Where to go on a cruise to Antarctica

Discover the regions of Antarctica

Antarctic Circle Cruises

Antarctic Circle Cruises

For the ultimate adventure, join a cruise that crosses the Antarctic Circle at 66 Degrees South and visits some of the most beautiful landmarks both north and south of the circle.

Discover More

The Falkland Islands

A single rockhopper penguin stands on a rock surrounded by black-browed albatross at West Point in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are a small, remote and thinly populated archipelago that punch well above their size when to comes to amazing wildlife and scenery.

Discover More

Ross Sea Cruises

A zodiac boat carrying tourists cruises past an ice floe with Adelie penguins in the Ross Sea. The ship MS Adventurer is on the horizon

The Ross Sea is remote, hauntingly beautiful and full of Antarctic history. A unique polar gem, it welcomes only a lucky few to its frozen shorelines every year.

Discover More

Weddell Sea Cruises

Emperor penguin at Snow Hill in the Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is Antarctica at its most raw and untamed. Accessible for only a few short months of the year, it’s home to immense tabular icebergs and remote emperor penguin …

Discover More

Watch our Introduction to Antarctica

Travelling to Antarctica

The Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in the world but most cruises focus on the Antarctic Peninsula (the pointy bit) rather than venturing too far inland. The Peninsula is scattered with a whole host of important landmarks, named after the hundreds of polar explorers that tried to conquer this inhospitable land throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, even to the present day.

Many Antarctic cruises cross the Drake Passage and explore the South Shetland Islands and the northern Antarctic Peninsula, whilst others continue across the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south, going as far as Marguerite Bay.

Few based out of Ushuaia or Punta Arenas make it as far south as the Ross Sea, or allow you to venture inland to the South Pole, although some special interest expeditions are designed to do this. It is also possible to reach the Ross Sea on a cruise that disembarks in New Zealand. 

All Antarctic trips are flexible to conditions, which is all part of the adventure of travelling so far south! 

A guide to Antarctic travel

Antarctica's Wildlife

A guide to Antarctic travel

Antarctica is home to a truly astonishing number of sea creatures, including eight species of penguins that nest or breed in and around the continent. Amongst them you'll see the Emperor, Chinstrap, King, Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo and Adelie. Antarctica's waters are also home to Minke and Humpback whales which can often be spotted around Neko Bay. Seals are a common sight, including Elephant, Crabeater, Fur, Leopard and Weddell species.

If you're interested in seeing a particular animal, let us know so that we can direct you to the right trips. All our partners abide by the guidelines of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, so you can travel in the knowledge that you won't disturb the vast amounts of wildlife you'll meet.

Antarctica's Weather and Seasons

Chinstrap penguin chicks at their nest, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin colony

Antarctica's seasons are essentially the opposite to ours, summer starts in November through to March, and winter takes over from March to September. The months in between are equivalent to our autumn, although the ice is too thick for ships to explore with passengers, which makes the visiting season quite short.

During Antarctica's summer months you can expect up to 24 hours of daylight, which make being there a very special and surreal experience indeed, but during winter and particularly at the height in June, Antarctica is shrouded in 24 hour darkness, and is certainly a very trying time for the continent's wildlife, who have to survive this seemingly endless cold.

As a general rule, in Antarctica the temperature falls as you leave the coast and the continent slopes upwards where temperatures drop. If you visit from November to February you can expect temperatures of approximately -27.5 degrees which drops to -60 degrees in winter. So don't forget your thermals!

Customer review background image

What our customers think of A guide to Antarctic travel

Swoop went above and beyond what is offered by the operators and provided us with great insights and preparation for our trip. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Jake Given - USA

There isn't a photo or video that can adequately capture the grandeur and pure awe of this place. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2023

Sarah Larson - USA

I think my favorite moment was when our driver turned off the engine and we just sat in silence and really took in where we were with all the sounds and sights of Antarctica. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2023

Melissa Walker - USA

The vastness and wildness that is Antarctica is the only thing that can dwarf the experience and memories I hold. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Carolyn Ferraro - USA

So many memorable moments. If we had to pick one, it was standing on Antarctica and looking out on endless snow fields in one direction and iceberg graveyards in the other direction. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Michael Sanders - USA

The awesome beauty of Antarctica is difficult, if not impossible, to put into words. My wife, Laura, and I read several books prior to the expedition, but nothing matched the experience. The most memorable moment was probably standing on the land for the first time. Everything there seemed larger than at home . . . and a great deal colder! A thought that struck me several times was that the Earth was its own and not necessarily meant for man. I was strictly a visitor to this creation. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Thomas Goodman - USA

You should go with the thought of "expedition" in mind. This is not a Rhine cruise or a Maui beach. Your expectation of some discomfort will not be disappointed. Cold, wind, water, and pitching seas will add impression to your memories of what is certainly one of the most beautiful and awesome places on earth. It is a gift to be able to experience it. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Thomas Goodman - USA

Each trip on land or on a zodiac offered us different views of the continent. We explored each landing site for 1 to 2 hours, and this included hikes and glaciers, visiting penguin colonies etc. The briefings on board the ship gave us a really good understanding of what we were visiting. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Isabella Kornas - UK

Setting foot on the Antarctica continent for the first time at Brown Bluff with huge blue and white icebergs all around and Adele and Gentoo penguin colonies and fur seals and the glaciers and ice shelves all around. It was everything and more than I expected. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Jana Dreyzehner - USA

Our overall experience was outstanding. We learned a lot from the interesting lectures, exploring out in the field, and getting to experience such vast beauty. Such a knowledgeable and positive team worked beautifully together and took great care of us. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Leah Rumbough - USA

10/10 - We had incredible weather and wildlife sightings (which was definitely an element of luck) - but also the boat, staff, guides and kitchen were absolutely incredible. Really well run operation with things kept on time and all the adventures engaging. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Ryan Heyrana - USA

You can't put words to the feeling you get in Antarctica. Just being there is a life changing experience that one needs to have for themselves to appreciate the Antarctic. My most memorable moment was seeing all the wildlife in their natural environment and how they live. Walking so close and feeling as a part of the environment was something we just don't experience in the "real world". Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Robert Wenze - USA

The last night we dropped anchor in a sun lit bay and had the BBQ outdoors on deck, we were able to reflect on an amazing expedition, with the friends we'd made and then some humpbacks turned up and showed us their tails reflecting the setting sun - magic. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Rick Greer - UK

The experience has left an indelible mark with me. It is a more complete feeling of a majestic understanding shared by those explorers who have touched Antarctica. David, expedition leader, coaxed us constantly with that adventurous look at all we saw. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Daniel Alsaker - USA

No material items are equivalent to the joy of an incredible experience Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Timothy Sieck - USA

10/10 It was the perfect mix of adventure, unique experience and educational / fulfilling vacation as I could have imagined. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Gene Piper - USA

The colours in icebergs, the complete lack of fear of penguins (they have to be the only animal on the planet that doesn't run and hide from humans), the active volcano, the whales and their incredible curiosity and playfulness, the moment I set foot on Antarctica it was one memorable moment after another. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Marg Macleod - Canada

Don't think about it. Just do it or you will always regret it - an experience NOT to be missed. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

John Parker - UK

It's hard to put into words - but feeling such camaraderie and sharing awe with others heightened my appreciation of the environment, my respect for humanity and a sense of optimism or positivity rather than the negativity often experienced from the news. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Linda Nolte - USA

Literally everyone on the ship were kindred spirits. Most were world travelers and Antarctica was the last continent. We made new friends on the trip. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Natalie Dewberry-Moore - USA

10/10 - I’ve wanted to go to Antarctica for about 18 years. It was a bucket list adventure. I was able to camp, cruise the Antarctica waters, and kayak around glaciers and icebergs. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Natalie Dewberry-Moore - USA

Stepping on the continent and being surrounded by penguins. The beauty of the landscape was something we’ve never seen before. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Sarah Moore - USA

The wildlife we saw on a daily basis was more than we could have imagined. From the varieties of penguins, seals, whales and birds we were able to be feet away from these incredible animals. One of my favorite encounters was on a zodiac cruise where we had 6 humpbacks breaching close to us. The crew also made sure we were respectful to the wildlife’s space and regulations for Antarctica. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Alyson Winemberg - USA

If you don't like breathtaking scenery, once-in-a lifetime experiences, making new friends, learning extraordinary things about all things Antarctic and how they relate to you individually and to this world we live in, then maybe this isn't for you. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Mary Buchino Johnson - USA

Most memorable moment: Waking up, opening the curtains and seeing the magical view. It was awe inspiring. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Rebecca Brown - USA

The expedition team was phenomenal. They were genuinely interested in making the trip the best it could be. I would have a hard time saying that any one was a standout because they all were in different ways. Likewise, I enjoyed all of the lectures. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Darwin Webster - USA

To see somewhere so untouched was amazing, no human footprint so to speak. Certainly cleansed the mind for a while! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Jon Minshaw - Germany

What did I “learn from” Antarctica? I learned its blessedly simple “is-ness,” and how seeing beauty is the wonderful but simple art of recognizing the beauty that’s already there, expressed also in the billions of individual and varied elements of Earth. I don’t need a “deeper” meaning than that. Did Antarctica change my life? No, it reaffirmed it Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Rik Myślewski - USA

10 - It was so much more than "just a cruise." Activities were safe and allowed for participation regardless of your age, ability, etc. The educational aspects of the region, the wildlife, the history, the current processes in place to "manage" the area and preserve its unique wild state - everything was phenomenal !!! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Shelley Springer - USA

10 - As a professional writer, I take no pride in saying words fail to describe the majesty of Antarctica. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Scott Hogenson - USA

It is a long way to go and a lot of money, but truly worth it in the end. You will have an experience you will remember forever. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Jennifer Crews - Canada

Choose the smallest vessel as possible, more intimate, more environmentally friendly and it can reach places other larger ships can't. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Helena Polackova - UK

Stepping onto the Antarctic Peninsula for the first time, its beauty brought me to tears. It’s something I will never forget. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Sandra Whitlock-Baker - UK

Just do it! Be prepared to be amazed, stunned even by the whole experience but also not to be disappointed when nature doesn't oblige. Some passengers appear to expect everything to go to a schedule, and are not prepared to get cold and wet. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Sue Gatenby - UK

What a powerful experience. How many people in the world get to experience this? I feel humbled. The reactions and enthusiasm of the staff at achieving the crossing reinforced how privileged my experience was. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jane Crowley - USA

The flora, fauna, scenery were all interwoven to create a memorable sometimes overwhelmingly awesome experience. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Jane Crowley - USA

Antarctica exceeded every expectation! The overwhelming grandiosity is difficult to put into words. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Michael Bilheimer - USA

The entire experience was well planned with necessary information given to trip participants in a timely manner. And besides logistics, the number and variety of off-ship excursions were outstanding, allowing us to see and experience so much of what Antarctica has to offer even in a short visit. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Fred Delcomyn - USA

Antarctica is even more remote and wild than I had imagined. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Fred Delcomyn - USA

I love knowing that there is a place at the bottom of the world that is covered with ice and penguins, and that my own eyes have seen it. It is both comforting and inspiring. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Stephanie Krolick - USA

The orcas appearing during the whale talk, the baby humpback breaching off the bow of the zodiacs, the polar plunge, watching from the outriggers as the the boat cut through the ice, drinking Macallan with ice fresh from a berg, having an impromptu dance party with my husband on top of a volcanic cinder cone. It was just a super trip from beginning to end. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Stephanie Krolick - USA

Antarctica is such an alien place that it truly makes you feel like you've left the planet. The days were amazingly long, in a good way. Each day felt like two given the amount of activity and their length. Just a wonderful experience. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Mark Golan - USA

Travel always changes your perspective. Seeing a place like Antarctica just increases your desire to see it protected. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Mark Golan - USA

Overall a magical experience. Antarctica did exceed anything we had imagined or seen in pictures or video. No way to encompass the experience of stunning sights without being there. So big, so pristine. As we told some fellow passengers: Disney talks about magic in Orlando, but that is fake magic. Antarctica is the real magic on Earth. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Mike Walcher - USA

Antarctica is like no other place on earth. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

Patty (Patricia) Hunt - United States Of America

Swoop made the process really easy from start to finish with accurate and helpful info. on activities, costs, etc. It was nice to receive a full itinerary prior to leaving home, which included all of our flight info., hotels, tour details, recommendations on taxis in the various cities, etc. Well done! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

George Parson - Australia

Go! You will not regret it. It's a magnificent place--unique in its beauty and majesty. Everything I hoped for and so much more. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2020

Glenda Durano - United States Of America

I thought it was a once in a lifetime trip. But, I will definitely be going again.... Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Jodie Pigman - United States Of America

Customer Image

Do the polar plunge! You’ll regret it If you don’t. Enjoy :) Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Sarah Gillett - Switzerland

The landscapes and wildlife were unbelievable: from the penguins, birds, seals and whales to the gorgeous icebergs of all different sizes and colors and, most importantly, visualizing all of the stories of the early explorers to Antarctica.

Travelled: November 2017

Carol - Louisiana

Probably the highlight (there were many) was landing on the continent. Other highlights: thousands of penguins, many whales, hundreds of birds. Mountains covered with snow. Icebergs everywhere, some that rolled, looking very wet, some with a dusting of snow that looked like powder sugar and some with seals laying in the sun.

Travelled: November 2017

Bob - California

Customer Image

The trip met all of our expectations. The weather was beautiful, and we saw everything we came to see, including an Emperor penguin!

Travelled: November 2017

Joey & Sheri - Washington

Customer Image

Every day was a highlight, every landscape was a new vision of a pristine, untouched planet. Seals, penguins, birds, whales and dolphins... it was like being in a National Geographic documentary but with all the sensations of doing something unique.

Travelled: March 2017

Adrien - France

Customer Image

I will never forget the sounds of Antarctica. You might think it is very quiet, but no, the calving of the icebergs is thunderous and the oxygen released from the ice in the water is just a wonderful sound.

Travelled: February 2017

Patricia - Canada

Antarctica is another world. Beautiful, magical and wild. Definitely lived up to our expectations and more.

Travelled: February 2017

Bertie & Jessica - UK

Don't keep putting it off if you really want to visit Antarctica, I would highly recommend the Swoop Team to be your guides.

Travelled: January 2017

June & Edmund - Texas

Having been to Antarctica before I knew what to expect, but you forget how exceptional, beautiful, enormous, fragile, pristine and just magical the place is. It lived up to my expectations and beyond.

Travelled: January 2017

Annette - UK

I was amazed every day during my stay in Antarctica. When you thought it couldn't be better, Mother Nature always surprised you by her unlimited potential.

Travelled: December 2016

Jodi - Illinois

It exceeded every expectation I had. The best trip of my life. Love it, most beautiful place I have ever been.

Travelled: November 2016

Anna - New Zealand

Customer Image

Dear Swoop family, we would like to thank you for all the amazing effort you made in getting us to Punta Arenas in time.

Travelled: December 2015

Erik & Natascha - The Netherlands

Review:

Getting to Antarctica

The best way of getting to Antarctica largely depends on the starting point of your cruise, and if you are departing from Punta Arenas or Ushuaia.

Flights to Antarctica depart from Punta Arenas and you'll either fly to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands to begin your cruise, or fly to the Falklands to meet the ship there. Cruises departing in Ushuaia cross the Drake Passage over 2 days to get to Antarctica and usually return to Ushuaia 11-12 days later.

A guide to Antarctic travel

Guide to the History of Antarctica

The Race to the South Pole

When Robert Peary claimed to have reached the North Pole in 1909, he triggered a dramatic race amongst polar explorers to be the first to reach its southern counterpart. On 14th December 1911 after months of preparation, the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team were the first to finally make it to the South Pole and claim the victory for Norway. Amundsen and his team were just five weeks ahead of a British party led by Robert Falcon Scott as part of the Terra Nova Expedition, an expedition which sadly resulted in the deaths of Scott's entire party. 


A guide to Antarctic travel

Geographic South Pole

Books about Antarctica

If you're looking to soak up some of Antarctica's history either before or during your trip to Antarctica, we've come up with 3 of our favourite books from the point of view of scientists, historical explorers and adventure travellers:

1. Terra Incognita by Sara Wheeler - Follow Sara Wheeler on her adventure on the 'Antarctic Artists and Writers Program' as she gives her view on Antarctica from the early exploration era through to the heroic and modern history of Antarctica. Wheeler writing is witty and intelligent and she successfully weaves her own exploration and experience of Antarctica with the history of the Great White Continent.

2. End of the Earth: Voyaging to Antarctica by Peter Matthiessen - Widely considered as America's greatest literary naturalists, Peter Matthiessen charts his Antarctic expeditions in 1998 and 2001 where he describes and reports on the penguins, sea birds and marine mammals that he hopes to see whilst in the Antarctic. What Matthiesen does best is not only paint a wonderful picture of a remote place which few people ever get to visit, but also frame this picture with his concerns about protecting the environment. 

3. Scott of the Antarctic by David Crane - This beautifully written biography, which was reissued in 2012 for the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott's doomed mission, poignantly retraces Scott's infamous expedition to the South Pole and examines the man behind the tragedy, his bravery and resilience which made him one of Britain's greatest explorers.

Films about Antarctica

...and if you're looking for something visual to whet your appetite, there are a whole world of films and tv programmes to feast your eyes on. We definitely recommend watching:

1. Shackleton - this film directed by Charles Sturridge recounts the story of Shackleton's 1914 Polar expedition to the reach the South Pole. After his ship is crushed by pack ice, Shackleton (played by Kenneth Brannagh) has to cross ice, 800 miles of water and climb mountains in order to find help and save his crew.

Follow in Shackleton's footsteps by joining an Alpine Crossing excursion on this 20-day Falklands, South Georgia & Weddell Sea Voyage and attempt to repeat the epic crossing of Ernest Shackleton for up to 3days from King Haakon Bay to Stromness. The crossing distance is 20 - 30 miles depending on the route, and involves crossing large, heavily crevassed glaciers and alpine passes.

2. March of the penguins -  A fantastic film released in 2005 and narrated by Morgan Freeman about the incredible struggle faced by the Emperor penguin to reach its yearly breeding ground and rear its young. The film was shot over an entire year by two isolated French cinematographers who had to weather the incredibly harsh Antarctic winter just like the penguins.

3. Frozen Planet - This remarkable BBC nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough was extremely well received when it aired in October 2011, largely due to the fantastic photography and up-close filming of some of the most remote wildlife in the world. Made up of 7 episodes, Frozen Planet explores the life and environment of both the Arctic with the changing of the seasons. 

More about Antarctica

More helpful insights when researching your perfect Antarctic adventure.

How to get to Antarctica by boat

How to get to Antarctica

Discover how to travel to the most remote continent on earth. Study the various adventurous routes, the best way to travel and how long it will take to get to Antarctica. 

Discover More
You're guaranteed to spot gentoo penguins and icebergs on Antarctica Cruises

Antarctica Cruises

We've teamed up with some of the best cruise operators so that you can choose from over 80 cruise itineraries based on your dates, budget and appetite for adventure.

Discover More

Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

With over 150 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.

1-855-369-8288