best time to see whales in antarctica

Penguin chicks begin to hatch in early December in the Falkland Islands. The wildlife is active, the ice is spectacular, and the weather is hard to beat. Use the comments below and well answer your question and make this guide even better. There are eight species of whale found in Antarctic waters, the Blue, Fin, Humpback, Minke, Orca, Sei, Southern Right and Sperm. All fields are required. Congratulations! Can you fly to Antarctica? visit Antarctica, when the weather is warmer and the days are Such photographs will capture memories to last a lifetime. Blue, Killer/orca, Humpback, Fin, Minke, Sperm, Southern Right, Sei. experience bad weather and rough seas at any time of year. The days grow lighter and longer, the You might not want to venture too far south either, as the days are much shorter and the weather even colder. Most travelers will visit Antarctica by small ship. We are here to help with one-on-on advice and ensure you have a great trip any time of year. If youre prone to seasickness, this is not a good time to be crossing the Drake Passage from South America. December is when the tourist season begins, and this can be the best time to visit Antarctica if you want to experience more of the local wildlife, yet still catch the last remnants of the cold, dark winter that preceded spring earlier in the year. Orca whales dont migrate and can be found in Antarctica year round. The white sheets of ice incase the land, offering a beautiful landscape for photographers. And we have the greatest. A multi-million-dollar renovation means that the 128 guests aboard Ocean Adventurer travel to the most remote regions of the world in the utmost comfort. As the sea ice breaks up in eastern Antarctica you have The newest addition to our fleet, the 199-guest Ultramarine will be equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, spacious suites, wellness amenities and numerous outdoor wildlife viewing spaces. Blue whale populations were particularly devastated by whaling industry. December is the busiest travel month in Antarctica, so it is best to book early. Antarctica SeasonsAntarctica Weather & Wildlife ChartOctober in AntarcticaNovember in AntarcticaDecember in AntarcticaJanuary in AntarcticaFebruary in AntarcticaMarch in Antarctica, Best Time to Cross the Drake PassageBest Time to See PenguinsBest Time to See WhalesBest Time to Cruise AntarcticaWhy Latitude MattersAntarctica Climate TablesWhat Is the Best Month in Antarctica?More Resources. Quark Expeditions goes where others simply cant. month-by-month guide to visiting month to see Antarctica at its most photogenic, but you will likely One of the most exciting things about going on an Antarctic cruise is the company and not just your fellow shipmates. Migratory whales such as humpback whales, fin whales, blue whales and minke whales are begin arriving in Antarctica in November and December. Travel Advice Quark Expeditions 2023 is a member of the Travelopia group of companies. We want to see the baby animals, plus we are going to tie it in with a trip to Machu Picchu. New Year, when flights between the UK and Argentina are at their the most remote and inhospitable continent on earth. you want to spend. Trust us: when you travel all the way to the edge of the world, youll want to reach out and touch it too. Cons: Rockier, dirtier, and icier landscapes. Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell, the cofounders of Quark Expeditions, took the first group of commercial travelers to the North Pole In 1991. Availability starts to really ramp up with more ships making the voyage across the Drake Passage. Our expeditions to the Arcticone of the most unexplored domains on the planetfeature the Canadian High Arctic, Greenland and Svalbard, where visitors witness polar bears, whales, reindeer, walruses and migratory birds, and learn first-hand about rich Indigenous cultures and their history. What you may see: Minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, humpback whales, southern bottlenose whales, orca (killer) whales, Peale's, hourglass, Commerson's dolphins. Its a good time for kayaking and even, if youre brave enough, Antarctic camping! With snow cover By February and March feeding pods have formed making this the best time to see whales in Antarctica. By late March the cruise season is wrapping up as the temperatures drop. Get expert tips on the best ways to prepare for your polar voyage. March is also a good time to find Antarctica cruise deals since the season is winding down and the weather is turning cooler. Ice free waters, enriched by the summer sun, provide a bounty of krill and small fish which by now have attracted large pods of migrating whales. When it comes to polar expeditions, youre only as good as where your ships can take you. After dinner onboard, you'll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. Guide to Wildlife on the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands elephant seals courting, and it's the beginning of the mating Consider yourself lucky if you see whales on your trip. Its one of the finest ships in our fleet and offers six tiers of deluxe accommodation. How to Visit Antarctica Responsibly: Antarctica Tourism Deep Dive, Crossing the Drake Passage: What Its Really Like, Deception Island: A different side of Antarctica, Animals in Antarctica You Can See During a Visit, Climate Change Awareness from Travel: How to Talk About It, Ultimate Cruise Packing List (Cruise Essentials for Any Destination! And our diverse fleet of small polar vessels, which includes icebreakers and expedition ships, can take you to places larger ships cant navigate. water that lies between South But not everyone can or should schedule their trip during this time since each month has its benefits. season for penguins in South Georgia and the Falklands. Jake Morrison, Operations Manager at Quark, recommends the mid-to-late Antarctic season as the optimal time for viewing active whales. February and March are the best months to see whales in Antarctica. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of the aurora australis or southern lights during dark nights. The weather is a lot colder than in the previous summer months, and the days are starting to get shorter too. Antarctic spring is the best time to go to Antarctica for skiers, snowboarders and photographers set on massive icebergs and icy, white landscapes. closed during the mid-season to protect hatching chicks, are now Trips that visits South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands will view vast colonies of king penguins and may also encounter rockhopper, megallanic, and macaroni penguins. Full-service booking from experts whove been there. Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. exception; on very rare occasions you may still find icebreakers Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1c4099ad66233a5e33423666c9f005d" );document.getElementById("d2f8ec4791").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. Wow that sounds like quite a trip! Days are getting longer and temperatures are warming. yet to be sullied by penguin excrement and other tourists trampling Travelers can see up to eight species of penguin in Antarctica. long hours of daylight and wildlife active everywhere. Thousands of penguins compete with whales, seals and other Antarctic wildlife for your attention, while your camera captures towering icebergs, snow-capped mountain peaks and mammoth glaciers. For much of the year, the continent is entirely closed off to tourists, and only a few hardy scientists are found braving the cold depths of winter at inhospitable research stations. Quark Expeditions is profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism. Why on Earth Would You Want To! Bulbous-headed sperm whales are frequently seen in Antarctica. Whales are plentiful (humpbacks in peak numbers), sunsets/rises are long and vivid, and less snow allows for more landing sites and access to areas further south. Youll see enormous Blue Whales, packs of Orcas hunting, Minke Whales cruising through the waters and many more species too. Steeped in polar history, the Russian High Arctic offers the rare opportunity to travel to remote archipelagos, including Severnaya Zemlya. Fuzzy brown King penguin chicks are hatching on South Georgia Island, Wandering albatross return to lay eggs on South Georgia Island, Average temperature in Antarctica in January: 33-36 degrees & 16 hours of daylight, South Shetland Islands temperature in January: 25-29 degrees & 19 hours of daylight, South Georgia Island temperature in January: 32-46 degrees & 16.5 hours of daylight, January is the warmest month in Antarctica with average high of 36 degrees, Zodiac cruises are intriguing with melting icebergs, shaped by the sun, Sea ice opens allowing for visits to more landing sites and wildlife, Certain itineraries start attempting to reach the Antarctic circle, Historical huts of Shackleton and Scott in the Ross Sea are accessible, Hatching or newly hatched penguins are abundant, Penguin feeding frenzies begin as parents bring their young food from the sea, Baby seals are lounging about with their parents, Population of King penguins on South Georgia Island is highest, Average temperature in Antarctica in February: 28-34 degrees & 14.5 hours of daylight, South Shetland Islands temperature in February: 25-33 degrees & 16 hours of daylight, South Georgia Island temperature in February: 35-48 degrees & 15 hours of daylight, Best time to view whales. Discover why exclusive experiences with the Quark Expeditions team enable guests to create memories to last a lifetime! For most of the month, youll be enjoying temperatures well above freezing though, but the seas can start to get a little tougher though. The Antarctic Peninsula warms first at the northerly tip, and later in the south. and fewer ships in Antarctica as the month progresses. But some whales prefer colder ocean waters that are prominent in Antarctica, which are the highlights of any seafaring excursion through the area. Keep researching your visit to Antarctica with our resources below. Size and weight: The largest of the dolphin family, Killer whales weigh around 10 tons and measure about 10 meters in length. Whale watching is an exciting highlight of any visit to Antarctica. All rights reserved. In an environment so unpredictable, it pays to have a few backup plans. The best time to see Orca whales in Antarctica is in February and march when penguin chicks and seal pups are entering the water making an easy meal. Enjoy exclusive access to expert-hosted webinars, videos, blogs and expert content. Comments will be moderated and will appear after they have been approved. Whales, frequently in pods but on their own as well, often travel thousands of miles to hunt for food, lay eggs, or raise newborns. We are often asked What is the best month to cross the Drake Passage? January is the best time to cross Drake Passage with the best chance for calm seas. the chance to join one of the rare voyages into the Ross Sea, where However, whales also prefer the Southern Ocean during the summer months of the year because of the vast amount of. When to see whales. Combine this with the short Antarctic summer and youll see animals mating, laying and rearing cycles moving very fast! It takes a while for all the mighty beasts to congregate this far south so at the tail-end of summer you'll have the highest chances of seeing the . Choose where youd like to explore: the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia or Patagonia. The incredible hunting skills of these notorious predators are well-known to fans of wildlife documentaries, and in Antarctica they feed on fish, seals and even minke whales. Enhance your voyage to the Arctic or Antarctic by learning all you can about wildlife before your trip! The infamous Drake Passage is the body of water between South Americas Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula. That inaugural, game-changing expeditionthe first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passageset Quark Expeditions on a course that would put us at the forefront of polar exploration. She talks about life as a vegan passenger on one of our voyages to the 7th, Safari Guide to Polar Guide: My Training at Quark Academy, Antarctic Circle: a voyage fit for a king. Subjects range from season previews, penguin science, adventure options, glaciology, new itineraries, inaugural voyages and more. Numbers increase and feeding pods form through January. They are also easily recognisable by their enormous flippers, which can measure a third of their body length, and are waved energetically in the air. The best time to go whale watching and to see whales in Antarctica is February and March. Seal pups are also heading into the ocean and can be a target for Orca whales. visiting Winter in the northern hemisphere is summer in Antarctica. Combined with high winds this can make for a rough crossing certain times of year. Baby penguins are usually most prevalent in January while seal pups are most commonly seen in February, but it always depends where you go as timing can change by latitude. Local companies such as Denali ATV offer larger off-road machines that accommodate booster seats (provided) so the whole family can take part. But they do have core geographies and habitats where they most often roamwhether to rest, mate, frolic, or feed. Our guide clears up common cruise, flight and route conundrums. Quark Expeditions offers a, You can still see the whales in Antarctica too, and while many might be beginning their long voyage north for the winter months, on your crossing from, Best Time to Visit Antarctica: Month by Month Breakdown, Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent, Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia, 34 Antarctica Cruise Tips You Must Know Before You Go. The best time to visit Antarctica is during the summer period from November to March. The best time to visit Antarctica to see wildlife depends on the animals you most want to see, and whether you have your heart set on photographing adorable baby penguins or whales breaching. May Lee shares the story of how she planned to celebrate her 50th birthday with, You may not know his name or his accomplishments, but Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase is remembered today as an unlikely and almost successful . pristine snowy landscapes and bigger icebergs, and there will be Life is also beginning to return to the continent in November, and not just in the form of tourists. Antarctica. March, and even within this narrow window there are considerable They possess mammalian characteristics such as warm-bloodedness and (females) being able to produce milk. Quark Expeditions staff will make every effort to make sure youre not only safe and comfortable but most of all, that you have a wonderful ride. By Tom O'Hara. Wildlife highlights On the islands and the peninsula, youll find that the penguins have hatched and the young penguins are learning how to stand on their own feet and survive in the harsh world of the Antarctic. Virtually all trips to the Antarctic Peninsula will see gentoo, adelie and chinstrap penguins. View our Antarctica safaris Design your own trip Boasting a 24,000-horsepower engine, KLB has transited the Northwest Passage more times than any other vessel. Encountering the largest whale species on the planet is always going to be thrilling but doing so against a backdrop of blue icebergs as the horizon stretches into ocean and ice is hard to top. Theres a lot to consider when youre planning your journey to the continent, but to help you out, heres our guide to choosing the best time to visit Antarctica. Privacy & Cookie Policy. Yet sometimes we create stress for ourselves by planning an overly elaborate trip at an overly crowded, When first setting foot on the vast continent of Antarctica, you might believe for a moment that youve landed on another planet. Penguins The poster child of Antarctic wildlife, and with good reason: penguins are present no matter what time you visit the continent, so you're as good as guaranteed to see them (which can rarely be said of wildlife sightings). October - November are still exceedingly cold, with temperatures often way below freezing. Get inspired by first-hand accounts of experiential polar travel as guests embrace immersive experiences such as heli-hiking, kayaking, community visits, expert-led photography walks, iceberg viewing, family bonding on Zodiac tours and more. Which whales can you see? Youll join elite guides trained at Quark Academywhich surpasses every standard imaginable for safety and preparedness in the Polar Regionsand interact directly with world-class polar experts. Antarctica Expeditions Importantly though, February is the best time to visit the Antarctic if you are there for whale watching. For the handful of individuals who experience it, reaching the North Pole aboard nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory is the absolute zenith of polar exploration and the most exclusive voyage in the world, today. Holidays that you view will be shown here. Humpback whales are known for their astonishing acrobatics. chance to go ashore in places where few other people have ever set on the snow. They are around 8m long and delightful to watch, as they often leap right out of the water, particularly when feeding. Fledgling penguin chicks can be seen and seabirds are still abundant. When to Visit Antarctica for the best Whale Watching. Discover our top 10 Antarctica cruises. In fact, some adventurers will. By April the cruise ships have left Antarctica, almost without The short Antarctic cruise season runs from late October to month. If you plan your trip during the peak season of mid-December through mid-February, then be sure to book early as these are the dates that sell out first. Temperatures plummet, seas whip up into a frenzy and it is generally considered far too dangerous to visit. Whales are some of the largest and most fascinating mammals in the world. They lunge vertically out of the water (known as spy hopping) or throw themselves down on their backs impressive, given the humpbacks huge size. November also and covered in a thick layer of ice, Antarctica is without doubt Theres never been a better time to visit the stunningly beautiful Antarctic. Our Antarctic 2023.24 season offers one-of-a-kind immersive adventures in the most remote regions of the world: the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas), South Georgia and Patagonia. Emperor penguins are rare. Hot air ballooning is an accessible activity in one of the most inaccessible parts of the world. Quark Expeditions offers a flight to the Antarctic Peninsula flying over the Drake Passage allowing you to experience Antarctica the fastest and most direct way. In the early Antarctic spring, most wildlife has not yet emerged, except for Emperor Penguins, which have overwintered on the ice. The frozen continent might be just one destination, but there are a variety of approaches. Our Expedition Team is comprised of seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology and more. What Photography Gear Should You Bring to Antarctica? March in Antarctica is characterized by shorter days, colder weather and waterways virtually free of sea ice. Late in the cruising season, during the months of February and March, is considered the very best period for whale-watching in Antarctica . A recent Quark Academy trainee shares her personal experience about this industry-leading polar guide training program. Ultimate Antarctica and South Georgia small ship wildlife cruise, An Antarctic cruise with the World Wildlife Fund Australia, Antarctica & Weddell Sea Emperor Penguins by ship/helicopter, Remote polar wilderness & incredible landscapes. Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy, the 172-guest World Explorer is an all-balcony, all-suites expedition ship perfect for polar exploration. dearest. Fall is fast approaching. Diane is currently aboard the Sea Spirit, on Quarks Crossing the Circle, Southern, This popular guest post by Dave Bouskill , photographer and half of the travel couple The Planet D was first published in 2013. Experience some of the Arctics best adventure, learn about a rich history and culture and witness 24-hour daylight under the midnight sun. All rights reserved. February is the best time to see whales in Antarctica. Our team has traveled in every month of the season so have firsthand insight on each month. Heres what you can do to help conserve the cutest citizens of Antarctica. We shed light on life in Antarctica, from Scott and Shackleton to the whalers of South Georgia and modern research stations. January is when the tourist season begins across the great southern continent, and this is the best time to visit Antarctica if you want to enjoy the best weather and the best of the wildlife. December is the best time for family Antarctica travel. and you still have a chance of seeing penguin chicks. For shore excursions, this is also the best time, as bays and harbors are ice-free. Much to the other whales exasperation (we imagine), the whale many of us on an Antarctic cruise would love to see is actually the largest member of the dolphin family, the killer whale. Most of the pack ice and many of the icebergs have melted by February, which means that if you are looking to explore further south, along the Antarctic Peninsula and towards the South Pole, then this is the time to go.

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