The frozen continent is more than one and a half times the size of the United States and buried under a mile of ice and snow. For more than two centuries, this desolate land has attracted scientists, photographers, and adventurers, all drawn by its unmatched natural wonders.
Whether on a photography tour, professional development scientific expedition, or simply the ultimate adventure, those fortunate to travel to Antarctica can observe a vast, untouched wilderness of ice and sky that few people ever witness. Visitors on an Antarctic cruise can see the world’s largest penguin population fetching krill and feeding their young, as well as a spectacular variety of sea life, including sea birds, leopard seals, and magnificent resident whale species. Despite its average temperature of -56 degrees Fahrenheit, the Antarctic Peninsula changes in appearance and activity throughout the seasons, offering a variety of scenery and experiences for visitors to enjoy year-round. The excitement peaks in the southern summer month of December. Travel to Antarctica with Holbrook and visit "the ultimate frontier," through small vessel cruises designed to offer both land and sea access to this exquisite and unspoiled continent.
Nature & Photography
For over two centuries, the “White Desert” has attracted explorers drawn by its unmatched natural beauty. Antarctica is the highest, brightest, coldest, and windiest of the continents, and covered in a sheet of ice that averages more than a mile thick. Despite such frigid conditions, abundant numbers of penguins, seals, petrels, and many other species inhabit this fascinating place. The beauty and solitude of Antarctic seas and mountains conceals the frantic activity of the shoreline colonies of birds and mammals.
Antarctica’s breathtaking scenery—imposing mountain ranges, ice-filled channels, tabular and beautifully shaped icebergs and glaciers—lends itself to creating some truly stunning photographic images. The scenic Lemaire Channel squeezes between the Antarctic Peninsula and Booth Island and is a little less than a mile wide. The site offers such great photographic opportunities that it is sometimes referred to as the “Kodak Gap.”
Busy penguin colonies, a spectacular variety of seabirds, an abundance of seals, and magnificent whales await you. As you cruise toward the Antarctic Peninsula, several species of albatross, storm petrel, shearwater, and diving petrel frequently follow the boat. In the Falkland Islands, a hike along the shore of Carcass Island should provide views of Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins, as well as close encounters with waterfowl, night herons, and passerines. In addition, on Saunders Island there are four species of breeding penguins (Gentoo, King, Magellanic, and Rockhopper), Black-browed Albatrosses, and King Cormorants. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence, expect to see albatross, shearwater, petrel, prion, and skua. Other sites will give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced reindeer, elephant seals, fur seals, and King and Macaroni Penguins.
On Deception Island in the Antarctic Peninsula, find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas, and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm-Petrels and Black-bellied Storm-Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. On Cuverville Island, pay a visit to the largest colony of Gentoo Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Professional Development
A trip to Antarctica includes the chance to learn about ongoing research at the field stations on the frontiers of discovery. Visit Orcadas Station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands, where base personnel will take you through their facilities amid views of the surrounding glaciers. Vernadsky Station, formerly Faraday Research Station, is a Ukrainian research station located on Galindez Island in the Argentine Islands. The station collects important meteorological and geomagnetic data and conducts ionospheric and magneto spheric research. There are nine buildings, with living quarters for 24 people, as well as laboratories, work rooms, medical facilities, and a general store. A lively British style pub still remains on site, a reminder of the station’s previous owners.
Culture & History
Despite having no indigenous population, Antarctica and its surrounding areas tell a fascinating story of human exploration since it was first viewed by explorers two centuries ago.
In Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. Visit the local church and museum and see a number of stranded clippers from a century ago.
At Fortuna Bay on South Georgia, follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stømness Bay. There and at Grytviken you can see an abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken you can also visit the Whaling History Museum and pay your respects at Shackleton’s grave nearby.
Visit Port Lockroy, once an important harbor and processing site for whalers. In the 1940s, during a secret naval operation, the British laid claim to the port and established a base (Base A) which was operational until 1962. The base has since been restored to its original state and is now used as a museum and post office.
Entry & Exit Requirements
Note: Most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina.
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport to enter Argentina. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry.
A visa is not required for visits up to 90 days. However, U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocal entry fee prior to entry into Argentina. The entry fee can only be paid online, with a credit card, at one of two websites (www.migraciones.gov.ar or www.provinciapagos.com.ar).
If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Argentine Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.
Health Information
IMMUNIZATIONS
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Antarctica or Argentina.
Some physicians recommend that travelers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before visiting Argentina.
Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
SEVERE WEATHER
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest place on earth. Temperature patterns vary widely because the continent is covered in continuous darkness during the winter and continuous sunlight during the summer, with a few weeks of sunrises and sunsets between seasons. For travelers to Antarctica, severe low temperatures and high winds are the primary health hazards.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite is damage to the skin from freezing and is due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Symptoms include patches of reddened skin that become white, hard, and swollen; or skin that burns, tingles, or is numb or painful. Severe cases can result in blisters or ulcers forming and may involve deeper tissues. The most common sites for frostbite are the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, nose, and cheeks. To avoid frostbite, dress warmly and in layers but avoid tight clothing as it may reduce circulation. Keep the face and extremities covered. Avoid overheating and excessive perspiration. Change out wet clothing, especially socks and gloves.
HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia is life threatening. It is caused by cold, wet, or windy weather that causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce heat. Hypothermia can occur in rugged mountain terrain where the weather can change extremely fast, or after being soaked in a stream crossing or a boating accident since most Alaskan waters are very cold all year long. Symptoms include feeling cold, uncontrollable shivering, clumsiness due to loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, inability to think clearly, and eventual unconsciousness and cessation of reflexes including heart and lung functions. Many victims in the later stages of hypothermia feel warm and try to shed clothing. To treat hypothermia, first warm the core of the body before the extremities. Remove any wet clothing. Re-warm the victim slowly; do not warm fast by immersing in warm/hot water. Provide shelter out of the weather. Warm drinks are not necessary, but may help in the psychological recovery. Do NOT give alcohol. Try to keep victim awake as this helps keep the body temperature up.
SUN EXPOSURE
Despite freezing temperatures, the effects of the sun in Antarctica (because of the sun’s reflecting off the snow) can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.
Currency
Antarctica does not have an official currency. The currency of Argentina is the Peso.
Reading List
FIELD GUIDES
Antarctica, A Guide to the Wildlife
Tony Soper
Designed for the field, this compact handbook features all the species of birds, seals and whales the traveler is likely to encounter on an Antarctic voyage.
A Voyage to Antarctica, Wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula
Diego Punta Fernandez
A high quality, laminated fold-out card featuring the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the Drake Passage, Cape Horn and Beagle Channel.
Antarctic Wildlife
James Lowen
Produced by a shipboard naturalist, this handy identification guide focuses on the Beagle Channel, Drake and Peninsula regions.
Penguins, The Ultimate Guide
Tui De Roy
Featuring more than 400 photographs, this is the traveler's ultimate guide to the world's 18 species of penguins. Includes scientific discussions on penguin conservation, profiles, facts and tips on where to see them in Antarctica.
MAPS
Antarctic Explorer Map
Ocean Explorer
A full-color map of the Antarctic Peninsula, including Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands and South Georgia, at a scale of 1:2,750,000. With a map of the Antarctic continent on the reverse.
Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea Map
British Antarctic Survey
One in a series that also includes the South Shetlands, the Gerlache and South Georgia, this excellent map shows the cruise from Ushuaia on one side, with a detail of the Peninsula on the other.
GUIDEBOOKS
The Oceanites Site Guide to the Antarctic Peninsula
Ron Naveen
The guide, which supports the Antarctic Site Inventory Project, covers 40 prime visitor sites in detail. It also includes some of the best photography we've seen.
Antarctica Cruising Guide
Peter Carey & Craig Franklin
This all-in-one parka-pocket guide includes concise introductory chapters on Antarctica, detailed information on popular visitor sites and a wildlife guide.
Lonely Planet Antarctica
Lonely Planet
Alexis Averbuck, author of the new edition of this compact and surprisingly handy guide, expands coverage of Ushuaia, the Falklands and South Georgia. With a wildlife guide and contributions from 26 Antarctic experts on the history, geology, wildlife and future of Antarctica.
NATURAL HISTORY
Endurance, Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Alfred Lansing
Lansing's gripping day-by-day story of Shackleton's legendary perseverance is essential reading for any Antarctic traveler.
Penguins of the World
Wayne Lynch
Lynch weaves delightful tales of penguins, their habitats and habits, with hundreds of glorious full-color photographs.
Antarctica, A Call to Action
Sebastian Copeland
Copeland's collection of striking photographs includes a three-page list of sensible suggestions to protect the planet.
Empire Antarctica: Ice, Silence and Emperor Penguins
Gavin Francis
Gavin Francis recounts his time as base doctor at Halley Research Station, the British Antarctic Survey base on the Caird Coast in the Weddell Sea.
Fraser's Penguins
Fen Montaigne
Montaigne turns a summer working with penguin biologist Bill Fraser at Palmer Station into a captivating tale of hard work, camaraderie and penguins, deftly capturing the allure and grandeur of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Penguin
Frans Lanting
Lanting loitered among the Magellanics, Rockhoppers and Gentoos of the Falklands, spent time with the King penguins of South Georgia and, famously, camped on the sea ice to follow the life cycle of the Emperor penguins and their young.
Southern Light, Images from Antarctica
David Neilson
Photographer David Neilson has turned his six journeys to the ice over the last 20 years, often with the Australian Antarctic Program (and sometimes lugging a 30-pound large format camera), into a coffee-table tribute to the continent and its wildlife. Includes 130 color and 100 rich black-and-white oversized photographs, gate-folds and double-page spreads that portray the drama and beauty of the Antarctic.
The Crystal Desert
David Campbell
A biologist with the heart of a poet, Campbell focuses on the fossils, glaciers and wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula in these vivid essays.
HISTORY & CULTURE
Endurance, Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Alfred Lansing
Lansing's gripping day-by-day story of Shackleton's legendary perseverance is essential reading for any Antarctic traveler. This 100th anniversary edition is outfitted with maps, an expanded selection of Frank Hurley's photographs and an introduction by Nathaniel Philbrick.
Melting Away, Images of the Arctic and Antarctic
Camille Seaman
In her masterful series of 75 portraits and essays, Camille Seaman shows how climate change has wreaked havoc on both the North and South Poles.
Penguins In The Wild
David Tipling
Renowned photographer David Tipling's celebration of the playful and sympathetic arctic bird features profiles of the world's 17 penguin species (you might recognize the King, Emperor and Rockhopper) plus 139 striking full-color photographs.
The Crossing of Antarctica
George Lowe
This collection of previously unpublished photographs captures everyday moments, sprawling landscapes and candid portraits from 1957 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, as well as the reflections of explorers and polar experts.
1912, The Year the World Discovered Antarctica
Chris Turney
Turney looks at the great leap forward in Antarctic science that was made 100 years ago with the expeditions of not just Scott and Amundsen but also those of Mawson, Filchner and Shirase. A brisk and engaging history of science and exploration in the Antarctic. An Australian scientist himself, Turney sees Mawson as the scientific hero of the age.
Chasing Shackleton
Tim Jarvis
In this unique memoir of adventure and discovery, based on the PBS documentary, veteran polar explorer Tim Jarvis retraces for the first time the epic 1914 expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton in his inspiring attempt to cross the Antarctic continent.
The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton and Antarctic Photography
David Hempleman-Adams, Emma Stuart, & Sophie Gordon
Here in one handsome book are hundreds of haunting photographs by Herbert George Ponting and Frank Hurley, drawn from the albums they created during the two most famous Antarctic explorations. The stunning images are accompanied by lively essays, maps, paintings and other ephemera from the Royal Collection.
The Last Place on Earth, Scott and Amundsen's Race to the South Pole
Roland Huntford
Igniting huge controversy when it first appeared, Huntford's rousing dual biography contrasts Amundsen's well-planned campaign to achieve the Pole with Scott's ill-fated quest.
Alone in Antarctica, The First Woman to Ski Solo Across the Southern Ice
Felicity Aston
In this inspirational memoir, Felicity Aston describes her pioneering journey -- skiing across the whole of Antarctica -- while meditating on human vulnerability, struggle and the experience of solitude in the Information Age.
End of the Earth, Voyaging to Antarctica
Peter Matthiessen
In this fine book, the result of two voyages, Matthiessen captures the magic of polar landscapes and wildlife, along with the camaraderie of a ship-based polar expedition.
Lost Antarctica, Adventures in a Disappearing Land
James McClintock
A marine biologist who first traveled to the Kerguelen 30 years ago, James McClintock offers an intimate tour of the continent and his many voyages south, covering his field seasons at Palmer and McMurdo, his work on marine invertebrates and looming environmental challenges with equal, feet-on-the-ground aplomb. McClintock leads an annual expedition cruise to the Antarctic on climate change (some of you may have traveled with him).
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Penguins of Antarctica
Plants, penguins & more in Antarctica
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