Thanks to a raising awareness surrounding fragile landscapes, wildlife and global warming, Antarctica is becoming quite a popular tourist destination in recent years. The eerie landscape and amazing wildlife is truly unforgettable, as is the cruise itself.
Because visiting Antarctica doesn’t come cheap, it’s definitely worth making sure you have the best trip possible. This means choosing the perfect itinerary and preparing for your cruise properly.
To help you do just that, I’ve written my top 7 tips for visiting Antarctica. Follow these tips and you won’t miss out on a single thing!
Choose The Right Itinerary
Although Antarctica is one destination, there are actually multiple itineraries that can be sailed. The ‘basic Antarctic itinerary’ visits the Antarctic Peninsula taking in the top sites such as Deception Bay and Port Lockroy. However, you can extend your trip by crossing the Antarctic Circle, or visiting South Georgia island where millions of king penguins reside. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous (and have a bit more cash) you can cruise down the east coast of Antarctica or sail across the Weddell Sea. This page is a great place to start choosing.
Choose An Extra Activity
On most Antarctic cruise ships you’ll be given the choice of one or two extra activities. These are ideal for adventure lovers and need to be booked before you sail otherwise you will not be able to take part. Activities such as sea kayaking and camping are the most popular. Both activities cost extra but are certainly worth it, especially kayaking. Sea kayaking trips allow you to explore the landscape from an entirely different perspective and give you a greater respect for the large ice forms and wildlife.
Pack The Right Clothes
Antarctica is cold -that’s obvious. But there are certain items you’ll need for any cold-climate expedition cruise that will make your trip much more pleasant. The first is muck boots. As you’ll be making numerous ‘wet landings’ aboard small zodiacs, you’ll need waterproof boots that come up to your calf at least. Insulated ones are a must. Apart from the obvious clothing items like parka, jacket, gloves, and beanie, you’ll also need thermal base layers (preferably merino wool material) to keep the heat in when you’re outside on deck.
Seasickness Prevention
If you suffer from motion sickness then the chances are you’ll need to use preventative measures to combat it doing your Antarctic cruise, especially if crossing the Drake Passage. If you do suffer from severe motion sickness I strongly suggest taking the Express Itinerary which avoids the Drake Passage by flying over it. I would also suggest bringing medication if you do suffer from mild seasickness. You should also request a cabin low down as the motion will be less there.
Bring The Right Camera Gear
Antarctica is home to unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. As such, it’s a hugely popular destination for photographers, both amateur and professional. However, because you’ll be taking pictures in very cold weather you’ll need some secure dry bags to keep your camera in. This is important when you go from outside to indoors as condensation will build up quickly within your camera if you do not keep the body in a dry bag to slowly acclimatise. Batteries also die more quickly in the cold, so make sure to bring some extras.
Explore Southern Argentina
Although Antarctica will be your major focus, you should make some extra time to explore the region around Ushuaia before or after your cruise. The city of Ushuaia is a beautiful city in itself and a great place to explore because of all the boutique shops and pretty port side restaurants. However, Tierra Del Fuego National Park is a real highlight and offers exceptional scenery and wildlife. Take a day tour or kayaking trip to get a good feeling for the park.
Book Very Early, Seriously
Although many people think that last minute cruises give the best deals, this is not always true. Yes, there are some great last minute deals for people willing to stay in Ushuaia for some time, but this isn’t always practical. Instead, the best advise is to book super early. I mean at least 18 months in advance. This will give you the ‘early bird’ specials that won’t be beaten. I would look for deals offering at least 20% off the normal ticket price.