Antarctica Weather - Travel Advice

TRAVEL ADVICE

Visa Requirements

No visas or passport are required for travel to Antarctica as no one owns the Antarctic..

Travel Health

As Antarctica has an extreme environment the cold is a serious health hazard. Visitors..

Local Currency

Antarctica is not a country and therefore has no single entity that is sovereign. It is..

Weather

The only time to visit Antarctica is during summer from November to March due to sea ice..

Local Customs

There are no permanent human residents in Antarctica although many scientists journey..

Languages

The native languages of the nations operating bases are used however English is commonly..

Transport Options

There are no airports in Antarctica capable of accepting ordinary commercial airliners...

Travel Tips

The best way to visit Antarctica is on a cruise ship where expert guides lead visitors..

Local Food

The food eaten on bases in Antarctica is mostly frozen, dried or tinned due to the..

Local Timezones

Antarctica Standard Time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Antarctica does not operate..

Dutyfree Limits

There is no duty free shopping in Antarctica however nearly all cruise ships offer duty..

Weather

The only time to visit Antarctica is during summer from November to March due to sea ice melting enough to allow access. During these months coastal temperatures can rise up to highs of 14 degrees Celsius and there is sunlight during the day. During the winter the sea is impassable, there is no daylight and temperatures drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius. These temperatures apply to the coastal regions and the islands that are frequented by tourists, the interior (South Pole) offers far harsher temperatures with summer highs of minus 15 degrees Celsius and winter lows of minus 80 degrees Celsius. December and January are the best months to visit as you will see the penguin colonies feeding their newborn chicks. February and March are the best months to see the whales.