What is the best time to visit Antarctica?

The Antarctic travel season runs from November through March during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. December and January give you almost 24 hours of daylight and temperatures between 20-50°F (-6 to 10°C). Each month offers something special: November and December have pristine snow and penguin courtship displays, while February and March are perfect for whale watching and seeing penguin chicks. As one TourRadar traveler puts it, "You will get 4 seasons in one day in Antarctica, so be prepared for changing conditions." The conditions during these months also make it easier to navigate the Drake Passage and do shore landings at places like the Antarctic Peninsula.

What wildlife will I see in Antarctica?

You'll see an amazing variety of Antarctic animals, especially around the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Expect to meet several types of penguins - Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap - in their natural colonies. Whales are common too, particularly humpback, minke, and orca. You'll also spot different seals (Weddell, crabeater, leopard, and fur seals) and seabirds like wandering albatross. One TourRadar traveler shared: "We had amazing encounters with whales swimming right next to our Zodiac boats and spent time observing over 100,000 penguins at their rookeries." The ship's wildlife experts will help you spot and identify animals throughout your trip.

How rough is the Drake Passage crossing and how long does it take?

The Drake Passage crossing between South America and Antarctica takes about 48 hours each way. The conditions can vary from perfectly calm (called "Drake Lake") to very rough ("Drake Shake") with waves up to 30 feet high. Today's expedition ships come with stabilizers to help smooth out the ride. You'll cross between Ushuaia and the South Shetland Islands. As one TourRadar traveler noted, "Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas however, we do have a doctor on board should you need assistance."

How many people are on an Antarctic expedition?

Ships traveling to Antarctica usually carry between 100 and 200 passengers. This smaller size makes everything run more smoothly - from wildlife watching to getting on and off the ship. For example, the Ocean Nova takes 80 people while the Ultramarine carries up to 200. Antarctic rules only allow 100 people on shore at once, so smaller groups mean more time exploring. You'll also get more personal attention from the expedition team when you visit places like the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island.

Antarctica Tours & Trips

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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ultramarine), Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Excellent! Tour, Quark Expedition staff, hotel, Food, Daily programs all thumb up."
YILIANG, traveled in March
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
14% Off
From $17,242
US$14,880per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctica and the Weddell Sea
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
23% Off
From $26,935
US$20,804per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Highlights of Antarctica, Argentina and Brazil - Cruise & Land Journey 2027
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Argentina Antarctica Brazil
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Eclipse Scenic Eclipse II+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
23% Off
From
US$31,545per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$Celebrating New Year\'s in Antarctica (Ocean Albatros) Tour$
$Celebrating New Year\'s in Antarctica (Ocean Albatros) - 6 destinations$
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Polar
Celebrating New Year's in Antarctica (Ocean Albatros)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Good ship, knowledgable guides, snow penguins. I am still en route home, but I am ready to go again."
Dennis, traveled in November
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula,South Shetland Islands+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
23% Off
From
US$12,595per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
The Highlights of Antarctica
Duration
23 days
Destinations
Argentina Falkland Islands Chile Antarctica
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MV Hondius
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Inventia
23% Off
From
US$21,402per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Antarctica: The White Continent (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia)
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
4% Off
From $9,849
US$9,449per person
+$1,000 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Argentina Chile Antarctica
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MV Hondius MV Ortelius MV Plancius+2 ships
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Inventia
4% Off
From
US$16,620per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Quest for the Antarctic Circle
4.3 (13 traveler reviews)
"The Quest for the Antarctic Circle trip was life changing and sooo worth it."
JoAnn, traveled in February
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
4% Off
From
US$12,099per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctic Peninsula: Crossing the Circle, Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"we loved our crossing the circle via Buenos Aires trip, we had greattest expenerices in Antarctica."
Shauna, traveled in January
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
13% Off
From $27,217
US$23,575per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Crossing 66º South Latitude
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The best adventure ever."
Nataly, traveled in January
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula,Crystal Sound+1 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
15% Off
From $18,395
US$15,636per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (34 traveler reviews)
"Excellent tour guides, optimum itinerary, great food options."
Rupinder, traveled in January
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From
US$9,399per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Superb staff at every level. The itinerary was always subject to the weather but there was always a plan 'b' or even 'c'."
JackWalton, traveled in October
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Uruguay Falkland Islands England Argentina
Age Range
Ages 10+
Ship
G Expedition
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From
US$16,999per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Classic Antarctica - 10 days
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"The food was wonderful, the scenery unbelievable and the small passenger group made us all into friends."
Elaine, traveled in December
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands, Deception Island,King George Island,Livingston Island,Paradise Harbor,Paulet Island,Melchior Islands,Cuverville Island,Neko Harbor,Pléneau Island,Petermann Island,Antarctic Peninsula+10 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Ship
MV Ushuaia
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From
US$8,450per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ocean Explorer), Operated by Quark
4.8 (20 traveler reviews)
"The glaciers and the thickness of the snow cover was simply mind boggling. Listening to the occasional 'calving' glacier making a noise like 'gun fire' sometimes startled you."
Elfyn, traveled in February
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
26% Off
From $13,195
US$9,756per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Ocean Cruise
New Year in Antarctica
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
26% Off
From
US$17,495per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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