What are the must-see places in Antarctica?
There are few places on the immense ice continent of Antarctica that are ideal for a stopover by boat. Most of these are islands or scientific bases on land. During these ports of call, travelers can enjoy a unique experience: slipping into the shoes of the first explorers who set out into the deep south over a century ago to discover the icy continent, its pristine white polar landscapes, icebergs and unique fauna made up mainly of whales and penguins.
An Antarctic cruise is an opportunity to discover many of the places made famous by past expeditions, both on land and at sea. First of all, there's the Drake Passage, which separates Patagonia from the Antarctic Peninsula. This trip to the deep south will allow you to follow in the footsteps of explorers Shackleton and Amundsen on the South Shetland Islands, including the famous Elephant Island. You'll also have the chance to sail to Gerlache Strait, Skua Glacier, Orne Harbor, Petermann Island, Cuverville Island, famous for its colony of papuan penguins, Marguerite Bay and the Almirante Brown Antarctic base.
What are the departure ports for Antarctica?
Most cruises to Antarctica depart from South American waters. The quickest and most convenient way is to board the cruise ship in a Patagonian port, such as Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile.
For travelers who don't wish to embark in Tierra del Fuego, it's possible to discover the ice world from cities further north on the continent. Some cruise lines, for example, offer trips to Antarctica from the port of Montevideo in Uruguay, or Buenos Aires in Argentina.
When is the best time of year to travel to Antarctica?
Antarctica is known as the continent of ice for a reason. Temperatures are extreme, and the waters of the Drake Passage are particularly turbulent. As a result, no sailing team accepts cruises during the austral winter, i.e. during the northern hemisphere summer between May and September. During this period, temperatures are polar and ice prevents us from approaching the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Moreover, daylight lasts only a few hours.
The best time to cruise Antarctica is therefore during the austral summer, between November and February. The high season is around the festive season, between December and January. This is when daylight lasts longest, and temperatures are highest - but still below freezing. During the high season, prices are the highest. But conditions are ideal for a wide range of activities, including wildlife watching, whale watching and hiking among the penguin colonies.
Which cruise lines offer cruises to Antarctica?
Many cruise lines offer voyages to discover the Antarctic landscape. Silversea Cruises, based in Monaco, offers ocean expeditions to the icy continent. The famous Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten specializes in voyages to the polar regions, whether in the far north or the far south.
As no country owns Antarctica, no visa is required to travel there. For European travellers, an Argentinean or Chilean visa is generally sufficient. This ease of travel has encouraged cruise companies to offer Antarctic tours. The American company Quark Expeditions specializes in cruises beyond the Drake Passage, as do the French luxury cruise line Ponant and the British company Swan Hellenic.