Antarctica Maps & Landmarks

Most Antarctic cruises pride themselves on their flexibility when it comes to the cruise itinerary. Even though each day's itinerary is planned in advance, if there's a particular Antarctic island where it's best to see the sunset, or there's a pod of humpback whales close by, the Expedition team can change plans to make sure you see it.

Given that most Antarctic cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula rather than the whole continent (although some do venture south of the Antarctic Circle and even as far as the Ross Ice Shelf), we recommend that you take a scaled map with you whilst on board, rather than one of the whole continent.

Without a doubt, our preferred map of Antarctica, as well as the Falklands and South Georgia is this Antarctic Explorer map, which is essentially a visitor's map of the Antarctic Peninsula Region and a Map of the Antarctic Continent. This folded may show the continent at a scale of 1:12,250,000 with an enlargement of Ross Island and McMurdo Sound at 1:1,750,000, and with enlargements on the reverse of Graham Land at 1:900,000, South Georgia at 1:800,000, and the South Shetlands and Tierra del Fuego at 1:2,750,000.

We like it because not only does it give you a feel for the size of the place, there's also a lot of history including five historic exploration routes and illustrated biographies of 30 of the most important characters in early Antarctic exploration from Shackleton and Cook to Scott Weddell and Ross. You can also learn more about the territorial claims to Antarctica, the location of research bases and importantly, the location of the landmarks that you'll be visiting on your Antarctic cruise.

We're pleased to say that Stanford's currently has Antarctica maps in stock so you can get your hands on one either online or possibly in store in either London or Bristol.