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The so-called white continent is a place unknown to most, which is home to scientific bases, unique marine fauna, including six species of whale, penguins and unique sea lions. Land of scientists and biologists, it is a continent protected thanks to the Antarctic Treaty.
Its condition of extreme cold at any time of the year acts as a barrier to preventing it from being massively exploited for tourism. Currently, the countries that signed the treaty committed to protecting the Antarctic continent, avoiding mass tourism and allowing private tourism companies, mainly cruise ships, to operate in the place under strict protocols.
Can you travel to Antarctica as a tourist?
The first question that arises is whether anyone can visit Antarctica as a tourist or is it only reserved for people for scientific purposes. The answer is yes, anyone can, if their pockets allow it, travel to Antarctica.
The first thing to keep in mind is to choose the tour operator to travel to Antarctica, whether it is a cruise company or any agency. What is recommended (and essential) is that this tour operator must be on the IAATO list, an organization that brings together tourism in Antarctica and is responsible for preserving the environment on the continent.
This guarantees that the tour operator complies with the established protocols and provides security when contracting the trip to Antarctica.
Do you need a permit to travel to Antarctica?
As a tourist, you do not need to apply for any permit or visa to travel to Antarctica. It is the tour operator himself who manages the permit before the corresponding entity.
Now, the normal thing is to visit Antarctica on a cruise from Punta Arenas in Chile or from Ushuaia in Argentina, so you will have, if it is a requirement for your nationality, to have a visa from Chile or Argentina.
For most nationalities, entering Argentina or Chile as a tourist does not require any visa, or only requires the payment of a simple visa, called a reciprocity fee, before traveling to Argentina.
What is the best time to travel to Antarctica?
Due to extreme weather conditions, it is impossible to access Antarctica as a tourist during the winter months in the southern hemisphere. Trips to visit Antarctica begin in the month of October and extend until the month of March.
The best time to travel to Antarctica is from December to February, when weather conditions allow most of the cruise landings to the coast and walking through the snow.
How to get to Antarctica
The best option to get to Antarctica is by boat from the city of Ushuaia in Argentina or from Punta Arenas in Chile. The port of Ushuaia is actually the best starting point to reach Antarctica, due to being the closest to Antarctica (about 1,000 kilometers). Cruises from Ushuaia account for more than 80% of departures to Antarctica.
Another option to get to Antarctica by boat is from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. It can also be reached from Invercargill in New Zealand or from Hobart in Australia, although the travel time to Antarctica is much longer and the trip more expensive.
Can you go to Antarctica by plane?
Landing in Antarctica is possible, but for this you have to hire specialized companies. Obviously, these flights are rare and the prices are exorbitant (more than USD 30,000 per person). The most frequent starting point is in the city of Punta Arenas in Chile, although there are also companies that offer it from Cape Town in South Africa or Australia.
It should be noted that the weather in Antarctica is extreme and many times the weather conditions make flight impossible, and can even change from one moment to the next.
The most frequent flight to Antarctica for tourists does not actually arrive in Antarctica, but rather in Chile's King George Island. This flight operates in summer and departs from Punta Arenas. The cruise through Antarctica begins from King George Island, saving you from having to navigate through Drake's Passage, where the sea is wild and seasickness due to the movement of the boat is common.
The advantage is that you save a lot of time getting to Antarctica and avoid the ship through the Drake Passage. The disadvantage is that the flight is subject to weather conditions with possible delays or cancellations and that the combination flight and cruise through Antarctica costs twice as much as going by cruise alone.
How long does it take to get to Antarctica?
The most frequent cruise option from Ushuaia to Antarctica takes 2 days to arrive and 2 days to return. If you choose the combination of plane from Punta Arenas and then cruise, it is reduced to two hours of flight plus a couple of hours to set foot on Antarctic soil on the boat.
What is it like to travel by cruise to Antarctica?
There is no single type of cruise to travel to Antarctica, options include expedition ships, larger ships, and even luxury cruises. All include food and drinks, although there may be a difference in the menu on a luxury cruise. You just have to take your clothes on the cruise.
Shared cabins with a shared bathroom, private cabins with a shared bathroom, and private cabins with a private bathroom are offered within the Antarctica cruise. The greater the privacy, the more expensive the price will be.
Furthermore, the location of the cabin also varies in the price; having a cabin in the lowest part of the boat is not the same as having a cabin with sea views in the upper part.
Do all types of ships and cruises offer the same Antarctica tours and excursions? Basically yes, since zodiac expeditions are used to carry out expeditions through Antarctica, inflatable boats that transport tourists from the ship to the shore, or to get closer to the coast to see marine fauna.
What are the visits and excursions in Antarctica like?
What you have to keep in mind is that the shorter the duration of the cruise, the days on the Antarctic Peninsula will be very few, less than you think. Among the four total days to arrive and return from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas to Antarctica, we must add the "lost" time to make the landings and visits.
Each landing on the zodiac must be done under strict protocols, which includes only 100 people maximum at a time, and one guide for every 20 people. Keep in mind that at least a cruise to Antarctica has capacity for 100 passengers, in some cases exceeding 300 passengers. Between preparing the zodiac, organizing people and so on, it takes a long time.
Normally, two landings per day are included, so on a 10-day cruise (the minimum to visit Antarctica), by only having four days in Antarctica, you will have eight landings in total. Is that enough time to have the true experience in Antarctica? Of course, but there are also cruise ships that are in the Antarctic Peninsula for a week.
In addition, the cruise to Antarctica includes a program of conferences given by experts on the white continent and even workshops on navigation through Antarctica, how to take the best photographs in Antarctica and how to identify marine fauna.
The cruise company to Antarctica that you hire will provide you with a detailed day-by-day itinerary of the visits to be made.
What to see in Antarctica: marine fauna and places of interest
The main protagonist in Antarctica is the landscape without human contamination, the only existing buildings are scientific bases. You will see masses of floating ice, snow and species of marine fauna that you will only find in this place.
The main adventure in Antarctica is to see the marine fauna of the place, although the presence of these animals may vary depending on the month in which you visit Antarctica. Already on the Trip to Antarctica you will see several species of seabirds such as cormorants and albatrosses.
Although there are 6 types of penguins that inhabit Antarctica, on a cruise you will see three or even four species: Gentoos, Adelie, Chinstrap, and with luck the so-called Macaronis. To see the King penguin you will have to hire an itinerary that includes the South Georgia Islands. The emperor penguin is practically impossible to spot in these latitudes, only with cruises that reach the Weddell Sea, further south.
On the white continent you can also see different species of seals, including leopard seals and Ross seals. The best time to observe them is if you hire a cruise to travel through Antarctica between December and February.
Whales are also one of the animals present in Antarctica. Here you will meet the fantastic blue whale, the largest on the planet, the minke whale and orcas. From the end of December to February is the best time to see them.
Some cruises include a visit to scientific bases with explanations from the local staff, something interesting to see.
Can you book extra excursions in Antarctica? Yes, perfectly, although of course nothing is cheap on the white continent. As the most popular extra excursions, companies offer kayaking through frozen waters and camping on Antarctic soil. Prices start at USD 300 per person.
How much does a trip to Antarctica cost?
The price of a cruise to Antarctica would depend on its category, the type of cabin (shared or private, and location on the ship), and also the season in which you travel.
Although there is no high or low season, since you can only go to Antarctica as a tourist from October to March, special dates such as those around Christmas and the end of the year are the most expensive. Who wouldn't want to toast in Antarctica!
On the cheap side, a 10-day cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica in a triple cabin starts at USD 4,800. Can you get something cheaper? There are opportunities, such as the last minute offers to travel to Antarctica offered by the tour operators themselves.
Many Antarctica tour operators sell last minute. These offers are usually published between three weeks to a month before the start date of the trip and prices can be obtained from USD 4,000. The chances are few, you have to be attentive.
What type of itineraries can you do on a trip to Antarctica?
Cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica for 10 to 12 days minimum: it is the cheapest to travel to Antarctica. There are four days of navigation in total through the Drake Passage and six days to eight days to explore the Antarctic Peninsula.
Cruise from Ushuaia, passing through the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica: this circuit includes the Malvinas and South Georgia Islands compared to the previous one. Its duration is 13 to 20 days: Here you can see the king penguin and also take a walk through the Falkland Islands.
Cruise from Punta Arenas through the Chilean fjords and Antarctica: basically two cruise trips in one. Starting from Punta Arenas, you will travel along the coastal area of ??the extreme south of Chile and then take the classic tour of Antarctica. The minimum duration is 15 days.
Mixed cruise from Punta Arenas by plane and boat to Antarctica: in this case navigation through the Drake Passage by boat is saved. It can be done in 8 days, although the cost is double that of the classic 10-day cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica.
There are other itineraries such as the cruise from Ushuaia to the Weddell Sea to see the emperor penguin, an 11-day trip, or a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Circle.
Can you travel with children to Antarctica?
Typically, tour operators exclude young children under 8 years old. It sounds logical because the cold conditions are extreme and crossing the Drake Passage with a small child is not recommended at all.
For children to live this experience to the fullest, it is advisable to do so from the age of 10.
Is travel insurance necessary to visit Antarctica?
Yes absolutely. It is a risky trip and the tour operator makes you sign a commitment to exonerate liability in the event of an accident on the journey. Travel insurance must be purchased to cover repatriation and evacuation from Antarctica.
It is important that Antarctica must be included as a coverage area in this insurance, not many insurance companies offer it. You can also ask the tour operator from whom you purchased the cruise, since many also offer it or recommend a company.
Can drones be taken to Antarctica?
According to current regulations, drones can only be used in the interior of the Antarctic Peninsula, but not in coastal areas, as a means of preserving animal species.
Can you see the northern lights in Antarctica?
It would be what is missing, but unfortunately during the time when cruise ships carry out expeditions to Antarctica, the northern lights cannot be observed. The advantage you have between the months of November and February is that the duration of sunlight is longer, which allows you to enjoy the Antarctic landscape for longer.

Tips for traveling to Antarctica
Bring seasickness pills. When the ship crosses Drake Passage it really moves a lot and even the bravest have a hard time. Dramamine is the most recognized brand of motion sickness pills, they even have a medicine for motion sickness in children. The generic drug is called Dimenhydranate.
Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential. Sunscreen if it is factor 50 or more is better.
Do not leave the path marked by the guide or approach animals without their permission. It is dangerous and this continent is subject to strict protocols for its conservation.
The camera is exposed to very cold temperatures and water, so it is advisable to wear some protection.
Clothing Issue: You have already been warned about the cold, but you don't have to be dramatic about this either. A suitcase of clothes similar to those used for mountaineering is enough. This includes wool or synthetic clothing as a first layer and waterproof clothing as a second layer. Additionally, a hat, scarf and gloves are necessary. The parka and boots are essential to avoid getting wet on the zodiac expedition and when walking through the Antarctic Peninsula.
Many companies provide parkas and snow boots, consult them. If you have not brought snow clothing to Ushuaia, there are many places that rent it to you by the day.
Lastly, don't forget the tights/swimsuit. Yes, bathing in Antarctic waters is possible and a fascinating experience.
Are there flights to Antarctica?
Only 1% of visitors, about 1,300 people per year, choose the plane to reach Antarctica. There are no direct commercial flights, but special flights that cost around USD 25,000.
Most of them take off from Punta Arenas or Cape Town, and land in the rarely visited interior of Antarctica, reaching the South Pole itself and the colonies of emperor penguins (difficult to spot on the Peninsula).
Other potential users of these flights are professional mountaineers eager to climb the Transantarctic Mountains.
Best time to travel to Antarctica
The Antarctic season begins in November and ends at the end of March, in the spring-summer of the southern hemisphere. The first and last trips of the season are always more accessible, compared to late December or January.
If you are a photographer specialized in fauna, you probably already know that each species has its breeding seasons and greater/less activity, such as minke and humpback whales, which are more frequent from mid-February.
The correct season to see baby penguins is from December to February. Before December the weather is more unpredictable and there will be fewer blue skies, but I didn't think that in any way dampened my experience (I went in November).
How to choose a cruise to Antarctica: the type of vessel
When choosing your cruise to Antarctica, look at the size of the ship. Expedition cruises carry up to 200 passengers. The fewer passengers, the less time wasted in organization and disembarkation shifts, the better the experience.
Cruise ships with more than 500 passengers offer more luxury, but are prohibited from disembarking due to environmental impact. I traveled on the MV Ushuaia, and at that time there were only 71 passengers. You don't want to feel like you're in Disneyland.
Cost of the cruise to Antarctica
A classic cruise to Antarctica costs at least $6,000 per person. From there, prices rise rapidly: the average is around $10,000 USD, while luxury cabins cost up to four times as much.
This is equivalent to between $1,400 and $3,600 per person per day. The average cruiser should budget about $1,000 per person per day of cruising, including all meals, some drinks, and most shore excursions. Cheaper tickets often leave out key elements, such as necessary equipment, which can be expensive.
Below is an approximate price guide for the most popular itinerary types, with prices indicated per person in US dollars:
Classic Antarctic Peninsula cruise (10 - 11 days): $6,000 - $14,000
Airplane cruise through Antarctica (6 - 8 days): $11,000 - $27,000
Antarctic Circle Cruise (12 - 14 days): $8,000 - $18,000
Cruise through the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica (18 - 23 days): $12,000 - $25,000
Weddell Sea Cruise (12 - 20 days): $10,000 - $30,000
Ross Sea Cruise (25 - 35 days): $18,000 - $27,000
Flights to the interior of Antarctica and the South Pole (7 - 9 days): $50,000
Day 1: Departure from the city of Ushuaia
Boarding takes place in the afternoon. Passengers will meet their expedition staff and speakers. After settling into your cabin, we will set sail for Antarctica, sailing through the famous Beagle Channel, through the Mackinlay Pass.
Days 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is a natural biological barrier, where cold polar waters plunge beneath warmer northern waters. It also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. During the crossing of the passage, our staff will be on deck with the passengers, helping to identify the enormous variety of seabirds. There will be a full program of lectures.
The first icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate arrival at the South Shetland Islands. It is an archipelago of 20 islands and islets discovered in 1819 by Captain William Smith. If the weather conditions in the Drake Passage are favorable, on the third day our expedition staff will accompany the passengers on the first disembarkation to experience together the fascinating encounter with penguins and seals.
Days 4 to 7: Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are teeming with wildlife: colonies of penguins, Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Being able to navigate the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is an incredible experience.
King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, is home to colonies of gentoo and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, imperial cormorants, Antarctic terns and southern giant petrels. There are also scientific bases from different countries.
Passengers will have ample time to explore the astonishing landscape, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, as well as the variety of wildlife. Crabeater seals, humpback whales and orcas can be seen in the region.
Depending on the ice conditions, we will be able to navigate the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel and the Lemaire Channel. The plan is to make at least two shore excursions per day.
Days 8 and 9: Crossing the Drake Passage
We will leave the Antarctic Peninsula to sail north, crossing the Drake Passage. The staff's lecturers and naturalists will be on deck to, together with the passengers, discover seabirds and whales, and give the final conferences.
Day 10: Arrival at the port of Ushuaia
We will arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning. Disembark after breakfast.
OBSERVATIONS:
The itinerary may vary depending on local weather, ice conditions and wildlife viewing opportunities. We will always seek to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program will be published on board.


Destino del Crucero	Salidas	IN-OUT	Quadrupl
Porthole	Triple
Porthole	Twin Porthole	Twin Windows	Twin
Deluxe	Superior
Malvinas, Georgia & Antártida (USH)
20 Días - 19 Noches	27-NOV-2025
16-DIC-2025	USH - USH	14.800	17.600	17.600	18.400	20.000	21.400
Antártida con Turismo Aventura
13 Días - 12 Noches	16-DIC-2025
28-DIC-2025	USH - USH	10.550	12.950	12.950	13.500	14.550	15.600
Antártida con Turismo Aventura
13 Días - 12 Noches	28-DIC-2025
09-ENE-2026	USH - USH	10.550	12.950	12.950	13.500	14.550	15.600
Antártida con Isla Decepción
11 Días - 10 Noches	09-ENE-2026
19-ENE-2026	USH - USH	9.250	11.400	11.400	11.850	12.800	13.750
Malvinas, Georgia & Antártida (USH)
19 Días - 18 Noches	19-ENE-2026
06-FEB-2026	USH - USH	16.600	20.350	20.350	21.050	22.900	24.400
Antártida con Isla Decepción
11 Días - 10 Noches	06-FEB-2026
16-FEB-2026	USH - USH	9.250	11.400	11.400	11.850	12.800	13.750
Antártida Clásica
10 Días - 09 Noches	23-MAR-2026
01-ABR-2026	USH - USH	6.700	8.300	8.300	8.750	9.400	10.050
Odisea Antártica-Atlántica (USH-PRA)
43 Días - 42 Noches	23-MAR-2026
04-MAY-2026	USH-PRA	16.380	20.610	20.610	21.555	23.310	24.975
Odisea Antártica-Atlántica (USH-HEL)
33 Días - 32 Noches	23-MAR-2026
24-ABR-2026	USH-HEL	14.175	17.685	17.685	18.540	20.025	21.420
Odisea Atlántica (USH-PRA)
34 Días - 33 Noches	01-ABR-2025
04-MAY-2025	USH-PRA	10.350	13.140	13.140	13.680	14.850	15.930
Odisea Atlántica (USH-HEL)
24 Días - 23 Noches	01-ABR-2026
24-ABR-2026	USH-HEL	9.050	11.350	11.350	11.850	12.850	13.750
Odisea Atlántica (HEL-PRA)
11 Días - 10 Noches	24-ABR-2026
04-MAY-2026	HEL-PRA	2.450	3.250	3.250	3.350	3.650	3.950

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