These days Antarctica photos aren’t as hard to come by as they used to be.
Nothing can compare to the wild and untamed grandeur that is Antarctica. Here vast white mountains drop down to the sea, icebergs the size of islands slowly drift past your ship, and the wind is so strong it can knock you over.
There’s actually a lot to see in Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula — where most tourists go — is a continuation of the Andes Mountains from South America, meaning it’s quite mountainous. Peaks often rise out of the ocean, interspersed by enormous glaciers. It’s one of the most pristine places on Earth, in no small part because it’s mostly untouched by humans.
Antarctica is full of surprises.
Gentoo penguins are one of the most common penguins we see on the Antarctic Peninsula
At the beginning of the season (November), there’s a lot more sea ice and icebergs
When I say that Antarctica will change your life, I mean it. I returned in December from guiding my first trip down to the last continent with my friends at Chimu Adventures (and Intrepid) on one of my favorite ships, the Ocean Endeavour!
In fact, I loved it so much I’ve agreed to host more trips to Antarctica to South Georgia. Antarctica is my happy place, and South Georgia is oEarth’sof the most incredible and remote Earth. I’ve done seven polar expeditions to date, and I’m so passionate about sharing this part of the world with other like-minded, curiousJoinme join me on the adventure of a lifetime and save up to 40% with my exclusive discounts. After the chaos of the past few years, it’s never been a better time to disconnect and head down to the most amazing place on Earth.
Here are some of my favorite Antarctica photos I took on my last trip down to the white continent – enjoy!
Port Lockroy is a former Antarctic base located along a scenic bay on Goudier Island – this is the most snow I’ve ever seen there
Seeing large penguin colonies is one of the best parts of the trip
Two humpback whales in front of our ship, the Ocean Endeavour
Weddell seals live around Antarctica in the Southern Ocean – you tend to see more later in the season when the pups are older
The blue of the ice in Antarctica is incredibly striking
Kayaking is one of the add-ons you can choose on the trips
My last group was amazing; we’re all still friends!
Watching albatross as we cross the iconic Drake Passage from Argentina to Antarctica
Chinstrap penguins are the most abundant penguin, with a population estimated at 7.5 million breeding pairs
Gentoo penguins returning home from sea
Snowshoeing is an optional experience at the beginning of the season when there’s still a lot of snow. And this is one of my favorite Antarctica photos from this trip too
A gentoo penguin carrying a rock home to build its nest – penguins often steal each other’s rocks, which is pretty funny to watch
The Antarctic Peninsula has some of the most dramatic scenery of the continent
The blue-eyed shag is the only Antarctic bird to keep a year-round nest
There’s often a lot more snow at the beginning of the season v.s the end
There are often a few hike options when we go to land, varying in difficulty
Everyone sleeps onboard the ship with a few excursions to land or cruise around the water per day via zodiac boats
Adelie penguins are another species of penguins we sometimes see in Antarctica
We often visit some of the historic huts and research stations once used on the Antarctic Peninsula
Returning to their colonies, penguins often leap out of the water like rockets
A tabular iceberg is an iceberg that has broken off from an ice shelf in Antarctica, often with nearly vertical sides and flat tops, and can be over 100 kilometers long
Gentoo penguins are the only penguin species whose population is growing on the Antarctic Peninsula
Spotted inside one of the historic huts are great tales from the golden age of polar exploration
Early in the season, you might be the first to set foot on pristine landing sites
Most trips give the option of doing a polar plunge, a bucket list activity for many
The Arctic and Antarctic glaciers account for nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater supply
The more affordable trips to Antarctica often are at the very beginning and end of the season (Oct/Nov and March)
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