How to Have a Whale of a Time If You Visit Antarctica

If you’re anything like me, you’ll travel to the ends of the earth for a good meal. And nowhere feels more like being on the farthest reaches of the planet than the cold, icy waters off Antarctica, where Chilean seabass — one of the most sought-after fish in the world — is caught. 

Antarctica, which is known as the “White Continent,” is the coldest and most isolated continent on Earth, and should you still want to travel there, getting to the region may be more accessible than you think. In fact, experiencing Antarctica’s otherworldly views and spectacular wildlife has never been easier for adventurous travelers.

So pack your warmest clothes (the average temperature in Antarctica is -58 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and a balmy 0 degrees Fahrenheit in summer), bring your sense of adventure — and of course your appetite for delicious fish — and embark on an unforgettable adventure to one of the most remote places on the globe.

How to get to Antarctica

The easiest way to get to Antarctica is by cruise ship. The vast majority of Antarctic cruises depart from the southern tip of South America. So, before you set sail for Antarctica, you should spend a few days in Chile, Argentina, and the entire Patagonia region (the Chilean seabass is a Patagonian toothfish, by the way), which disperses into an abundance of islands, inlets, and fjords, and is full of awe-inspiring scenery in its own right.

Top 5 things to do in Chile and Argentina

1. Perito Moreno Glacier, located inside Los Glaciares National Park, is one of 48 major glaciers that start from the Southern Patagonian Icefield. But it's one of the most impressive and accessible, making it a top tourist attraction.
2. Cerro Fitz Roy in Patagonia is arguably the most iconic mountain in South America. And at 11,073 feet, climbing to the top is a serious undertaking.
3. The Chilean Lake Distract encompasses seven national parks and some of the most gorgeous scenery on the planet.
4. Food and wine lovers will love exploring Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. There, you can take in the local reds and fine steaks as well as enjoy a tango show.
5. For some truly remarkable whale watching, head to Patagonia to spot southern right whales and orcas, along with all types of dolphins and penguins.
   

What to do before you depart

Most cruise ships depart from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Nicknamed the “End of the World,” Ushuaia is a resort town in Argentina. Before you embark on your voyage through the frigid waters to Antarctica, you can experience a number of hikes and activities around Ushuaia that will be memorable in their own right.

If you love seafood, Ushuaia will satisfy your craving. Feast on locally caught king crabs, sea urchin, and, of course, Chilean seabass. For adventure seekers, the city is located at the foot of the Andes Mountain range, filled with snow-capped peaks and teeming with wildlife. The Andes are home ot around 3,700 speces of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Notable examples inlcude the Andean condor, llama, alpaca, and mountain tapir.

Visitors to Ushuaia can take a 45-minute drive to Tierra Del Fuego National Park, famous for amazing scenic landscapes that feature coastline, forests, glaciers, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls.

Is there an ideal time to visit Antarctica?

The best time to visit Antarctica is from late spring to early fall, which, in the Southern Hemisphere, is from October to March. (Don’t get too excited, though — you still need to bring your parka.) This is when the sea ice opens up just enough to allow ships into the pristine glacial landscapes. Simply watching the magnificent icescapes slide past from the warmth of the lounge or spotting wildlife from the ship’s bridge can be completely breathtaking.

Wildlife in Antarctica

If you’ve come for the wildlife, you won’t be disappointed! Roaming the ice are rookeries of penguins, including chinstrap, Adélie, king, and gentoo. Chinstrap penguins are one of the most common types and can often be seen from expedition ships.

Leopard seals and sea lions can be seen lounging on sea ice and icebergs, or even napping on land. Humpback and minke whales, and even orcas, are often seen in Antarctica during this season, attracted by the abundance of krill. Listen closely as you can often hear their blowholes before you see them.

Unfortunately, the warming of the Antarctic Peninsula is causing changes to the physical and living environment of Antarctica. Many glaciers have retreated, and some ice shelves have collapsed completely. Antarctic krill numbers are also declining, which could threaten whales, seals, and penguins, all of which feed on krill. So if you’ve ever considered a trip to Antarctica, time is of the essence.

MORE: What Can One Person Do to Help Save the Oceans

Touristy things to do in Antarctica

Accommodations in Antarctica are unsurprisingly limited. The majority of people who visit the continent come by cruise ship, so they just head back to their staterooms. But, depending on your budget, you can choose between luxury lodges and camps for an outdoor adventure.

For those who like to travel in style, check out White Desert, the closest thing you’ll find to a hotel in Antarctica. It offers luxury retreats (think futuristic-looking, astronaut-inspired pods set up on a glacier) and experiences (fat biking, abseiling, and ice climbing, to name a few) tailored to your preferred manner of travel.

Once you’re on land — of which about 98% is covered in snow — snowshoeing, mountaineering, and cross-country skiing are the most popular activities (mainly because your choices are limited to these three activities). Diving and kayaking are also options, when conditions allow.

Taking a polar plunge is a long-standing tradition and is normally offered on all voyages. While it’s not for the faint of heart, most people who have done it agree that the short-term “pain” is well worth the experience.

Don’t bother packing your dancing shoes or formalwear because Antarctica has virtually no restaurants or bars. However, there is Faraday Bar, the southernmost and most remote bar in the world. Despite having just seven seats, it serves shots of house-distilled vodka, wine, and beer. (We assume all are served very chilled….)

If you’re feeling lucky, try Gallagher’s Irish Pub, which has been serving up beer and cocktails since the 1990s. The pub is located in McMurdo Station, the largest research station in Antarctica, capable of supporting up to 1,500 people (although that number dwindles considerably in the winter). Founded in 1956, the research station is still a functional scientific research station studying glaciology, geomorphology, ice cores, and ocean and climate systems. It even has its own radio station. 

Museum lovers can’t leave Antarctica without visiting Scott’s Hut, the world’s least-visited museum. The hut was built in 1911 by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott and remained untouched until 1956, when explorers dug it out of snow and ice and found the 50-by-25-foot hut to be in pristine condition, preserved by the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic. Visiting the museum is a process, and includes traveling by ship and helicopter, but the bragging rights are unmatched.

And, of course, you can’t leave Antarctica without proving to your friends and family you were there by sending a postcard home from the Port Lockroy Post Office, aka the “Penguin Post Office,” the most southerly mailing depot on Earth.