Best time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia: 10 facts

When is the best time to travel to Antarctica?

When is the best time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia? The most important information first: Tourist expedition ships sail the Southern Ocean only during the Antarctic summer. During this time, the ice retreats, allowing passage for passenger ships. Landings are also possible during this time of year, weather permitting. Antarctic cruises generally take place from October to March. December and January are considered high season. Possible animal sightings vary considerably depending on the location and month. best time to travel to Antarctica is therefore within this period.

Best time to travel to Antarctica

Icebergs in Antarctica

Antarctica • Antarctic trip • Best time to travel to Antarctica & South Georgia 

Best time to travel to Antarctica

Best time to travel for wildlife viewing in Antarctica

If you are planning a trip to the hard-to-reach colonies of emperor penguins, for example to Snow Hills Island, you should choose early summer (October, November). Emperor penguins breed in winter, so by this time the chicks will have hatched and grown a bit.

A journey to the animal kingdom Antarctic Peninsula offers various highlights throughout the Antarctic summer (October to March). Which month is best for you depends on what you want to see. Also a visit to the sub-Antarctic island South Georgia is possible from October to March and highly recommended.

Best time to travel to Antarctica

In the following short articles you will find out what the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula and game viewing in South Georgia have to offer from early to late summer.

Best time to travel for animals on the Antarctic Peninsula

The seals give birth to their young in early summer (October, November). Larger groups can often be seen during this time. Mating season for long-tailed penguins is in early summer. Penguin chicks can be seen in midsummer (December, January). However, the cute seal children spend most of their time under the ice with their mother. In midsummer and late summer, individual seals usually rest on ice floes. Penguins offer fun photo opportunities in late summer (February, March) when they are in the midst of moulting. This is also the time when you have the best chance of spotting whales in Antarctica.

As always in nature, the usual times can change, for example due to changed weather conditions.

Best time to travel for wildlife observation in South Georgia

The animal stars of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia are the king penguins. Some breed in November, others as late as March. The chicks take a year to change juvenile plumage. This breeding cycle allows you to marvel at large colonies and chicks throughout the cruise season (October to March).

In early summer (October, November) thousands of elephant seals populate the beaches to mate. An impressive spectacle. However, sometimes aggressive males make landing impossible. Antarctic fur seals also mate in spring. In the summer there are small newborns to see. In late summer (February, March) the elephant seals molt and are lazy and peaceful. Cheeky groups of baby seals cavort on the beach, discovering the world.

Best time to visit icebergs and snow in the Antarctic summer

In early summer (October, November) there is fresh snow. Radiant photo motifs are guaranteed. However, snow masses can make landing more difficult.

Most of the Antarctic continent is covered by snow and ice all year round. On the much warmer Antarctic Peninsula, on the other hand, many coasts thaw in summer. Most Penguins of Antarctica actually need ice-free spots to breed.

You can marvel at icebergs throughout the season: for example in the Antarctic Sound. A shore leave Portal Point in March 2022, Antarctica showed deep snow, as if from a picture book. In addition, large amounts of drift ice can be driven into the bays by the wind at any time of the year.

Best time to travel in terms of day length in Antarctica

At the beginning of October, Antarctica has around 15 hours of daylight. From the end of October to the end of February you can enjoy the midnight sun on your Antarctic trip. From the end of February, the days quickly become shorter again.

While there are still around 18 hours of daylight at the beginning of March, it is only 10 hours of daylight by the end of March. On the other hand, in late summer, when the weather is good, you can admire fantastic sunsets in Antarctica.

In the Antarctic winter, the sun no longer rises and there is a 24-hour polar night. However, no tourist trips to Antarctica will be offered during this period. The values ​​given relate to measurements by the McMurdo Station. This is on Ross Island near the Ross Ice Shelf in the south of the Antarctic continent.

Tourists can also discover Antarctica on an expedition ship, for example on the Sea Spirit.
Enjoy the Antarctic wildlife with our Biodiversity of Antarctica Slideshow.
Explore the lonely kingdom of the cold with the AGE™ Antarctica & South Georgia Travel Guide.

Antarctica • Antarctic trip • Best time to travel to Antarctica & South Georgia 

The Best Time to Travel to Antarctica and South Georgia

An Unforgettable Adventure in the Polar Region

Antarctica and South Georgia are among the most remote and fascinating travel destinations in the world. An adventure to these remote regions promises spectacular glacial landscapes, breathtaking icebergs and unique wildlife. But when is the best time to visit these pristine places? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the ideal time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia, as well as important information about the impressive icebergs and remarkable wildlife of the polar region.

Best time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia

The best time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia is between November and March, as this is the Antarctic summer. During this time, temperatures are less extreme and days are longer, making the visit more pleasant for travelers.

• November to December: These months mark the beginning of the Antarctic summer. Temperatures are still cool, but nature is awakening from winter. Ice-covered landscapes and the first animal inhabitants are returning. This is the ideal time for photographers, as the light is particularly favorable during these months.
• January to February: This is the peak travel season. Temperatures are at their peak and there are many species of animals breeding during this time. The emperor penguins and other birds are breeding and many species of whales are visible swimming along the shorelines.
• Mar.: March starts to get cooler, but it's still an excellent time to travel, especially if you prefer fewer tourists and quieter conditions. Wildlife remains active, and the glacial landscapes are particularly dramatic.

Icebergs in Antarctica: An unforgettable experience

Antarctica is famous for its majestic icebergs, which come in all shapes and sizes. The largest icebergs in the world are formed here, and many of them break off from the glaciers and slowly drift into the ocean. A cruise along the Antarctic coastline or an expedition to the Ross Sea is the best way to experience these gigantic ice formations up close.

iceberg garden: Especially in the Weddell Sea and near South Georgia, travelers will find impressive “iceberg gardens” where gigantic icebergs float in clear, turquoise waters – a paradise for photographers.

The Animal World of Antarctica: Penguins, Whales and More

Antarctica is home to an incredible variety of animals that have adapted perfectly to the extremely cold climate. penguins, especially the emperor penguins and Adelie penguins, are the inhabitants of the most icy regions. During the summer months they search for food and give birth to their young.

• penguins: Penguins are a highlight of any trip to Antarctica. They breed in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, so travelers have a great opportunity to see the young during peak travel season.
• whales: The Antarctic waters are a preferred hunting ground for various whale species. Especially during the summer months you can blue whales, humpback whales and orcas observe that move through the waters.
• birds and seals: Other residents are the Skua, petrels and petrels, Also Weddell seals and fur seals and leopard seals are often seen and offer fascinating insights into life on the Antarctic ice floes.

South Georgia: A paradise for nature lovers

South Georgia is often the second destination on a trip to Antarctica, and it offers another unforgettable experience. The island is famous for its stunning landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to green, moss-covered valleys, and of course, its wildlife.

• penguins: South Georgia is known for huge penguin colonies, especially the king penguins, which form one of the largest colonies in the world. The penguin chicks are particularly visible in the months of January and February.
• elephant seals and seals: South Georgia is also home to numerous elephant seals, whose males make an imposing appearance with their impressive, loud calls and huge bodies. fur seals are often found on the beaches.
• Birds: The island is home to a variety of seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels and petrelsthat nest in the cold, windswept air.

Conclusion: The best time to travel to Antarctica and South Georgia

Die Monate November to March offer the best opportunity to discover the fascinating world of Antarctica and South Georgia. Whether you want to see stunning icebergs, observe the wildlife of penguins and whales or experience the untouched paradise of South Georgia, this is the ideal time for your adventure.