Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth. The South Geographic Pole is in Antarctica, and most of the continent lies within the Antarctic Circle, at 66.5 degrees south of the Equator.

Antarctica is so far south that most of the continent receives 24 hours of daylight during summer, and 24 hours of darkness during winter.

Antarctica lies to the south of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean). Most visitors access Antarctica via ship or aircraft from an Antarctic ‘gateway city’. The five official Antarctic gateway cities are Ushuaia (Argentina), Hobart (Australia), Punta Arenas (Chile), Christchurch (New Zealand), and Cape Town (South Africa).

The name ‘Antarctica’ comes from ‘Antarktos’, meaning ‘opposite the Arctic’. Antarctica and the Arctic are indeed opposites in many ways, and they lie at the polar extremes of the globe: the Arctic to the north and Antarctica to the south.

Antarctica is home to a hardy community of wonderful wildlife, which has adapted to the cold, windy and icy Antarctic environment.

There are four species of penguins in Antarctica. They are the emperor, Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap. The emperor and Adélie penguins are found only in Antarctica.

There are six species of Antarctic seals: Ross seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, leopard seals, southern fur seals and southern elephant seals. They all live in the ocean surrounding Antarctica, hauling out on ice or land to rest and pup.

Many whales visit Antarctic waters during the summer feeding season between late October and early April. The whales that commonly visit Antarctic waters include humpback whales, killer whales, minke whales, fin whales, sei whales and even the enormous blue whale!

In addition to these charismatic creatures we see on the ocean’s surface, the Antarctic ocean is filled with a rich variety of sea life, from single-celled algae, which form the foundation of the Antarctic food web, to krill, a tiny crustacean which is a keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem, providing sustenance for seals, whales, penguins and many other seabirds.

Most animals that thrive in Antarctica are marine animals. This means that they rely on the ocean and marine ecosystems to survive and thrive. However, there are a few Antarctic animals that live entirely on land. These include the microscopic springtails, nematodes and tardigrades, which live amongst moss and lichen in areas which are not permanently snow-covered.

Our Antarctica cruises range from 9 to 34 days, with most falling within the 12 to 21-day range. The specific length of your Antarctica cruise hinges on variables like the departure location and the chosen itinerary.

The cost of an Antarctica cruise can vary significantly, influenced by factors such as voyage duration, stateroom type, and the chosen itinerary.

When considering an Antarctica cruise with AE Expeditions, you can expect prices to start from USD13,195 per person when sharing a twin Aurora Stateroom. However, there are also early bird discounts available. For a comprehensive breakdown of what’s included in your Antarctica cruise, click here.

Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth. The average temperature throughout the year is about -57°C, with the minimum temperature being -130°F (-90°C) during the winter season.

During the summer months, when we visit, the temperature can range from 28°F (-2°C) to 46°F (8°C). In summer, big storms are rare, but if one comes through the temperature could drop to 17°F (-8°C ). Read more about why austral summer is the best time to visit Antarctica.

Shipboard attire leans toward the informal and casual side, you’ll find jeans, jumpers, and long-sleeved shirts comfortable indoors. It’s wise to have your jacket within reach for impromptu wildlife encounters.

While there’s no need for formal clothing, some travellers like to dress up for the captain’s welcome and farewell drinks.

Each passenger on our Antarctic cruises will receive an expedition jacket. Though, you should pack suitable cold and wet weather gear for onshore landings during your Antarctica cruise.

To help you prepare, consult our suggested packing list, which outlines the recommended types of layers and materials for an Antarctica cruise.  

Children are more than welcome on our Antarctica cruises. However, we recommend that they are at least 8 years old and must travel with their legal guardian. Children pay the same rate as an adult traveller.

For travellers residing in the UK, the most accessible route to Antarctica begins from the southern tip of South America. There are two prominent departure points for Antarctica cruises: Ushuaia, Argentina, and Punta Arenas, Chile, both situated in the Patagonian region and among the southernmost towns worldwide.

Expeditions beginning in Ushuaia will begin by sailing across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula or sailing to the Subantarctic Islands of the Falklands or South Georgia, before continuing to Antarctica.

For expeditions starting in Punta Arenas, passengers can have the unique experience of flying to Antarctica – or more specifically to King George Island – on a charter flight arranged specifically for their expedition.

Find out more information about how to get to Antarctica.