Overview2 min read
2026 Season Calendar
Key dates, peak windows, and seasonal highlights for the current Antarctic tourism season. Plan your visit around wildlife events and optimal weather windows.
The Antarctic tourism season runs from late October through mid-March, with each period offering distinct experiences. Understanding the seasonal rhythm is essential for choosing when to visit.
Season Timeline
Early Season: Late October -- November
- Pack ice: Still breaking up; ships may encounter ice barriers
- Wildlife: Penguin courtship and egg-laying begins. Elephant seals arrive for breeding. Weddell seals pup on fast ice
- Conditions: Pristine snow cover, dramatic ice formations, longer twilight periods
- Crowds: Lightest visitor numbers of the season
- Best for: Photography of untouched landscapes, penguin courtship behavior, solitude
Peak Season: December -- January
- Pack ice: Maximum accessibility; most landing sites open
- Wildlife: Penguin chicks hatching (December). Whale activity increases dramatically. Fur seal pups appear. Adelie penguin colonies at peak activity
- Conditions: Warmest temperatures, nearly 24-hour daylight, calmest seas (relatively)
- Crowds: Highest visitor numbers; landing site rotation in effect
- Best for: Families, first-time visitors, whale watching, penguin chick photography
Late Season: February -- March
- Pack ice: Ice begins reforming in southern reaches
- Wildlife: Penguin chicks fledge. Whale feeding reaches peak before migration. Leopard seals actively hunting. Large aggregations of seabirds
- Conditions: More dramatic sunsets return, increasing wind, occasional early-season storms
- Crowds: Decreasing; some operators offer discounts
- Best for: Whale encounters, dramatic light, budget-conscious travelers
2026 Highlighted Events
| Date | Event | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 -- Nov 30 | Emperor penguin chick season | Weddell Sea coast |
| Dec 1 -- Dec 20 | Adelie penguin hatching peak | Peninsula, Ross Sea |
| Dec 15 -- Jan 31 | Humpback whale peak feeding | Peninsula waters |
| Jan 1 -- Jan 31 | Fur seal pup season | South Shetland Islands |
| Feb 1 -- Feb 28 | Penguin fledgling departure | All coastal regions |
| Feb 15 -- Mar 15 | Late-season whale aggregations | Southern Ocean |
Booking Windows
Most expedition operators open bookings 14-18 months before departure. For the 2026-2027 season:
- Hurtigruten: Bookings open April 2026
- Quark Expeditions: Bookings open March 2026
- Ponant: Bookings open May 2026
- Aurora Expeditions: Bookings open March 2026
Early booking typically secures the best cabin selection and pricing. Last-minute deals are occasionally available for departures within 60 days, but cabin choice is limited.