Antarctica
The emperors at Snow Hill
- When
- November to March
- How long
- Two to three weeks, door to door
- Getting there
- Via Buenos Aires or Santiago to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas
Antarctica is the one continent where the journey is decided as much by ice and weather as by any plan. In November, an ice-strengthened ship with helicopters on board pushes into the Weddell Sea, and a helicopter sets you down near the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island. Some years the ice refuses. That is part of why it is worth the wait.
Most voyages sail to the Antarctic Peninsula instead: glaciers falling into the sea, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales feeding in the channels, and landings where the only footprints are your own.
When to go
The season runs from November to March. November brings fresh snow and penguin courtship; December and January the longest days and the first chicks; February and March the best whale watching. Emperor penguin voyages to Snow Hill sail only in November.
How we would plan it
We choose the ship before anything else. Only a limited number of guests may go ashore at one site at a time, so a smaller ship means more time on land, and the ship decides whether you have helicopters or kayaks.
For those who would rather not cross the Drake Passage by sea, some voyages fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island and board there.
Most journeys fly through Buenos Aires or Santiago, then on to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. We plan the connections, the visas and a night's rest before you sail, and a few quiet days in Patagonia on the way home.
Good to know
How long does an Antarctica journey take?
Allow two to three weeks door to door from most parts of the world. Most voyages last 10 to 14 days, with long travel days at each end.
Is the Drake Passage crossing rough?
It can be. The crossing takes around two days each way. Fly-cruise voyages avoid it by flying over, and we help you choose between the two.
Can we see emperor penguins?
Emperor penguins breed far from most voyage routes. November voyages to Snow Hill Island use helicopters to reach them, and landings depend on ice and weather, so they are never guaranteed.
Do we need a visa for Antarctica?
Antarctica itself needs no visa, but depending on your passport you may need visas for Argentina or Chile and for some transit countries. We arrange them as part of the plan.
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