This border, that is located at Latitude 66° 33′ South, marks the Antarctic Territory according to one of the definitions.
The Antarctic Circle experiences a period of 24 hours where the Sun is above the horizon during the summer solscice on 21st December. The reason for this phenomenon is that the axis of the earth is tilted by 23.5 degrees.
South of the Polar Circle at Detaille Island in Crystal Sound is the farthest south that we will probably reach at Latitude 66°52' South.
Cruises to the Antarctic Circle
Antarctica - Polar Circle
Crossing the Polar Circle
PLA29-22 This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
13 Feb - 24 Feb, 2022
Price:
8050 USD
Antarctica - Polar Circle Discovery and learning voyage
Crossing the Polar Circle
HDS31-22 This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
2 Mar - 13 Mar, 2022
Price:
8050 USD
Antarctica - Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery voyage
Explore the farthest waters of the far south as you cross the Antarctic Circle in search of various whale species, including humpbacks, minkes, and fin whales
OTL28-22 This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise will take you further south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. This expedition cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region,...
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
19 Mar - 1 Apr, 2022
Price:
on request
Ross Sea | Incl. helicopters - Antarctic Peninsula - Polar Circle - Peter I Island - Ross Sea - Macquarie Island - Campbell Island
Experience some of the far south’s most scenic locations on both sides of the antarctic circle, including Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, and Antarctica’s seldom-visited Ross Sea, which we plan to explore with helicopters
OTL27-23 Sail to the southern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, Peter I Island, the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas into the Ross Sea. Visiting the Ross Ice-shelf, Dry Valleys, McMurdo Station, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island and the historic huts of Scott...
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
14 Jan - 16 Feb, 2023
Price:
28450 USD
Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage
Explore the farthest waters of the far south as you cross the Antarctic Circle in search of various whale species, including humpbacks, minkes, and fin whales
JNS30-23 This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise will take you further south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. This expedition cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region,...
m/v Janssonius
Cruise date:
10 Feb - 22 Feb, 2023
Price:
8850 USD
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Humpback Whales Sing for Food, Not Entertainment
The normal call of a humpback whale can be heard from miles away, and they often make noises that sound similar to cryin
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Adding Antarctica to Your Seven-Continents Bucket List
It’s a common pursuit among serious travelers to visit all seven continents. And indeed, the term “bucket list,” which b
Highlights
See the highlights you may experience:
Antarctic Circle wildlife
See the highlights you may experience:
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Antarctic Circle cruise reviews
IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS
Congratulations to everyone at Oceanwide for providing a superbly well run expedition on a marvellous ship. The Hondius is a world-leader in its eco credentials and superb for its operating environment. Ever
Read full review »A memorable trip
This was dream trip of a lifetime. We are very please that we chose the Hondius. The hotel staff were superb , friendly and very helpful , the food was excellent and the facilities appropriate for an expedit
Read full review »
Antarctic Circle and Peninsula
My wife and I have travelled extensively but this was the trip of a lifetime and unlike anywhere else we'd ever been, exceeding our expectations and leaving us wanting more. Our first Zodiac cruise set t
Read full review »Unforgettable Holiday
Every aspect of this cruise exceeded our expectations. The staff were all most welcoming, enthusiastic, very experienced and thought of everything each of us could possibly need or want to make this the most
Read full review »Trip of a lifetime
Incredible, probably does not describe our trip and I’m not sure any word can. The ship, Captain, leaders, guides, food, wait staff, housekeeping- everyone treated us like royalty. The wildlife just mi
Read full review »
Life Changing Expedition
Although it's impossible to sum up our Oceanwide trip on Hondius from Ushuaia to The Falklands/Malvinas, South Georgia, South Orkneys, Elephant Island, South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula below t
Antarctic Circle FAQ
Where is the Antarctic Circle Located?
The Antarctic Circle, which is also referred to as a polar circle, is one of the five latitude circles that are used to divide maps of Earth. An expedition cruise to the Antarctic Circle will take travelers south of the Equator to the 66°33&prime
Read more »What is the Average Temperature and Weather of the Antarctic Circle?
Due to the range of the Antarctic Circle, the average weather conditions can vary greatly. However, most expedition cruises that go near the Antarctic Circle stop at Detaille Island. This area can be warmer than many travelers would imagine. For exam
Read more »How Big is the Antarctic Circle?
The Antarctic Circle is slowly moving southward. This movement changes its exact coordinates by approximately 15 meters (49 feet) every year. At the current time, the entire area beneath the Antarctic Circle takes up 20 million square km (7.7 million
Read more »Who Discovered the Antarctic Circle?
Although we do not know which individual determined the existence of this Polar Circle, history does tell us that James Cook was the first person to travel to the Antarctic Circle. Cook reportedly crossed the circle via boat in 1773 as part of his se
Read more »What Wildlife Can Be Seen in the Antarctic Circle?
The exact area of the Antarctic Circle that you visit will directly impact the type of wildlife that you might encounter. During a cruise to the Antarctic Circle, it is possible that you will see a variety of penguin species, along with whales, seals
Read more »What Are the Unique Features of an Antarctic Circle Cruise?
A cruise to the Antarctic Circle is definitely a unique experience, and you may see a variety of photo-worthy things. Examples include wildlife, glaciers and icebergs. One of the most intriguing facts about the Antarctic Circle is the region’s
Read more »
About
Antarctic Circle Weather
While much is said about just how frosty it can get in the Antarctic, your Polar Circle trip will happen in a more hospitable time of year. When you visit the islands and the continent you can expect temperatures to range from around 0°C up to about 5°C.
However, when you’re thinking about what clothes to bring don’t forget about the famous Polar Circle winds which can whisk away your body heat.
Facts about the Antarctic Circle
- The magnetic South Pole is constantly on the move, travelling about 8 km a year.
- The southern Polar Circle contains the driest, coldest, and windiest continent on Earth – Antarctica!
- The western portion of Antarctica is actually an archipelago (chain of islands) that are all joined together into one big mass by ice.
- The South Polar Circle is defined by anything south of 66°30’ S line of latitude.
- This line of latitude was first crossed by Captain James Cook on January 17, 1773.
- The hours of daylight on any particular day in the southern Polar Circle are matched by hours of night in the northern Polar Circle.
- Winds in some places within the South Polar Circle can reach 320 km per hour.
Travel to the Antarctic Circle
Your Polar Circle cruise to the Antarctic region brings you to one of the coldest, windiest, and driest places on Earth… and yet one that is teeming with a huge variety of wildlife and fantastic rugged landscapes.
Our Polar Circle expeditions are a trip to Heaven for bird watchers. You’ll be able to go ashore on islands and the continent, and the experienced can even go diving into waters shared by seals and whales. On your Polar Circle holiday you’ll be able to kayak, join photography workshops, make friends with thousands of penguins, an enjoy great whale watching opportunities.
