Traveling to Antarctica

Antarctica. The seventh continent and only continent with no permanent residents. Everyone’s heard of it, but who knew you could travel there? It may seem impossible. While it's difficult to get there, it’s doable.

So, how do you even get there? Really, you just need to get to Argentina or Chile. Buenos Aires and Punta Arenas both have international airports that are easily accessible. From there, travelers must go to the port of Ushuaia, located in Ushuaia, Argentina. This city is located at the tip of Argentina, and where most expeditions to Antarctica depart from. For those who want to avoid the infamous Drake Passage, they can fly directly from Punta Arenas, Chile to a landing strip in the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Drake Passage, which takes a day and a half one way to cross depending on the conditions, is known for its rough waters. There is no landmass anywhere near it to provide resistance to the current, so the wave can be unpredictable. At times, it can even be completely calm. But, expedition ships to Antarctica are fully equipped to handle the Drake Passage at its roughest. And, crossing the Drake Passage can provide a first glimpse into stunning wildlife such as hourglass dolphins, albatross and humpback whales.

A trip to Antarctica can last anywhere from eight days to three weeks. Companies like National Geographic and Abercrombie and Kent offer these expeditions, with complete itineraries. So, what can you do on your expedition?

If you love to camp, camping under the stars in Antarctica is supposedly one of the most incredible experiences. Because Antarctica is so vast and untouched, you get a view of the starry sky like no other. With the extremity of Antarctica, weather conditions have a huge impact on whether or not you can do it.

Another activity includes kayaking in the Arctic, where the possibility of witnessing a humpback whale breaching the surface right beside your kayak is high. You can also do the ultimate polar plunge into the frigid waters of Antarctica. Either running in from the beach or jumping from the back of the ship, you can experience a true natural ice bath. Because of the extreme temperature, guides will be standing by with safety lines, dry towels and likely a steamy drink. It’s a truly cool experience, and one you will be proud to say you did!

Other neat activities include whale watching, hanging out with penguins, visiting an active research lab, trekking to the South Pole and more. No matter what you do, just simply visiting Antarctica will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that many don’t even realize is a possibility!