Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
At Swoop we proudly work with every major operator in the Antarctic industry.
This means we can find you the best Black Friday deals – and with our Price Match Promise you know you're always getting the very best price.
Choosing when to go to Antarctica is a key part of planning a cruise, with each month of the season offering a different side of the continent.
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The Peninsula is the classic way to experience Antarctica. Some of the best wildlife and most dramatic scenery can be found in this part of the Frozen Continent.
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From stepping foot on polar shores to zodiac cruises, and wildlife encounters to adventure activities, here’s what you can expect from an Antarctic cruise.
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We work with a range of different Antarctic vessels, with expertise across the entire polar fleet, to give you the best choice of ship, cabin and departure date.
Discover MoreWe have more than 80 trips to pick from on over 35 different expedition vessels. Get in touch with us to book your trip ahead of the crowd!
Antarctica's high season is from December to February, when temperatures are at their mildest and wildlife most abundant. During December's long days, you can expect to see humpbacks arriving from their time in the tropics. Penguin chicks explore their new home throughout January, while seal pup colonies are a hive of activity. The continuing melt of the sea ice opens up the greatest access along the peninsula in February, with wonderful opportunities to spot whales as you venture far into the region.
January is the peak of the Antarctic summer, so you'll enjoy magical 20+ hours of sunlight each day. These extra daylight hours gives you more time each day to explore,…
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February's the time for sailing all the way to the Polar Circle, the sun's rays through December and January having weakened the pack ice significantly enough to allow for …
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The summer sun bathes the continent in 20-24 hours of daylight in December, making it a popular time to visit. It's also a busy time for the penguin rookeries as the chicks begin …
Discover MorePrice Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
November is a thrilling time of year to be in Antarctica as it's the beginning of summer when everything seems to wake up from the long, dark winter. Penguin rookeries come to life, while elephant seals are busy battling on South Georgia Island. Come March, as the winter draws closer again, you can expect encounters with whales. Watch waddling groups of penguin adolescents and experience an increase in predator activity, too.
March marks the end of the travel season to Antarctica. You'll be able to enjoy the mesmerising colours of blooming green and pink algae against the water and ice, as well as …
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In November Antarctica opens its arms to the season's first visitors. You'll not only enjoy the excitement of walking on virgin snow, but you'll also appreciate its beauty as you …
Discover MorePrice Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
The majority of visitors to Antarctica travel by cruise ship, staying onboard each night. At Swoop, we offer a wide range of vessels to cater to different preferences, from intimate ships accommodating fewer than 70 guests to larger options with multiple dining areas and social spaces.
Your dedicated Swoop specialist will guide you in selecting the perfect ship for your Antarctic adventure.
A much smaller number of travellers choose to fly to Antarctica and stay at an exclusive ice camp. These land-based expeditions have limited availability and come at a significantly higher cost compared to the majority of cruises. For more information, visit our South Pole and Antarctic Interior expeditions page.
The price of a cruise to Antarctica begins at about $6,000 for the shortest Peninsula voyages and runs to approximately $60,000 or more for a land-based South Pole trip. To discover more about budgeting for your adventure, visit our Antarctic costs explained guide.
The length of an Antarctic holiday depends on the type of trip you pick, but most typical Peninsula cruises are 10 days long at minimum.
You can save up to four days' sailing time across the Drake Passage by flying to Antarctica. Or could opt to make your trip longer by visiting epic destinations such as wildlife-packed South Georgia (18+ days) or the remote Ross Sea (21+ days).
Yes, you can leave the vessel on our cruises to truly get to know Antarctica’s incredible wildlife and icy scenery. We do not provide voyages on larger ships (500+ capacity) as these won't allow you to set foot on Antarctic soil. For more information, find out what you can expect on our polar cruises.
Safety is the most important consideration for the crew taking care of you on an Antarctic voyage. All the ships we work with are staffed by experts with a wealth of experience taking the necessary precautions for safe travel in polar destinations.
The top month to sail to Antarctica in 2026 depends on preferences ranging from cost to wildlife. December, January and February tend to be the most popular options because the weather is usually slightly more predictable during these months. November and March are classed as shoulder season yet still offer an excellent experience – not to mention typically lower prices.
Most expedition cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula travel from South America's southernmost ports, with Ushuaia in Argentina and Puerto Williams in Chile being the main departure points. If you choose to fly to Antarctica and bypass sailing on the Drake Passage, your journey will likely begin in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, Chile.
A smaller number of expeditions to the rarely visited Ross Sea region leave from Australia and New Zealand.
For more details, see our guide on how to get to Antarctica.
Antarctica’s temperatures average between 28°F and 44°F (-2°C to 6°C), often surprising visitors with their mildness. Expedition cruises only operate between the Austral summertime months of October to March, providing a far more pleasant climate than the harsh winters. You might even find yourself overheating while trekking uphill through snowy terrain!
However, Antarctica is full of extremes, and strong winds can quickly bring down the temperature with a biting wind chill. This is particularly noticeable when you're out on deck whale watching or admiring the icebergs. Thankfully, with proper preparation – waterproof, windproof outerwear and insulating layers to retain heat – you can stay warm and dry.
Picture a humpback whale gliding past your kayak or sleeping out in the pristine snow of a polar campsite. An adventure activity can take your Antarctic cruise to the next level.
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A jewel in Antarctica's crown, South Georgia is one of the world's great wildlife destinations: the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
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The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the best wildlife watching destinations on Earth, with a host of penguins, whales, seals and more to discover.
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Fly & Cruise trips offer the best of Antarctica in one package: flying to the Antarctic Peninsula from Chile to join an expedition cruise ship for a classic polar adventure.
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
