Tourism in Antarctica - The continent in brief

Antarctica is not an easy place to get to, but increasing numbers of people visit Antarctica every year. Almost all go as a part of an organized expeditionary cruise, frequently guided by experts who are a mixture of seasoned seafarers, and ice or wildlife experts. "You can't protect what you don't know." Lars-Eric Lindblad leader of the first commercial Antarctica cruise in 1966 "We should have the sense to leave just one place alone" Sir Peter Scott Founder of the WWF and son of Robert Falcon Scott

Tourism in Antarctica - The continent in brief

Tourists Standing on a Cruise Ship Watching an Iceberg, Antarctic Peninsula - Photographic Print

There are no indigenous people on Antarctica. The population varies from fewer than 1,000 in winter to nearly 35,000 in summer: 5,000 scientists from 27 of the countries party to the Antarctic Treaty, plus 29,576 tourists last season - 2006/2007.

Antarctica surrounds the South Pole. The nearest landmass is South America, which is over 620 miles from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Surface area 14 million square miles (36 million square kilometres).

There is no indigenous government, management of the Antarctic is organised through the legal framework of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. Forty-three nations are now party to this agreement, and seven of those - the UK, Norway, Chile, France, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand - have historic claims on parts of the continent as national territory. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty preserves the status quo of the continent by neither recognizing nor rejecting the claims of these countries and by not allowing expansion in any way on the continent.

Antarctica currently has no economic activity apart from offshore fishing and tourism, and these are run by other nations (i.e. not the continent of Antarctica)

Tourism in the Antarctic is mainly by around 20 vessels carrying 45 to 280 passengers each.

The ships are ice strengthened and sail primarily to the Antarctic Peninsula region sometimes also including South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

There have been occasional voyages to Antarctica by larger passenger vessels (up to 960 tourists), some of which conduct sightseeing cruises only without landings. Yacht travel is also very popular, and gives a smaller scale more intimate contact, though often without the luxuries and facilities of the larger Antarctica cruise ship.

Several expeditions take place outside the Peninsula region each season. Voyages have been made to the Weddell Sea, Ross Sea region and, on occasion, East Antarctica including islands of the Indian Ocean sector. These expeditions have included visits to emperor penguin colonies, historical huts, the Dry Valleys and other remote areas.

Weather and ice, not clocks and calendars, set the schedule for a journey here. No matter what the reason for your visit, you'll be at the mercy of the continent's changing moods and weather patterns.

How long are trips?

Most trips take about 10 days to 3 weeks from port to port, though occasionally longer or shorter trips are possible.

How much does it cost?

Minimum about US$5 000 for a place in a twin cabin (triples may be available for 15-25% less) plus the cost of air fares and other sundry costs to and from your point of embarkation and then up to about US$30 000 and beyond. These are for regular scheduled trips. Of course you can pay more if you want the best cabins in the best positions

You could put together a trip of your own with other people with the help of a small vessel operator running your own itinerary, cost - negotiable, but not too different to the mid to high range scheduled trips

$8,000 -$10,000 for a 10-14 day cruise is a reasonable amount.

When and where do trips take place?

Antarctic visits are mainly concentrated at ice-free coastal zones over the Antarctic summer, the five-month period from November to March, in high summer there will be 20+ hours of daylight.

The formation and movement of sea-ice outside of these times means that from March to November, Antarctica is left to the over-wintering scientific bases and their crews.

Tourist ships possibly could get in and out earlier or later in the season, but there is the all too real danger of not being able to get to the places on the itinerary, or more importantly of being stuck in the sea-ice and having an enforced winter (for an extra 8 months or more) as has happened on scientific bases occasionally. So apart from the odd ice-breaker trip that may leave in October, tourist ships just don't risk it outside of these months.

Winter pack ice extends over 620 miles around the continent, it is almost permanently dark and temperatures can drop to as low as -90°C (-130°F)

Temperature Range; December � February 20°F to 50°F -6°C to +10°C

November & Early December (Late Spring / Early Summer)

	Winter pack ice is starting to melt and break up. The scenery is white, clean and pristine with pack ice and giant icebergs.
	Courting season for penguins and seabirds � see spectacular courtship rituals.
	Seals visible on fast ice.
	Spring wildflowers in the Falklands and South Georgia.
	Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories.

Mid-December and January (Mid Summer)

	Normally Antarctica's warmest months.
	Longer days create great light conditions and fabulous photo opportunities at midnight.
	Antarctic chicks hatch.
	South Georgia and the Falklands � first penguin chicks emerge and fur seals are breeding.
	Seal Pups visible on South Georgia and the Falklands.
	Receding ice allows for more exploration.

February and March (Late Summer)

	Whale sightings are at their best.
	Penguin chicks start to fledge.
	Receding pack ice allows ships to explore further south.
	More fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Where do trips leave from?

Peninsula voyages generally depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, other South American ports are occasionally used. The great majority of trips leave from South America, those that leave from elsewhere tend to be longer and more expensive - considerably so. Visits to the Peninsula region usually involve a round trip from Ushuaia. Those to Eastern Antarctica and the Ross Sea area often involve two different ports, e.g. Hobart (Aus) to Christchurch (NZ), Port Elizabeth (SA) to Hobart (Aus). For trips to the Ross region and Eastern Antarctica, commonly used ports are: Hobart (Australia), Auckland and Lyttelton-Christchurch (New Zealand). Departures rarely set out from from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and Fremantle / Perth (Australia). No documentation or visas are required to visit Antarctica, but if your cruise stops off at other countries en route, visas and documentation may be required for them.