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When to go
We schedule our visits to Antarctica during the austral summer, so that you may enjoy the power and grandeur of icebound Antarctica at its most comfortable season, warm enough to dine and sightsee on deck. Within this period, each month has special highlights including:
November - Early December (late spring - early summer)
Winter pack ice begins to melt and break up, creating new landscapes of sculpted ice with abundant pack ice and pristine icebergs.
Courting season for colonies of penguins and seabirds, recognisable by spectacular displays of courtship rituals. Seals visible on fast ice and shorelines. Spring wildflowers blooming on the Falkland and South Georgia Islands. Research activity at its height. Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories.
Mid-December - January (full summer)
Wildlife in full swing as temperatures warm and activity levels rise. Late December and January are usually Antarctica’s warmest months. On South Georgia and the Falklands, first penguin chicks emerge and fur seals are breeding. Longer days create great light conditions for fabulous photographic opportunities and you can read a newspaper on deck at midnight! Seal pups visible on South Georgia and the Falklands. Antarctic chicks hatch. Whales increasingly numerous. Receding ice may open new channels for exploration.
February - March (late summer)
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets create stunning photo opportunities. Whale-sighting at its best. Penguin chicks begin to fledge. Receding pack ice permits forays farther south and into the Weddell Sea. Snow algae blooming. Falklands chicks leaving the nest. Fur seals increasingly common on the Antarctic Peninsula.
November - Early December (late spring - early summer)
Winter pack ice begins to melt and break up, creating new landscapes of sculpted ice with abundant pack ice and pristine icebergs.
Courting season for colonies of penguins and seabirds, recognisable by spectacular displays of courtship rituals. Seals visible on fast ice and shorelines. Spring wildflowers blooming on the Falkland and South Georgia Islands. Research activity at its height. Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories.
Mid-December - January (full summer)
Wildlife in full swing as temperatures warm and activity levels rise. Late December and January are usually Antarctica’s warmest months. On South Georgia and the Falklands, first penguin chicks emerge and fur seals are breeding. Longer days create great light conditions for fabulous photographic opportunities and you can read a newspaper on deck at midnight! Seal pups visible on South Georgia and the Falklands. Antarctic chicks hatch. Whales increasingly numerous. Receding ice may open new channels for exploration.
February - March (late summer)
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets create stunning photo opportunities. Whale-sighting at its best. Penguin chicks begin to fledge. Receding pack ice permits forays farther south and into the Weddell Sea. Snow algae blooming. Falklands chicks leaving the nest. Fur seals increasingly common on the Antarctic Peninsula.
