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5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in February
- Penguin chicks are now very active and curious, chasing both parents for food as soon as they return from fishing trips
- It's peak whale spotting season as all migrating pods will have made it down to Antarctica's rich waters
- February is the perfect month to reach the Antarctic Circle, now that the sea ice has receded to its summer minimum
- The moulting stage begins for the adult penguins, while the chicks are fledging and learning to swim in the shallows
- The focus of the humpback whales changes; they're becoming more inquisitive now they’ve sated their appetite
Swoop says
I love February for the frenzy of wildlife activity, with humpback whales galore and fat downy penguin chicks screeching for food. It's also a great time to explore below the Antarctic Circle.
Lizzie Williams Polar Product Manager
Antarctica in February
Transiting the Errera Channel
Kayaking on the Antarctic Peninsula
Hungry Adelie penguin chick in February
Sculpted icebergs off Baily Head, South Shetlands
Leopard Seal, Antarctica
Gentoo chick and adults
Spy-hopping orcas
Whalers Bay, Deception Island, South Shetlands
Our Top Trips in February
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
What our customers think of Antarctica in February
The experience was fantastic, all and more than we had hoped for!! The highlight was the enormity of the scale of the peninsular and the pristine, untouched solitude of the environment. The landscape was overwhelming and all encompassing, with a grandeur that we had not expected.
Travelled: February 2018
Sue - Australia
I wasn't sure which month to visit Antarctica, in the end I picked February and I know I made the right choice. It was late in their summer so we had better access for the many excursions on land and the overall weather was excellent. Between the whale sightings, penguin chicks still in their nests and the incredible landscape, February easily is the best time to go.
Travelled: February 2017
Jeff - Arizona
Review:
Antarctica Cruises in February 2026
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Antarctica Cruises in February 2027
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
From One to One Hundred
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
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Solos
- Working with over 30 different ships to find you the most solo-friendly ships, with the lowest single supplements, and the best solo deals available. Discover More
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2 - 5 people
- With over 100 collective years of Polar experience our team will help you find your perfect trip, so you’re on the right ship, in the right cabin, and at the right point of the season. Discover More
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6 - 80 people
- We’ve worked with all sizes of groups, from large families to small schools. Travelling with Swoop means you’ll be the best prepared customers on the voyage and you pay nothing extra for this service. Discover More
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Large Groups
- We are experienced charter consultants that can build tailored experiences for both part and full charters of vessels. Discover More
Antarctic Travel in February: FAQs
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What's the weather like in Antarctica in February?
Temperatures are still warm in February and the weather pretty stable, making travel pleasant.
Average temperatures:
- Antarctic Peninsula: 34 degrees F (1 degrees C)
- South Georgia: 45 degrees F (7 degrees C)
- The Falklands: 46 degrees F (8 degrees C)
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Is February the best month for seeing wildlife in Antarctica?
February is Antarctica's most active wildlife month - in the rookeries, the penguin chicks are growing up fast making strong demands on their parents for food.
As they become larger and more resistant to the predations of greedy skuas, the urgency on the part of their parents to provide enough food will mean they are left on their own while both parents go out to sea to fish. This steady stream of dutiful parent penguins entering and exiting the water means leopard seals are often seen predating along the ice edge.
From late February, young penguin chicks start fledging and learning to swim in the shallows. February and March are also the best months for whale sightings in Antarctica, in particular humpback, minke and orca. The humpback whales tend to be very focused on feeding at this stage.
On South Georgia, the main bulk of the king penguins will start laying their eggs in February/March, which means that there is the maximum number of birds in the rookeries at this time.
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Is it cheaper to visit Antarctica in February?
February, like late December and January, is technically classed as 'high season' which carries a premium over the lower shoulder season pricing in November and March. However in our opinion the better wildlife encounters and more stable weather during this period is well worth the extra investment.
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Can I fly to Antarctica in February?
Flights to Antarctica only operate through to mid-February, after which the airfield at Frei Base on King Georgia Island (South Shetland Islands) closes due to the onset of winter and won't re-open until 1st December.
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What additional activities are available?
With the arrival of high summer, the opening up of the ice allows kayakers to cover more ground, while +21 hours of daylight a day provides an interesting experience for overnight campers out on the ice.
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.
Discover more about Antarctica
How to get to Antarctica
Whether you’re visiting the Antarctic Peninsula or heading for the South Pole, discover the different routes by sea and air to visit the Seventh Continent.
Discover More
When to go to Antarctica
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.
Discover More
Luxury Antarctica Cruises
From the onboard service and comfort of the suites to their fantastic expedition teams, luxury Antarctica cruise ships deliver a truly first-class polar experience.
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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 MoreReady to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
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