When to go to Antarctica
The season is November through to March (the Antarctic summer) and travel is only possible during this time. Temperatures can vary be between 5 to -27.5 degrees C depending on wind and weather. Each month offers dramatically different experiences and below are just some highlights of travelling at different times of the season.
November
- Penguins and birds are nest building and courting
- Loads of snow and sea ice
- Amazing sunsets, noctilucent clouds and spring flowers in Falklands
- Weddell and fur seals mating
- Elephant seals fighting
- Albatross, fulmars and petrels fly the drake passage
- Blue eyed shags return
December
- The start of summer, with up to 22 hours of daylight and sunnier days
- The density of wildlife increases – penguin rookeries fill up
- Seal and whale sightings common
- Penguin chicks begin to hatch first in falklands, then on the Peninsula mid month
- Humpback whales arrive back from tropics to feed
- There is less sea ice so landings easier
January
- The height of summer – temps up to 15 degrees C and generally stable weather
- Penguin chicks at their fluffiest and asking for food
- Opening sea ice means vessels can cross the Antarctic circle
- Humpback whales focused on eating krill
- Ross sea ice opens up allowing access to huts of Shackleton and Scott
February
- Penguin chicks most active and curious, chasing parents for food
- Peak whale spotting season as all migrating pods will now have arrived
- Sea ice at minimum so it is the best month for crossing polar circle
- Adult penguins begin moulting, chicks are fledging and learning to swim
- Humpbacks become more inquisitive now that they’ve eaten
March
- Almost guaranteed great whale sightings
- Penguin chicks very curious and come up to visitors
- Good for photography, with good sunsets and sunrises
- Fewer ships around as season draws to a close
- King and macaroni penguin rookeries largest and most impressive on South Georgia
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