|
 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 means digital for most
unless you have a reason to use 35mm. Most people are fine with
a digital camera of about 8-15 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. |
|
|
|
|
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,
essential if you're an
avid wildlife watcher and also pretty useful if you're not.
When that whale or seal or penguins, or albatross or....
etc. etc. turns up, you'll be wishing you had your own pair
too! |
|
| 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."
Antarctic Tourism
Campaign
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!
|
2009/10 Itinerary
|
Antarctic
Peninsula, Falklands, South Georgia cruises |
Antarctica
Cruise - The Peninsula
From $3,890 |
Antarctica
Cruise
Possibly the best overall trip, kayaking and scuba
 |
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula
Most popular trip including South Georgia at the best
time of year |
South Georgia
and the Falkland Islands
25 days - national Geographic Partnership |
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 - kayaking and climbing |
Antarctic Circle
optional scuba
|
Antarctic
Circle
Kayaking, Camping |
|
Antarctic
Peninsula
ice-breaker |
|
Cruises in Eastern Antarctica
- Ross Sea Region |
Historic
Huts & Antarctic Heroes
Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound |
Epic
Antarctica via the Phantom Coast and the Ross Sea
31 days, icebreaker |
Icebergs &
Emperors
Mawson’s hut, East Antarctic coast |
|
Whale watching cruises |
|
Galapagos cruises |
|
Lonely Planet travel guide
Antarctica
USA
|
UK
Antarctica Cruising
Guide
USA
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
