Best time to go to Antarctica

During the summer months, the days grow longer as they stretch toward the solstice, penguins begin to hatch bringing new life to the colonies and migrating whales have returned to the nutrient-dense Antarctic waters. This is the peak of activity in the polar continent, and the beginning of the Antarctic cruise season.

While expedition ships descend into the icy waters along the Antarctic Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea for five months each year, the season is at its best in January. Temperatures are their warmest, penguin chicks at their fluffiest and the days have just peaked at their longest.

Antarctica’s seasons are the same as Australia’s, with the summer solstice in December and the winter solstice in June.

During the winter months, the continent plunges into darkness and ice once again covers the Antarctic seas making it near impossible to approach land.

When to visit Antarctica for the best weather

Antarctica begins to thaw in the late spring months, with temperatures at their warmest from December to February. But warm is very much relative. Down here, temperatures rarely reach the double digits, but peak above freezing on most days. 

While Antarctica is technically a huge desert, the Antarctic Peninsula is quite the opposite. An arm extending out to protect the Weddell Sea from the west, the peninsula can get up to 1,000mm of precipitation per year; that’s more than many tropical destinations. Luckily, most of it falls outside of the cruising season.

Ice cover is a major consideration for the cruising season down here; seasonal ice sheets can be hundreds of square kilometres in size and greatly limit access. Although many expedition ships come with polar-class hulls, this type of cover is too much for them to safely break through.

When to visit Antarctica for wildlife

Home to a plethora of wildlife and marine life year-round, Antarctica truly buzzes during the height of summer in January and February. Gentoo penguins hatch from November, Megellanic chicks start to be seen between November and December, King penguins hatch between December and February and Adélie penguins come out of their shells in December.

Similarly, fluffy seal pups begin making their appearances in the late-spring and early-summer months. The birthing season starts with southern elephant seals and Weddell seals from October before leopard seals and Antarctic fur seals have their young from November.

After completing their long migration to warmer, tropical waters, the humpback whales make their return to the nutrient-rich Antarctic waters, arriving with their new calves around November. Minke whales are on a similar schedule, sometimes arriving back south a bit later.

When to visit Antarctica to get the best price

Like most destinations, peak season equates to peak prices in Antarctica. It’s not exactly a budget-friendly destination any time of the year, but prices will be at their highest from mid-December to mid-February when weather and wildlife viewings are at their best.

Lower prices and discounted sailings are often available early in the season (November) and toward the end (March) when expeditions may struggle to fill cabins.

However, when booking a once-in-a-lifetime journey, it’s worth it to consider what you may be giving up to save money. For longer days, incredible wildlife displays and more comfortable weather, travelling to Antarctica during peak season is definitely worth the splurge if you can afford it.

Travelling to Antarctica each month of the cruise season

The Antarctica cruise season generally runs from November to March, with the odd sailing available in October and April. However, compared to the rest of the season, the weather will be at its coldest and the wildlife more difficult to spot.

November

A fresh start to the Antarctic cruising season, November starts to see life in the polar south starting to once again come to life. The first penguin chicks are starting to make their appearance and whales are beginning to return back to Antarctic waters.

Some destinations may still be beyond limits due to ice cover, however captains can alter itineraries where needed.

December

As the summer solstice nears, the days grow long, offering photographers incredible opportunities to capture the landscapes, icebergs and wildlife during extended golden hours. Up to 20 hours of sunlight fill the skies each day.

Wildlife-spotting is also ramping up for the season. Colonies are packed with penguin chicks, seal pups are basking in the Antarctic sun on floating ice and island beaches and whales are getting their fill in the waters.

January

The warmest month in Antarctica, January may even see degrees in the double-digits. Make sure to bring sun cream and sunglasses, too! The UX index can be extreme and reflect off the snow and ice; up to 90% of it can be reflected.

The temperatures and sun don’t seem to bother the locals much. There will be plenty of penguins, whales and seals about if you visit during January. If your itinerary includes visits to South Georgia or the Falkland Islands, you may get to see albatross chicks; they begin to hatch in January.

February

Antarctica thrives in February, as most of the birds and mammals that call it home have now had their young. Although the days are starting to get shorter, it’s still a wonderful time to visit. The ice flows have had most of the season to retreat and the highest number of landing sites should now be open to visitors. 

March

As the season winds down, the days and nights begin to even out and less wildlife is about. Seal pups are starting to enter the water and are weaning off their mothers as it's time for the elders to return to the deep.There are still plenty of birds to be seen in March; penguins stay with their parents for a few months after birth, while albatross stay at the colony for the better part of the year.