Antarctica for beginners: an essential guide

As the world’s coldest continent — and one featuring some of the most intense weather and rugged, icy terrain — Antarctica doesn’t necessarily spring to mind for everyone trying to plan their next vacation. But this unique portion of the planet can actually live up to the phrase “experience of a lifetime”. In this Antarctica travel guide, we look closely at the wild appeal of Antarctica, and review must-see locations and wildlife. We also cover practical matters, including how to travel to Antarctica most efficiently, a checklist of packing essentials, and a whole lot more.

Introduction to Antarctica: the ultimate adventure travel destination

Spread over 5.5 million square miles (14.2 million sq km) at the southernmost portions of the planet, 50+ degrees Fahrenheit is about as warm as Antarctica ever gets. Typically it’s much lower, sometimes below freezing even in some of the tourist-accessible months.

Why Antarctica is a must-visit

Strictly speaking, every place in the world is unique, but only a small number of locales actually look like no other place on Earth. (Think of the Australian Outback, or the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia.) Antarctica absolutely belongs on this list: from the mile-thick Antarctic ice sheet and the continent’s imposing Transantarctic Mountains and ice shelves, to the shores of McDonald Beach where Adélie penguins congregate, it’s simply breathtaking.

For active travelers with a knack for cold-weather activities, Antarctica provides one of the most thrilling environments. You can hike, snowshoe, ski, snowboard — and even scuba dive or kayak in the handful of surface lakes or oases scattered across the land.

The Drake Passage: what to expect

Although there are other ways to get to Antarctica, it’s likely that you’ll travel through the Drake Passage. This strait connects South America to Antarctica (specifically, the Shetland Islands) and contains the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, one of the world’s most powerful by volume at 4.7 billion cubic feet.

That said, any ships traveling through it know what to expect, as vessels have been ferrying tourists to Antarctica through the Drake Passage for decades. So if you’re on your way through it and it’s in its volatile phase — what sailors call the Drake Shake as opposed to the Drake Lake — follow a few basic rules: stay hydrated, stay active (unless you’re prone to seasickness, in which case you should lie down flat in your bunk), and keep your eye on the horizon (not the roaring waves) as best you can if you go up on deck.

Granted, you can avoid the Drake by flying, but unless sea travel would be a health hazard, it’s the best and most efficient route.

Antarctica travel guide: top experiences to explore

Wonderful wildlife encounters: penguins, seals, and whales

Seeing as we’ve already mentioned them, it’s fair to say that penguins are the most “famous” Antarctic animal. (After all, it’s not like there are animated films about dancing albatrosses.) And seeing the Adélie penguins at McDonald Beach or the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island is quite something, as the remarkable birds gather in the tens of thousands.

On land, aside from the penguins, you’ll most likely see the fierce leopard seal (who fears no Antarctic animal but the water-bound orca) alongside smaller crabeater, Ross, and Weddell seals. More than 100 million bird species nest in Antarctica during the spring, with albatrosses, kestrels, skuas, and terns being some of the most notable. Orcas, as noted, dominate the Antarctic oceans, but there are also fur seals, blue whales, sperm whales, Antarctic cranch squid, and Antarctic toothfish to look out for.

Zodiac landings and other thrilling activities

While it’s possible to snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, and even paddleboard in certain areas of Antarctica, doing so safely depends on weather — in other words, they’re most viable as activity options in Antarctic summer. When the waters are closer to frozen, you’ll need Zodiac rafts. These inflatable but sturdy vessels can withstand contact with imposing icebergs and tolerate landings on rocky beaches, so passengers can explore the Antarctic mainland or the many islands surrounding it.

Once you’re on land, the specific activity possibilities depend on your location. But in many areas, you can hike or snowshoe safely — following the footsteps of legendary explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Vivian Fuchs. If you’re near traversable mountains like Mt. Hoegh, Mt. Tennant, Doumer Peak, or Mt. Pond (among others), you can ski or snowboard if you’re comfortable with slopes at least 1,770 ft (540m) high.

Even if you’re not slope-skilled, think of it this way: you’re traipsing along the surface of Antarctica. It’s inherently adventurous to even try a land visit, as usually well under 100,000 people a year actually set foot on the continent. Simply put, there’s almost no way not to have a thrilling experience.

Science behind the ice: interactive learning experiences

Antarctica houses at least 70 research stations. Some of the biggest Antarctic science stations, like McMurdo, aren’t open to the public. But quite a few others are (weather permitting, which it sometimes isn’t), including:

• Vernadsky Station: this UK-founded, Ukraine-run outpost on Galindez Island mainly studies meteorological data with a strong focus on the effects of climate change.
• Bellingshausen: the buildings of this Russian station on King George Island are hard to miss. They’re stilt-mounted and painted silver and red. Its scientists focus year-round on meteorology, actinometry, coastal hydrology, and oceanology.
• Carlini Base: on the same island as Bellingshausen, the Argentine scientists at Carlini pursue a wide range of subjects related to Antarctica’s ecosystem, from fauna to geology.
• Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station: you can only visit this US-run station during the six months of continuous sunlight it experiences, but it’s a truly fascinating place, home to groundbreaking astronomical, geophysical, meteorological, and biomedical studies.

Antarctica travel guide: tips for planning your expedition

Best times to visit Antarctica

Unless you’re making a documentary on emperor penguin breeding, or are a scientist joining a research station, you’re not visiting Antarctica in the austral winter, full stop. But that doesn’t mean you must visit at summer’s peak, from December to February.

If you want the perfect synergy of good weather and visible wildlife, many consider January the sweet spot: Temperatures hover between 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit and sometimes even 56-59 degrees Fahrenheit. The bird life (penguins included) is especially boisterous, and seals and whales are also fairly common.

Those chasing specific animals may want to consider other months. For example, late October is best for spotting seals, while late February and early March are perfect for whale-watching. It’ll be much colder in either of these periods — down to 24 degrees Fahrenheit in October; around 30 degrees Fahrenheit in peak whale season — so be prepared.

How many days should you plan to visit Antarctica?

An Antarctica expedition involves trekking across rough, often icy terrain. Getting there in the first place requires careful navigation (even if you’re flying rather than sailing the Drake Passage), so you’ll want to factor that in when you’re choosing dates. At minimum, it’s best to plan for an eight- to 10-day trip, and because it’s such a fascinating place, you may want to go for as many as 14 days.

An essential packing list for your trip

Your Antarctica packing needs break down into several categories:

• Outerwear: a reliable down parka, waterproof pants, a knit cap or similarly warm hat, waterproof gloves, and knee-high waterproof boots are all must-haves. It won’t hurt to have a warm woolen scarf, as well.
• Base layers: think utilitarian and comfort, not fashion. Thermal underwear, comfortable sweaters, warm leggings, thick socks, and so on. (Be sure to take more socks than you’d ordinarily pack. Trust us.)
• Accessories: for your own safety, you won’t be allowed to get as close to certain natural landmarks or animals as you might like. As such, you’ll want binoculars and cameras that can withstand the weather, and it can’t hurt to pack spare lenses for each. You might also want a pair of highly durable sunglasses, ideally ones that are specifically made for polar climates.
• Wellness aids: basic over-the-counter drugs and items that are worth packing include aspirin or ibuprofen, cough drops, lip balm, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Staying safe and healthy in Antarctica

If possible, schedule a physical before you leave for Antarctica, and ask about a prescription for scopolamine. Get any regular prescriptions filled before you go, and make sure all your items are either brand-new or freshly cleaned.

While traveling, use seasickness medication exactly as directed (for instance, scopolamine is typically taken on its own — during the most intense part of a sea voyage — before following up with an over-the-counter motion sickness drug.) When you’re on land, you’ll want to be more mindful of cold or allergy symptoms, dry skin, a dry mouth (side effect of the scopolamine), and sunburn (even in Antarctica, sustained UV ray exposure in an austral summer does damage).

For physical safety, it’s critical to use all appropriate gear, follow your guide, and stay close to others in your group. Even if you have some experience with cold climates, mountainous regions or both, Antarctica simply isn’t a place where you can wander off on your own for a while.

Eco-conscious Antarctica travel: how to visit responsibly

More than 50 countries manage and protect Antarctica as part of the Antarctic Treaty (in force since 1961). It’s basically the world’s largest wildlife and nature preserve, and remains unspoiled thanks to treaty participants and efforts by various nonprofits, including the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).

The IAATO has an extremely detailed library of guidelines for wildlife observation, waste reduction, and general conduct. You’ll want to review them in detail before your trip, but what they boil down to is this: keep Antarctica unspoiled. You can do this in small but impactful ways by, for example, using reusable and refillable containers instead of disposables; minimizing your use of plastic items and other synthetics; observing animals at a safe distance; leaving no permanent trace of your visit on the land if you camp, hike, ski, or snowboard. None of these take much time or effort, and all of them go a long way.

Make it happen

Has our Antarctica travel guide inspired you to plan an expedition of your own? You’ll have our experienced guides on your side when choosing which Antarctic sites to visit. Get in touch with our local experts when you’re ready to craft your trip to this unique continent.