Things to Do in Antarctica in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Antarctica
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Peak penguin chick season. Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap chicks hatch and waddle in creches. Photography gold. Snap away.
- + Solid sea-ice lets ships reach the rarely visited Ross Sea side and Snow Hill Emperor penguin colony. Go now.
- + Midnight sun removes all time pressure. You can zodiac-cruise at 2 am under blazing sunshine. No rush.
- + Whales are back in force. Humpback, Minke and the season's first Orca pods feast on krill swarms. Spectacular.
- + Icebergs are freshly carved and bluest of the year, before January summer algae tints them. Catch the color.
- − It's the most expensive window. Every berth sells out 12-18 months ahead
- − Katabatic winds can spike above 38 knots (70 km/h) and ground helicopter flights for days. Pack patience.
- − You share deck space with 200-500 other passengers. Solitude is almost impossible in December. Expect crowds.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Only December-January ice conditions let strengthened ships reach Shackleton's and Scott's preserved huts, plus the world's largest Adelie penguin rookeries at Cape Adare. Days are 24-hour bright, so landings aren't rushed and you can photograph huts with alpenglow at 3 am. Shoot late.
Emperor chicks are fledging. Helicopter from the ship lands you within 1 km (0.6 mi) of 4,000 pairs. December's stable floes mean the colony is still tight, chicks squealing like rusty gates. Listen close.
Water is mirror-calm, brash ice at 0°C (32°F) but kayaks put you eye-level with curious leopard seals. Midnight sun means glassy reflections of bergs last all 'night'. No wind chop before afternoon katabatics kick in. Paddle early.
Researchers tag chicks. Passengers help weigh them with spring scales. December chicks are football-sized and vocal, great for kids or data-minded travelers. Volcanic black beach steams when cold air hits geothermal vents. Feel the heat.
December water is -1°C (30°F). Ships heat outdoor saunas to 90°C (194°F) so you can oscillate between extremes. Med staff monitor for after-drop. Once you dry off, midnight sun decks are warm enough for T-shirts. Brave the swing.
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