Explore Antarctica
Notes on ships, ice, and the wildlife in between, written by the people who've actually made the crossing, for travelers still deciding whether to go.
Which Cruise or Expedition Ship Should I Choose?
Antarctic expedition ships fall into three rough size categories, and which one you pick affects your trip more than almost any other decision — including price. That's because Antarctic Treaty guidelines, enforced through IAATO, tie passenger count directly to what a ship is allowed to do once it reaches the Peninsula.
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How Many Days Do You Need for a Trip to Antarctica?
Most Antarctica trips run 9 to 21 days door to door, and the biggest swing factor isn't the ship — it's how you cross the Drake Passage and how many travel days you spend getting to South America in the first place. There's no single right length for an Antarctica trip, because the number depends on three things stacked on top of each other: how many days you spend actually on the ship, how you cross the Drake Passage, and how many travel days it takes to reach your gateway city in the first place.
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When Is the Best Time to Visit Antarctica?
Antarctica's travel season runs five months, November through March, and the right window depends on whether you're chasing pristine ice, penguin chicks, whales, or the calmest seas. Here's how each month actually differs.
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Is Crossing the Drake Passage Really That Rough?
Sometimes, yes — and sometimes it's the calmest water of the entire trip. The Drake Passage genuinely swings between two extremes, and there's no way to know in advance which one you'll get.
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How Do You Get to Antarctica?
There's no airport on the Antarctic Peninsula and no commercial flight that lands there. Every trip runs through one of two gateway routes — and which one you take changes your itinerary, your budget, and your time on the water.
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