19 Best Things to Do in Antarctica In 2024

It’s the best time of the year to visit Antarctica and what better Christmas present for the traveler in your life than a trip to the 7th continent? The southernmost continent on Earth will surprise you. It is so much more than snow and ice. From witnessing the majestic beauty of towering icebergs and vast glaciers to encountering diverse wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales, this guide unveils the best things to do in Antarctica, ensuring your expedition is not just a trip, but a transformative adventure. When you visit Antarctica, make sure to add these activities to your Antarctic Cruise itinerary.

Best Things to do in Antarctica

We traveled to Antarctica with Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures. Since our Antarctic cruise, the white continent has opened up to travel with a cruise ship to suit every type of traveler. We sailed on an all-suites cruise ship, but there are massive luxury cruise lines, adventure cruises, and small ships that are sailing across the Drake Passage these days.

When we visited Antarctica we followed our trip with a cruise to the Galapagos Islands, and as we prepare for another trip to the Galapagos with Hurtigruten (another polar expedition leader), we wanted to inspire travelers to get out and start exploring the end of the world.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a photography aficionado, or simply seeking the thrill of the unknown while adding the final frontier to your travel list. An Antarctic expedition offers the ultimate in bragging rights. Whenever anyone asks us what our favourite destination is and Dave answers Antarctica, people do a double take. What? You’ve been to Antarctica?

So, if you want to brag to your friends as well, start saving up your cash for an Antarctic Cruise.

1. Kayaking

When we saw that kayaking was an Antarctic activity offered on our ship, we weren’t sure if we wanted to hop in cold water kayaks. I was nervous about kayaking in such cold water and had a fear of tipping over. So we booked a few lessons in the local pool to learn how to do a wet exit and self-rescue. Since that time, we’ve learned to whitewater kayak, but having that basic knowledge helped our confidence in the water. I am glad we did it.

The cost of adding kayaking to a cruise expedition is steep, and we wondered if the price would be worth it. We thought we might get out on the water once or twice during the cruise. However, we ended up kayaking eight times nd it was magnificent.

…