Antarctica is a place many dream of but very few are lucky enough to see up close. On the world’s only uninhabited continent, there are no cities, but there are penguin rookeries large enough to spot from space. Streetlights are replaced by twinkling stars, and the only skyscrapers are glaciers and icebergs. At the extreme south of the earth, nature’s raw power is on full display. Here are seven experiences that make a voyage to Antarctica a life-changing adventure.
Conquer the Drake Passage
Will you get the Drake Shake or the Drake Lake? The 1,000km (621 mi) crossing from Patagonia to the Antarctic Peninsula is known for its wildly varying conditions, from massive 15m (49.2m) waves to much calmer waters.
Whether you get the rollercoaster ride of your life or it’s all smooth sailing, you’ll experience a voyage unlike any other, joining a very select club of adventurous seafarers as your journey into Antarctica begins.
Explore the vast, wild landscapes of the South Shetland Islands
In the world’s southernmost continent, the landscapes are vast, wild, and untamed. Formed by ancient volcanoes, the South Shetland Islands have been shaped by glaciers and battering waves over millions of years.
Up to 90 per cent of the islands’ landmass is still covered in ice, some volcanoes remain active, and massive icebergs dot the surrounding sea. These raw, pristine spaces, untouched by humans, were carved by the powerful forces of nature alone.
From sparkling ice cliffs to rocky shores and sheltered bays, these islands are worth a visit for the landscape alone. But that landscape is also the key to the real reason many people make this trek to the ends of the earth. On that note …
Encounter Antarctica’s rare and unique wildlife
The climate is too inhospitable for people to live here permanently. While a few thousand scientists stay seasonally on research bases, no humans call Antarctica home.
In fact, no land-based mammals, reptiles, or amphibians live anywhere on the continent. It’s a completely unique ecosystem, where 235 marine species and birds thrive in some of the harshest conditions found on planet Earth.
That said, there’s incredible diversity, from the largest animals in the world (the blue whale) to the tiniest krill. Penguins, of course, are the stars of the show: six species of them live throughout Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands.
On your journey, you’ll visit massive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie penguins; seek out Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals; and keep your eyes peeled for orca, humpback and minke whales feeding in the rich waters. You’ll also spot plenty of seabirds, including soaring albatross and petrels that seem to run across the sea.
Learn more about Antarctica wildlife: Ice bucket list: spotting wildlife in the Antarctic
Get a sea-level view from a kayak or Zodiac
Whether you hop in a Zodiac or choose to paddle a kayak, these small, sea-level crafts get you up close to everything you came to Antarctica to see: the icebergs, the glaciers, and all that wildlife we just talked about.
Kayaking among the icebergs is especially spectacular, as the incredible views are interrupted by nothing but the sound of your paddle dipping into the sea.
Camp overnight under the starry skies of the Antarctic Peninsula
It’s one of those experiences you’ll tell friends about for years to come — camping overnight onshore in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Bundled up in warm layers, good socks, and a sleeping bag for sub-zero temperatures, you can settle in for the night under a sky thick with stars, hearing nothing but the sounds of the birds, the sea, and the creaking-crackling groans of heaving ice.
There are no established campsites here in this pristine wilderness, and the top priority is to leave no trace. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators has strict regulations in place to protect these untouched spaces. That means your crew will bring everything needed for the night ashore, set up camp, and make it all disappear by morning, leaving nothing behind.
Travel to Antarctica with G Adventures:
Quest for the Antarctic Circle
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
Take a true ‘polar plunge’
You might have done a ‘polar plunge’ on New Year’s Day in your hometown. Maybe you’ve embraced the cold-plunge trend. None of that compares to a quick dip in the frigid open waters of the Antarctic.
With plenty of supervision and a safety harness around your waist, you’ll jump into the icy waters against a backdrop of glaciers and open sky. Just as the endorphins kick in, you’ll climb back aboard and grab a fluffy towel. Maybe toast this once-in-a-lifetime moment with a warming drink onboard?
Build your knowledge and support Antarctic research
An Antarctic voyage takes you to places unlike anything you’ve seen before. An onboard team of historians, marine biologists and naturalists helps you understand the full context of the journey.
With daily lectures and plenty of experts on hand to answer questions, you’ll come home with a deep understanding of this magical place.
Through G Adventures’ partnership with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, you can even help conduct real research that supports conservation efforts in Antarctica. Guided by experts, you can help survey seabirds, identify marine mammal photos and monitor the ecosystem.
Read more stories like this:
Ice-cool Ushuaia: the very best things to do
Gear up: the ultimate Antarctica packing list
Antarctica camping: what’s it like?
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