A tabular iceberg with a blue ice arch, floating in brash ice off the Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Season

When to Go to Antarctica

The cruise season lasts barely five months, and each one is a different Antarctica. Here is what every month brings: the ice, the light, the penguins, the whales, and which departures are still open.

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Nov–Mar
Cruise Season
20–40°F
Typical Summer Range
20+ hrs
December Daylight
4
Seasons on Sale
The Short Version

The austral summer, and only the austral summer

Antarctica’s seasons are the reverse of ours. Ships can only reach the Peninsula from late October or November through March, when the sea ice retreats and the days are long. The rest of the year the ocean around the continent freezes, and darkness settles in.

Within that window there is no bad month, just trade-offs. Early season is about pristine snow and courting penguins. Midsummer brings the warmest weather, the longest days and the first chicks. Late season is for whales, fat chicks and the best chance to push south across the Antarctic Circle.

The pristine season

Late October & November

  • The season opens: snow lies deep and clean, and icebergs and sea ice are at their most dramatic.
  • Penguins return to their colonies, court, and build nests from pebbles, often stolen from the neighbors.
  • Elephant seal and fur seal bulls are claiming beaches on South Georgia.
  • Fewer ships are out, and early-season fares are often the lowest of the year.
The trade-offSea ice can still block some landing sites and the far south, and the weather is at its coolest.
November departures

165 departures on sale · expedition fares from $9,268

Plus 36 season-opening departures in late October.

See November sailings →

The long light

December

  • Daylight stretches past 20 hours around the December solstice; sunsets blur into sunrises.
  • Penguins are incubating eggs, and the first chicks may hatch by month’s end.
  • Temperatures climb, and the ice begins to open up channels for exploring.
  • Christmas and New Year’s voyages are a unique way to spend the holidays and sell out early.
The trade-offHoliday departures carry a premium and are the first to fill.
December departures

210 departures on sale · expedition fares from $10,662

See December sailings →

High summer

January

  • The warmest month, often in the 30s°F on the Peninsula, with the most reliable landings.
  • Penguin chicks hatch across the colonies, and the parents shuttle back and forth to feed them.
  • Whale sightings increase as humpbacks and minkes arrive to feed on krill.
  • Snow has melted back from many colonies, so landing sites are more open.
The trade-offThe busiest month for ships, and the highest demand for cabins.
January departures

232 departures on sale · expedition fares from $9,736

See January sailings →

Chicks & whales

February

  • Penguin chicks are big, fluffy and gathered in crèches while both parents fish.
  • Whale watching is excellent and keeps getting better as the month goes on.
  • With less sea ice, ships can push farther south, and it is the best time to try for the Antarctic Circle.
  • Fur seals are abundant on the beaches of the South Shetlands and the Peninsula.
The trade-offColonies are at their busiest and, frankly, their most aromatic.
February departures

192 departures on sale · expedition fares from $9,922

See February sailings →

Whale season

March

  • Peak whale season: humpbacks are often seen feeding in groups, sometimes right beside the Zodiacs.
  • Penguin chicks molt into adult plumage and take their first swims.
  • Nights return, bringing the season’s best sunsets and sunrises.
  • The last voyages of the season often carry the most attractive fares.
The trade-offThe weather turns more changeable, and the days grow shorter quickly.
March departures

87 departures on sale · expedition fares from $9,274

See March sailings →

Wildlife Calendar

What You’ll See, and When

A rough guide; nature keeps its own schedule, and timing shifts a week or two from year to year.

NovDecJanFebMar
Peninsula penguinsCourtship, nest buildingEggsChicks hatchCrèchesChicks fledge
WhalesArrivingGoodVery goodExcellentExcellent
SealsWeddell seals with pups on the iceFur seals arrivingFur seals commonFur seals abundantAbundant
South GeorgiaElephant seal pups; fur seals claim beachesFur seal puppingBusy fur seal beachesKing penguin chicksKing penguins year-round
Ice & snowMost snow & sea iceIce opening upMelting backLeast sea iceLeast sea ice
Daylight16–20 hrs20+ hrs17–20 hrs14–17 hrs11–14 hrs
Frequently Asked

Timing Your Antarctica Cruise

What is the best month to go to Antarctica?
There is no single best month, only the best month for you. November for pristine snow and fewer ships; December and January for the warmest weather, the longest days and penguin chicks; February and March for whales and the best chance of crossing the Antarctic Circle.
Can you visit Antarctica in winter?
Not by cruise ship. From April to October the sea around the Peninsula freezes and the days are short or dark, so the cruise season runs only from late October or November to March.
How cold is Antarctica in summer?
On the Antarctic Peninsula, summer temperatures are typically between about 20°F and 40°F, similar to a winter ski trip. Wind can make it feel colder, and the sun reflecting off ice and snow is strong, so sunglasses and sunscreen matter as much as a warm hat.
When is the cheapest time to cruise to Antarctica?
The first voyages of the season in late October and November, and the last ones in March, often carry the lowest fares. Holiday voyages over Christmas and New Year's are typically the most expensive.
How far ahead should I book an Antarctica cruise?
Twelve to eighteen months ahead is typical, and earlier for holiday voyages, solo cabins and suites. The small expedition ships carry only 100 to 200 guests, so the best cabins go quickly. Lines also release early-booking offers when a new season opens.
Keep Reading

More of the Antarctica Guide

Guide Start here: the whole continent, the crossing and the cruise lines on one page. Find a Cruise Every Antarctica sailing still selling, from every cruise line, with live fares. Deals The lowest live fares by voyage type, last-minute cabins, and how to get a price we can't publish. Cost What an Antarctica cruise really costs, by voyage type, line, cabin and month, and what it leaves out. The Drake Passage The 600-mile crossing explained: Drake Shake, Drake Lake, and how to fly over it. Cruise Lines Expedition lines compared: ship size, landings, luxury, and who suits whom. Itineraries Classic Peninsula, the Antarctic Circle, South Georgia, the Weddell and Ross Seas. Wildlife Penguins, whales, seals and seabirds, and where and when you will see them. Planning & Packing What to pack, fitness, seasickness, insurance and getting to the ship.

Also from Pavlus: All expedition cruises · White Desert fly-in camps (the South Pole & emperor penguins) · Ushuaia port guide · Punta Arenas port guide · South Georgia port guide · Live cruise ship tracker

Ask for the Price We Can’t Publish

Tell us the season, the line, or just how much ice you want to see. We’ll send your Pavlus price and the cabins still open, usually the same day. Antarctica sells early: the best cabins on the small ships go a year or more ahead.

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