This would really depend on what you want to see. We always ask, “What is the one thing you do not want to miss if you will not be going again?” Going to the Antarctic is an unforgettable adventure no matter what month of the season. You will always see wildlife and there will always be snow and icebergs.
In order to find the right time of the season for you check out our Best time to go to Antarctica blog post or get in touch with us and we’ll talk you through all the possible options.
There is no upper age limit. You will just need to assess if you are able to take part and are able to get into and out of the zodiacs. You do not need to do any of the long walks and can stay on board if you want as well.
You can do as much or little as you like including landing. If you don’t want to do a hike, there is always the option to stay close to the Zodiac and discover the plant and wildlife there.
Yes, we have many people who travel solo. And the Ocean Endeavour is the only ship with Solo specific cabins..
Antarctica is a place of peace, if I could have pocketed the feeling, I would have - it really is like no other place. The wildlife rookeries are bustling with life however, from the busy antics of the playful penguins. You can also hear the ice cracking in the water when the ship and Zodiacs navigate through it or if ice is calving off in the distance. There is lots of natural noise around you. It really is magical!
Also, it is near to 24 hour daylight during the Antarctic Tourist season but you can get pinky skies towards the end of the season.
You will need to pre-book the kayaking, camping and photography programme package in advance. but the snow-shoeing and day paddle are bookable on board.
The sea crossing on the Drake can go either way or be somewhere in between. If you get a full Drake Shake as described by Jason, then it can be rough but once you arrive into the peninsula, the seas are much calmer. There are great sea-sickness remedies (like the patches) that help with this and most people just lie down if they feel unwell. The Galapagos can get rough but generally will be calmer. The Zodiacs can get bumpy if the wind picks up but you are in good hands and never far from the landing site or the boat.
The crossing is roughly two days but depending on the sea conditions, it can take a day and a half if the sea is calm.
There is no guarantee that you will reach 66.5 degrees south, but we do allow extra days on this itinerary to increase your chances of crossing it and the success rate is generally high. Sometimes our shorter Classic trips also manage a crossing, particularly during the late season, when the ice is melting off.
Yes we have incredible professional chefs on board and the food is amazing! We can cater for all dietary requirements.
That is a great question. The flights are always booked with a stop in Buenos Aires to allow for any delays. Our flights team are here to help if there are any issues along the way with your flights.
There is Wi-Fi and you can purchase packages on board but, as in all remote areas, it is not always great service.
Sustainability is incredibly important to the Ocean Endeavour team. All expeditions are double carbon offset, there is no single-use plastic on board and there is only one fish option on the menu as it is difficult to find sustainability sourced sea food. However we offer one option due to dietary requirements. We also partnered with the WWF and donated $150,000 to important Antarctic research. On top of that we have a full Citizen Science Project on every departure to ensure our guests have the option to support important research if they wish to do so
The Weddell Sea trip is an excellent trip for second time visitors. It offers a different vista with huge tabular icebergs. It's also Shackleton's terrain so this part of Antarctica really brings his story alive. It's also a great place to view Adelies.