‘Our Man in Stanley’, Andy Pollard is as Falklands as they come. Friendly, courteous and welcoming, he knows most of his fellow islanders by their first name. Andy grew up spending time on Sealion Island where his mother Jenny was the lodge guide for many years. He is also a successful wildlife and birding guide and an expert photographer who knows every nook and cranny on each key island.
Slipping under most traveller’s radar, and only 400 Miles from southern Argentina, sit 700 Islands where you can still find true wilderness and a wildlife-fest that is hard to beat.
The Falklands are home to 75% of the worlds rockhopper penguins, 70% of the earths black browed Albatross, the world’s largest population of gentoo penguins and 40% of the world’s southern giant petrels. We have not even mentioned the two endemic bird species (12 subspecies are unique the Falklands) then there are 171 native species of higher plants with 13 endemic species.
Hard to get there? Yes of course it is. But to those who endeavour, the delights of the Falklands are extremely magnetic and hard to resist once sampled.
Most travellers visit The Falklands as part of an expedition, also visiting South Georgia & Antarctica on a 19-25 day vessel based adventure spending a few days exploring the key islands. Passengers make up to 5 landings at key wildlife or nesting spots depending on the number of days allocated within the itinerary.
Experts on board will not only introduce you to incredible wildlife, but the scenery too. Each island is similar in that they no steep hills, making them great for hiking. Aside from that similarity, each island offers its own unique and diverse landscape and wildlife.
If you are lucky, you will also land at the pier in Stanley where you will meet some of the locals. You may have time to try a half in one of the three taverns, or maybe to visit the museum or cathedral. Enjoying high tea at one of the cafes or hotels is also a must.
MV Greg Mortimer and sister vessel MV Sylvia Earl offer vessel-based expeditions incorporating Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia from £ 16,704
per person based on a triple share or £17,200 per person for a shared double or twin cabin.
If you are lucky enough to be using the Falklands as a starting or finishing point on your expedition, I strongly recommended that you consider arriving a week or even two weeks early to explore these islands independently.
By choosing a 14-night land-based itinerary you can spend 3 nights on each key island and still have enough time to spend in Stanley to enjoy day trips to the fascinating battlefields or maybe to take a 4×4 guided visit to Volunteer Point where you will see a spectacular king penguin colony of 1000 plus birds.
On each of the key wildlife islands there is a small lodge with anything from 5 to 10 bedrooms available for those who visit. The lodges are looked after by expert guides who are there to make visitors feel welcome as well as to help them discover the best possible spots for viewing wildlife. Each lodge offers full board, with drinks available at an additional cost.
Orientation trips in a 4×4 vehicle are also usually included, which are invaluable, allowing you to get your bearings very quickly, preparing you for your own adventures. Pack lunches are on offer for those who would like to stay out all day to walk and take photographs under their own steam.
Land-based 14-night experiences before you board your vessel start at £4995 (based on two people sharing) and include accommodation, inter-island flights, transfers and full board whilst on the islands and Bed & Breakfast whilst in Stanley
Wildfoot Travel expert Natalie Greenhalgh explains about the legendary stretch of water know as the Drake Passage and what it means to those venturing to Antarctica.
The Drake Passage…an infamous 600-mile-wide passage between South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Island’s of Antarctica. For some, this crossing is all part of an exciting adventure. For others, severe sea-sickness can prevent them from fulfilling a life-long dream of visiting Antarctica. Reputed as the roughest sea-passage in the world, the Drake Passage is the stuff of legends and crossing it is often an experience that passengers on Antarctica cruises look forward to the most. For those who have experienced it they would say there’s something quite exhilarating about taking on rolling waves aboard an ice-strengthened Antarctica expedition vessel.
What makes the Drake Passage so infamously rough is the fact that this is the spot where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Seas converge, creating a roaring current mix known as the “Drake Shake”. Currents at this latitude meet no resistance from any landmass making this the only unhindered flow of ocean on the planet. Luckily, nowadays expedition vessels are equipped with stabilizers to absorb much of the swaying. Thanks to the advancement in sea sickness medication, most Antarctica cruise ship passengers get by with just a queasy stomach. At times, the passage is so unpredictable that it can, also be eerily calm, referred to as the “Drake Lake”. But if all of this makes your stomach churn and you think you just can’t face this crossing, there is another option.
Antarctica XXI have made it possible to fly across the Drake Passage, saving time and worry for anxious sailors.
Antarctica XX1 were the first company that came along and introduced the Fly-Cruise option. Instead of enduring the 2-day passage, you can fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands and meet your cruise to explore Antarctica. You vastly cut your travel time down from a 2-day crossing to a 2-hour flight, giving you more time to spend exploring Chile if you wish.
Flying across the Drake Passage, arriving in Antarctica fresh and raring to get on with the adventure.
Zodiacs will take you out to board your polar cruise vessel. An exciting start to your Antarctic adventure!
Of course, the flight operation is weather dependent and delays may happen. However, in the 14-year history of the company, only 1 flight was delayed to the point where clients could not make it to Antarctica at all.
Simon Rowland, Wildfoot Travel’s Managing Director took a Fly the Drake expedition recently on MV Ocean Nova. Simon had this to say about his trip.
“One of the most fulfilling expeditions I’ve taken part in. Kayaking in Antarctica is a must for those seeking even more adventure and it’s an aspirational way to see the wildlife even more up close with no more than 10 other kayakers.
The fact that from your hotel in Punta Arenas to the start of this unique Polar adventure in this winter wonderland environment is just over 2 hours. Quite remarkable. If you are time sensitive or just don’t wish to contemplate the Drake Passage, this is certainly the trip for you!”
Simon enjoying the optional kayaking excursion on his Antarctica XXI ‘Fly The Drake’ trip.
We also work closely with Quark Expeditions who offer the option of flying to the South Shetlands and also the option of taking on the Drake Passage on one of their fantastic expedition vessels: Island Sky; Ocean Diamond; Ocean Adventurer and Ocean Endeavour to name a few.
Wildlife spotting aboard a Quark Expeditions Antarctic Cruise Vessel.
So if you fancy this intrepid adventurous crossing and can imagine yourself cheering on the waves, you’ll be rewarded with the chance to spot spectacular wildlife watching along the Drake. Ships in the passage are often good platforms for the sighting of whales, dolphins and seabirds including giant petrels, albatrosses and penguins. And what a way to be rewarded when you arrive…you’ve made it to Antarctica!
Paulina Ramirez form Antarctica XXI stopped by our office the other day to discuss forthcoming trips. While she was with us, we asked her to tell us what was so special about ‘Flying The Drake’. You can hear what Paulina had to say in this short video.
Leaving South Georgia and heading down to the Antarctic Peninsula is a major crossing. We had reports that we were likely to hit a storm and this would mean that we wouldn’t be attempting to land at the South Orkney Islands. Instead we headed directly for Elephant Island.Elephant Island was the place that Shackleton left the majority of his crew when he made the journey to South Georgia in search of rescue. Crossing the Scotia Sea brings home the hardship and enormity of the voyage they made in a rowing boat. For us weathering the storm was uncomfortable, but we still had all the creature comforts of the expedition ship.Elephant Island is another haven for penguins and seals. Leopard seals bask on the rocks and we had a rare sighting of a group of fur seal pups (apparently this is not their normal breeding area).
Antarctica is one of those places where you’ve probably not been but should. Not many people know a lot about it. For instance, is it a country or a continent? Who owns it? And what’s the landscape and wildlife like there? So we’ve put together a guide to Antarctica to help you learn more about it, and add it to your list of places to visit.
Physical Geography
Antarctica is the world’s most southern and fifth-largest continent and shouldn’t be confused with the South Pole, which is actually part of the continent. It’s around twice the size of Australia and 98% of it is totally covered in ice. Antarctica is also considered to be the coldest, driest and windiest continent on the Earth, and for these reasons there are no permanent human residents. But many – around 5,000 – live there at various times of the year, and the only creatures found there have adapted to deal with an environment where it can drop to as low as 89 degrees C.
Our Pick of Antarctica’s Natural Phenomena
Mt Erebus – This is where fire and ice collide; the world’s southernmost active volcano is an unmissable natural sight on any Antarctica cruise expedition. According to Greek myth, Erebus was the son of chaos, and as this volcano is one of few which are consistently active, the name is perfect. It was discovered in 1841 by explorer Sir James Clark Ross and has been attracting curious minds ever since. Although the surrounding landscape is so cold that you can freeze to death, the inside of Mt. Erebus is extremely hot and features a 1,700-degree Fahrenheit lava lake – one of only five that exist in the entire world.
McMurdo Dry Valleys – Probably the closest you’ll get to landing on Mars. Amidst the harsh icy world where almost nothing survives, the intriguing McMurdo Dry Valleys attract researchers and brave souls to their arid ice and snow-free landscape. The space-like terrain of these valleys is created by the 200mph winds which are sucked down into the valley, heating up as they go and sucking out any moisture with them. Meanwhile, the high mountains surrounding them prevent any ice sheets from forming, leaving just the dry rocky earth. Antarctica cruise expeditions have allowed scientists to visit this strange place and make some incredible discoveries about life in this mysterious world.
Blood Falls – One such discovery lies in the strange five-story blood-red waterfall that pours slowly out of the Taylor Glacier. Discovered in 1911, scientists first thought that the gorey colour was due to algae – the real reason was much more incredible. Beneath the glacier lies a lake that’s over 2 million years old and is home to an ancient community of microbes. With no light, oxygen and a very small amount of heat, these microbes demonstrate how life can exist in the harshest and almost unimaginable conditions on the planet. And the blood colour? That’s caused by the very high iron content. Whether you’re on an Antarctica cruise expedition for adventure or science, Blood Falls are a wonder to behold.
Lake Vostok – If you don’t know Lake Vostok, now’s the time to get familiar with it because it’s an incredible discovery. In 1996 Russian scientists were drilling ice core samples and happened to stumble upon what turned out to be the largest warm-water subglacial lake in the world – roughly the size of Lake Ontario. The freshwater lake has been trapped beneath the glacier for nearly a million years. The water is extremely pristine and it’s been confirmed that the ancient lake plays host to living organisms that are found nowhere else on earth. However, due to the untouched nature of the environment, scientists have to be careful not to contaminate the lake. It’s not open to visitors on an Antarctica cruise expedition but it’s definitely worth knowing about.
South Pole – Considered the most remote place on earth, the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility is 878km from the South Pole. Plus, with an average year-round temperature of 57.8 degrees Celsius, it’s not hard to understand why it doesn’t see that many visitors. Although you can arrange to visit the South Pole along with your Antarctica cruise expedition, the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility will be a bit more of a mission.
Although conditions on the continent are harsh, there is a surprising variety of flora and fauna to discover on an Antarctica cruise expedition. In terms of plant life, there are about 800 species, 350 of which are lichen. This hardy plant is well adapted to the barren world. There are also many mosses and plankton which call this frozen landscape home. Fauna, on the other hand, is a little more sparse and the native land animals are mostly invertebrates. This includes several parasites that live on birds and seals. Although there are around 45 species of birds living south of the Antarctic Convergence, only three species actually breed on the continent: the emperor penguin, Antarctic petrel, and South Polar skua.
If travelling at the right time of the year, you’re likely to be treated to fantastic sightings of these beautiful creatures. The Antarctic is something of a haven thanks to the lack of mammalian predators. The waters around the continent are also extremely nutrient-rich – which means they’re attractive to seals, whales, fish and squid. This includes the famous leopard seal, which is an impressive animal to spot.
When to Visit
Throughout autumn and winter, the majority of Antarctica’s coastline becomes impassable as the ice thickens and temperatures can drop to -60 degrees Celsius. For anyAntarctica cruise expedition, the best time of the year is during the summer, which falls between November and March. Due to high demand, it’s best to start planning your trip about 12 months in advance.
What You’ll Get to See
The White Continent is one of the few must-see places on the planet. It has a number of fantastic natural features not found anywhere else on Earth. The Amery Ice Shelf, for example, is a huge expanse of floating ice that is as spectacular as it sounds. Deception Island is also worth a visit. It’s an active volcano – don’t worry, the last eruption was in 1970 – where you can see steaming beaches and glaciers layered with ash and has a natural harbour sheltered from the harshest of the elements so ships can sail right through it. There aren’t many other places around where you can get so close to a volcano on a boat!
You should check out the spectacular Transantarctic mountains too. They form the natural barrier between the East and West Antarctic and span the entire length of the continent. At 3,500 km, spanning from Victoria Land to the coastline of the Weddell Sea, they are one of the largest mountain ranges anywhere in the world. They’re also impressively high, rising to 14,856 feet at Mount Kirkpatrick in the Queen Maud Mountains. Early explorers Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen were the first people to cross them.
The landscape is covered mostly by ice and many large glaciers and the range is made up of several major subdivisions including Shackleton, Queen Alexandra and Prince Albert mountains. It might look like a stark landscape, but it’s the site of the world’s largest coal deposits and fossils of freshwater amphibians and reptiles. There is still much to learn from these mountains and several research stations have been set up along the range, attracting Antarctica cruise expeditions for scientific purposes.
Profile of Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Henry Shackleton was born on 15th February 1874 in County Kildare, Ireland. He grew up in London, where he was educated but, rejecting his father’s wishes for him to become a doctor, Shackleton joined the merchant navy at age 16 and became a master mariner. It was during this time that his curiosity to explore the poles began. In 1901, Shackleton was selected to join the Antarctic expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott on the ship ‘Discovery’. It was on this trip that they reached closer to the South Pole than anyone before. But due to illness, Shackleton had to return home. In 1914 that Shackleton made his famous third – and final – expedition with the ship ‘Endurance’. However, the ship was trapped and eventually sank. Shackleton and his team had to abandon the ship and make their way back to the land of the living on floating ice. After the ordeal of reaching Elephant Island and finding help, Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ expedition came to an end and was immortalised in his account ‘South’.
Profile of Roald Amundsen
Renowned for beating Scott to the South Pole and for being the first person to take a transarctic flight across the North Pole, Roald Amundsen is one of history’s most famous explorers. Born in Borge, Norway in 1872, Amundsen was fascinated with polar exploration from a young age. He eventually quit university to work with Arctic whaling skippers to gain experience. However, it was his planning skills that made him a fantastic explorer. He learned how to use furs, drive dogs and build igloos from native communities, skills which were essential to him when travelling to the South Pole. Although he was an excellent explorer himself, Amundsen credited his success at the South Pole to his whole team and they celebrated with a bottle of champagne. After the First World War, he went on to become the second person to complete the North-East Passage around Siberia. But that was not enough for the intrepid explorer. In 1925, he flew an airship to Alaska via the North Pole, completing the first transarctic flight across the pole.
Wildlife Bonanza
A number of animals are native to the region, including seals and penguins, and you can expect excellent wildlife on your Antarctica cruise expedition. Seals include Antarctic fur seals, Crabeater seals, Leopard seals, Weddel seals and Southern elephant seals. All have massive populations and mainly eat the fish and krill which swim in the seas around the continent. Leopard seals are the most fearsome as they will make a meal of other seals and penguins given the chance but mainly eat krill and shrimps.
A Glossary of Seals
Fur seals – These furry seals breed in South Georgia but the young males travel to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula from January to March, so you should be able to spot them on yourAntarctica cruise expedition. They’re quite confident on land and so watch out for sharp teeth!
Leopard seals – Speaking of sharp teeth, these animals are renowned for their razor-like teeth and dangerous jaws. They like to hunt penguins and other seals – especially pups. You’ll find them throughout the peninsula.
Weddell seals – This seal lives further south than any other mammal (excluding humans). Their population is doing well so you’re likely to see one of these – they can even be found at McMurdo Sound.
Southern elephant seals – Named for their trunk-like snout, these are the largest seals in the world with males weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. They’re mostly found in the Southern Islands and throughout the Antarctica Peninsula. Livingstone Island is the best place to find them, especially during the winter. In the summer – a bit like us – they’ll be hitting the beaches.
Crabeater seals – These guys are harder to find as they prefer to live on pack ice rather than the open sea. Mating occurs between September and November on the pack ice in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Penguins
There are a number of penguins living in Antarctica too – namely the Adelie penguin, Chinstrap penguin, Emperor, King penguin, Macaroni and Gentoo penguin. They all thrive in the icy landscape as they have thick feathers and layers of fat to keep them warm and have plenty of fish and sea creatures to feast on. But that’s not to say that they’re all the same. Each penguin has their own way of surviving in the harsh landscape and they each have its unique features.
The Adelies – spend winter in the seas around the peninsula so they’re much easier to spot from spring to autumn. They’re also amazing divers and have been recorded at diving as deep as 575 feet for food.
The Chinstraps – have an interesting mating ritual whereby the males have to race to find the best nests.
Emperors – the largest of the penguins; their colonies are found in the south of the continent.
King – similar to the Emperor but with more grey colour on their backs. You’ll find these guys further north than emperors and they only spend part of the year in the region.
Macaroni – the most abundant penguin species and definitely the most eccentric-looking.
Gentoos – the speedy penguins. They may be a little clumsy on land, but in the water that can reach speeds up to 22 mph.
Other animals found there are Antarctic Minke whales and Killer Whales – the continent’s most feared predator.
Antarctica is also home to numerous bird species including albatrosses, skuas and petrels. In fact, if you’re into bird watching, there’s no better place in the world. There are in fact 46 species living in and around this cold habitat, so there are plenty of opportunities to spot something fantastic. Many Antarctica cruise expeditions have their own ornithologists on board as well, which means you’ll get to learn about the beautiful birds as you spot them along your journey.
A Checklist for Birdwatchers on our Antarctic Cruise Expeditions
Wandering Albatross – typically found on the Crozet Islands, South Georgia Island and Prince Edward Islands. They’re the most common birds in Antarctica.
Snow Petrel – spend most of the winter on the cold Antarctic seas. They nest in the Scott Islands, the Balleny Islands, South Orkney, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
South Polar skua – as pelagic birds, they spend all their lives at sea. But you may spot them in the parts of the Southern Hemisphere as well.
Great Shearwater – one of the few southern hemisphere birds that migrate to the northern hemisphere. They breed throughout the Antarctica region.
Brown skua – also known as Antarctic skuas as they breed in the Antarctic regions.
Kelp gull – mostly found in South America, Southern Africa and Australia.
Southern fulmar
Falkland Steamer Duck – they spend the whole year on the shores of the Falklands, but you may see them in other regions as well.
Yellow-billed pintail – a species of duck that is found in high elevation marshes, lakes, coasts, and rivers in South Georgia, Falklands and South America.
Striated caracara – dark feathered raptors found in the Falkland Islands. They tend to be restricted to the southernmost parts of the Southwest Atlantic.
Antarctica’s unique because no one can lay claim to fully owning it. Great swathes are owned by Australia, with Norway also owning a significant share. Chile, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom and Argentina also all have territory there, with several disputes for land still in place.
Whale Watching on an Antarctica Expedition Cruise
No Antarctica cruise expedition is complete without whale watching. But there are a few things to consider before heading out.
When to go
February and March are the best months to spot whales in this part of the world. During this time, the numbers are at their peak and the whales are their most playful, which makes for some great photo opportunities. After fasting through the winter months, they will gorge themselves on food so by February they’re full of energy and ready to put on a bit of a show.
Whale behaviour
Diving – this is the chance to see that big, beautiful tail go high into the air as they prepare to deep dive.
Lobtailing – thought to be a kind of communication, this is when they slap their flukes on the water.
Breaching – they will shoot themselves out of the water and may twist their body before smashing back down. The theory is that this is just for fun or even to give themselves a good scratch.
Spyhopping – lifting their heads out of the water to get a better look at you and the surrounding area. If you’re close to them, this is definitely an unforgettable moment.
There are many ways you can whale watch on your Antarctica cruise expedition, but one of the best ways to get up close to these incredible creatures is in a zodiac boat or a kayak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now you know all the wonderful reasons why an Antarctica cruise expedition is an unforgettable trip, you’ll probably have a few questions. We’ve answered some of the most common queries below so that you know everything you need to before planning your icy adventure!
Is it possible to take a cruise around Antarctica?
Yes! We offer a variety of itineraries of Antarctica cruise expeditionsdepending on what you’d like to do and see whilst exploring this part of the world. It might be the most remote continent on the earth but there are a number of vessels that can take you around the wild world of snow and ice.
What is an expedition cruise?
Expedition cruises are very similar to traditional cruising. The main difference is that there is more emphasis on the experiences onshore and the activity side of the trip. As you can imagine, adventure is at the core of visiting the world’s last great wilderness. So think, a little less sunbathing and a little more exploring!
How long is an expedition to Antarctica?
The length of your trip will depend on the itinerary. Shorter expeditions can be about 8 days whilst longer ones that include a few stops along the way can be around 20 days. It will just depend on where you want to go.
Where do Antarctic cruises leave from?
Again, this will depend on your itinerary. If the Falklands are on your trip, then you may depart from Stanley. Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is also a common starting point.
How safe are Antarctic cruises?
Generally, an Antarctic cruise expedition is just as safe as a Mediterranean cruise – it’s just a little colder! The vessels have been rigorously tested before sailing and are designed for polar travel so all you need to worry about is packing enough layers.
Some of Our Favourite Antarctica Expedition Cruises
As you can probably tell from this guide, an Antarctica cruise expedition has so much to offer. From incredible wildlife sightings to explorations of some of the most fascinating sites of scientific interest in the world. You’ll be able to get close and personal with it all. However, that’s not to say that every trip is the same. Here are a few of our favourite routes that will be able to cater to your specific needs and make your adventure unforgettable.
This 15-day sail takes you through a region that is full of wildlife, history and stunning scenery. Your trip begins at Stanley, the capital of Falklands, from there you’ll explore the beautiful archipelago and continue onto South Georgia where glaciers and penguins wait to be discovered.
Aboard a modern vessel, you’ll begin your expedition from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Here you’ll visit the famous Cape Horn before sailing onwards to the Falklands. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll explore all that the islands have to offer by way of wildlife, landscape and historical sites.
This trip showcases the best of what the Antarctica cruise expeditionhas to offer. You’ll visit the three most famous areas, including the Falkland Islands, the wildlife haven of South Georgia and the South Shetland Islands. You can expect sensational scenery and fantastic wildlife sightings.
This itinerary offers the best of everything. It includes an unforgettable Argentinian tour, including visits to Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and of course, the Valdes Peninsula and Ushuaia. Followed by a classic Antarctic Peninsula expedition with highlights of zodiac excursions and whale watching.
It may not be for everyone but a visit to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (read more here). With its stunning views and wildlife, it’s one of the most fascinating places in the world. But as beautiful as it is, it’s also the coldest continent and therefore comes with challenges. The environment itself can be dangerous, and even in the summertime it’s extremely cold. You should be in good health if embarking on an Antarctica camping trip because only basic medical treatment is available. It is the challenges, however, that make this majestic continent the ultimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts/campers.
The first thing you should do when planning your Antarctica camping trip is decide when you’d like to go. The main tourist season is during the Southern Hemisphere summer (between November and March). November is also the mating season for penguins and other birds. The rest of the year is extremely dark and cold and not the best time to visit.
Highlights of Antarctica Camping
Hike through mountains
With almost zero light pollution, star gazing is superb
Sleep under the stars
Listen for polar bears
Deep sleep in the snowy silence
Who Can Do It?
It doesn’t matter how old or young you are or even how fit or experienced you are – anyone can camp in Antarctica. As long as you are in good health and have a yearning for adventure (oh and a couple of extra layers of clothing) you are in for an incredible experience. We offer this activity as an optional extra on your Antarctica cruise, available for an additional charge.
Equipment
What we provide for camping:
We want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible on your overnight stay under canvas, so we provide much of the essential equipment. That way we are confident you have the best quality gear that will keep you safe and warm.
Insulated waterproof rubber boots
Bivouac bag (one per person) and a mattress
Sleeping bag (waterproof) with a cotton inner liner
Portable field toilet (one per group)
What we cannot take onto land:
There are strict rules on this continent with regards to what we can and cannot take onto land. The Antarctic Treaty and IAATO have regulations in place that ensure the environment remains protected. We are not permitted to take stoves, fuel or food on to shore with the exception of emergency rations, survival equipment, water and medical aid/supplies.
Penguin Watching in Antarctica
There are eight different types of penguin in the region, and an Antarctica camping excursion can give you the opportunity to see some of them up close in their habitat. Here we introduce them to you:
Emperor Penguin
Definitely the most iconic of all the species, the Emperor Penguin is the largest, growing up to 122cm tall and weighing up to 45kg! Inhabiting the Ross Sea and Weddell regions, they come together to live in large colonies on the sea ice. Thriving on crustaceans and fish, they are also the only penguin to breed in winter (end of July-August). Care of the chicks is a shared responsibility between male and female. There are around 220,000 breeding pairs alive today.
Adélie Penguin
These are the ones you will most definitely see on your trip. In the summer they flood to the continental coastline and islands. Only growing up to around 71cm they are much smaller than the Emperor Penguins, although they can dive up to 175m and enjoy a similar diet. Adélie penguins live in dense breeding colonies that are made up of thousands of birds and they give birth to chicks during the Southern Hemisphere summer, usually in December.
Gentoo Penguin
This penguin is the third largest penguin behind emperors and kings and can reach 90cm tall and weigh 8.5kg. They make their nests on beaches and in the grassy surroundings and defend their territory very aggressively. They feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans and reside in large breeding colonies along the coastlines of the northern Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkneys, South Shetlands, South Sandwich Islands, and in the sub-Antarctic Falklands and South Georgia. Gentoos build their nests using stones, and males often give stones to females as courtship gifts.
Chinstrap Penguin
There are almost seven million pairs of Chinstrap Penguins, so you would be unlucky not to see one from the ship or while camping. These chicks are born between February and March and are usually born in pairs. They are of average penguin height and weight and tend to feed near the shore, foraging among the pack ice. They rarely dive more than 60m but can travel at 18mph in the water. On land you may well see them sliding around on their bellies using their feet and flippers to propel them.
Macaroni Penguin
Very similar in terms of appearance to the Chinstrap Penguin, these Macaroni Penguins are found close to the Antarctic Convergence, breeding in the Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich, and South Orkney Islands. Living in colonies on hillsides and rocky cliffs they breed in late October. As with other penguins, the parental responsibility is shared and parenting comes at a cost. Adult Macaronis lose up to half their body weight while looking after their chick.
Rockhopper Penguin
There is debate about what exactly distinguishes this type of penguin and so subspecies have been identified depending on reproductive behaviour and breeding location: northern, southern, and eastern rockhopper. When on board your ship you will most likely see the northern and southern rockhopper. This species is the smallest of the penguins, only weighing around 2.5kg. Their name is derived from the fact that they form their colonies on rocky windswept shores. Get close to one and the noise can be quite remarkable – they literally chatter to each other!
Magellanic Penguin
These penguins are named after the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan. They are closely related to Galápagos penguins, Humboldt Penguins, and African Penguins. If you come across a colony, you may find that many of the inhabitants run for cover – they are rather shy of humans. Magellanic penguins are found around the Falkland Islands and South America but there are notable vagrant populations recorded in South Georgia and the South Shetlands. They are nervous creatures and like vegetation so that they can burrow themselves away.
King Penguin
The second largest after the Emperor, these majestic beasts stand around 95cm tall. Dining on squid and fish, they live along the coastlines of the sub-Antarctic islands. Interestingly they spend more time at sea than other penguins and can dive up to 300m deep, holding their breath for around 9 minutes. It is no wonder they have been noted by scientists to enjoy an afternoon nap! Probably the most sociable of the penguins, they spend lots of time in their colonies.
So, with so many different types of penguins living all over this wonderful continent, you are guaranteed to see at least one species on an Antarctica camping expedition. Travelling between December and January when the majority of the chicks hatch gives you so much opportunity to spot the babies in their creches and nurseries. Don’t take our word for their beauty, majesty and elegance. Words only paint half the story. See for yourself and book a cruise with us.
What to Bring
There are certain must-haves that you should take to Antarctica. This includes plenty of layers – insulating clothes to keep in warmth and base layers to keep moisture at bay. Your outer layers of clothing should be waterproof and windproof. It definitely goes without saying that you should bring padded gloves and hats. For your feet, you will need insulated, rubber boots (these are usually provided on board ship) and thick socks. Finally, bring some good sunglasses. The sun in the Antarctic is dazzlingly bright due to the ice and the coldness.
Warm hat and snood, turtleneck or neck gaiter
Thermals are a must so thermal underwear, fleece vest or jacket are essential, as are thermal glove liners, fleece finger gloves, or warm mittens
Breathable down jacket (e.g., Gore-Tex)
Thick socks and a spare pair too
Good sunglasses with excellent UV protection
Suncream (at least factor 15) or total sunblock
Torch or lightweight headlamp (for departures in February – March)
Special note: Cotton clothing is not advisable so no regular T-shirts and definitely no jeans. Cotton tends to get wet and doesn’t dry quickly while moving in a cold environment. We always recommend thermal underwear.
How Does it Work?
When you arrive at your Antarctica camping ground, the ‘camp’ will be ready and waiting for you and your tents already pitched. We use 2-3 man tents but in good weather you may prefer to join the more adventurous and sleep out in a bivouac (bivvy) bag under the open sky. If you have the chance to do this you really should snap it up – there is nothing quite like the sight of a South Pole sky under the cloak of darkness. The following morning you’ll be picked up early in time to return to the ship for a hearty breakfast,
You should be aware that you can’t take any food or drink ashore for an Antarctica camping session. You can only take a bottle of water. Also, you can only go to the toilet if you really need to – relieving yourself on the continent is prohibited. There will be a disposable toilet but it is best used for emergencies only.
It’s important to be aware of the challenges of the Antarctic before you plan your camping excursion but don’t let these distract you too much from the benefits of visiting. Antarctica equips you with an opportunity to experience things that you never have before and never will again. There aren’t many places on earth where you can get so close to thousands of penguins. You can also see different types of whales and seals too. Surely being able to say that you’ve slept under the stars on an Antarctica camping excursion is the ultimate in outdoor adventure.
If camping in Antarctica sounds like your kind of adventure, contact us to make arrangements.
Some of Our Favourites
At Wildfoot we offer a diverse selection of trips, and you can read about them all here. The following are some of our favourites.
Antarctic Circle via the Falklands and South Georgia
Want to make the very best of everything this stunning continent has to offer? Then this diverse and exciting expedition might be just what you are looking for. Combining a trip to the most rugged and remote parts of the Falklands Islands with an epic wildlife experience in the paradise of South Georgia, this cruise is unforgettable. Twenty-three days spent discovering incredible flora and fauna, camping, walking amongst penguins and uncovering the rich history of one of the most majestic parts of the world make this one of the best Polar expeditions out there! There is also the addition of crossing the Antarctic Circle too – a wonderful itinerary that ticks all boxes and photo opportunities aplenty!
For a Polar experience with a difference, join our deluxe, brand-new expedition ship that is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, ready and waiting to whisk you off to the most out of the way parts of this incredible region. On visits to areas that are inaccessible to most other visitors, you’ll witness the wonders of this majestic paradise from a whole different perspective. Onboard the ship you will journey through the scenic wonderland, flanked by towering ice formations. Get up close to penguin colonies made up of thousands of birds on an Antarctica camping excursion. Discover the islands of the South Shetland and the Antarctic Peninsula and even step foot on the 7th continent – the most mysterious and least visited of all!
Spirit of Antarctica
https://www.wildfoottravel.com/itinerary/6175/spirit-of-antarctica-12-days This exciting expedition on board our custom built vessel takes you to the very heart and soul of this most magnificent polar region. Showcasing all of the classic highlights, your trip will take you through some of the most stunning scenery you can imagine. Icebergs stand tall, flanking your route and giving way to coastal stretches teeming with bountiful wildlife, while on land you can visit historic sites and marvel at the fact you have set foot on the most incredible continent on Earth. We also have a resident photography expert on hand to offer lots of tips and trickson how best to capture your experience. Optional extras include kayaking, zodiac excursions, snowshoeing, Alpine skiing and even a chance to experience Antarctica camping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be toilet facilities?
This is a tricky one but for those ‘caught short’ while out on the ice, we do provide emergency facilities. This is in the guise of a portable ‘camping toilet’ which we will discreetly position away from the tents. We also make sure it is screened behind a makeshift snow wall. We really prefer guests not to use the toilet but we understand that this is not always possible, and we would rather you do this than ‘go’ on the ice – this is strictly forbidden.
What if there’s an emergency?
We have a sound emergency procedure in place so no need to worry. The accompanying expedition team member is always in direct radio contact with the ship and should an emergency arise, a zodiac can quickly be dispatched from the ship.
How cold will it be?
In the summer months (December-February), temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula are often warmer than expected. On average they sit somewhere around close to freezing or even slightly higher. This makes an Antarctica camping trip much less difficult than many people imagine. In fact, for anyone living in the northern hemisphere during these months, it can actually get much colder at home!
Do I need special gear?
You will be provided with all of the camping equipment you’ll need, so all you need to bring are a couple of extra layers of clothing.
