How to plan for a trip to the 7th continent Part 2. Read on to find out how!
A trip to Antarctica is a bucket list item for only serious travelers. Despite being one of the most remote places on earth, the Antarctic region receives up to 50,000 visitors each summer.
“A trip to Antarctica is a bucket list item for only serious travelers.”
A visit to the seventh continent as you can imagine, requires serious commitment and a lot of preparation.
How do I get to Antarctica?
Getting to Antarctica will be either by ship, by plane or a combination of both. Let's talk about some of the pros and cons of each.
By Ship
How many people can land at once on an Antarctic landing site?
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) – states that only 100 people are allowed on land at any one time from a single vessel. For example, if you travel on a ship with less than 100 people, it’s a zero-compromise experience because everyone onboard can go ashore together. If, for example, you travel on a vessel that carries 200 people, then only 100 of those guests will be allowed onshore during one landing. The other 100 guests will stay onboard and leave later (time permitting) and prepare to head out on a zodiac, swapping with those on land.
From my personal experience, however, as crazy as it may sound, not everyone on board will want to go ashore. A lot of times, the tour operators may also have other activities that don't require going ashore as well, for example, whale watching on a zodiac.
What sized ship should I take?
Decide on your key criteria and prioritize them - budget, size of ship, passenger capacity, stability, comfort level or activities on offer. Larger passenger ships will have more stability and space to move about while onboard, however, getting ashore may be logistically harder given the number of passengers. Smaller passenger ships will be able to enter smaller harbors as well as allowing for easier disembarking to go ashore. It will also have the benefit of being more intimate, allowing you to get to know the crew and other passengers.
It's worth mentioning again, the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) – states that only 100 people are allowed on land at any one time from a single vessel.
The regulations also state that ships carrying 500-plus passengers can not land at all, so if you booked a tour on one of these large ships, you’ll have to be content watching the seventh continent pass by from the ship.
" Only 100 people are allowed on land at any one time from a single vessel."
By Plane
Flying to Antarctica is much less common than getting there by ship. The key motivating factors for flying to Antarctica include reaching the South Pole or exploring the Antarctic interior (which is not accessible by ship).
The flying season is short and flights need to be specially booked or chartered through a specialized tour operator.
A Combination of Ship & Plane
If you prone to extreme sea sickness, or have a shorter time restraint, it is possible to avoid the Drake Passage crossing all together, saving the 2 days crossing there and 2 days crossing back, by choosing a fly-cruise package. This involves flying to King George Island, where you will embark a cruise before returning by plane to the mainland.
How much time can you spend at an Antarctic landing site?
Each ship is given an allocated time and space to weigh anchor in each particular landing site. Usually, the captain is given about 5 or 6 hours in each location, weather permitting of course, which means that several landing sites can be visited each day.
That's not to say that you will have 5 to 6 hours of activity time ashore. That time includes, finding an appropriate place to weigh the anchor, assess the area for the best landing sites and potential hazards. The expedition team briefing with each other as well as another briefing to the guests heading ashore. Zodiacs have to be prepared and lowered into the water, whilst an expedition team goes ashore to prepare the landing site. The guests are split into different boarding parties, prepare for landing and begin making their way to the mud-rooms to change and board the zodiacs. At the end of the time frame, everything has to be done in reverse before moving onto the next site. With all of that being said, smaller ships will generally afford longer time ashore to explore.
" A visit to the seventh continent as you can imagine, requires serious commitment and a lot of preparation."
Antarctica is often described as a frozen desert because it receives so little rainfall (approximately 10 cm per year). While the landscape is barren, it is nevertheless breathtakingly beautiful. The glaciers are a wonder to behold as is the spectacular and diverse wildlife. Check out my guide to see what items I always bring with me traveling.
For a refresher, keep reading FAQ Part 1: Planning a trip to Antarctica for more information!
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