A wise person once said, “You don’t have to go to Antarctica to know that there are penguins there.” While the adage may be true, what is even more true is that a journey to Antarctica is the journey of a lifetime.
It can be hard to truly understand a place like Antarctica. It is the coldest, windiest, and driest place on earth. It is a desert with no trees, no bushes, and no long-term residents. More meteorites are found in Antarctica than any other place in the world. It is because of these reasons that you need to go.
The southernmost continent is truly the place to unplug. There is no mobile phone service. There are no hustling and bustling crowds. No souvenir shops, no 5-star restaurants or street food stalls. No ATMs (there is no official currency), no docking stations, or skyscrapers or airports or bus or train stations. It is stillness under the dome of a bright blue sky surrounded by a sea of pure, white ice. The only distractions here are the sight of penguins marching in formation along snowy paths, humpback whales surfacing to breathe, and myriad birds flying above. Sounds like bliss, doesn’t it?
HOW TO GET THERE
Of course, Antarctica is a somewhat restricted territory, so you can’t just show up to the continent. It is necessary to book passage through either a cruise ship company or an airline. While traditionally, sailing was the only way to reach Antarctica (and remains the most common route) it is now possible to travel by air to the icy region. Flying by charter plane from Punta Arenas, Chile, you will reach the Antarctic Peninsula in just two hours, instead of two days at sea. This option is perfect for time sensitive or anxious travelers. Note: there are limited departures each season so you will need to book far in advance.
However, nearly 98% of visitors approach Antarctica via the tip of South America. Most originate their tours through Ushuaia, Argentina. It is the quickest and most accessible route. It also has the widest choice of cruise ship embarkations. Whichever way chosen – air or sea – one thing is for sure: long gone are the days of the rickety whalers that took the first explorers to the unexplored continent.
When choosing a cruise line, make sure to do your homework. Although there are many similarities, different cruise ships do offer different amenities and travel itineraries which can last from nine days to one month. Make sure to spend the time researching the line before booking. Take into consideration your “musts” versus your “wants” and compare itineraries. Also, Antarctica is a destination where smaller vessels yield big advantages. Big cruise ships can only stop at a few sites whereas the smaller boats are nimbler and access more locations.
When researching your perfect itinerary, you will notice that Ross Sea trips are much longer in length. They usually last around 30 days. Many opt for the Weddell Sea excursions as they take about 11 days from start to finish and do cover many Antarctic attractions, including the emperor penguins. The most recommended Weddell cruises are those that take in the west slopes of the Antarctic Sound.
Once you have chosen your perfect itinerary and set sail, onboard expect to mingle with scientists, naturalists, historians, and underwater specialists. Part of the experience are the organic conversations that will evolve around you. Make sure to take the time to enjoy them.
WHAT TO DO
For such a large, desolate and icy place, oddly enough there are many activities to enjoy in Antarctica. Here are a few of the top attractions:
View magnificent penguin colonies…
Many people make the trek to Antarctica to penguin peep, to witness the birds in their native habitat. Penguins and penguin colonies are plentiful around Antarctica, but one of the best sites to enjoy them is the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island.
Kayak around sea ice…
Yes, you read that correctly. Although freezing waters may intimidate the faint of heart, it is worth conquering the fear and jumping in a kayak. You will leave the noise of the motorized boats and have the rare opportunity to enjoy your surroundings in the absolute purist way.
There are many locations in which to indulge a private kayak tour. Wiencke Island is a fantastic launching place, as is Pléneau Island and Petermann Island, which are prized locations as they both offer up the opportunity to see Adélie penguins, blue-eyed shags, humpback whales, minkes, and leopard seals.
Board a whale-watching cruise…
Like the penguins, whales are one of the attractions that draw travelers to Antarctica. Also like their tuxedo-ed friends, whales can be seen in many areas around the island. The best sites to witness pods of them are Cuverville Island, Danco Island, Petermann Island, and Pléneau Island.
Sharpen your ornithology skills…
Birds are a big deal in Antarctica. They are plentiful and diverse. Antarctica is home to multiple species of albatross, gull, tern, skua, petrel, shearwater, cormorant, and sheathbill. Looking up into the sky, you will see them in numbers. Careful on the ground though – some of the albatross do wander around.
Mail a letter from the planet’s southernmost post office…
Sure, it may sound cheesy, but everyone does it. The former research base of Port Lockroy, whose post office is now known as the Penguin Post Office, is the most southerly mailing depot on the planet. Send a missive back home to your friends – and to yourself. It is one of the most unique postmarks that there is on Earth.
ANTARCTICA TRAVEL TIPS
- If you will be in Argentina for a few days before departure, pack a few lighter layers. The country is warm at the time of year when most Antarctic cruises take place, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees. Antarctica is cold.
- Pack your winter-gear essentials and seasickness medications in your carry-on. If your baggage doesn’t arrive from your original des- tination, the boat will take off without it.
- Be proactive about seasickness. Drake’s Passage can get hairy. If you are departing from Ushuaia, your captain should update you prior to leaving on expected sailing conditions. Make sure to take the seasickness medication when you set foot on ship—or ideally a few hours before. Once seasickness hits, it’s tough to overcome.
- Wear sunscreen. Always. No matter the weather. Reapply as often as you can. And put it everywhere—especially on your nose. The sun reflects off the snow and you risk burning.
- Be prepared for no souvenirs. While everyone loves having a me- mento of their travels, you will leave Antarctica itself without one. There are no tourist shops. And taking anything is banned. This in- cludes rocks, feathers, bones, eggs, and any kind of biological mate- rial including traces of soil. Taking anything man-made is also com- pletely banned, as some might actually be research equipment.
- Don’t disturb historic sites or current sites. There are a number of ‘historic’ sites in Antarctica – old bases and now-abandoned huts that were once used by explorers and scientists. Much like any kind of monument, you’re not meant to go near these sites or take any- thing from them. In emergencies, such as a blizzard, they can be used. Current sites are also not meant to be disturbed. Those sta- tioned there are conducting sensitive research, and your presence might accidentally disrupt their work.
- Don’t litter. While this goes without saying, most rules on the con- tinent are meant to keep the environment as pristine as possible. Water pollution is also a big deal and even walking through water or skipping stones is against the rules.
- Penguins can find their own way home. Most of the animal-watching rules are straightforward: keep your very specified distance, be qui- et, and don’t feed them. In other words, observe but don’t interact.
- Don’t expect to get rescued. Stick close to people. With the unpre- dictable weather conditions, rescues are basically impossible. In a group of people, most tour operations will ensure that you’re kept safe and that you’re briefed on how you can keep yourself safe.
