Fuel your passion for exploring the Earth’s most incredible wonders with our list of the top adventure activities in Antarctica!
Antarctica cruises are on many travellers’ bucket lists. You can explore the vast, icy, and remote Polar regions in a safe and controlled environment.
Admiring the jaw-dropping landscapes of Antarctica is already a once-in-a-lifetime event. But if you want to spice up your expedition cruise, consider trying some adventure activities!
Many Antarctica cruises are customisable and have lots of add-on activities. These often cost extra, but it’s worth it!
Go wildlife spotting and see majestic Emperor penguins or King penguins. Or look for humpback whales from your kayak or zodiac excursions.
Try something crazy like a polar plunge, or scuba dive below the depths of the Southern Ocean. Hike across the rugged terrain of South Georgia Island.
Brave the rough seas of the Drake Passage or snowshoe over the continent’s pristine snow.
From wildlife encounters to advanced sports, any of these adventure activities can enhance your Antarctic experience and give you some epic stories to tell at dinner parties!
Top Antarctic Adventure Activities To Try
Here are some mindblowing adventures to try when you visit Antarctica.
All activities will be subject to the Antarctic weather – safety always comes first down here! If there are certain activities you really want to try, make sure you check the itineraries and inclusions of the Antarctic expedition ships beforehand.
Every Antarctic itinerary is different, and some ships have more offerings than others. Some activities may require certain experience levels or gear as well.
A trip to Antarctica is not something you want to just wing. Lots of advance planning is required to make sure your trip is as seamless as possible.
Ready to get inspired for some life changing Antarctica trips? Here is our list of the best adventure activities to try when you experience Antarctica!
Read our complete Antarctica travel guide for all our personal tips and recommendations.
Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.
Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.
Kayaking
Kayaking in Antarctica is a guided activity offered by many expedition cruise operators as an optional add-on. You can usually ride in stable, two-person sea kayaks with all cold-weather gear included, such as dry suits, gloves, and life vests.
Kayaking typically takes place in calm bays and sheltered coastal areas, such as Paradise Bay, Neko Harbour, or the Lemaire Channel.
Participants are usually required to have some prior kayaking experience and must attend safety briefings before heading out. But once you’re out there, it is an absolutely dreamy way to sightsee around the Antarctic Continent!
Antarctica kayaking allows for closer and quieter access to wildlife and ice formations compared to motorised zodiac cruises.
Curious penguins may swim alongside the kayak, while seals lounge on ice floes and whales surface nearby. The serene stillness of the Southern Ocean, which is filled with sea ice and marine mammals, is an incredible thing to witness when you visit Antarctica.
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing in Antarctica is a niche activity offered by a small number of specialised expedition cruise operators. It’s generally only available to those with prior climbing experience and a high level of physical fitness.
Climbs are typically conducted on glacial ice walls or steep snow slopes in controlled environments on the Antarctic Peninsula.
All gear, including crampons, harnesses, helmets, and technical ice tools, is provided, and participants are supervised by qualified mountain guides with polar experience.
Routes are chosen based on weather, safety, and environmental considerations, and all activity follows strict protocols to minimize impact on the terrain.
Due to the challenging conditions, space is limited and advance booking is usually required. If you’re an experienced ice climber, this is an amazing way to experience Antarctica and its ancient, colossal glaciers!
Read next: How to Travel to Antarctica Responsibly (Must Read)
Hiking
Another one of the coolest things to do on the Antarctic Peninsula is hiking.
Hiking in Antarctica is a structured shore-based activity included in most expedition cruises, allowing passengers to explore some incredible sites on foot.
Hikes are typically short to moderate in length, ranging from casual walks to more strenuous climbs, depending on the location and weather conditions.
Common hiking spots around Antarctica include Cuverville Island and Port Lockroy. Hikers can traverse volcanic terrain, climb ice-covered ridges, or walk past penguin colonies.
South Georgia Island also has amazing hikes that may be included in longer Antarctica cruises. Common routes on South Georgia Island include the viewpoints above Fortuna Bay or Grytviken, or sections of the historic Shackleton route between Fortuna Bay and Stromness.
The South Shetland Islands, including Deception Island, King George Island, and Livingston Island, also have epic hiking routes.
All hikes are led by a knowledgeable expedition team that will ensure environmental protection and safety.
While the terrain can be uneven and slippery, basic fitness is usually sufficient, and proper gear such as waterproof boots and layered clothing is required.
Hiking is one of the best ways to get up close to some Antarctic wildlife, particularly the land-dwelling penguin species. Bring a camera, some drinking water, and get ready to trek across the Southernmost continent!
Snowshoeing
Another one of the best shore excursions to try on your Antarctic adventure is snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing in Antarctica is offered on some expedition ships, and you’ll likely need to register in advance.
Usually, no prior experience is required, though a basic level of fitness is recommended. Snowshoes and trekking poles are provided, and group sizes are kept small to ensure safety and reduce environmental impact.
Snowshoeing allows you to trek across the snowy terrain and explore the Antarctic continent more in-depth. Outings are typically moderate in difficulty and take place at selected landing sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, depending on snow conditions and weather.
Led by expedition staff, these snowy hikes are a stable and comfortable way to walk over deep snow while observing the icy landscape and incredible wildlife.
Penguin Spotting
Looking for penguin colonies is a highlight of many Antarctic expeditions. This may not be a traditional adventure activity, but the excitement you will feel from seeing penguins in the wild is truly thrilling!
Penguin spotting is included in nearly all shore landings and zodiac excursions to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Visitors commonly encounter large colonies of Adélie penguins, gentoo penguins, and chinstrap penguins at sites such as Paulet Island, Danco Island, and Half Moon Island.
Another popular spot is Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, where visitors can see huge colonies of Emperor Penguins. Or you can see King Penguins on the Falkland Islands or South Georgia Island.
If you’re lucky, you may even get to see penguin rookeries and adorable penguin chicks!
Expedition guides provide context on behavior, breeding cycles, and species identification during these visits so you can learn more about the iconic Antarctic creatures.
The guides will also ensure that wildlife distance regulations are maintained. These are usually five meters, and they ensure that the penguin colonies are undisturbed.
Most sightings occur on land, but penguins can also be seen swimming near boats or resting on ice floes. The adventure activity requires no special equipment beyond standard cold-weather gear and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Mountaineering
Similar to ice climbing, mountaineering is a thrilling activity to include in your Antarctic trip.
Experienced climbers can explore some of the most remote and rugged terrain on the planet by mountaineering in Antarctica.
Expeditions often take place on the Antarctic Peninsula or in inland ranges like the Ellsworth Mountains, home to Mount Vinson—the highest peak in Antarctica at 4,892 meters (16,050 feet).
Climbs typically require technical skills, prior alpine experience, and the ability to operate in extreme cold and isolation.
Specialized tour operators offer guided ascents, often involving multi-day expeditions with glacier travel, crevasse navigation, and high-altitude camping.
Due to the continent’s unpredictable weather and logistical complexities, mountaineering in Antarctica is both a physical and logistical feat. It’s always subject to the weather conditions, and it’s only offered on some more adventerous expedition ships.
Read next: What to Wear in Antarctica – Ultimate Travel Packing List
Camping
For the ultimate wilderness experience, consider trying camping excursions during your Antarctic cruise.
Camping in Antarctica is an optional activity offered by some expedition cruise ships, providing a unique opportunity to spend a night on the ice.
It typically involves minimalist, non-intrusive gear such as bivy bags or special cold-weather sleeping systems rather than traditional tents, in accordance with Antarctic environmental regulations.
Campsites are selected by expedition staff based on weather and safety conditions, often on snow-covered areas near the coastline.
Popular camping spots include Deception Island, one of the South Shetland Islands known for its volcanic black sand beaches and geothermal activity. Danco Island is another popular camping spot, which offers stunning views of the mountains and nearby penguin colonies.
Visitors are briefed thoroughly and must follow strict guidelines, including no food, no waste left behind, and no disturbance to wildlife.
The experience is basic but safe, with support staff nearby and emergency protocols in place. If you want a physically and mentally challenging way to engage with the polar environment, consider joining a camping adventure on your next Antarctic cruise!
Polar Plunge
Imagine the thrill of diving into the frigid Antarctic waters! One crazy but iconic Antarctica experience to try is the famous polar plunge.
The polar plunge is a short, voluntary activity offered by many Antarctica cruises. You’ll get to jump into the near-freezing Southern Ocean, typically at a controlled site near a landing beach or the cruise ship.
It is supervised closely by the expedition team, with safety personnel, towels, and warm drinks provided immediately afterwards.
Participants often wear swimsuits, and some choose to jump from the shore while others use a platform on the vessel.
Water temperatures are usually around 0°C (32°F), making it a physically and mentally challenging activity to try.
Most people who try the polar plunge are only in the water for a few seconds. But that rush of adrenaline you’ll get from the freezing water of the polar regions will make you feel so alive!
Scuba Diving
Another activity to try on your Antarctic adventure is scuba diving.
Scuba diving on Antarctica trips is a specialised activity offered by a limited number of expedition operators and is only available to experienced, cold-water certified divers.
Dives are conducted from zodiac cruises in select locations with relatively stable ice and weather conditions, such as around the Antarctic Peninsula.
Divers must use dry suits and carry their own gear, including redundant air systems, due to the extreme conditions. Safety always comes first, and there are very few dive sites on Earth that are as wild and unpredictable as the Antarctic waters!
But scuba diving around the Antarctic continent is breathtaking. Underwater visibility can be excellent, and divers may encounter ice formations, marine invertebrates, and occasionally seals or penguins.
All dives are guided by polar-certified dive professionals, and strict safety protocols are in place.
Scuba diving requires a high level of physical fitness and preparation, and participation is subject to approval by the expedition leaders.
Whale Watching
Like penguin spotting, whale watching isn’t a physically demanding activity, but it is a highlight of Antarctica cruises. And again, you can definitely feel a spike in adrenaline when you see these magnificent ocean giants right next to the cruise ships!
Whale watching in Antarctica is a regular part of Antarctica cruises, especially between January and March when whale activity peaks.
Sightings typically occur during zodiac cruises or from the ship itself, with species such as humpback whales, minke whales, and orca whales making frequent appearances.
While sightings are not guaranteed, they are frequent in areas like Wilhelmina Bay, the Gerlache Strait, and the Lemaire Channel.
Expedition guides can help identify whale species and interpret their behaviours like breaching, tail-slapping, and feeding. No special equipment is needed, though binoculars and cameras with zoom lenses are recommended!
Encounters are usually passive and non-intrusive, following international guidelines to maintain safe distances and minimise disturbance to the whales.
There is nothing quite like a majestic whale encounter in Antarctica!
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is a special achievement that you may be able to cross off your bucket list in Antarctica. But fewer than 20% of Antarctica cruises can actually cross the Antarctic Circle, so it’s a rare occurrence.
Officially located at latitude 66°33′ South, the Antarctic Circle marks the point where, for at least one day a year, the sun does not rise or set. This circle also signifies the start of the Antarctic region proper.
Antarctica cruises can only cross the circle when conditions permit. There is denser ice coverage and colder temperatures this far into the region, so it’s not always viable.
It is only accessible on certain expedition cruises during the austral summer, typically from late January to early March when sea ice has receded sufficiently.
Reaching this point is often commemorated with a special ceremony or activity on board, as it represents a rare and adventurous achievement on your Antarctic cruise!
Get inspired with our list of 11 Best Antarctica Books To Read Before Your Trip
Crossing the Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage is another iconic adventure that you may encounter on some Antarctica cruise lines.
The Drake Passage lies between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, spanning approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles).
Known for its notoriously rough seas, the passage is where the cold Antarctic waters meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, creating some of the most turbulent conditions on Earth.
But expedition ships are well equipped to deal with these conditions, so it’s more nerve-wracking than actually dangerous.
The journey typically takes around 48 hours by ship and is a rite of passage for Antarctic travellers.
Conditions vary widely—from calm, glassy waters known as the “Drake Lake” to powerful storms and swells referred to as the “Drake Shake.”
Despite the potential for rough seas, crossing the Drake Passage on your way from South America to Antarctica is a monumental adventure.
Scenic Flights
You can also enjoy Antarctica from the air! Scenic flights over the Antarctica Peninsula offer a unique way to experience the continent’s vast, untouched beauty without setting foot on the ice.
Departing primarily from cities like Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth, these day-long charter flights are often aboard a Boeing 787 or similar aircraft.
You’ll fly over iconic Antarctic landmarks such as the South Magnetic Pole, the Transantarctic Mountains, the Ross Sea region, and massive glaciers and ice shelves.
Passengers can witness dramatic landscapes including towering icebergs, crevasse-streaked ice fields, and sweeping coastlines from large panoramic windows, with expert commentary provided onboard.
Some expedition cruises also offer short scenic flights that depart from the ship or from the continent itself.
Operated by helicopters or small planes from specially equipped expedition vessels, these flights allow you to soar over dramatic landscapes such as towering icebergs, sprawling glaciers, and remote mountain ranges that are otherwise inaccessible by sea.
Popular routes may include views of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, or even Emperor penguin colonies if conditions allow.
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