the only time of year available to travel with us, guaranteeing the most authentic experience on the smallest vessels legally allowed in Antarctica, so look no further. 

Late March to early April

Late summer in Antarctica is the best time for whale spotting as they migrate. However the temperatures slowly start to lower, making the weather more unpredictable, and snow storms are more frequent. Again, travelling at this time of year may require you to travel on a larger vessel for a less preferable experience.

Visa Requirements for Antarctica

Antarctica doesn’t belong to any one government or jurisdiction, and for that reason, no visas are required.

That being said, citizens of nations that have signed the Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on Environment Protection (USA, Canada, EU, and Australia) must get prior permission before visiting.

Don’t worry though, get in touch with the Secret Atlas team and we will help you get this organised.

Travel itinerary suggestions

Join Secret Atlas on a 12-day in-depth Antarctica cruise with an extended focus on wildlife viewing and photography in the Antarctic peninsula. This expedition is aimed at those wanting to spend the maximum amount of unhurried time ashore observing wildlife and is suited for photographers and wildlife watchers.

What makes this trip even more special is that our vessel takes just 48 guests, the smallest group size in Antarctica. When you are ashore you will be in a small group of just 12 guests for an intimate wildlife and photography experience. Travelling on a small expedition vessel gives the group more flexibility and more time ashore, allowing you to visit landing sites that the large cruise ships can’t visit.

This expedition is meant to give you the maximum time ashore. All guests can fit in the Zodiacs and land at the same time, so no waiting around! Additional details include:

• Numerous opportunities to photograph Antarctica’s icy and stunning landscapes from the ship and shore.

• Excursions led by highly experienced expedition leaders and photography guides.

• Ability to explore key wildlife sites on the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.

• Ability to go Zodiac cruising and hiking.

• Option to take in expert lectures from onboard marine biologists, geologists, ornithologists, historians, and other guests and guides.

• Opportunities to spot wildlife and take photos from the deck and the open bridge, where you can also observe how the Captain and Officers sail and navigate the ship.

• Free classes, special events and activities offered while onboard.

• Trade travel stories in the lounge, relax and enjoy creature comforts and panoramic views, stretch your legs in the gym or feed your thirst for knowledge.