Author: Paul

If you were looking down from space, it would appear that every winter the Antarctic continent more than doubles in size. That’s because the ocean around it freezes over creating a vast curtain of sea ice. It’s one of the planet’s most extraordinary seasonal cycles and it plays an important but little understood role in […]

Antarctica is a truly fascinating destination, but many people picking an expedition cruise choose to extend their time at sea by adding in the Subantarctic island of South Georgia, famed for its immense colonies of king penguins. These trips also have the advantage of spending time at the Falkland Islands – a world-class wildlife destination, […]

Antarctica and its Subantarctic islands are home to some of the world’s greatest wildlife watching experiences. The chance to see penguins in their natural habitat is a huge draw, but there’s another sight that is just as iconic when it comes to images of polar wildlife: a seal hauled up on an ice floe. Watching […]

Formed by an active volcano, the desolate landscapes of Deception Island in Antarctica is one of the most intriguing destinations in the Seventh Continent. Its barren environment is filled with ash-covered glaciers, volcanic beaches and slopes, and an enormous natural harbour guarded by narrow cliffs, as well as a rich human history.  One of the […]

Thousands of travellers visit Antarctica every year, sailing on the 70 or so vessels that make up the polar fleet. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny yachts and expedition cruise ships that carry a hundred or so passengers, all the way up to larger ships that aren’t allowed to land […]

Antarctica is often closer than you think. From the fish in your supermarket to the supplements in your health food store, traces of its most important animal are everywhere, hidden in plain sight. Krill, the tiny crustacean at the centre of the Antarctic food web eaten by everything from gentoo penguins to whales, is being […]

It’s one of the greatest Antarctic stories ever told: Sir Ernest Shackleton’s doomed attempt to cross Antarctica that was thwarted when his ship Endurance was crushed in the ice, followed by the long and desperate struggle to get his men safely home.  For over a century, the wreck of Endurance lay hidden from the outside […]

My first time in a zodiac in Antarctica felt a little daunting. I stood on a platform at the back of our sturdy ship and looked at the rubber boat bobbing up and down on the waves. A crew member held out their hand to steady me in a sailor’s grip and help me step […]