The best time to visit Antarctica is between November and March – these are the months when you can enjoy up to 24 hours of daylight, sea ice melts sufficiently to allow expedition cruises, temperatures are at their highest, and never drop below freezing, and wildlife is most active.
However, within this time span, each month offers unique attractions, including penguin chicks, seal pups, mating season, icescapes, and the possibility to cross the Antarctic Circle. Late-season Antarctica cruises are frequently less expensive, but many of the animals have already migrated to the open sea. This is the ideal time of year to go humpback whale watching.
Asked if the Drake passage is calmer at any time during the season, the answer is no. Throughout the Antarctica summer, the Drake Passage can be rough. Despite this, the Passage is more often than not tranquil.
Antarctica in November
November (late Austral spring/early Austral summer) is undoubtedly the most adventurous time of year to visit the Peninsula. Active travelers interested in skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing may still find availability, as well as kayaking, mountaineering, and camping. Temperatures tend to be colder and polar ice is still breaking up, restricting access to some areas. However, the cold temperatures also offer the best time to view the most impressive icescapes, pristine snow, and breathtaking scenery in its most undisturbed form.
Whales are typically not as plentiful as later in the season, though you can still commonly see them. Fur seals and penguins are quite active, and it is a great time to observe the penguins squabbling over pebbles for their nests. By the end of November, you'll see lots of nests with eggs!
November also sees the sky teeming with Albatrosses, Elephant seals courting on South Georgia Island, and spring wildflowers blooming on the Falkland Islands in Antarctica.
December to Early February in Antarctica
December and January are the months with the most sunlight (up to 20 hours a day), and daily temperatures are at their warmest. In January, temperatures at the Peninsula average 34 Fahrenheit. Penguins begin hatching around this time of year, and wildlife, particularly penguin chicks, is most abundant. Since they coincide with school breaks, these months are best for family cruises to Antarctica because of the long days and warm temperatures, as well as an increase in penguin egg hatching as the month goes on.
Mid-February and March
Late summer in Antarctica, February, and early March is the best time to see whales in Antarctica. However, you are likely to see fewer penguins as many will have already returned out to sea. By March, the chicks are quite large, and they start to fledge. Weather wise, temperatures are beginning to drop as the season starts to change. Daily highs average roughly 29 Fahrenheit on the Peninsula. There tend to be fewer vessels operating at this time, which means you won't have to compete with other cruise ships for landings. This time of year you are also likely to have better access to areas further south as polar ice melts. You will rarely walk on snow during this time; expect rocky and muddy landings.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.