Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The peninsula consists of an 800 kilometres (500 mile) long mountain chain, the highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet), and numerous off-lying islands. The Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors are easily overcome by sensory overload by the huge amount of ice-bergs.
Cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Meet at least six penguin species
PLA24-24 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
6 Dec - 25 Dec, 2024
Berths start from:
on request
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica
Meet at least six penguin species
OTL25-25 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
10 Dec - 29 Dec, 2024
Berths start from:
on request
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Meet at least six penguin species!
PLA20-24 A cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least 6 species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
18 Oct - 7 Nov, 2024
Berths start from:
6650 USD
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshop, mountaineering
The best activity voyage in Antarctica
HDS21a24 The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
1 Nov - 13 Nov, 2024
Berths start from:
on request
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage + navigational workshop
Classic Antarctica including Deception Island
OTL24-24 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
30 Nov - 10 Dec, 2024
Berths start from:
5300 USD
Video Antarctic Expedition
Latest blog and customer story
Charting Flanders Bay
Until then, this spot in the northwestern Antarctic Peninsula had only been charted three times since 1898, when it was roughly mapped by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition. This activity, which involved our expedition leader, second mate, and other members of our onboard staff, was accomplished using the OLEX depth mapping system.
Basecamp Plancius: A True Antarctic Adventure
It was New Year’s Eve, and I was dressed in a full-body penguin suit, making my way to the buffet. We were three days into our cruise aboard the Plancius, and everyone on the ship was celebrating our first day in Antarctica, as well as New Year’s Eve, with a barbecue on the back of the ship.
Latest highlight and wildlife
See the highlights you may experience:
See the highlights you may experience:
Map of
Fan(tastic) photo
Antarctic Peninsula cruise reviews
Plancius - [ ] No tv except for web camera on the ships deck - [ ] WIFI needs improvement; it doesn't work in cabins - [ ] I paid $260 € for Internet access. It is a little frustrating that I paid $1500 more than passengers who bought a ticket days before we left the dock and they got the same type of room as me. That $1500 should have been used to buy internet time or refunded. - [ ] The lounge benches need to be reupholstered. They are covered in pleather. Whereas real leather would last longer and look good. - [ ] The activities were great. It was a once in a lifetime experience. The zodiac drivers knew just where to look for wildlife. - [ ] The food was excellent. Jerrica had a smile on her face constantly. She knew everyone by name. That is a talent! - [ ] The cabin steward was awesome. - [ ] I learned something new from every lecture. The staff who gave the talks were confident and competent. - [ ] I did not like passengers and staff smoking while we were loading the zodiacs; that should be a no smoking area. - [ ] I was happy you sold waterproof pants. - [ ] The barbecue was a pleasant surprise. - [ ] Overall the staff, accommodations, attention to detail, was beyond
Antarctic Peninsula FAQ
What is the Time in the Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula follows Coordinated Universal Time -3 (UTC -3). This means that if it is 18:00 UTC-3 (6 p.m.) during your expedition cruise trip to the Antarctic Peninsula , it would be 17:00 (5 p.m.) in New York City, USA and 22:00 (10 p.m.) in London, U.K.
What is the Temperature and Weather Like in the Antarctic Peninsula?
The climate in the Antarctic Peninsula is much milder than most people would imagine because it is located near the most northerly part of Antarctica.
If you travel to the Antarctic Peninsula during January, which is summertime, you can expect an average temperature of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (33.8 to 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit). June is the coldest part of the year, and the temperature range is typically -20 to -15 degrees Celsius (-4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) during this part of the winter.
Precipitation amounts vary throughout the region. On your voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula you can expect at least some rain on occasion. On the other hand, the interior of Antarctica is similar to a desert in that it only receives an annual precipitation amount of 10 cm (3.93 inches).
What Wildlife Can I See in the Antarctic Peninsula?
Animal lovers who take their holiday in the Antarctic Peninsula will be treated to a diverse list of wildlife that is especially suited to the area’s cold climate. It is common to encounter several penguin species such as the Gentoo penguins. Other types of wildlife that can be spotted from an Antarctic cruise or an Antarctic Peninsula land expedition include the Weddell seal, the Antarctic shag and Snow petrels.
What Unique Features Does the Antarctic Peninsula Have?
The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions of the entire continent. Your cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula will reveal the most diverse mixture of wildlife throughout Antarctica.
The scenery in this region is dramatic, filled with icebergs and of course, very photo-worthy. The prevalence of penguins is a highlight during most expeditions, and a visit during the summer can even reveal plant life such as the area’s only two flowering plants: the Antarctic pearlwart and Antarctic hair grass.
What happens if we cannot camp?
Our expedition leaders always do their best to ensure the camping activity is carried out, but sometimes this is impossible due to unsafe environmental conditions. If such is the case, we may offer camping on the outer decks of the ship.
What equipment is needed to make photos of the solar eclipse, and do passengers have to bring that equipment themselves?
Photo gallery
About
Antarctic Peninsula Weather
The weather patterns on the Peninsula can vary significantly depending on where you are. The west coast of the Peninsula down to about 68°S are actually fairly mild with the local summers averaging around 0°C and the winters only dipping down to around -10°C.
Moving below 63°S along the west coast the averages drop to -15°C in the winter.
Facts about the Antarctic Peninsula
- The Peninsula is the only part of the Antarctic that extends out beyond the border of the Antarctic Circle. It is the part of the continent that is the furthest out from the South Pole.
- The only flowering plants on the continent (the Antarctic Pearlwart and the Antarctic Hair-grass) are found on the Peninsula.
- The Peninsula is about 2000 km long.
- The Peninsula was originally named the Palmer Peninsula by the U.S., named after an American explorer who journeyed to the area in November of 1820. Other countries later gave it different names – Graham Land and Trinity Peninsula (Britain, 1832), San Martin Land (Argentina, 1940), and O’Higgins Land (Chile, 1942). It didn’t gain the name of the Antarctic Peninsula until 1964 when an international agreement was reached.
- The Peninsula is regulated under the international Antarctic Treaty System which promotes use of the area for scientific study (especially in regards to environmental safety). There are currently 28 research posts stationed along the Peninsula.
- The Peninsula is actually a continuation of the Andes Mountains which run down almost the entire west coast of South America
- There are 28 countries currently contributing to the scientific research conducted on the Peninsula.
Travel to the Antarctic Peninsula
An Antarctic Peninsula cruise carries you into a world of beautiful stark landscapes and a surprisingly vast array of animal life. Embark on one of our Antarctic Peninsula expeditions and use our ice strengthened cruise ships as a home base as you explore the region while snowshoeing & hiking, kayaking, bird watching, mountaineering, or even camping overnight onshore.
Your Antarctic Peninsula holiday will introduce you to 5 seal species, 37 flying seabird species, whales, and more penguins than you can count.
