Antarctica Travel Guide South Georgia: Journey to the End of the World!
Be inspired by the Magazine.Travel Antarctica travel guide! Follow in the footsteps of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and join us for three weeks on our Antarctic expedition on the Sea Spirit from Ushuaia via the South Shetland Islands, to the Antarctic Peninsula, and the sub-Antarctic wildlife paradise of South Georgia. Experience fascinating landscapes, enormous icebergs, and unique wildlife. Thousands of penguins await you. Five species of penguins, as well as Weddell seals, leopard seals, fur seals, elephant seals, albatrosses, and whales. What more could you want? The cost and effort of a trip to Antarctica are worth it. A work of art created during this trip was presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos. (photo artist PLATUX) Our Antarctica travel guide is constantly being updated and supplemented. Multiple visits and bookmarks are worthwhile.
Important facts about Antarctica - World of penguins, seals, birds & whales
Antarctica Information about the coldest continent on Earth
- Location: Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth and includes the entire area around the South Pole. It has an area of about 14 million square kilometers and is completely surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
- ice cover: About 98% of Antarctica is covered by a massive ice sheet that can be up to 4.800 meters thick and stores nearly 70% of the world's freshwater.
- Antarctic Treaty: The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 protects the region as an international area reserved for peaceful purposes and scientific research.
- Research in Antarctica: Around 70 research stations from different countries are active in the region, including the German Neumayer Station III.
- No permanent residence: There is no native population. Only researchers and their teams live temporarily on the stations.
Information about the nature of Antarctica
- Air conditioning: Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. Temperatures can fall to -89,2 degrees Celsius in winter. In summer they are around freezing on the coast.
- Northern Lights: The Aurora Australis (southern polar lights) illuminates the long winter months with fascinating light spectacles.
- Wildlife: Antarctica is home to penguins, seals, whales and seabirds. The emperor penguin in particular is a symbol of this region.
Antarctica Travel and activities in Antarctica
- Tourism: Expeditions usually start in Ushuaia, Argentina. Cruises offer Zodiac tours, hikes and wildlife watching.
- Adventure: Highlights include huge icebergs, penguin colonies and crossing the Drake Passage.
- Midnight Sun & Polar Night: In summer the sun shines 24 hours a day, while in winter it is completely dark.
Important information for Antarctic travel
Traveling to Antarctica requires careful planning. The extreme conditions and isolation make safety precautions essential. Respect nature and adhere to the requirements of the Antarctic Treaty.
Can you visit Antarctica as a tourist?
Yes, tourists can visit Antarctica. Trips there take place almost exclusively as part of organized expeditions, usually on specially equipped cruise ships during the Antarctic summer (roughly November to March).
Tourism is subject to strict international regulations (Antarctic Treaty and IAATO guidelines) to protect the unique environment and wildlife. Individual travel is practically impossible and requires extensive permits. Therefore, you must book your trip through a specialized tour operator.
In which months does it make sense to travel to Antarctica?
The best time to travel to Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer, which runs from November to March lasts.
- Why? Only during these months are temperatures milder (often around freezing), sea ice retreats, allowing ships to pass through, and wildlife is most active (breeding season for penguins and seals).
- What can you expect and when?
- November: Untouched landscapes, penguin courtship.
- December/January: Warmest time, penguin chicks hatch, longest days.
- February March: Fledgling chicks, best time for whale watching.
Outside of these months, Antarctica is inaccessible to tourist travel due to extreme cold, darkness and extensive sea ice.
How much does a trip to Antarctica cost?
The cost of an Antarctic trip varies widely depending on several factors. Here's a brief overview:
- Price range: Calculate per person with costs from about €5.000 – €7.000 for the easiest and shortest trips (approx. 10-12 days to the Antarctic Peninsula) in a shared or standard cabin on an expedition ship.
- Average costs: Most trips are in the range of 8.000 € to 15.000 € per person for a standard trip with a good cabin.
- Luxury segment & longer trips: Travel on more luxurious ships, in suites, or longer routes (e.g. including South Georgia and the Falkland Islands) can easily €20.000 and significantly more per person.
Important factors that influence the price:
- Travel time & route: Longer journeys and more complex routes are more expensive.
- Ship type & comfort: Simple expedition ships are cheaper than luxury cruise ships with more amenities.
- Cabin category: Inside cabins are the cheapest, while outside cabins, balcony cabins and suites increase the price considerably.
- travel time: The high season (December/January) can tend to be a bit more expensive.
- Services included: Check carefully what is included. Flights to the departure port (usually Ushuaia/Argentina or Punta Arenas/Chile), insurance, special activities (kayaking, diving) and drinks on board are often not included in the basic price.
And finally ... A trip to Antarctica is a significant investment. Prices start at around €5.000, but higher amounts are often more realistic, depending on your needs and the chosen itinerary. Compare offers and pay close attention to the included services.
Where are you not allowed to go in Antarctica?
Access to Antarctica is strictly regulated to protect the unique environment and scientific research. There are no areas that absolut for most people. are prohibited, but access to certain zones is severely restricted:
- Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs): These are zones with outstanding ecological, scientific, historical or aesthetic values. Entry into these areas is without special permission (Permit), which is usually only granted for scientific purposes, strictly forbidden.
- Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMAs): Here, human activity is coordinated to avoid conflicts and minimize environmental impacts. Access is not generally prohibited, but is subject to specific management plans and rules.
- Historic Sites and Monuments (HSMs): Here too, access may be restricted to protect the sites.
In short: You are not allowed to enter specially designated protected areas (ASPAs) without permission, and you must adhere to strict rules in managed areas (ASMAs). Any visit to Antarctica generally requires a permit and compliance with strict environmental regulations under the Antarctic Treaty System.