Exploring Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions: When to Go & Top Must-Do Adventures
My big sister, Breanne, had the incredible opportunity to travel to Antarctica with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions last fall. If you’re eager to dive into her adventure, click here! Below, she shares her top tips to help you plan the ultimate Antarctica expedition:
Top Must Do Adventures in Antarctica
It’s impossible to pick just one ultimate adventure, so here are my top must-do experiences to consider during your journey to Antarctica. From thrilling excursions to breathtaking moments of solitude, each adventure offers a unique way to connect with this icy wonderland.
- Hiking across islands in the Antarctic Peninsula chains. Setting foot on the snowy 7th continent and holding space for the quiet moments of solitude, only interrupted by a nearby surfacing whale or squawking penguin colony.
- I attended entertaining and informative scientific lectures hosted by our guest experience guides, guest speaker illustrator David Allen Sibley, and practicing marine researchers. As a wannabe biologist, I could not see enough underwater footage of arctic isopods or peer-reviewed research on the feeding habits of Type B Orcas. If you enjoy learning about unique ecosystems from enthusiastic experts, this eco-cruise has what you crave.
- Kayaking in the Southern Ocean. Enough said.
- Completing a life-altering Polar Plunge into the Southern Ocean while being encouraged by new lifelong friends and welcomed back to the Explorer by our ship captain, trip leaders, and other beaming members of the ship’s crew.
- Unbelievable landscapes stretched across surprisingly colorful sea ice, bergs, and glacial formations. I cannot recall another trip where the sun was brighter or offered a more humbling view of our planet.
- There were so many memorable and significant moments on this trip, but one last highlight was that I carved out enough time to paint a scene from every day of my expedition while sitting in different parts of the ship. The combination of a freshly mixed Brandy Old Fashioned, a breathtaking sunset over the icebergs in the channel, and the flow of my paints across the paper was priceless.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
Our Sail and Fly the Drake Passage expedition occurred between the 19th and 29th of November, during Antarctica’s ‘Spring season.’ Antarctica is only inhabitable and safely accessible by touring ship travelers from late October to late March. After that brief window, the temperatures drop, the winds increase, and Antarctica becomes much more like a hostile planet from a sci-fi movie. Additionally, the infamous Drake Passage (which we thankfully crossed relatively quickly and uneventfully!) becomes rougher and hosts large weather systems.
Is Antarctica worth visiting?
I would say without a doubt, absolutely, yes. Maybe it is because I lived alongside Lake Superior in Northern Michigan for five years, but I found myself feeling a sense of belonging and comfort among the waves, whales, seabirds, and icebergs along the Antarctic Peninsula.
One of our expedition guides shared some helpful insight into Antarctica as a travel destination: “You come for the penguins, but you stay for the ice.” I could not agree more.
Would you book another Lindblad Cruise?
I know Lindblad offers several different Antarctica voyages, and I would travel with them again if the funds and opportunity aligned. That being said, this trip would normally be far out of my budget for travel.
When I was recognized as an educator on board, I was encouraged to apply for the Grosvenors Teacher Fellowship and reconnect with Lindblad and National Geographic on an education-focused expedition in the future. I will be applying this fall!
What are your top three must-have items for visiting Antarctica?
Before leaving on my expedition, I did as much research as I could on clothing, what to pack, and what to expect during November in Antarctica. It was difficult to find more current blog posts from travelers or recommendations for this unique destination, so I am happy to provide some insight into my nonnegotiable items for the trip!
✅ REI Co-Op Rainier Rain Pants – These were my must-have items for every day on the ship and in Tierra Del Fuego. Paired with a set of Smartwool base layer leggings, these rain pants were warm, but not too warm, and kept me dry even on the wettest Zodiac cruises.
✅ Sea-Band Acupressure Bracelets – Scopalomine patches made my eyesight a little strange, and I did not want to miss anything Antarctica had to show me. I opted for Sea-Band Acupressure bands paired with the occasional Bonine pill and had very little queasiness throughout the trip.
✅ Anti-fog Snow Goggles – These became a huge hit on the ship! Everyone wanted to wear them or take a picture in their reflection, which was hilarious. Practically speaking, these goggles protected me from the extreme UV and bright sunlight and shielded my eyes from spattering water or splashing waves on Zodiac cruises to and from the ship.
Final Thoughts
Antarctica is a place like no other—a remote, breathtaking landscape that leaves a lasting impression on those who visit. From exhilarating excursions and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters to quiet moments of reflection amid the ice, Breanne’s journey with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions showcases the magic of this frozen world.
Whether you’re an adventurer, a wildlife enthusiast, or a lifelong learner, Antarctica has something extraordinary to offer, and we hope this guide helps inspire your own polar expedition!
