Antarctica… a continent nearly twice the size of Australia is the one destination on earth that today epitomises the saying ‘a path less travelled’, when you join Antarctica cruise tours to this continent.

Imagine sitting alongside thousands of penguins going about their daily lives, feel the excitement of watching leopard seals circling only metres away from your Zodiac (motorised, heavy duty inflatable boats) or seeing whales breach against a backdrop of shining icebergs and glacier-draped mountains… Antarctica tours take you into waters teeming with whales, seals, fish, birds and krill. Ice-free areas host throngs of breeding birds, from penguins to petrels, skuas to sheathbills.

Antarctica cruise tours are more like expeditions than conventional cruises… Nowhere else on earth is the air so fresh, so light, or so pristine as you will find on an Antarctica cruise or the abundance of wildlife as extraordinary: fur seals, sea lions, whales, albatross, huge flocks of giant petrels and shearwaters… rarely will an hour pass without some spellbinding sight. Then there are those towering glaciers, the chance to explore abandoned whaling stations and, incredibly, to do something many do not have the chance to do – step ashore from an Antarctica cruise ship on the Antarctic continent, the last to be explored…. You walk in the footsteps of men like Shackleton, Scott and Mawson – and even see the huts that served as their bases.

These Antarctica cruise expeditions are not physically demanding and attract people of all ages… Enjoying the scenery from the cruise ship’s deck, excursions in the Zodiacs and short walks ashore are enough to delight many expeditioners… expert polar naturalists will entertain and inform with illustrated talks. They’ll help identify majestic seabirds that wheel around the ship and prepare you for the on shore landings ahead… Your time at sea on any Antarctica cruise is perfect for relaxing and sharing nourishing meals with new friends.

Weather and ice, not clocks and calendars, set the schedule for any Antarctica cruise. No matter what the reason for your visit, you’ll be at the mercy of the continent’s changing moods and weather patterns. The small group size on all Antarctica cruise expedition vessels make it possible to observe the animals without overwhelming them and allows more relaxed visits to historic huts and scientific stations… A highlight on some Antarctica cruises, for those looking for more adventure, is an optional night’s camping. After a hearty dinner on board the ship, tents are pitched ashore… you can also choose to sleep out in the open, to experience the true spirit of Antarctic exploration.

These Antarctica cruises are aboard smaller expedition vessels not luxury cruise liners. Small numbers of passengers are carried in comfortable accommodation and served delicious, wholesome meals… Antarctica cruise expeditions take you to some of the wildest places on earth… The waters of the Drake Passage and the Southern Ocean can often be gentle, but be prepared, there may be some pitching and rolling… Weather-wise, Antarctica can deliver anything from intense sunshine to summer blizzards.
The sense of awe and privilege these experiences give, will live with you for the rest of your life.

When and where do Antarctica cruise tours take place?
Antarctica cruises are mainly concentrated in the ice-free coastal zones during the Antarctic high summer, which is the five month period from November to March, when you will experience 20+ hours of daylight. Outside this period there is the real danger of not being able to reach Antarctic destinations on the itinerary, or more importantly of being stuck in the sea ice and having an 8 month enforced winter as has happened on scientific bases occasionally... So apart from the odd ice-breaker trip that may leave in October, Antarctica cruise ships just don’t risk it outside these months. The formation and movement of sea ice outside of these times mean that from March to November Antarctica is left to the over-wintering scientific bases and their crews. Winter pack ice extends over 620 miles around the Antarctica continent, it is almost permanently dark and temperatures can drop as low as -90C (-130F).

What you can expect to experience on an Antarctica cruise:

November & Early December (Late Spring / Early Summer)
Winter pack ice is starting to melt and break up. The scenery is white, clean and pristine with pack ice and giant icebergs.
Courting season for penguins and seabirds – see spectacular courtship rituals.
Seals visible on fast ice.
Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories.

Mid-December and January (Mid Summer)
Normally Antarctica’s warmest months.
Longer days create great light conditions and fabulous photo opportunities at midnight.
Antarctic chicks hatch.
Receding ice allows for more exploration.

February and March (Late Summer)
Whale sightings are at their best.
Penguin chicks start to fledge.
Receding pack ice allows ships to explore further south.
More fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Geography
Antarctica is about 50% larger than Australia and occupies nearly one tenth of the world’s landmass. With its mountains reaching heights of 5,100 metres / 16,860 feet, it’s the highest continent in the world in average altitude. At its thickest point, the Antarctic ice cap is almost 5 kilometres / 3 miles thick… If Antarctica’s ice were to melt, it would raise the level of the world’s oceans about 62 metres / 200 feet.

The continent is vaguely round in shape. The scientific outposts of various nations ring the edges of Antarctica, though the interior is virtually uninhabited by humans.