The frozen continent at its finest
Antarctic Circle
Cross 66°33′S into the deep south – a rarely visited world of midnight sun, towering icebergs and untouched wilderness.
Beyond the frontier
Memories you'll make below 66.5°
A destination not ventured to by many vessels, this is the deep south: remotely beautiful and frozen in time.
Sailing amongst giants
Kayaking alongside beasts
Walking in explorers' footsteps
Witnessing the midnight sun
Signature locations
Where you’ll visit beyond the Antarctic Circle
Stunningly void of human populations yet rich in sea life and towering with icebergs and mountains, travelling south of the Antarctic Circle is a voyage worth taking.
Marguerite Bay
Expansive and home to countless icebergs, Marguerite Bay is one of the furthest-south destinations you’ll reach along the Antarctic Peninsula. Home to leopard seals and Adelie penguins, the bay is named for the wife of explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who discovered the bay in 1909.
Marguerite Bay
Expansive and home to countless icebergs, Marguerite Bay is one of the furthest-south destinations you’ll reach along the Antarctic Peninsula. Home to leopard seals and Adelie penguins, the bay is named for the wife of explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who discovered the bay in 1909.
When to go
Expectations in Antarctic Circle by the season
As Antarctic expedition cruises return to the waters south of the Circle, so does the midnight sun. As the days grow longer, the region awakens for a fresh season below 66°S.
Further south than many Antarctic Peninsula sites, the Antarctic Circle’s season begins later, but is well worth the wait. A magical landscape of towering icebergs, breaching humpbacks and marching penguins call these parts home. Late December brings the official midnight sun, while surrounding dates bring ever-present light.
Things to do
Unrivalled experiences below the Antarctic Circle
A destination not ventured to by many vessels, this is the deep south: remotely beautiful and frozen in time.
Visit colonies home to thousands of penguins
Step into natural glacial amphitheatres
See seal pups relaxing on beaches
Photograph in light unseen elsewhere on earth
Frequently asked questions about the Antarctic Circle
Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
One of earth’s five major circles of latitude, the Antarctic Circle sits at 66°33 South and is the borderline of the southern polar day and night during summer and winter, respectively. (The other major circles of latitude include the Tropic of Capricorn, Equator, Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle).
It cuts across the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, but not all expeditions that venture here will travel south of it.
Yes! Experiencing a true polar day is an incredible experience where the sun doesn’t actually set and remains above the horizon for more than 24 hours.
It’s also a latitude not visited by all Antarctic cruises, meaning fewer ships in the water and at landing sites.
It’s not just about what’s on land here, but also what’s in the sky. At the beginning and end of the season when there are still hours of night, it’s worth looking up. Down here, there’s no light pollution meaning you’ll have incredible star-gazing opportunities. If you’re lucky, you may be able to see the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) too, but it’s not as likely during the summer months.
The only year-round populations in the Antarctic Circle are on research stations. There’s about 70 on the continent that remain in use year-round. Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island and San Martín Base on Barry Island are two examples.
If you’re heading into the Antarctic Circle to visit destinations along the Antarctic Peninsula, then yes, you do. The notorious two-day voyage is still the shortest way to reach the peninsula.
Cruises to the Ross Sea typically start in Tasmania or New Zealand and don’t cross the Drake Passage. Seas on both voyages can be unpredictable, so it’s best not to opt for one over the other in hopes of better conditions.
Talk with a specialist
A conversation, not a commitment
Book a no-obligation discovery call, and we'll help you understand how the Antarctic Circle fits into your wider journey and whether it's the right inclusion for what you're looking to experience.