Antarctica travel advice
Advice on choosing your boat
Charlotte Caffrey, co-founder of our partner Aqua-Firma, shares her Antarctica travel advice: “Speak to a tour operator who’s been on all of the ships and they’ll tell you the differences between them. Some might have bunk beds; others have bigger cabins with their own flat-screen TV. But on all of them the focus is outward-looking – really being exposed and enveloped by the environment that you’re in – rather than inward-looking. We do offer luxury boats with a Jacuzzi on board, three course meals, a wine list – things like that. But it still holds that you’re out twice a day, being guided by experts in their field, and that’s the main priority. The experience that you get of going out twice a day every day with polar experts – that will remain the same. The frills of the ship are just an added bonus if you want that sort of thing.”
Andrew Appleyard, from our partner Exodus Travels, shares his top Antarctica travel advice:
“My top tip would be that you need to get on a smaller vessel, because in the Antarctic you are not allowed to land more than 100 people on the islands at one time. So if you have 250 people on board, not everyone is going to get off every day – the passengers are on rotation. A smaller ship can offload in under 25 minutes – boarding the Zodiacs and you’re off. But 250 people can’t get off that quickly, and not everyone gets off.”
“My top tip would be that you need to get on a smaller vessel, because in the Antarctic you are not allowed to land more than 100 people on the islands at one time. So if you have 250 people on board, not everyone is going to get off every day – the passengers are on rotation. A smaller ship can offload in under 25 minutes – boarding the Zodiacs and you’re off. But 250 people can’t get off that quickly, and not everyone gets off.”
Activity advice
Simon Evans, polar specialist at our partner Intrepid Travel, recommends trying ice camping in Antarctica: “Wear lots of layers and waterproof trousers… Once you’re cold, it’s hard to get warmed up again. I stayed outside the tent just watching the world go by and stayed out a bit late and got very cold… But you’re so excited, doing something that’s so different and unique – it’s hard to sleep! I did it in mid-November and we had a sort of dusk 10pm-2am, but it didn’t get pitch black. If you do it in December and January, you get 24-hour daylight, although it gets a bit dusky around midnight."
Advice on life at sea
Sarah Wightman, from our partner Pura Aventura, offers Antarctica travel advice:
“I don’t think the Drake Passage should be feared in the way it is. It should be seen as part of the journey. I got very sick for half a day, but I still quite enjoyed it! The lectures during the crossing are really interesting. On the way out they set the scene – you learn about the history and geography and gear yourself up for it. There’s lots of birdlife following the ship and you see whales. Going on deck is my top tip – the fresh air and seeing the horizon help a lot. Once your ears and eyes get used to it and your balance centralises then you’re fine. Don’t go to your cabin if you’re feeling ill; that’s the worst thing you can do.”
“I don’t think the Drake Passage should be feared in the way it is. It should be seen as part of the journey. I got very sick for half a day, but I still quite enjoyed it! The lectures during the crossing are really interesting. On the way out they set the scene – you learn about the history and geography and gear yourself up for it. There’s lots of birdlife following the ship and you see whales. Going on deck is my top tip – the fresh air and seeing the horizon help a lot. Once your ears and eyes get used to it and your balance centralises then you’re fine. Don’t go to your cabin if you’re feeling ill; that’s the worst thing you can do.”
Cassia Jackson, from our partner Heritage Expeditions, shares Antarctica travel advice for those departing from New Zealand: “Ross Sea voyages are well suited to adventurous travelers interested in history and the natural world. The ship travels a considerable distance, the expeditions are a 30-day round trip from New Zealand, including a number of sea days, so it pays to prepare yourself for this. We recommend that our expeditioners equip themselves with seasickness remedies prior. Traveling by ship to the Ross Sea, even with today's modern maritime advances and on board a comfortable vessel, helps give a greater understanding of the courage and tenacity of the early explorers who travelled this route over 100 years ago with limited equipment and facilities.”
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica cruise
The Ultimate Antarctica Experience!
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€11650 to €14000
21 days
ex flights
Classic Antarctica cruise & South Shetland Islands
Experience all that this remarkable area has to offer!
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Antarctica small ship cruises
Ultimate Antarctica and South Georgia small ship wildlife cruise
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£9220 to £30695
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An inspiring wilderness & wildlife journey of a lifetime
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£4450 to £13850
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Antarctic cruise with the World Wildlife Fund
An Antarctic cruise with the World Wildlife Fund Australia
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US $7650
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Antarctic Peninsula expedition
A 14-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and Circle.
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Antarctica advice from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Antarctica travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Antarctica travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
The zodiac tour through the icebergs gave an extraordinary perspective of the weird ice shapes.![]()
– Louise Yerbury
"First: TAKE THE TRIP TO ANTARCTICA. It is unforgettable. Spend as much time on the bridge of the ship as possible. Go to all of the lectures. Meet new people. Seeing a place free of pollution, garbage, and hunters was fantastic and helped shape my opinions on environmentalism." – Stephen Kohn
"If possible, take your laptop... Not only can you view and back up your own images, but many an hour was spent on our voyage sharing images with others on board. Be prepared for changes in the proposed itinerary; it's only given as an example, really." – Judith Bewell
"Certainly take time out to see some of the places en route, whether it is Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and the surrounding areas. It takes a long time to get there so make the most of it." – Mike McCormack
"Summer in Antarctica is not nearly as cold as one might expect. We often were too hot with gloves and hats on. Conditions were like a cold, windy day in the mountains. Due to the low humidity, one should always take a water bottle to stay hydrated." – Barbara Wilson
"Don't take your climbing/hiking boots unless you are doing something serious. The snow is soft and wellies/gumboots are fine even for moderate hill climbs. You need the latter for getting ashore anyway." – David Oates
"Set your expectations high and you still won’t be disappointed because nothing prepares you for a trip to the Antarctic, South Georgia and The Falklands. The latter two are well worth taking in. Do not skimp on this vacation, of all the vacations you will ever take." – James Keaney
"The Zodiac tour through the icebergs gave an extraordinary perspective of the weird ice shapes and this was a totally unexpected part of the itinerary. Put handwarmers in your boots - the cold temperature of the water transfers through the aluminium bottom of the zodiac." – Louise Yerbury
"Don't forget to pack sunscreen and take twice as many SD cards as you think you will need!" – Rebecca Allcock
"If possible, take your laptop... Not only can you view and back up your own images, but many an hour was spent on our voyage sharing images with others on board. Be prepared for changes in the proposed itinerary; it's only given as an example, really." – Judith Bewell
"Certainly take time out to see some of the places en route, whether it is Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and the surrounding areas. It takes a long time to get there so make the most of it." – Mike McCormack
"Summer in Antarctica is not nearly as cold as one might expect. We often were too hot with gloves and hats on. Conditions were like a cold, windy day in the mountains. Due to the low humidity, one should always take a water bottle to stay hydrated." – Barbara Wilson
"Don't take your climbing/hiking boots unless you are doing something serious. The snow is soft and wellies/gumboots are fine even for moderate hill climbs. You need the latter for getting ashore anyway." – David Oates
"Set your expectations high and you still won’t be disappointed because nothing prepares you for a trip to the Antarctic, South Georgia and The Falklands. The latter two are well worth taking in. Do not skimp on this vacation, of all the vacations you will ever take." – James Keaney
"The Zodiac tour through the icebergs gave an extraordinary perspective of the weird ice shapes and this was a totally unexpected part of the itinerary. Put handwarmers in your boots - the cold temperature of the water transfers through the aluminium bottom of the zodiac." – Louise Yerbury
"Don't forget to pack sunscreen and take twice as many SD cards as you think you will need!" – Rebecca Allcock
Seeing a place free of pollution, garbage, and hunters was fantastic and helped shape my opinions on environmentalism.![]()
– Stephen Kohn
More Antarctica articles
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Our guide reveals a vast, icy continent that is considered by many to be Earth’s last slice of wilderness.
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The best activities include snowshoeing, kayaking, hiking and even scuba diving with expert polar guides.
Our guide on how to choose a cruise ship for Antarctica covers all the essentials.
Discover our top 10 Antarctica cruises. The frozen continent might be just one destination, but there are a variety of approaches.
Before taking the leap and booking your vacation, discover what life is really like on board.
Many are surprised by the quantity of wildlife in Antarctica, from whales and seals to penguin rookeries.
Whale watching in Antarctica is an incredible opportunity to observe these marine mammals.
Our Antarctica photography tips will take your shots to the next level.
Read about the islands of Antarctica and the many Southern Ocean outposts along the way.
How to get to Antarctica is one of the first questions that polar explorers ask themselves. Our guide clears up conundrums.
We shed light on life in Antarctica, from Scott and Shackleton to modern research stations.
Find out about how responsible tourism in Antarctica – and what you can do to help preserve it.
A semi circumnavigation of Antarctica gives you more than your fair share of excitement.
Nothing will truly prepare you for the experience of Antarctic ice up close.
Kayaking in Antarctica is usually done in small groups far away from the cruise ship and the noise of the motor boats.
It sounds about as feasible as camping on Mars, but yes, you really can go camping on Antarctica.
