The Antarctic - When to go

The tourist season in Antarctica is short, lasting for about five months from November to March.

During November, the spring melt is well underway and the pack ice is beginning to break up. This is an excellent time of the year for bird watching as this is the mating season and courtship is in full swing.

December and January are the months when the penguins are hatching and feeding their chicks and the temperature is much warmer. Daylight can last for more than 20 hours, which creates excellent light conditions and offers wonderful photographic opportunities, especially at midnight! Pack ice is much reduced enabling a greater range of exploration.

In February and March, whale watching is at its best, penguin chicks start to fledge and there are more fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula. Pack ice is at its lowest, allowing ships to explore further south.

There is no travel at all during the winter as temperatures can plummet down to less than -50°C, there is perpetual night, and the pack ice extends its reach to 1000km around most of the continent.