27 Top Things To Do In Antarctica – Activities & Attractions

Antarctica is full of exciting activities, places to visit, and attractions. Nowhere else in the polar regions compares to Antarctica’s extremes and beauty. No matter what type of traveller you are, from an adventure seeker to a keen wildlife watcher, you will find plenty of things to do in Antarctica.

This post is designed to give you a detailed overview to help you plan activities, places to visit, and things to do in Antarctica. It’s a special list because many things I have listed below can only be done in Antarctica!

If you want to visit Antarctica, remember you can search and book the largest collection of Antarctica cruises and tours with Polar Escapes.

Based on our team’s decades of experience exploring Antarctica, here are our top 27 things to do in Antarctica:

1. Take An Antarctic Expedition Cruise

The most common way to get to Antarctica is to take an expedition cruise. It allows the best access to explore the 7th continent and see the most it offers, from wildlife to captivating scenery.

Each expedition cruise ship is equipped with Zodiacs and an expedition team. You will spend your days off-ship exploring, exploring the pristine wilderness. Onboard lectures and enrichment programs offer the perfect opportunity to learn about Antarctica.

There are several itineraries to choose from. The Antarctic Peninsula is the most popular route and also the most accessible. You can also combine the Antarctic Peninsula with South Georgia Island, known for its colossal king penguin colonies, and the Falkland Islands.

Another option is the remote Ross Sea region. Approximately a quarter of all Antarctic emperor penguins live on its coast, and it has some of the most enormous icebergs in Antarctica.

2. Fly to the Geographic South Pole

Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers Amundsen and Scott and visit the Geographic South Pole. Today, it is much easier to get to than it was over 100 years ago. Take a private charter flight from Punta Arenas in Chile to the Union Glacier camp. Then, spend several days at the camp awaiting a weather window to fly to the furthest point south.

3. Cross the Drake Passage

Most visitors cruising to Antarctica will cross the formidable Drake Passage, which separates Antarctica from the mainland. Crossing the Drake is a passage of rites for any polar traveller visiting Antarctica and is part of the experience. Don’t forget those tablets if you are prone to seasickness.  

4. Sail inside an active volcano on Deception Island

One of my top Antarctica attractions is Deception Island, the only place on Earth where a ship can sail into an active volcano. Although the last eruption was in 1970, Deception Island is still very much active.

Visit the remnants of the Chilean research station abandoned due to an eruption in 1967. It is a great place to hike the unique geological moonscapes from the last eruption.

It is the perfect place to take a dip, as the waters in Pendulum Cove are heated by volcanic activity, making it the warmest place to swim in Antarctica.

5. Take A polar plunge in the Southern Ocean

A polar plunge is one of the most popular activities on an Antarctica cruise. Whilst it may not be for everyone, it is a daring part of the adventure and a rite of passage.

Most Antarctic cruises offer the chance to take the polar plunge from the ship into the freezing cold waters. Ensure you have warm clothes and a hot drink ready when you step back onboard. Sometimes, taking a polar plunge from the shore may also be possible.

6. Cross the Southern Polar Circle

Cross the symbolic Antarctic Circle, located at 66°33′47.5″ south. Most expeditions won’t sail this far south, so choose a voyage that lists this as a goal. Celebrate being one of the few visitors to Antarctica who have crossed the Antarctic Circle.

7. Kayak In Amongst Antarctica’s Icebergs

High on my list of things to do in Antarctica is kayaking. A great way to connect with nature in a personal way is to sign up for a kayaking trip. Most Antarctic cruises offer this as an additional option.

Following an experienced guide, you will independently explore some of Antarctica’s wild coasts. Kayaking amongst the Antarctic sea ice and exploring remote bays is a real polar adventure. It’s a great way to get up close to the scenery and the wildlife’s natural habitat.  

If kayaking is on your to-do list, make sure you choose a trip with dedicated kayaking options and book them in advance, as spaces are often limited.

Some operators now also offer stand-up paddle boarding as an alternative to kayaking.

8. Cruise the Lemaire Channel

Cruising the Lemaire channel is one of the highlights of any Antarctica cruise. This narrow channel is nicknamed the Kodak Gap thanks to its picturesque beauty and calm waters. Just 600 metres wide at its narrowest point, it’s the perfect place to see seals and other wildlife. The towering Una Peaks are one of Antarctica’s iconic sites, located at the entrance to the channel.

9. Explore Snow Hill Island

The small, snow-capped island is home to a northern breeding colony of 4000 Emperor penguins. Located in the Weddell Sea on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Snow Hill Island is notoriously difficult to reach due to the thick ice floes surrounding it.

To add to the adventure, guests must fly from their expedition ship in a helicopter to land on the island and view the Emperor penguins.

Choose a dedicated tour on a ship with onboard helicopters to visit Snow Hill Island.

10. Zodiac Cruise Antarctica’s Breathtaking Scenery

No trip to Antarctica would be complete without a Zodiac cruise to explore the countless glaciers and landing sites. It’s a great way to experience the raw nature first-hand and feel part of the polar scenery with the expedition team. Keep your eyes peeled for penguins jumping from the ice edge into the sea.

Zodiac cruises are included as part of your expedition cruise.

11. Camp out on the 7th continent

Camping out in Antarctica as part of a ship or land-based expedition is possible, and I highly recommend it. It’s an adventurous way to spend the night. Start by digging a hole in the snow deep enough to shelter in and then cosying up in a bivy bag under Antarctica’s epic night sky.

Camping is on many visitors’ lists of things to do in Antarctica. Many cruise operators offer a night of camping as part of a cruise expedition at an extra cost. If camping is on your bucket list, make sure you book this activity early, as places are limited and sell out in advance.

12. Meet 400,000 King Penguins On South Georgia Island

One of my favourite highlights of any cruise to Antarctica is stopping off at the remote sub-antarctic island of South Georgia. Going ashore at St Andrew’s Bay is like stepping into a real-life nature documentary that unfolds before your eyes. The sound of 400,000 breading King Penguins is immense.

13. Visit a penguin post office

Antarctica has a penguin post office at Port Lockroy on Wiencke Island. It’s the southernmost post office on Earth, where the surrounding Gentoo penguins seriously outnumber humans. As you can imagine, it has become a popular stopping point for Antarctic cruises and one you shouldn’t miss. Don’t forget to send a postcard yourself!

14. See the southern lights

The southern lights, known as aurora australis, can light up the night sky in Antarctica at any time of the year. Whilst you are less likely to see them during the height of the summer due to the extended daylight, cruises at the end of the season in March are regularly greeted by this phenomenon.

15. Visit historic explorers’ huts

For travellers to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea region, visiting several well-preserved huts from the heroic age of Antarctic exploration is possible.

I highly recommend visiting Sir Ernest Shacklton’s hut at Cape Royds to get a great glimpse into the reality that polar explorers faced. The hut dates back to Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition in 1907 and is maintained and preserved by the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

16. Stay in a luxury camp on the Antarctic continent

For travellers looking for luxury, flying to Antarctica and staying in a luxury camp in the interior is possible. Fly from South Africa to Antarctica on a private charter jet and stay at the Wolf’s Fang or Echo camps in Queen Maud land. As part of the expedition, visit a remote colony of Emperor penguins and then fly to the South Pole in a small 12-seater aircraft.

17. Penguin and Wildlife Watching

One of Antarctica’s top attractions is its wildlife. With over 44 million penguins living on the frozen continent, it is one of the best places on Earth to see penguins in the wild. You can see up to seven species of penguins, including Gentoos, Adélie penguins, which are unique to Antarctica, and Chinstrap penguins.

The best time to see penguin chicks hatching is in December when Antarctica is at the peak of its wildlife activity.  

Antarctica is home to many other wildlife species, including five seal species, crabeater, fur seals, leopard seals, Weddell and southern elephant seals. Albatrosses, sea lions, and an abundance of birdlife are frequently seen.

The beauty of an expedition cruise is that Zodiac cruises give you access to the best places to see wildlife.

For a complete list of species, please see our Antarctica wildlife guide.

18. Whale Watching

One of the most popular things to do in Antarctica is whale watching. During the later summer months, the Southern Ocean becomes a haven for whales that migrate to the nutrient-rich waters.

You can spend time whale-watching from a ship, Zodiac, or kayak. Humpback whales, Minke whales, and fin whales are familiar visitors.

On the sailing I was on, we spotted a pod of over 100 fin whales off the coast of Elephant Island. The ship came to a halt, and we observed this natural phenomenon. To see this many whales in their natural home is a privilege.

Danco Island, Curverville Island and Danco Harbour are all excellent locations for whale watching. February and March are the best months for whale watching in Antarctic waters, and it is possible to join a specialised tour.  

19. Polar Diving and Snorkelling

Join a specialist expedition and try polar scuba diving or snorkelling in Antarctica’s pristine, icy waters. Scuba diving amongst ice floes and sea ice is a surreal experience. All the equipment, including dry suits and diving gear, is supplied on specialist expeditions.

To join a scuba diving expedition in Antarctic waters, you will need to be a qualified diver with lots of experience. The challenging conditions are not for beginners. This advanced activity is only available on specialist Antarctic cruises.

20. Visit The World’s Most southernmost church

The Holy Trinity Church is a small wooden Church on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. It is located close to the Russian Bellinghausen research station. If you are part of an organised tour, you can visit the interior of the small church.

The church has a very distinct Russian style and is staffed year-round by a priest. It was built in Russia, transported by ship, and assembled where it stands today.

21. Hike on the white continent

Hiking is one of my favourite things to do in Antarctica as it allows you to experience the pristine beauty. On an Antarctic cruise, you can join the expedition team for some longer hikes, and I highly recommend this.  It’s a chance to leave the expedition ship and get a feel for the awe-inspiring polar landscapes.

I have hiked in many places in Antarctica, and each is remarkably different. Early in the season, during November, be prepared for snow. Often, ships will supply snow shoes when the ground is still snow-covered, which is quite an adventure.

22. Visit a research station

If the opportunity arises, it may be possible to visit one of Antarctica’s research stations and gain insight into the research being conducted there.

Vernadsky Research Station is one of the research stations that tourists can visit. Located on Galindez Island off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the station is run by Ukraine. Researchers study glaciology, seismology, and ozone, among other important topics, and they are happy to offer a guided tour. It’s a fascinating insight into life in Antarctica.

The station has a small gift shop selling postcards and even a bar, which is possibly the southernmost bar in the world!

23. Ski The Antarctic Peninsula

Take part in a guided skiing expedition and experience the most pristine slopes in the polar regions. Ski and sail cruises take place at the start of the season when the landscape is snow-covered. You will need to be an experienced skier to participate.

24. Climb Antarctica’s Tallest Mountain

Climbing Mount Vinson is a serious undertaking reserved only for those with mountaineering experience. This epic expedition involves flying from South America to a remote camp at the Union Glacier before ascending Mount Vinson. It is a highly strenuous undertaking that requires months of training, so it is only for the most adventurous travellers.  

25. See the midnight sun at Christmas

Did you know Antarctica is the only place on Earth where you can see the midnight sun at Christmas? The midnight sun is visible in Antarctica south of the Antarctic Circle during the height of summer on the summer solstice on December 21st each year. The farther south you travel, the longer the period of time the midnight sun can be seen. For example, the midnight sun is visible at the South Pole for six months of the year.   

26. Go Birdwatching On The Falkland Islands

As part of your expedition, also consider visiting the Falkland Islands. Often combined with Antarctica and South Georgia, the Falkland Islands are home to several penguin species and the endemic Falkland Islands steamer duck, which cannot be seen elsewhere.

I have visited the Falkland Islands on many occasions and have always been taken aback by their wildlife and beauty. If you are going all that way, I recommend an itinerary that visits the islands.

27. Join A Photography Tour

If you are a keen photographer, consider joining an expedition with included photography workshops. Selected departures include a guest photographer who can assist you and offer you advice on capturing those perfect images of Antarctica.

As you can imagine, Antarctica is one of the best places on Earth for photography. Consider a photography tour in November, early in the season, to capture the landscapes in their rawest form. The mountains are covered with snow, and there is a great deal of sea ice, which makes for great photography opportunities.

Summary

Visiting the seventh continent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any traveller. From wildlife watching to hiking and kayaking, visitors are spoilt for a choice of things to do. Here is a quick summary

• An expedition cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Antarctica and offers an excellent way to explore inaccessible places.
• An expedition cruise includes Zodiac cruises and many activities, such as wildlife watching, hiking, a polar plunge, and photography.
• Some expedition cruises offer activities for an additional cost, such as kayaking and camping.
• Specialist tours are available for mountaineering and polar diving.
• It is also possible to fly to Antarctica and visit the South Pole and stay in a luxury camp.
• Book Antarctica activities early as places are limited.
• All activities are subject to weather and sea ice conditions and can never be guaranteed.

I hope you enjoyed my list of things to do in Antarctica.

At Polar Escapes, we have first-hand knowledge of all the activities in this article and can help you plan your trip.

If you want to visit Antarctica, why not check out our Antarctica cruises and tours? We have the largest selection from the world’s best expedition cruise lines and tour operators, and we always guarantee the best price.

If you would like some friendly advice, why not contact our team?

Thanks for reading.