Antarctica

Planning a route through Antarctica

Antarctica works differently from every other region here: there is no independent overland or flight network between its stops, since almost all visits arrive by expedition sailing launched from the southern tip of South America. The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands sit closest to that departure point and are the most commonly combined pairing on a single voyage. South Georgia lies farther east and is usually added to a longer peninsula voyage rather than visited alone. The Ross Sea region and the deep interior around the South Pole sit on the opposite side of the continent, reached by longer, less frequent expeditions rather than the standard southern crossing. Because of this, the five areas function as stops within one itinerary rather than as separate destinations to plan between.

Antarctica is reachable only during the austral summer, when sea ice retreats enough for expedition vessels to operate, spanning late one year into early the next. Timing still varies by stop within that window: the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands open earliest as the ice breaks up, South Georgia's wildlife calendar peaks around the middle of the season, and the Ross Sea's remote crossings tend to run later, closer to the window's end. Outside this stretch, the region is closed to travel.

Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands pair on most voyages, with South Georgia added on longer trips, as outlined in how to plan a multi-country trip.

Page reviewed 5 August 2026 · Routing notes are general guidance from Amit's travels — check current entry rules for each country before you book.