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Best Time to Visit

Experience Antarctica's best during the austral summer months.

The best times to embark on Antarctic Cruises are during the austral summer, spanning from November to March. This period offers the most favourable conditions for exploration, with relatively milder temperatures and more accessible wildlife sightings.

Early summer brings a sense of anticipation as the ice begins to melt, unveiling stunning landscapes. November is ideal for witnessing penguins and seabirds in their breeding colonies. The pristine white scenery is punctuated by the vibrant hues of blooming moss and lichen.

Midsummer, from December to February, is the peak cruise season. During this time, temperatures are at their most moderate, ranging from 20°F to 50°F (-6 °C to 10°C). The wildlife is in full swing, with penguin chicks hatching, seals giving birth, and whales frequenting the waters. This is the optimal period for photographers, as the extended daylight hours provide ample opportunities to capture surreal landscapes and wildlife encounters.

January is particularly noteworthy, offering the warmest temperatures and the most diverse wildlife activity. Seal pups are abundant, and whales, including orcas and humpbacks, are commonly spotted. It's a prime month for polar exploration, with longer days allowing for extensive excursions and a more immersive experience.

Late summer, from February to March, marks the end of the cruise season. During this time, visitors can witness the continent in transition, with some wildlife still active and the added bonus of breathtaking sunsets. As the temperatures begin to drop, ice formations become more pronounced, creating a unique atmosphere.

Featured Antarctica Trip Ideas

Antarctica Cruises & Travel Packages
Snow and glacier covered peaks surrounding Antarctica bay
+1

Air, Land & Sea to Antarctica

Punta Arenas, Antarctica, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Shetland Islands
Fly from Chile to Antarctica on this small group adventure, cruising past icebergs and penguins while exploring the remote beauty of the White Continent by zodiac.
8 days
From US$18,382/p.p.
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Antarctic peninsula
+1

Discover Antarctica: Drake, Shetlands & Peninsula

Antarctica, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Patagonia, and Ushuaia
Venture into the icy embrace of Antarctica, where colossal icebergs and curious wildlife await. As you glide through pristine waters, encounters with penguins and seals await you.
11 days
From US$11,894/p.p.
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Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula
+1

Antarctica Express Cruise: Fly the Drake

Punta Arenas, Antarctica, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Shetland Islands
Small group Argentina and Antarctica air-cruise, sailing from Tierra del Fuego across the Drake to wild Antarctic shores and penguin colonies.
6 days
From US$7,996/p.p.
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Most Popular Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
AntarcticaOccasional Showers
20°C / 69°F
58mm / 2.3"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.
-
Popularity rating

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Everything was expertly planned, from the drivers to the hotels to the tours to the flights. We particularly enjoyed Hobart and the animal sanctuary, Adelaide and the trip to Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and the evening tour with dinner and drinks, and Sydney with the private boat cruise of the Harbour. We will definitely use Goway again.SARA Wiebe
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There were 4 travelers on this trip. All of us were in our late 70's. We started planning this trip 6 months prior to our travel date and had a lot of questions regarding this trip. Our Goway Travel Specialist, Karen Larrota, always answered our questions in a timely and complete manner. We traveled to Quito, Ecuador, the Galapagos, The Sacred Valley in Peru, Machu Picchu, and Cusco in Peru. Not only were the destinations and accommodations excellent, but every tour guide and driver were beyond excellent. The entire trip went smoothly every step of the way, which was amazing given the fact that there were numerous flights and hotels included in our package. We found out that the tour company that Goway used, Condor Travel, checked on us with our guide to make sure we were doing OK which we thought was very nice but also amusing as we are fairly fit older adults. Would also like to mention that we did a cruise thru the Galapagos on the Galapagos Legend which was arranged thru Go Galapagos - Kleintouurs. This portion of our tour was also excellent as were the wildlife guides and staff. We continue to discuss how wonderful this trip was with our family and friends and how wonderful this experience was. Would definately use Goway for our travel needs in the future.Dianne
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After spending some time with our agent, we felt that she understood exactly what we had in mind as far as the level of service, etc, we were hoping for. The trip exceeded our expectations. Lori kept us busy(not too busy!) and we had many, many very exciting experiences. Bruce Belshaw
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Aylin is an exceptionally proficient advisor. Coordinating my clients simultaneously often feels like herding cats, but she has remained patient and accommodating through every modification and delay. Goway continues to be my go-to for complex itineraries, and they never disappoint.Nick Cron, ACC
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Mahalo Goway Travel for helping in planning our group Japan's trip. Lawrence was very helpful & patient with all the changes & additions we did. Also, mahalo to Natasa who helped planned my Australia trip past November. The planning from transportation to tours to hotels worked very smoothly. I'll continue to use Goway travel for all my International trips. I'll also will recommend to my friends & family to use Goway...MahaloTanya Laguatan
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Maria Spitman was wonderful to work with. She was very helpful in designing our trip to Japan and equally wonderful when we had to cancel it. I loved the service she gave us.Sandy Warren
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My daughter and I had a wonderful 2 weeks in New Zealand! The country is so beautiful and the people so friendly. Our destination specialist did a great job with planning and organizing the itinerary, choosing our hotels, and organizing transportation. The hotels were absolutely beautiful and we had great views. We felt right at home and found all of the staff to be friendly and accommodating. There were no issues with our itinerary and our excursions we were always on the list. Our transportation was always ready and waiting for us. We want to thank Goway Travel for their hard work and patience with us in planning this trip. Any changes that needed to be made were communicated timely. We also want to thank you for the beautiful weather during the entire 2 weeks it was perfect every day 😀. It was a memorable trip that we will never forget and we will think of Goway when we plan our next adventure. Because it was not just a vacation; it was an adventure!Connie Wenhardt
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We had a great travelling experience with GoWay ! Thank you all involved in organazing our trip!Maia
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Brigitta Fuller is Amazing! She was my group coordinator. She understood the assignment and all the nuances I was trying to achieve. The itinerary she curated was fantastic. If you want someone who truly cares about her group and what they are trying to achieve. I will always reach out to Brigitta first for Europe groups. Kathryn Walker
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My clients had a wonderful time on their trip to Easter Island. They were very pleased with the Hare Nua Hotel Boutique and especially noted the warmth and hospitality of the hotel staff as well as their excellent breakfasts. Jaime Vargas-Hendandez was an exceptionally gracious and knowledgeable agent, who went out of his way to ensure that my clients had the best possible experience. I will definitely contact him for future bookings and will recommend him to my colleagues.Alethea Kardas
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