Antarctica in February

February is Antarctica's most active wildlife month as all wildlife maximises the Austral summer’s brief window. Penguin chicks start fledging and learning to swim, skuas and leopard seals are predating, and whale sightings become common.

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5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in February

The 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 have now made it down to Antarctica's rich waters
February is the perfect month to reach the Polar Circle, now that the ice has receded to its maximum extent
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 now changes, becoming more inquisitive now they’ve sated their appetite

Swoop Says

We love February for the frenzy of wildlife activity - crecheing chicks, predating leopard seals & copious whales - before the onset of winter. It's also arguably the best time to try to reach the Polar Circle.

Antarctica in February

Transiting the Errera Channel
Kayaking off Cape Tuxen
Iceberg in Crystal Sound en route to the Polar Circle
Hungry Adelie penguin chick
Sculpted icebergs off Baily Head, South Shetlands
Gentoo penguin & rookery, Pleneau Island
Crabeater Seal
Spyhopping Orcas
Whalers Bay, Deception Island, South Shetlands

What our customers think

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.

Jeff, Arizona February 2017
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.

Sue, Gavan & Jenni, Australia February 2018
It was an incredible and awe-inspiring place. The place met my expectations and the encounters there exceeded my expectations.

Kushal, UAE March 2018
The Antarctic is more magical south of the circle in February and March. Definitely worth it. Our ship [The Expedition] was the first to get through 'The Gullet', a narrow short cut with lots of sea ice, in seven years.

Sandra & Keith, UK March 2018

Antarctica Cruises - February

Antarctica Cruises February 2019

February is prime time for both whale sightings, particularly in Wilhelmina Bay, and heading south to the Polar Circle.

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Antarctica Cruises February 2020

The wildlife takes centre stage in February - think hungry penguin chicks, marauding leopard seals and humpback whales gorging on krill.

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Alex says

Witnessing a pod of orcas clinically hunting down a group of beleaguered fur seals, alongside kayaking with a slumbering 40 tonne humpback whale, are just two of my own personal highlights from Antarctica in February.

Alex Mudd General Manager

FAQs: Antarctic Travel in February

What are the typical weather conditions?
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)
What's the wildlife doing?

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 seal are often seen predating along the ice edge.
Young penguin chicks from late February 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.
How will choosing to travel in February affect the cost?

February, like late 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.
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.
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.