Surf, sand and sun pretty much cover what most people expect out of a vacation. Ice? Coats? Glaciers? Not so much. Yet destination Antarctica has proven itself to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the open-minded individual. The continent's landscape is described by many as magical, surreal, unforgettable, and a glimpse of nature in its purest form. There are no tourist shops, no wonderful ethnic foods, and no places to get a tan. Antarctica provides only scenic beauty, looming ice carvings and select animal inhabitants–its appeal to travelers lies in its unparalleled setting and atmosphere that have been a mystery to humans for many years.
Antarctic tourism numbers increased from a couple hundred visitors in 1969 to over 20,000 tourists annually by the new millennium. Seven people who had previously worked as Antarctic excursion directors began to worry about the toll tourism would have on Antarctica's environment. Creating an organization that would manage environmentally sound cruises was the goal of these seven tour operators; they founded the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) in 1991. It has become an esteemed voluntary organization with over 80 workers representing 14 different countries. To ensure the safest travel (environmentally as well as physically), it would be best to pick a ship or tour company that is an IAATO member. Visit their website, http://www.iaato.org/index.html, to find a complete member list.
What kind of experience you will have in Antarctica can depend a lot on what kind of voyage you sign up for. There are approximately seven different types of ships used for tourism each with its own benefits.
Most ships depart from South America, particularly Ushuaia, Argentina. However, Antarctic ship departure docks can also be found in Hobart, Australia and Christchurch or Auckland, New Zealand. The number of passengers per boat can vary from as few as six to as many as 3,100, their prime destination being the Antarctic Peninsula region, with the Falkland Islands and South Georgia included. An expedition can last anywhere from ten days to three weeks; shorter or longer trips are available, but can be harder to come by. Some voyages venture out from the Peninsula region into the Weddell and Ross Seas and to Indian Ocean islands. While only a few expeditions operate in these regions annually, icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov has been providing access for the past 15 years. Not only are there emperor penguin colony stops, but the Dry Valleys, historical huts and many other extremely secluded places are on the itinerary as well.
Shore visits can occur one to three times per day, each lasting for a couple of hours. Generally, one excursion operator (from a staff typically comprised of ornithologists, marine biologists, geologists, naturalists, historians, general biologists and glaciologists) will accompany every group of 10 to 20 passengers who take shore leave. For many of the options described above, educational activity is a crucial component, making an Antarctic excursion not only fun, but a valuable learning experience as well. Each voyage offers sites that will fascinate people with a wide variety of interests, including active research stations, wildlife and historic sites, as well as breathtaking wilderness visited for exploration, learning and aesthetics.
Expeditions are usually, if not always, offered in the austral summer season, November to March, traveling through ice-free shoreline sectors. It is too risky to journey by sea to Antarctica in any other months due to extreme weather (excess sea-ice being the number one reason, but unbelievable winds and frostbite- inducing cold are also prohibitions). CoolAntarctica has devised a list, featured below, of what one can expect to see and what may occur during the summer months, which is helpful in planning when to travel.
November and Early December (Late Spring/Early Summer):
Mid-December and January (Mid Summer):
February and March (Late Summer):
(Provided by CoolAntarctica: http://www.iaato.org/tourism_overview.html)
Touring Antarctica is amazing–and costly. Depending on the company and type of ship you choose to take, expenses can range from $4,000 to over $11,000 (not including airfare to the ports). However, the costs of tourism extend past dollar amounts. Touring the continent is taxing on its environment. When visiting, please be aware of the impacts visiting can impose: polluting due to sewage and oil spills; disturbing landing sites; procuring biological and historic objects of considerable importance; disconcerting the wildlife, particularly those who are in the midst of their breeding season; carrying diseases; and littering. The unspoiled and exotic scenery is what captivates people and what motivates them to journey to such a foreign and unwelcoming (climate-wise) locale. The pristine and exotic setting that is Antarctica's landscape makes it incomparable to any other place in the world.