Antarctica Travel Forum

My husband and I have just decided to add a trip to Antarctica to our round the world trip. Very excited! We are spending four months travelling around South America, and it makes most sense to do the trip either at the beginning of the trip in November, or at the end in late Feb. From my understanding November will have more spectacular scenery/ice, but there may be problems with accessing certain areas (we won't be on an icebreaker). Febuary will have more whale watching opportunities, but the ice will be less pristine etc.

Which end of the season do you suggest?

Congratulations -- you'll love Antarctica in either season. One important factor to consider is that you'll be seeing thousands of penguins, and their mating habits vary over these months. In mid-November they will be building their nests and laying eggs, so you won't see chicks yet. Most species' chicks hatch in December, then by February they are fat little fledglings, learning to swim, sliding down the slopes, etc. By late February/early March, most species depart on their long ocean swims to fish for krill, so you won't see as much then. You're right about the ice -- so you just have to decide which scenario fits bests with your tastes and interests. I'd probably pick early February, but late Feb. is too late, in my opinion.