 Antarctica
Information
Take advantage of the long days of southern
summer, you will explore the vast colonies of
penguins, observe some of
the great whales, watch hundreds of seals resting lazy on ice
floes, and
marvel at the extraordinary variety of shapes, sizes and colors of
icebergs.
Numerous seabirds trail in our wade, while the vistas are
magnificent, with towering
glaciers and dramatic cliffs that drop almost
vertically into the sea.
For the ultimate Antarctic voyage,
discover more than the Antarctic Peninsula.
Explore
the Falklands,
a natural habitat for elephant seals, southern sea lions & 5 penguins
species; and the South Georgia
islands, an ice-crowned mountain
range leaping more
than 10,000 feet
out of the Scotia Sea where
nearby 80,000 King penguins inhabit the
shorelines in large rookeries;
and finally, through the Chilean Fjords containing some
of the world's
narrowest and most scenic waterways.
Of course you'll visit the
Antarctic Peninsula itself, during the Austral summer, when
the sun finally emerges after the long winter night and the
rich waters teem with life.
Whales and sea lions are rich in variety' giant albatross
& rookeries of squawking,
waddling, remarkably sociable
penguins are seen in every shape & size. You'll
observe them as they
parade across the ice, slide on their bellies down
snowfields and dive into the icy sea.
IAATO:
All the companies we use are part of the International
Association. Antarctica is a pristine environment, and we are
committed to its protection (IAATO), an organization dedicated to
promoting safe and environmentally responsible private-sector
cruises and expeditions to Antarctica. During the visits, the
companies take great care not to disturb nesting sea birds, tread
on fragile plant life, or disrupt vital research, and we carefully
monitor shipboard waste disposal. We encourage cruise members to
recognize the fragility of this unique part of our planet and to
adhere to sound environmental principles
Travel
Information
Visas: Since no-one owns Antarctica
no-one needs a visa to visit it. However, shipping schedules are at
the mercy of the ice and elements so, even if you are traveling
directly from your home country, you will need to bring a valid
passport since your vessel could quite possibly pull into the port
of another country for shelter. You will need visas for any
countries that your ship visits en route to Antarctica.
Health risks: Hypothermia, sunburn, dehydration, frostbite
and snow blindness
Time: Clock time is largely irrelevant (the tourist season
has about 20 hours' daylight each day), but most bases set their
clocks in accordance with their home countries.
Electricity: Each ship and each base has its own independent
electricity supply, but many of the ships are Russian with a 220V/50
Hz output into a standard European two-pin socket.
When To Go
Tourists cannot visit Antarctica during
the winter; pack ice extends 1000km (620mi) around the continent
making ship access impossible and the darkness (almost 24 hours a
day) does not lift until summer time. Add to this the midwinter
'chill' - temperatures can be -80 or 90° Celsius - and you begin to
realise that summer might be slightly more pleasant anyway.
November finds
penguins mating and nesting with eggs. October
and November are early summer when the pack ice is breaking up and
the birds, especially penguins, are courting and mating.
December and January represent the
height of summer and thus
the warmer months on the continent. Daylight lasts nearly 24 hours, penguin chicks emerge, and whale
sightseeing's increase.
February is the end of summer and many
chicks are leaving their nests. Many consider February the best time
for whale sightings. Antarctic summers are blessed with 18-24 hours
of daylight. In the late summer months of
February and March there are terrific whale-watching opportunities
and the adult penguins are ashore moulting. Remember also that some
vessels visit Antarctica 10 or more times in a single season and the
staff members and lecturers on these ships can become jaded and
burnt out well before the end of the summer.
Note
about what you'll see when you visit:
Penguins, Birds and Seals: During
the summer months of January and February you will experience
abundant wildlife on the beaches and cliffs of the Antarctic
Peninsula islands. Each Antarctic
spring the curtains part to reveal a gargantuan drama. As the sea
ice melts, releasing the continent from winter's frozen grip,
millions upon millions of penguins, sea birds and seals pour from
the ocean to breed along the continent's foreshores. Pods of whales
move south to feed in the surrounding nutrient rich waters.
Warmer temperatures during these months enable much of Antarctica's
wildlife to go ashore.
Penguins abound; several species
live in Antarctic regions; flightless birds that are better adapted
to life in the water than on land. At this time of year you often
find penguin colonies populated by young chicks. They have no
fear of humans, and will spend as much time observing you and you
will them. Seals, whales and numerous species of birds are often
spied during the expedition, both on land and at sea.
The South Shetland Islands & Antarctic
Peninsula:
Ushuaia, Argentina:
The southernmost town in the world,
Ushuaia sits at the edge of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's "Land
of Fire," so named because of fires lit by Indians to warn of
the arrival of Magellan's ship. Surrounded by dense forest,
snow-capped mountains, rivers and waterfalls, the town has a
frontier spirit.
An archipelago of over 20 islands just north of the Antarctic Peninsula
Deception Island: This beautiful island was formed by
volcanic activity that resulted in a sea-flooded crater, still
active today. Your ship carefully navigates through the narrow
gateway called Neptune's Bellows, with the possibility of three
landings including Baily Head, a well populated chinstrap
penguin rookery; Pendulum Cove, hot geothermal springs where there
is a possibility of taking a dip; and Whaler's Bay, and old whaling
station.
Penguin Island: A small
volcanic island featuring two craters within each other and a
desolate landscape. Hike 544 feet to the summit for some outstanding
views. The island is blessed with a rich diversity of wildlife
including chinstrap and Adelie penguins, southern giant petrels,
Antarctic terns, skuas, kelp gulls and fur seals.
King
George Island: There are numerous international research
stations on this island, including the Polish Arctowski Station and
the Brazilian Ferraz Station in Admiralty Bay. On the western side
there are Russian, Chilean, Chinese, Korean and Uruguayan stations.
A visit to one or more stations is often possible, with an
opportunity to meet the researchers.
Hannah Point (Livingston Island): One of the best wildlife
sites in the Antarctic provides an opportunity to see chinstrap,
gentoo and macaroni penguins; giant petrels, blue-eyed shags, skuas,
Wilson's storm petrels; and possibly the southern elephant seal and
Antarctic fur seal.
Neumayer Channel & Port
Lockroy: Passing
between the soaring cliffs of the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, we
arrive at one of Antarctica's most exciting anchorages: Port Lockroy.
During World War II, the British set up base here, to protect
interests in the Southern Ocean and though abandoned, the base has
recently been restored. Nearby we'll visit a large gentoo rookery
and we'll also see blue-eyed shags (cormorants), and witness sad
reminders of past whaling activities.
Hope Bay: Hope Bay lies in the Antarctic Sound often called
"Iceberg Alley" providing excellent opportunities to see
extraordinary icebergs. View the remains of an expedition hut from a
Swedish expedition that wintered here in 1903. The Argentine
Esperanza Research Station, Adelie penguins and snowy sheathballs
are other highlights.
Petermann Island (Lemaire Channel): Often the sothernmost
point in the cruise, Petermann is easy to hike on. The narrow,
glacier-lined Lemaire Channel is considered one of Antarctica's most
beautiful passages The Lemaire
Channel requires excellent navigation as it is often filled with ice
floes and icebergs. The array of colors late in the evening are
spectacular, and there may be opportunities for whale watching.
Half Moon Island:
One of the most pleasant landings in
Antarctica, Half Moon Island has a sizable rookery of chinstrap
penguins as well as nesting Antarctic terns and kelp gulls. Whales
are quite often seen patrolling the shores, and this small island
offers stunning views of surrounding mountains.
Paradise Bay: With breathtaking panoramic views across the
bay, this is one of the most beautiful places on the peninsula, home
to terns, petrels, cormorants, seals, penguins, and whales.
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