Antarctica, the southernmost continent, offers a breathtakingly unique travel experience, but the best time to visit is during the austral summer, which spans from mid-October through March. During this short window, Antarctica opens for exploration, while outside these months, it is not possible to travel due to harsh weather conditions. Weather, sea ice, wildlife activity, and daylight hours vary dramatically throughout the season, offering different experiences depending on when you visit.
Planning your trip to Antarctica well in advance is essential, as limited capacity on our carefully selected expedition ships can mean popular dates fill up quickly. Below is a breakdown of what each season offers, so you can decide the best time to visit Antarctica based on your preferences.
Young penguin chick are now fluffy and grey and becoming more independent, whilst beaches are busy with adult penguins rushing back and forth to the rookery with food for their demanding offspring.Young penguin chick are now fluffy and grey and becoming more independent, whilst beaches are busy with adult penguins rushing back and forth to the rookery with food for their demanding offspring.
January is the best time to travel to Antarctica for relatively warm temperatures, calmer seas and an abundance of wildlife.
At 15C, much of the sea ice has receded and the melted snow reveals grey rocks so this is not the best time to see the spectacular ice formations. Instead, focus on photographing the hive of activity in the penguin rookeries and the baby seals sunbathing alongside their parents.
The penguin chicks become more independent, venturing into the sea. Penguins begin to moult as they prepare for the long winter ahead as the elephant seals come ashore to moult. The migrating whale pods are now all back in Antarctic waters, with sightings of numerous species including blue, sperm, orca, humpback, minke, and southern right.
February is an excellent time if you want to see the magnificent whales in Antarctic waters, and to witness endearing, fluffy penguin chicks ashore.
Late summer in Antarctica sees temperatures remaining relatively warm. The days start getting shorter, the sunrises and sunsets are excellent and the ice-free bays make shore excursions even more possible.
Marking the final month of the Antarctic season, the days start getting shorter as the continent moves towards being plunged into 24 hours of darkness. As the sun starts to drop, temperatures decrease and snow cover is at its minimum.
March is a good month to travel if you are seeking colour, not pristine white landscapes. The whales have arrived in great numbers.
Penguins are quite shabby this time of year as they are moulting in preparation for the long winter ahead. They start to move on and the striking icebergs have diminished in size. As the season winds down and the weather turns cooler, you can often find lower prices at this time of year.
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
It is not possible to travel to Antarctica at this time
Mid-October sees the start of the expedition season and with that the start of the penguins’ mating season. Watch the various penguin species engage in their courting rituals, from the diminutive macaroni penguin to vast colonies of king penguin and their attendant offspring, who at this time of year will still be garbed in their fluffy brown down feathers.
October is the best time to travel to Antarctica for photographing the pristine snow blanketing South Georgia’s mountains. You may need to push through some tough winter ice in order to make landfall, and depending on conditions, you may experience the elements at their most raw and unforgiving.
The dramatic landscapes are snow-capped and untouched; being early in the season, you will see fewer ships admiring this untouched wilderness in mid-October.
The weather is still unpredictable in November and the wildlife is much more active in the north where it is warmer, in the South Shetland Islands. Penguins and seals can often be found on icebergs at this time.
November is a great month for photographers; yet to move into 24-hour daylight, the lengthening days are concluded with fantastic evening light and beautiful rose-coloured sunsets, but weather is still unpredictable.
Landscapes are at their most pristine, still covered in sparkling snow while the sea ice is at its most impressive. It’s not just the landscape that is looking its best; penguins are busy courting, nest building and laying their eggs.
Chicks are starting to hatch in the penguin rookeries from early December in the Falkland Islands and late December on the peninsula. Whales begin returning to the nutrient-rich waters.
December is a great time to visit Antarctica to watch the hatching chicks, seal pups and enjoy warming temperatures with up to 24 hours of daylight, depending how far south you venture.
In South Georgia the beaches are lined with seal pups, requiring a degree of caution as you navigate around them during landings. You can watch Weddell, elephant, crabeater and leopard seal pups lounging out on the ice floes and the albatross have returned to lay their eggs.
Springtime in Antarctica brings a burst of life as the continent begins to awaken after the long winter. You will witness the return of minke, humpback, and southern right whales, along with albatross, petrels, and the blue-eyed shag. This is also penguin courting season, with many species busy building nests.
The landscapes are pristine and snow-covered, providing spectacular photo opportunities of dazzling ice formations and dramatic sunsets that paint the skies in pink and orange hues. The sea ice is at its most magnificent, and as it starts to break up, you will be treated to the sight of massive icebergs floating in the waters.
This time of year is ideal for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone looking to see Antarctica at its most untouched and pristine.
The austral summer is the peak travel season in Antarctica, offering the best overall weather and wildlife activity. During this time, temperatures are milder, and the seas are calmer, making for smoother expedition voyages. You can expect 18 to 20+ hours of daylight, providing ample time for exploration and wildlife sightings.
This is the best time to visit Antarctica if you want to witness penguin chicks hatching and chasing their parents, as well as spotting seal pups on the beaches of South Georgia. Additionally, this period is known for its abundance of whale activity, with both baleen and toothed whales swimming along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Due to the combination of milder conditions, an abundance of wildlife, and spectacular landscapes, the height of summer is often regarded as the best time to visit Antarctica for an all-around adventure.
As the season transitions into autumn, the sea ice recedes, allowing travellers to venture further south than at any other time of year. Penguin chicks begin to moult, losing their fluffy down feathers, and while many parents have already headed out to sea, the penguin colonies remain lively and active.
Autumn is also the peak season for whale watching, with sightings of orca, humpback, and minke whales becoming more frequent. In South Georgia, you'll find fur seals, particularly young ones, playing along the shores. The landscapes are still dramatic, though the temperatures begin to drop, creating an atmosphere that feels truly remote and wild.
For those keen on whale watching and exploring the farthest reaches of Antarctica, this is the ideal time to visit.
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Encounters with the Ocean’s Giants
One of the most memorable experiences, catching eye-contact always brings a sense of understanding between the two species, creating a connection and memory that will last long after your encounter ends.
At the beginning of the season in November, stay at Whichaway Camp and photograph the Akta Bay emperor penguins in spring as the chicks are just leaving their parent's feet for the first time and venturing out to explore. Explore the ice waves beneath the camp, delving into the series of ice tunnels that are as surreal as they are beautiful.
There are eight species of whale found in Antarctic waters, the Orca, Blue, Minke, Fin, Humpback, Sei, Southern Right and Sperm. Whale sightings are at their peak at the end of the season; February and March.
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face shows you stunning views of the extraordinary waves of ice that have been created over millennia by constant pressure from the ocean. Our world-class mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, always ensuring your safety.
