Antarktis-Expeditionen: So läuft eine erste Reise ab

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Most visitors reach Antarctica on a small or mid-sized expedition ship to the Antarctic Peninsula. Here is how a first trip usually works.

Season

The tourist season runs during the southern summer, roughly November to March. Outside it, sea ice and darkness make visits impractical for most travellers.

Where trips start

• Ushuaia, Argentina: the most common departure port. Ships cross the Drake Passage, typically about two days each way.
• Punta Arenas, Chile: the base for fly-cruise trips, which fly over the Drake to King George Island and board a ship there.
• A smaller number of voyages leave from Australia or New Zealand for the Ross Sea and East Antarctica. They are longer and less frequent.

Ship size matters

Most landing-based tour operators are members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and follow its guidelines. Under these, ships carrying more than 500 passengers make no landings. At any one landing site, no more than 100 visitors are ashore at a time. Smaller ships rotate guests ashore more easily, and very large ships offer cruise-only viewing.

A typical day

• Zodiac (inflatable boat) landings or cruises, often twice a day, depending on weather and ice.
• Expedition staff lectures on wildlife, history and glaciology.
• Optional extras on some ships: kayaking, camping on the ice, snowshoeing, and a "polar plunge".
• Itineraries are flexible. The expedition leader changes the plan with the weather.

Before you book

• Check cabin type, ship size, the number of landings planned, and which activities cost extra.
• Most operators require medical evacuation cover. Read the policy's limits carefully: EKTA (partner).
• Arrive in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas at least a day early, because a missed connection means a missed ship. Flights via Buenos Aires or Santiago: Search flights (partner).

Comparing voyages

• Length: classic Peninsula trips from Ushuaia are often around 10–12 days. Longer voyages add the Falklands, South Georgia or an Antarctic Circle crossing.
• Days on the continent: count actual Antarctic days, not total voyage days. The Drake crossing takes several days of any sailing itinerary.
• Passenger numbers: these decide how often you get ashore, given the 100-at-a-time landing limit.
• Ice class and stabilisers: worth asking about for comfort and access.
• Included vs extra: parka, boots (often loaned for landings), kayaking, camping, drinks and gratuities.

Biosecurity

Before every landing, you vacuum your outer gear and disinfect your boots, so no seeds or soil arrive on the continent. Visitors keep their distance from wildlife and never leave anything behind. Expedition staff brief you before the first landing. Following them is not optional.

Health and fitness

Getting into and out of Zodiacs takes some agility, and landings can be on rocky or snowy shores. Many operators ask for a medical form before departure. There is a doctor on board, but medical facilities are limited and evacuation is complex. This is why insurers and operators focus on evacuation cover.

Clothing basics

Layering works best: a base layer, a warm mid layer, and a waterproof outer shell, plus waterproof trousers for Zodiac spray. Add warm gloves, a hat, a neck gaiter and sunglasses, because glare off snow and ice is intense. Operators send kit lists, so check what they loan or include.

Expect change

Weather, ice and wildlife decide the day-to-day plan. Landings get cancelled or swapped, and that's normal. Flexibility is part of an expedition.

Choosing between operators

Beyond what's covered under Comparing voyages, ask each operator four things. What is the ratio of expedition staff to guests? Is there a doctor on board, and what medical facilities does the ship have? Where is your cabin? Cabins low and near the middle of the ship move less in rough seas, while higher cabins usually have better views. If you're travelling solo, is there a share-cabin option, and how big is the single supplement? Supplements vary widely between operators.

The visitor rules you'll follow ashore

The Antarctic Treaty's general guidelines for visitors set the basics your expedition staff will brief you on. Keep at least 5 m from wildlife on land, and more where species or site guidelines say so. Keep 15 to 25 m from fur seals, which can be territorial. Always give animals the right of way, and don't block penguins' paths between the sea and their colonies. If an animal changes its behaviour because of you, stop or slowly back away. Don't use flash photography near wildlife, don't take anything (not even a pebble or feather), and don't leave anything behind. These rules shape the pace of every landing, so a slow, quiet walk is part of the experience.

Checklist

• Check whether the operator is an IAATO member.
• Compare ship size, the landing plan and what's included.
• Buy insurance with medical evacuation cover for remote areas.
• Plan at least one buffer day in the departure city.
• Pack waterproof layers and check the operator's kit list.

FAQ

Can I go to Antarctica without a ship?

A few specialist operators fly to inland camps, but nearly all visitors travel by ship.

Connectivity aboard is limited and often paid. An eSIM covers the gateway cities: Airalo (partner).