Antarctica: The White Continent Adventure

Step aboard an unforgettable expedition to the 7th continent with Spear Travels…

There’s something profoundly moving about Antarctica that’s difficult to capture in words. The pristine white landscapes, the absolute silence, the incredible wildlife encounters – it’s a destination that changes you. Recently, one of our travel experts, Sally Dixon, embarked on an expedition cruise to Antarctica with HX aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen, setting sail over Christmas for an adventure of a lifetime.

Before booking your Antarctic adventure, it’s crucial to understand the difference between a cruise to Antarctica and an expedition cruise. If you want to physically step foot on the continent (and not just view it from a ship), you’ll need to choose an expedition cruise. Due to strict environmental regulations, only vessels carrying fewer than 500 passengers can allow landings, with a maximum of 100 visitors on shore at any given time.

Expedition cruise lines like HX, Quark, AE, and Scenic offer these incredible land experiences. The larger cruise ships from Princess, Celebrity, and similar lines only provide scenic cruising – beautiful, but not the complete Antarctic experience.

Our Antarctic adventure began with a flight to Buenos Aires, where we spent a short but exciting day exploring La Recoleta Cemetery (home to Eva Peron’s mausoleum) and the vibrant colours of La Boca Caminito with its spontaneous tango performances.

The next day, we flew to Ushuaia – the southernmost city in the world, aptly nicknamed “The End of the World.” With snow-capped mountains providing a dramatic backdrop, this frontier town serves as the gateway to Antarctica. After a scenic tour of Tierra del Fuego, we boarded the MS Fridtjof Nansen to begin our expedition properly.

The infamous Drake Passage is the body of water between South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Known as either “Drake Lake” (when calm) or “Drake Shake” (when rough), this crossing is part of the adventure!

We experienced the legendary “Drake Shake” with waves up to 6-8 metres high for about 36 hours. Despite the challenging conditions, the excellence of the ship and crew made it manageable. A tip for future travellers: sea bands, seasickness tablets and a good sense of humour are essential items for this crossing!

Nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of Antarctica. Opening the cabin curtains to reveal towering icebergs, pristine snow-covered landscapes, and the clearest air imaginable is an emotional moment. The early morning light cast a magical glow across the scenery, and the absolute silence was almost tangible.

Our first adventure was a zodiac cruise around Yalour Island, weaving between ice floes while spotting Adelie and Gentoo penguins and several magnificent humpback whales. The landscapes are mind-blowingly beautiful – even more impressive than Greenland, which we’d previously considered unbeatable.

Antarctica offers wildlife experiences unlike anywhere else on earth:

• Penguins: We observed colonies of Gentoo and Adelie penguins going about their daily lives, completely unfazed by human visitors (though strict guidelines kept us at least 5 metres away). Their comical waddling on land transforms into graceful porpoising through the water – truly captivating!
• Whales: Multiple sightings of humpback whales and orcas (killer whales) were highlights of our journey. One magical day, we witnessed humpbacks feeding, blowing, and fluking just metres from the ship – a perfect gift from nature.
• Seals: Crabeater seals (which, despite their name, eat krill rather than crabs) lounged on ice floes as we cruised past in our zodiacs.
• Birdlife: From majestic albatrosses to skuas, Antarctic terns, blue-eyed shags, and petrels – the diversity of Antarctic birds is remarkable.

The most profound moment of any Antarctic expedition is stepping onto the continent itself. Following strictly marked paths in the snow (penguins have right of way!), we visited Gentoo penguin colonies at Damoy Point on our first landing.

On Christmas Day, we visited Deception Island – the caldera of an active volcano with black volcanic beaches and the remains of abandoned whaling stations. The brave among us even participated in the traditional “Polar Plunge” into the icy Antarctic waters!

We also visited Port Lockroy, the world’s most southerly post office, where we could send postcards home and even “adopt” a penguin to support conservation efforts.

Words fail to capture the majesty of Antarctica’s landscapes:

• The Lemaire Channel, just 1600m wide, runs between towering mountains and is filled with magnificent icebergs. Navigating through requires exceptional skill from the captain and crew.
• Paradise Harbour offers steep climbs to panoramic viewpoints showcasing Antarctica’s vast wilderness.
• The ever-changing colours of the ice – from brilliant white to the deepest blues and turquoise – create a natural palette that no photograph can truly capture.
• The midnight sun during Antarctic summer means almost continuous daylight, creating extraordinary lighting conditions at all hours.

• Medical Screening: All passengers must undergo medical screening at least 4 weeks before travel. HX’s maritime medical partner offers this service online.
• Biosecurity: Strict protocols govern all landings to protect Antarctica’s fragile environment. Expect to vacuum your clothing (even pocket interiors) to prevent introducing foreign particles.
• Weather: Conditions change rapidly. One day might offer sunshine and clear skies; the next could bring blizzards and fog. Flexibility is essential, as landing sites may change based on ice conditions and wildlife activity.
• Clothing: Multiple layers are crucial, with high-quality waterproof outer layers for zodiac cruises and landings.

Antarctica affects visitors emotionally in unexpected ways. The immensity of the scenery, the clarity of the unpolluted air, the diverse wildlife, and the profound silence all combine to create a destination unlike any other. When you consider the achievements of early explorers like Amundsen, Scott, and Shackleton in this harsh environment over a century ago, you gain a deeper appreciation for both human resilience and nature’s power.

If you’re considering an Antarctic expedition, we cannot recommend it highly enough. The MS Fridtjof Nansen provided the perfect balance of comfort and adventure, with knowledgeable expedition staff enhancing every aspect of the journey.

Antarctica is everything you might dream it would be, and so much more. It’s a place that changes your perspective on our planet and stays with you long after you’ve returned home

Contact Spear Travels today to begin planning your own Antarctic adventure.