|
 First
of all you will cross some of the most excitable seas that there are. This
may happen in the night and you may be blissfully unaware of it. It may
happen during the day time when you are very aware of it. Make the most
of the experience, it's like a rite of passage, earning you your place in
the South.
You will cross the Antarctic convergence,
an area of upwelling sea water where deep water flowing north from the edge
of the Antarctic continent meets deep south-flowing water. This is a circumpolar
barrier that moves backwards and forwards, but is very real and stable in
the long term. So much so that virtually no fish species have managed to
travel in either direction in the 20 million years since it arose.
The convergence has also acted as a barrier to Decapod
Crustaceans - crabs, crayfish, lobsters etc. These abound elsewhere in
the world's seas, but are not found at all in the Antarctic .
South of this you are in the "Southern" or
"Antarctic" ocean, this is where Antarctica starts. You will see ice-bergs
in quantity, and other types of ice too with a multitude of names, pack-ice,
brash-ice, bergy bits and growlers to name but a few.
Albatrosses, seals, penguins, myriad other
birds and if you're lucky - whales, will follow the ship for a while or
just come for a look.
You will
see some of the most beautiful scenery that the planet has to offer, seascapes
and landscapes that you only dream about.
Except there you are - part of it all.
You will go on visits ashore
generally of short duration (around 3 hours), of moderate intensity (less
than 100 people), and of a frequency that depends on your tour operator.
Typically there are 1-3 landings per day. Landings are made using Zodiacs
(rubber inflatable crafts) or, in the case of Russian icebreakers, also
by helicopter. Other activities by visitors to Antarctica include mountain
climbing, camping, kayaking and scuba diving from tourist vessels, there
is even the occasional Antarctic marathon (yes honestly!).
Tour operators usually co-ordinate their itineraries so
that ships do not "see" each other or shore parties from different ships
overlap, this helps to keep the "wilderness experience".
On your trips ashore
you will see Antarctic wildlife up close and personal
You can expect to see;
Colonies of Adelie,
gentoo and chinstrap penguins that vary between large and huge.
You will probably also see king, and macaroni penguins if you visit
sub-Antarctic islands such as South Georgia.
Seals - Crabeater,
Southern Elephant, Leopard and Weddell seals are to be found here,
chilling out in the ocean, floating around on ice-floes or relaxing
on rocky Antarctic shores.
Whales - humpback
whales (you may have one of their albums) and killer whales (I'm ready
for my close-up now Mr. DeMille) are present amongst others and may
pose for visitors.
Just remember that unlike
in a zoo, you're in the cage and in an environment where you don't belong.
This was the animals home long before we realised that it even existed.
Popular places to visit.
Deception Island - a collapsed volcano
that forms a natural harbour. It is situated among the South Shetland Islands
at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The main attraction for tourists
is the thermally heated water of Pendulum Cove.
Lemaire Channel - the 'Kodak Gap' because of its popularity with
tourists, the Lemaire Channel is a narrow waterway formed between the cliffs
of the Antarctic Peninsula and Booth Island.
Paradise Harbour - Spectacular glaciers and scenery - once you've
been, there will be no secret why it got its name.
Tourists in Rigid Inflatable Boat Approach a Seal Lying on the Ice,
Antarctica
Photographic Print
When your
feet are cold, cover your head." - Inuit saying.
Clothing
As your trip will be in the Antarctic
summer, you won't need to take any real extreme cold weather gear.
Temperatures on many or most days will hover around freezing point,
maybe dropping to an extreme of -10°C
(20F). Obviously people adapt to the cold in different ways and I've
seen some tourists in the Antarctic in light-weight clothing while
others are wrapped up like the Michelin man in the same conditions.
Layering is the key, then you can be flexible according to
conditions.
 | Essential!
A wind-proof outer layer. It is unlikely
that you will experience very low temperatures as your visit
will almost certainly be in the summer. Antarctica is the
windiest continent and it certainly penetrates! The warmest
pullover or fleece soon becomes useless as the katabatic
winds blow down from the great Antarctic ice-cap and straight
through it. A coat with a zip-in lining
will be useful as on a still sunny day it can feel very warm.
men's
women's |
You might prefer a down-filled jacket,
while these are extremely warm and relatively inflexible - they can
easily be thrown on over a t-shirt however for immediate
serious insulation
men's
women's |
| Essential!
Insulating layer. This can be combined
with the wind-proof outer layer or could be separate. Fleeces
are ideal for this in that they come in a variety of weights
and styles, just don't be tempted to think that you will be
able to get away with a fleece as your only outer layer, despite
the new coatings and finishes, they just aren't wind-proof enough
on their own.
men's
women's |
|
| Essential!
Waterproof rain pants for riding
in the zodiac and staying dry during landings, light-weight
ones are fine and will be easier to pack away into your rucsac.
men's
women's |
|
|
|
| Essential!
Good quality warm gloves. Take a thin pair too
as well as a warmer pair. That way you'll be able to take photographs
without taking them off. Fingerless gloves or ones that you
can push fingers through without taking them off are hopeless,
don't bother unless you've used them before and know that you
like them. |
|
| Essential!
Good
boots, waterproof for those wet zodiac landings, they're not so great
for walking long distances in, but you probably won't have
to do that. Make sure you get some good warm long socks
to go with them too. Waterproof boots may be provided on
the ship or may be available for hire - check with your
tour operator in advance. |
|
| Underwear. As long as you have
some thick, warm pants or trousers and waterproof ones for
over these, it's unlikely you'll need any long underwear for
your legs in the Antarctic summer, unless you really do
suffer from the cold. Light-weight long sleeved tops however
can be a useful part of your layering system
men's
women's |
|
| Traditional style and materials,
you may feel that you don't really want to look like a
modern synthetically clad Antarctican, but would prefer a
classical look instead, try
here and related pages. |
|
Tourists on Deck of a Cruise Ship, Sea Ice Cruising in Fast Ice,
Antarctic Peninsula
Photographic Print
Other stuff
|
Camera.
Get a good quality camera, this can be digital or 35mm which
are increasingly being replaced by digital cameras. I won't
consider the process to be complete until you can get a 20Mp
digital for a 35mm price though. Most people are fine with a
digital camera of about 5-10 Mp. This will give plenty of
scope for cropping the pictures later and allow enlargements
up to about A3 size (11" x 14") of good quality from full frame.
A single lens reflex (SLR) is preferable (but more expensive)
with at least a standard lens and short telephoto 100-135mm.
A zoom may well cover most of your requirements. Anything over
a 200mm (ish) lens is an extravagance and wide-angles are more
of a matter of photographic style than necessity.
More information. |
|
| Spare batteries, and spare spare batteries. |
|
| Lots of film or memory cards! More
than you think you'll need. |
|
|
|
| High factor sun-cream, see above.
If you've never been burnt under your nose from reflections
from snow now's your chance. The ozone hole is real, don't let
it prove it to you the hard way. |
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Luggage -
you'll need something to lug your stuff around in. Ships
cabins are smaller than hotel rooms, so space matters, soft
bags can be compressed and pushed under beds whereas large
rigid cases can't. Having said this, some ships will stow
the bags away after you've unpacked, while others will
require you to keep it in your cabin. Ask if possible before
you go, or otherwise go for the soft option. |
|
| Take a good pair of
binoculars if you're an
avid wildlife watcher. |
|
| Swiss army pen knife (guys like gadgets),
I wouldn't leave home without one. |
|
From ASOC - The Antarctic
and Southern Ocean Coalition:
"ASOC is concerned that one shift is towards a belief
that Antarctica should be dealt with like the
rest of the world - just another popular tourist destination, rather than
as a special region deserving special protection."
"The Future of Antarctic Tourism"
International Association
of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)
More articles on
Antarctic travel from The Guardian and Observer newspapers.
|
Tell me more
about a trip to Antarctica!
|
2008/09 Itinerary
|
Antarctic
Peninsula, Falklands, South Georgia cruises
 -
Featured trips |
Antarctica
Cruise - The Peninsula
from $3,500 |
Antarctica
Cruise
Possibly the best overall trip, kayaking and scuba
 |
|
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula |
|
South Georgia
and the Falkland Islands |
|
Antarctic Peninsula
-climbing, kayaking |
Antarctica
Cruise
Comfortable expedition ship at half capacity |
|
Emperor
Penguin Safari, ice-breaker trip to the Weddell Sea |
|
Antarctica
Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure) |
Antarctic Circle
optional scuba
|
| Antarctic
Circle Kayaking, Camping |
|
Antarctic
Peninsula - Hiking Voyage |
|
Cruises in Eastern Antarctica
- Ross Sea Region |
Historic
Huts & Antarctic Heroes
Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound |
Epic Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica
31 days, icebreaker |
Antarctica the Ross Sea Region
Ross Ice Shelf, Cape Adare, Shackleton, Scott's Hut,
26 days |
|
Whale watching cruises |
|
Galapagos cruises |
|
Lonely Planet travel guide to
Antarctica
Buy
USA
Buy
UK
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing
Antarctic Oasis: Under the Spell of South Georgia, Pauline Carr
and Tim Carr
The Worst Journey in the World, Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica, Sara Wheeler
The Crystal Desert, David Campbell |
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