Outbound Collective logo

3 Reasons to Adventure in Antarctica This Year

​The temperature may be cooling down in the northern hemisphere, but in Antarctica, summer is on its way.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

While it's not exactly the tropics at the southern pole (in December the average daytime high is 30 degrees Fahrenheit), November to March is the time for adventures in the south...way down south.

Antarctica is like nowhere else on earth. Covered in ice year-round, the land around the southern pole teems with life in the summer. Penguin chicks hatch, seals give birth to their young, and whales ply the waters offshore seeking the krill that arrive with the warmer temperatures.

Antarctica is also a lesser-known destination for adventurous, active travelers. There is a thrill to being somewhere that, well, humans just aren't really adapted to be. This year, World Expeditions invites you to kayak, dive, hike, mountaineer, and explore this beautiful and remote continent. Here are three reasons you should say yes.

Travel like a Polar Explorer


Follow in the footsteps of the famous polar explorers—minus the wooden boats, hardtack, and unsure rate of survival—with a trip on one of World Expeditions' expedition vessels. Cruise across the Drake Passage, famous for its unpredictable swells and rough seas, knowing that you are in the care of an expert crew. When you travel with World Expeditions you get all of the thrills, but less of the discomforts.

If you've ever agreed with Thoreau, who says that life is in the journey, not the destination, then a trip on a polar expedition vessel is definitely for you.

Unforgettable Wildlife Experiences

The land and waters of Antarctica are full of wildlife that you'd be hard-pressed to see anywhere else. Go in November to watch courting rituals in the penguin colonies and fur seals, or travel in December or January to see penguin chicks hatching (fur seals gestate for a year, so there may be seal pups to see, too!). Those interested in whale watching will want to wait until a little bit later in the summer when whales can be spotted near the Antarctic Peninsula.

If wildlife viewing is at the top of your list, then be sure to pick an expedition that stops at South Georgia. This island is a must-see destination for penguin colonies, elephant seals, albatrosses, and more.

Explore by Sea and Land


If the idea of being stuck on an expedition vessel makes your legs a little twitchy, never fear. World Expeditions has a range of trips to Antarctica that are designed for the active traveler. You'll have to spend a couple days getting to the Antarctic Peninsula, but once you're there, opportunities for exploration abound.

Take a boat to land and hike over glaciers, or strap on snowshoes and go for a jaunt across the vast expanse of snowy terrain. Bring your camera and go on a photo expedition along the shore, capturing shots of wildlife, glaciers, and icebergs. Join a guide on a kayak through sheltered fjords. Spend a night on the ice at a field camp

Do you feel a little giddy just thinking about it? Us, too. What are you waiting for?

All photos, including the cover photo, courtesy of World Expeditions

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Do you love the outdoors?

Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.

Related