Pictures can never truly capture the essence of an experience, and this is especially true for the breathtaking adventures in Antarctica.
As we approach the end of another year, we invite you to join us in celebrating the stunning beauty of Antarctica through this curated collection of photographs from our 2018 expeditions.
We hope these images inspire you until the day you can experience one of these trips yourself.
1. The seabirds of the Drake Passage
2. Wilhelmina Bay whale spouts
3. Antarctic kayaking at Waterboat Point
4. A posing chinstrap penguin at Whalers Bay
5. Taking a scenic stop at Skontorp Cove
6. Jougla Point glacier-side hikes
7. A humpback whale at Orne Harbor
8. Cruising the Antarctic ice pack of Crystal Sound
9. The life of a lounging leopard seal
10. Curious gentoo penguins at Cuverville Island
11. Leaping Lemaire Channel crabeater seals
12. A cackling crabeater seal
13. Snowshoeing at Antarctica's Brown Station
14. An argument between elephant seals
15. Overworked gentoo chicks
16. Spelling out Antarctica - any way possible
17. Ortelius in the fog of Maxwell Bay
18. Marveling at a minke whale
19. A gliding black-browed albatross
20. Special vows in a special place
21. Camping under the skies of Antarctica
22. A wandering albatross over Antarctic waves
23. Antarctica-style shoreline strolls
24. Deception Island deep dive
25. The emperor penguins of Snow Hill Island
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The First Overwintering Hut in Antarctica
In 1899, Carsten Borchgrevink and his nine crewmen became the first to spend the winter in a hut in Antarctica. (Technically, the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899 was the first to overwinter there, though this was done on their vessel after it was caught in ice.) Borchgrevink and his men spent the dark winter months isolated in a dirty hut, surrounded by equipment and sled dogs fighting each other outside.
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The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
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True South: A New Flag for a Global Antarctica
When Evan Townsend signed up to spend the winter of 2018 working at an Antarctic research station, he had no reason to expect he would end the season by designing a new flag for the continent. He had even less reason to expect the support it would receive.
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Top 10 Tips for Packing Your Polar Photography Equipment
One of the most common questions I get asked before a cruise is, âWhat photography equipment should I bring?â Itâs a broad question, and answers vary based on the individual. There are, however, a few key pointers that apply to almost everyone.
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Explore Antarctica Without Leaving Your Couch
There are numerous ways to embark on an Antarctica expedition from the comfort of your home. Explore these fantastic resources to experience the White Continent without leaving your couch.
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Six Facts About the Crabeater Seals of Antarctica
Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, Ross seals, southern elephant seals... The many seal species of Antarctica all have names that are in some way explained by their appearance or primary region of distribution.
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Freshwater ecosystems in the Arctic
The Arctic, surprisingly, hosts a rich and varied array of freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, deltas, and wetlands. Some of the world's largest rivers and deltas, such as the Lena, Ob, and Yenisei, are found in this region.
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Six Seal Species You Might See On Your Greenland Cruise
If you spot a grand old whiskered man lounging in solitary splendor, there's a good chance you're looking at a bearded seal. Your Greenland cruise will take you to bays where these solitary fellows (except during breeding season) hunt for fish in the relatively shallow waters near the shores.
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Seven Things to Do around Ushuaia
We often recommend arriving early to Ushuaia before embarking on an Antarctica cruise, and for good reason: Ushuaia, on top of being the southernmost city in the world, has in recent years developed into a decidedly charming tourist destination.
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Top 10 Antarctic Attractions
Thereâs a reason people go to such lengths to visit Antarctica, and its abundance of whales, seals, penguins, and seabirds are only part of the polar story.
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North Norway, Northern Lights, and All the Pretty Whales
At first glance, visiting Northern Norway outside of a blazing-hot summer might seem daunting for the average traveler.
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The Eight Great Penguin Species of Antarctica
There are 17 species of penguin on the planet, but the eight youâll most likely recognize live in Antarctica, its nearby islands, and the sub-Antarctic archipelagos of South Georgia and the Falklands. These are the core species we tend to see on our expedition cruises.
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Flowers in Antarctica
The polar regions are among the most inhospitable environments for plants and animals. Life here faces numerous challenges, including low temperatures, high winds, solar radiation, and cell freezing. The Antarctic continent experiences extreme conditions, with darkness during winter and continuous light during summer. Winter temperatures can drop to -60°C or lower.
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Wreck Diving in Antarctica
Scuba diving in Antarctica is an unparalleled adventure. Few places on Earth allow you to swim beneath icebergs and potentially encounter penguins or leopard seals. But the wonders of Antarctic diving don't end there.
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Seven Facts About Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Penguins
Approximately 50 million years ago, Antarctica was detaching from the vast supercontinent of Gondwana, and penguins were emerging as a distinct species. Initially native to warmer regions, they gradually adapted to the cooling climate of Antarctica as they ventured further south.
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Antarctica’s first Marine Protected Area
In October of this year, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which includes 24 countries such as the United States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, reached a consensus on a New Zealand/United States proposal to establish a large-scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Ross Sea region.
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Diving in Antarctica: The Ultimate Underwater Experience
Ice diving offers an extraordinary experience on an Antarctica diving trip. The dive sites are teeming with a unique array of colorful marine life, including penguins and leopard seals, which are exclusive to this region.
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The disastrous expedition in the Arctic west
In 1902, Otto Sverdrup, captain of the Fram on Nansenâs expedition, led his own Arctic expedition to the north of Canada. Over the period of the expedition, which started in 1898, Sverdrup and his 15-man crew charted over 250,000 square kilometres of the Arctic using the Fram and sledges. During the expedition Ellesmere Islandâs west coast was explored and new islands discovered.
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Albatross, penguin and krill research in Antarctica
In the Antarctic region, extensive research is being conducted by national Antarctic programmes from countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan. These studies aim to understand species in the air, on the ground, and in the sea, and how these species are interconnected without variables such as human impacts and climate change.
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Penguin Wisdom: Life Lessons from Our Favorite Flightless Birds
As enthusiasts of wildlife travel, we believe every creature has something valuable to impart - from the grand blue whale to the tiny cephalopod, the formidable polar bear to the elusive Arctic fox.