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Antarctica in March

Q: What is the weather like in Antarctica in March?

March is a time of change for Antarctica as the early onset of winter begins to be felt. From around mid-March the weather becomes increasingly colder and less predictable, and the number of ships markedly thins out as the season draws to a close. Temperatures tend to be around -5 to 0 degrees Celsius ( 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit) , it can get colder, and of course, on a sunny day, it can feel a lot warmer. Wind chill may at times play a factor. Dress appropriately and you are unlikely to feel cold. Inside all the vessels you can expect standard room temperature and quite often each cabin will have its own temperature control thermostat. Things change quite quickly in March, for example, each day that passes there are around 15 minutes less daylight, so the sun is literally setting on the season.

Q: Is March the best month for seeing wildlife in Antarctica?

By early March in Antarctica, penguin colonies are still large and chicks are learning to swim and feed themselves . While the penguin populations in March will be smaller (although you'll still see thousands), it's prime time for whale watching , particularly in well-known hang-outs like Wilhelmina Bay . Humpbacks by March can now become more curious, particularly the juveniles. Towards the end of March things start to change: once the adult penguins have moulted, they start to desert the rookeries and head back to sea where they will spend the polar winter, not returning again to land until November. Whales are also fully fed and thinking about heading back north to their breeding grounds. For those doing the longer voyages including South Georgia , it's an exceptional time to be visiting. The King penguins are in their greatest numbers at this time making for great photography , there are lots of playful fur seals and Macaroni penguins, and the Wandering Albatrosses on Prion Island have small chicks. To read more on Antarctic wildlife, visit our dedicated page .

Whale season is in full swing in March, offering excellent chances of sightings, and juvenile penguins are busy learning to swim. With fewer ships plying Antarctica's waters, lower prices and generally good cabin availability, it’s a fantastic time to visit.

Our Top Trips March 2026 March 2027 FAQ

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in March

You're almost guaranteed wonderful wildlife encounters – February and March are the best months for whale watching
The penguin chicks are very curious towards visitors and are often drawn to the colour yellow in particular
It's a popular month for photographers, with the sun now lower in the sky and wonderful sunsets and sunrises
March can be a magical time as there are fewer ships around so it feels like you have Antarctica to yourself
On South Georgia, the king penguin rookeries are at their most impressive and macaronis are in their greatest numbers

Swoop says

I love March for the bonanza of whale sightings and the glorious sunsets spilling molten gold over the icy mountains as the polar nights begin to draw in. Plus, lower price points can make this a cost-effective time to travel to Antarctica.

Otto Lock Antarctica Specialist

Antarctica in March

Leopard seal on an ice floe, Antarctica

Kayaking near Charlotte’s Bay, Antarctica

Gentoo penguin preparing to swim, Antarctica

Young Gentoo contemplating a swim, but not yet fledged, Antarctica

Taking a Zodiac ride to Pleneau Bay, Antarctica, in March

Zodiac to Pleneau Bay in March

Gentoo penguins on Pleneau Island in Antarctica

Gentoo penguins, Pleneau Island, Antarctica

Watching humpback whales from the Zodiac, Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctica

Humpback whale and zodiac, Wilhelmina Bay

Elephant Seals at Hannah Point, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Elephant Seals, Hannah Point, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Strong winds crossing Bransfield Strait, Antarctica

Spot humpback whales

Our Top Trips in March

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What our customers think of Antarctica in March

The most memorable moment was humpback whales swimming under and around our zodiac, spyhopping us multiple times!! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Bryan Niebanck - USA

Most memorable moment? Watching a humpback whale plunging under our zodiac! Wow... Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

S M Kaiser Ali - Bangladesh

10/10 - It’s an experience I will recollect for the rest of my life. Antarctica is pristine and beautiful. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Naga Ganesh Kumar Vijayarangam - UK

I expected beautiful scenery and it didn’t disappoint, but I was overwhelmed with how many whale encounters we had. I cried because I tried and paid to see whales in at least 3 different countries and saw none. The penguins are of course hilarious and made me laugh. Coming to Antarctica in March was key. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Maria Lucinskas - UK

Most memorable moment? Seeing a leopard seal catch and flay a penguin reminded me that nature is not cuddly. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Sharon Smith - USA

Too many memorable moments to pick from. The sheer number of humpbacks and orcas and how close they were was completely amazing.

Travelled: March 2025

William R Gilliland - USA

Near the end of the cruise we sailed into a little bay in the Antarctic Sound... There were mountains, icebergs in the bay, penguins, whales in the distance, rolling hills, sun and clouds and so very many shades of blue and white on the ice. In short, it was the single perfect moment with all the elements that we were enjoying coming together in one spot. And we were able to sit in the snow for the first time and we took some awesome pics there. It was what I call a perfect moment. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Rajesh Ramsukh - Canada

10/10 - Everything was well planned. For me, the weather was perfect and the seas were not rough. The expedition team were informative and very passionate about the Antarctic. Very knowledgeable. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Joy Anna Flynt - USA

Most memorable moment? The amazing grouping of whales that we saw on the first day after the Drake Passage. Many humpbacks and killer whales. An amazing sight! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

Gary Randolph Stage - USA

10/10 - It was just outstanding. The staff and itinerary were fantastic. There was never a dull moment and the ship was amazing! Never thought I'd be in a jacuzzi sailing through the snow past icebergs and whales! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Lesley Anne McIntosh - UK

We had a humpback whale come right up beside our zodiac where it stayed for about half an hour! It was so playful and curious, spyhopping to see what was going on and swimming around genuinely like it was playing with us. It was incredible! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Lesley Anne McIntosh - UK

Most memorable moments was seeing the penguins up close jumping in the water and out of the water and seeing the whales up close and personal. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Ruby Johnson - USA

During a minute's silence on our zodiac to really take in and appreciate the surroundings an iceberg which we were near, we could hear cracks from within and then suddenly a large chunk of the iceberg calved off the side. It was an overwhelming moment that stunned our whole zodiac.

Travelled: February 2025

Erika heginbotham - UK

There were so many memorable moments, but if I had to choose one, having the humpback whales right next to our boat in the zodiacs and on the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Christine Roberts - USA

There were countless penguins swimming around our zodiacs, and also playfully jumping in and out of the water. I also enjoyed another day where there were countless humpback whales. I was able to get 4 separate whale tail shots with my camera. We couldn't even count how many were in the area.

Travelled: February 2025

Brantley Gaitan - USA

Most memorable moment? Watching at least 20 orcas swimming toward the ship, just below the surface. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Jeff Montgomery - USA

Too many memorable moments to remember! Elephant seals, standing on a sea ice sheet, polar plunge, star gazing during our camping adventure, watching orcas chase and interact with humpback whales, massive icebergs.... The list could go on and on! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Sumiko May - UK

2 humpback whales swam under and over to our zodiac, raising their heads a few times within an inch of our zodiac to check us out and listen to my husband and I talk to them, showing such sentience, consciousness and gentleness. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Kit Yin Boey - Singapore

We saw penguin parties, whales in groups and feeding, seal parties, and different spectacular icebergs, glaciers and scenery. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Winifred Hok-Wing Bacon - UK

The zodiacs were lots of fun, always safe landing and cruise. We saw Adelies, gentoos, and chinstraps, as well as seals and humpbacks, playing around us. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Baoyin Huang - Canada

Most memorable moment? Cruising in the zodiac on a lovely sunny day when we came across a curious and playful leopard seal who swam around us for half an hour! It was a fantastic experience in the most surreal setting. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Alysha Vazirally - India

Stepping onto the continent and taking a moment to appreciate the pure beauty and sounds of nature, minus the noise and sights of human pollution, was an incredible experience. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Laurie Anne Douglas - USA

Take a look at what animals and scenery you might see in different months because it can truly vary from October to March – if you want whales, go in March and you will not regret it. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2023

Duncan Stewart - UK

The first sunrise in Antarctica is engraved in my mind and started a ripple effect of memorable moments. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Nicole Kmiotek - USA

Best encounter with penguins was the final day. If you sat down, some of the more curious youngsters would come up to you and check you out. Made for some memorable pictures. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Tom Hoster - USA

The temperatures were more moderate than expected and the wildlife was awesome. The highlight was the zodiac cruises to see the icebergs and sea life. The most magical moment was seeing the full moon rise over the mountain top. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2019

Charles Loflin - United States Of America

The light and the landscape changing before your eyes, completely captivating. Lots of wildlife despite being late in the season, and by visiting later we saw lots of whales. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

David Irwin - United Kingdom

It's expensive but I don't regret a penny.

Travelled: March 2018

John & Lesley - UK

If you are going late in February or March I would highly recommend a circle crossing. The feel and look of Antarctica certainly changes down there. Spectacular. Otherworldly. Impossible to convey what it's like to some one who hasn't been there.

Travelled: February 2018

Sandra & Keith - UK

Penguins were definitely the highlight. I could have watched them for hours. Lemaire Channel was spectacular though we had to turn around at the end due to iceberg blocking the way. We saw many whales - fin, humpback and orca. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2017

Nathalie Lemaire - United States Of America

Every day is different and amazing in a new way. Shocked at how much there is to see and do, I never wanted to leave. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2017

Deirdre Clute - United States Of America

Review:

March Customer Reviews

Antarctica Cruises in March 2026

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Antarctica Cruises March 2027

Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip

View all our Antarctic Cruises

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Antarctic Travel in March: FAQs

What is the weather like in Antarctica in March?

March is a time of change for Antarctica as the early onset of winter begins to be felt. From around mid-March the weather becomes increasingly colder and less predictable, and the number of ships markedly thins out as the season draws to a close.
Temperatures tend to be around -5 to 0 degrees Celsius (20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit), it can get colder, and of course, on a sunny day, it can feel a lot warmer. Wind chill may at times play a factor. Dress appropriately and you are unlikely to feel cold. Inside all the vessels you can expect standard room temperature and quite often each cabin will have its own temperature control thermostat.
Things change quite quickly in March, for example, each day that passes there are around 15 minutes less daylight, so the sun is literally setting on the season.
Is March the best month for seeing wildlife in Antarctica?

By early March in Antarctica, penguin colonies are still large and chicks are learning to swim and feed themselves. While the penguin populations in March will be smaller (although you'll still see thousands), it's prime time for whale watching, particularly in well-known hang-outs like Wilhelmina Bay. Humpbacks by March can now become more curious, particularly the juveniles.
Towards the end of March things start to change: once the adult penguins have moulted, they start to desert the rookeries and head back to sea where they will spend the polar winter, not returning again to land until November. Whales are also fully fed and thinking about heading back north to their breeding grounds.
For those doing the longer voyages including South Georgia, it's an exceptional time to be visiting. The King penguins are in their greatest numbers at this time making for great photography, there are lots of playful fur seals and Macaroni penguins, and the Wandering Albatrosses on Prion Island have small chicks.

To read more on Antarctic wildlife, visit our dedicated page.
Is it cheaper to visit Antarctica in March?

March is a shoulder season month to travel to Antarctica, like November, when the prices are lower than high season and trips offering good value can be found. Early March trips are definitely worth considering, however the savings made by taking a later March departure may well be eroded by the colder, less predictable weather and the fewer wildlife, so choose carefully.
Can I fly to Antarctica in March?

Flights are limited this late in the season but there are still a few around. Get in touch with our Polar Specialists to find out the latest availability.
What additional activities are available?

March is still a very good month for kayaking. With the nights drawing in ever earlier as the month progresses, camping isn't always possible.

Undecided on When to Travel?

Read Swoop's guide on choosing the best month and year for you, with advice on how to plan your perfect Antarctic voyage.

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