Best time to visit Antarctica
The austral summer brings endless sunlight and just enough warmth to melt the pack ice.![]()
November-March is the short expedition season. This is not only the best time to visit Antarctica – it is the only time it’s possible as the ice breaks up, allowing ships to pass. Icebergs are biggest in November, sculptural and surreal. The continent is colder but at its most untouched, with pristine ice and snow, and wildflowers blooming on the islands. The 20-hour sunshine in December-January brings welcome warmth; temperatures hover above freezing, creating perfect conditions for seal pups and penguin chicks – as well as whales. Later in the season, the rookeries are a rabble of noise and activity as chicks fledge and sea ice drifts away.
When to visit Antarctica, month by month
Antarctica in November
Antarctic cruises begin | Largest icebergs | Mating elephant seals | Nesting penguins | Great weather in PatagoniaLate October and November is spring – and therefore the beginning of the Antarctic expedition season. You’ll have the excitement of being one of the first visitors stepping foot back on the frozen continent, as well as coinciding with the best time to be in the southern tip of Patagonia, where ships leave for Antarctica.
It’s still exceedingly cold and the weather is more unpredictable than later in the year. However, November does present the best chance of getting up close to some of Antarctica’s largest icebergs and walkable (or snowshoeable) pack ice, which is great for photographers. Spring mating rituals are in full swing in Antarctica in November, including the thundering battles of breeding elephant seals. Penguins are busy building nests too.
Sarah Wightman, from our wilderness and wildlife specialists Pura-Aventura, rates the ice formations in November but adds a word of warning: “At the start of the season you get the most incredible ice formations – it’s just unbelievable. But sometimes the ship can’t get where it needs to go as the ice blocks are so big, so quite often you can stand on deck and can’t get off as much.”
Antarctica in December
Rising temperatures | Better access | 24 hours sunlight | More wildlife (and tourists)
Antarctica in December sees temperatures start to rise, improving access to beaches and peninsulas. An untouched quality promises spectacular scenes bathed in permanent sunlight. Wildlife numbers are on the up, with humpback whales arriving to feed in warmer waters and penguins packing out rookeries. Book early to plant your pick in the ice.
Antarctica in December sees temperatures start to rise, improving access to beaches and peninsulas. An untouched quality promises spectacular scenes bathed in permanent sunlight. Wildlife numbers are on the up, with humpback whales arriving to feed in warmer waters and penguins packing out rookeries. Book early to plant your pick in the ice.
Antarctica in January
Penguin chicks and seal pups | Relatively warm temperatures | Humpback whales
As January dawns, it brings new life to the icy wilderness. Visiting Antarctica in January is a great idea, especially if you’re intending to see penguin chicks and seal pups in relatively warm temperatures. On the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, newborn seal pups are blinking in the near-constant sunlight, and penguin chicks can be seen huddled in together on the islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula while the adults head off to hunt for food. You’ll see the chicks chasing their parents across the ice when they come back with beaks full of food. Humpback whales are busy sifting through the ocean for krill too.
As January dawns, it brings new life to the icy wilderness. Visiting Antarctica in January is a great idea, especially if you’re intending to see penguin chicks and seal pups in relatively warm temperatures. On the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, newborn seal pups are blinking in the near-constant sunlight, and penguin chicks can be seen huddled in together on the islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula while the adults head off to hunt for food. You’ll see the chicks chasing their parents across the ice when they come back with beaks full of food. Humpback whales are busy sifting through the ocean for krill too.
Antarctica in February
Warmer temperatures | Peak whale season | Ross Sea for Scott and Shackleton’s huts
February is one of the warmest months in Antarctica. This is your best chance of spotting whales, while penguin chicks are bigger and noisier than ever, making their first dives into the waters. There’s a small window of opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle and explore the shrinking Ross Ice Shelf, starting point of some of the most famous South Pole expeditions.
Cassia Jackson, from our Antarctic cruise experts Heritage Expeditions, recommends January and February if you’re travelling via the New Zealand subantarctic Islands: “The Ross Sea is closed in by pack ice conditions for most of the year, so there is only a small window of opportunity to get there by ship. We only operate two voyages per season to the Ross Sea from New Zealand – in January and February.”
February is one of the warmest months in Antarctica. This is your best chance of spotting whales, while penguin chicks are bigger and noisier than ever, making their first dives into the waters. There’s a small window of opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle and explore the shrinking Ross Ice Shelf, starting point of some of the most famous South Pole expeditions.
Cassia Jackson, from our Antarctic cruise experts Heritage Expeditions, recommends January and February if you’re travelling via the New Zealand subantarctic Islands: “The Ross Sea is closed in by pack ice conditions for most of the year, so there is only a small window of opportunity to get there by ship. We only operate two voyages per season to the Ross Sea from New Zealand – in January and February.”
Antarctica in March
Antarctic cruise season ends | Fewer visitors | Cheaper prices | Whales | Hunting leopard seals | Scuba diving
March marks the end of the Antarctic expedition season, with temperatures returning to their normal below freezing levels as autumn approaches. Visitor numbers thin out and penguin chicks become braver – this is when they become interested in the visitors on their shore. It’s still a great time for whale watching too, before they head back to more tropical waters up north. As autumn falls, so do the prices; March is one of the cheapest times to visit Antarctica.
Charlotte Caffrey, director of our partner Aqua-Firma, says: “I really like Antarctica in March, as you see a lot of whales, the water is clearer for diving and you get leopard seals hunting penguins. There are also fewer boats around. It’s also a great time to go if you want to go across the Antarctic Circle. At the end of the season, it’s easier to get through the melted areas to reach the southernmost point.”
March marks the end of the Antarctic expedition season, with temperatures returning to their normal below freezing levels as autumn approaches. Visitor numbers thin out and penguin chicks become braver – this is when they become interested in the visitors on their shore. It’s still a great time for whale watching too, before they head back to more tropical waters up north. As autumn falls, so do the prices; March is one of the cheapest times to visit Antarctica.
Charlotte Caffrey, director of our partner Aqua-Firma, says: “I really like Antarctica in March, as you see a lot of whales, the water is clearer for diving and you get leopard seals hunting penguins. There are also fewer boats around. It’s also a great time to go if you want to go across the Antarctic Circle. At the end of the season, it’s easier to get through the melted areas to reach the southernmost point.”
April to mid-October – the no-go months
At the end of March, treacherous winds and endless nights culminate in the no-go months of April, May, June, July, August and September. The ice is unbreakable too, putting most of the continent off-limits. Some expeditions start in late October as the first of the ice starts to give way.
Our Antarctica Holidays
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise
The Ultimate Antarctica Experience!
From
€11150
21 days
ex flights
Classic Antarctica cruise & South Shetland Islands
Experience all that this remarkable area has to offer!
From
US $5730 to US $7990
12 days
ex flights
Antarctica small ship cruises
Ultimate Antarctica and South Georgia small ship wildlife cruise
From
£7390 to £22750
22 days
ex flights
Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea cruise
Antarctica & Weddell Sea Emperor Penguins by ship/helicopter
From
US $5940 to US $14095
11 days
ex flights
Antarctic cruise and hiking in Chile
World class walking in Patagonia, active Antarctica cruise
From
£13350
27 days
ex flights
Antarctic cruise with the World Wildlife Fund
An Antarctic cruise with the World Wildlife Fund Australia
From
£6432 to £10834
11 days
ex flights
“December to early February is the best time to go to Antarctica. You can get off the ship, the penguin chicks and other birdlife are still there, and you get close to 24-hour sunshine.” ![]()
– Sarah Wightman, from our partner Pura-Aventura
PLAY
Our top Antarctica Holiday
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise
The Ultimate Antarctica Experience!
From
€11150
21 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 25 Oct, 7 Nov, 22 Nov, 23 Dec
2023: 4 Jan, 14 Jan, 2 Feb, 21 Oct, 22 Oct, 24 Oct, 11 Nov, 23 Nov, 17 Dec
2024: 4 Jan, 16 Jan, 1 Feb, 2 Feb
2022: 25 Oct, 7 Nov, 22 Nov, 23 Dec
2023: 4 Jan, 14 Jan, 2 Feb, 21 Oct, 22 Oct, 24 Oct, 11 Nov, 23 Nov, 17 Dec
2024: 4 Jan, 16 Jan, 1 Feb, 2 Feb
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Antarctica or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us after 10am
Calling from outside the UK
When should I start planning my trip to Antarctica?
A limited number of specialist vessels sail to Antarctica each season, so they book up early. With that in mind, we recommend planning your trip to Antarctica 18-20 months in advance – i.e., as early as possible.
That might seem excessive, but this is likely a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It’s well worth booking over a year in advance to have the best choice of cabins, activities and prices. Waiting for late deals isn’t often the best approach, as Antarctica cruises are usually sold out before you get a chance to book a last minute cabin. Read more about why you should book your Antarctica trip now.
That might seem excessive, but this is likely a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It’s well worth booking over a year in advance to have the best choice of cabins, activities and prices. Waiting for late deals isn’t often the best approach, as Antarctica cruises are usually sold out before you get a chance to book a last minute cabin. Read more about why you should book your Antarctica trip now.
More about Antarctica
Antarctica is considered by many to be Earth’s last true slice of wilderness. But as our Antarctica travel guide reveals, the continent is far from lifeless.
Cruises take in islands, the peninsula and can depart from Argentina or New Zealand, so it’s best to consider where to go in Antarctica before booking.
We’ve looked at itineraries, ships, cabins, activities and flights to work out the cheapest way to travel to Antarctica.
The best activities in Antarctica include snowshoeing polar landscapes, kayaking frozen seas, hiking mighty mountains and even scuba diving.
Our guide on how to choose a cruise ship for Antarctica covers all the essential information you’ll need to plan this trip.
Discover our top 10 Antarctica cruises. The frozen continent might be just one destination, but there are a variety of approaches.
Before taking the leap and booking your holiday, discover what life is really like on board an Antarctic cruise.
Many visitors are surprised by the quantity of wildlife in Antarctica. You can spot whales, see elephant and leopard seals, and penguins are ubiquitous.
Whale watching in Antarctica is an incredible opportunity to observe these enormous marine mammals.
Our Antarctica photography tips will take your shots to the next level, with advice on lenses, composition and filters.
Find out what to put on your Antarctica packing list – and what not to – with our handy downloadable guide.
Our expedition specialists have shared their Antarctica travel advice – from choosing a boat and activities to exploring the Ross Sea – to help you prepare.
Read about the islands of Antarctica, and you’ll realise that expeditions aren’t all about the frozen continent. There are many outposts along the way.
How to get to Antarctica is one of the first questions that polar explorers ask themselves. Our guide clears up common cruise, flight and route conundrums.
We shed light on life in Antarctica, from Scott and Shackleton to the whalers of South Georgia and modern research stations.
Find out about how responsible tourism in Antarctica – and what you can do to ensure it remains a wilderness.
A semi circumnavigation of Antarctica on a small expedition vessel gives you far more than your fair share of excitement.
Whilst careful preparation is a necessity for these specialist diving expeditions, nothing will truly prepare you for the experience of ice up close.
Kayaking in Antarctica is usually done in small groups far away from the cruise ship and the noise of the motor boats.
It sounds like the start of a children’s book, and about as feasible as camping on Mars, but yes, you really can go camping on Antarctica.
