Early December is a great time to visit while still enjoying shoulder season pricing. Daylight hours increase as whale activity picks up pace. Late December guarantees a White Christmas and penguin chicks begin to hatch.
Heather Moult Antarctica Specialist
Diving humpback whale, Melchior Islands
Chinstrap penguin colony
Kayaking amongst Antarctic icebergs
Approaching Neptune's Bellows, Deception Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica
Paradise Bay, Antarctica
Nesting chinstraps, Baily Head, South Shetland Islands
Sea kayaking
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
At Swoop we proudly work with every major operator in the Antarctic industry.
This means we can find you the best Black Friday deals – and with our Price Match Promise you know you're always getting the very best price.
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
Guarantee a white Christmas by visiting the 7th Continent. Enjoy festive hosting onboard your expedition vessel, as well as plenty of wildlife sightings to make your experience magical. The weather tends to be at its best in the festive period, and with penguin chicks beginning to hatch, you'll certainly have lots of photographs to mark your time at the end of the world.
Most memorable moment was seeing penguins for the first time as we were on the mountaineering walk. Chinstrap penguins - they were so close! ? Read the full review
Travelled: December 2019
Sarah Gillett - Switzerland
Mind blowing, once-in-a-lifetime trip. I would go back in a heartbeat. It far exceeded any expectations I had and I absolutely fell in love.
Travelled: December 2017
Deidre - New York
It exceeded our expectations and I would recommend it to everyone wanting to go visit Antarctica. We had a really wonderful time. So glad we flew!
Travelled: December 2017
Lori - Texas
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
December is typically marked by sunshine and blue skies with increasing hours of daylight. Temperatures are reaching their warmest, as the height of the summer sets in. Glaciers calve, whales return from the tropics, and research activity increases. However, this is Antarctica and the odd whiteout can still occur. You'll want to bring warm clothing and base layers, with the following average daily temperatures:
These regions experience the mildest climate in Antarctica, further inland and at higher elevations, the weather is far more extreme.
By December the penguin rookeries are at full capacity and the birds are busy incubating their precious eggs. Hatching time differs on the Antarctic Peninsula between the three penguin species, and also different geographical location, but the later in December the better chances you have of seeing newly hatched chicks and hearing the particular 'keening' noise they make.
Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals are commonly sighted in December in good numbers, typically hauled up on ice floes. Find out more about Antarctic wildlife by visiting our dedicated page.
The key thing to note in December is that around mid-month (it differs between boat operators) the pricing steps up as high season begins. Those aware of this price watershed and who are flexible on dates can benefit from the best of both worlds: (a) travelling in the first two weeks of December under high season conditions, and (b) but at the lower shoulder season pricing.
'High season' is reflective of the better weather, more plentiful wildlife, longer days for exploring and sheer popularity, and runs from mid-December through to late February.
Yes, charter flights from Punta Arenas in Chile to Antarctica begin in early December when the Chilean airfield on King George Island resumes operations. Flights operate through to mid-February.
With the arrival of high summer, the opening up of the ice allows kayakers to cover more ground, while +21 hours of daylight a day provides an interesting experience for overnight campers out on the ice.
Snow conditions are usually good enough for snowshoeing up to Christmas, but can become challenging after that.
Read Swoop's guide on choosing the best month and year for you, with advice on how to plan your perfect Antarctic voyage.
Choosing when to go to Antarctica is a key part of planning a cruise, with each month of the season offering a different side of the continent.
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Whether you’re visiting the Antarctic Peninsula or heading for the South Pole, discover the different routes by sea and air to visit the Seventh Continent.
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Your essential guide to Antarctica cruises: how to choose your ship, when and where to go and the penguins and icebergs you'll see when you're there. We've teamed up with some…
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From the onboard service and comfort of the suites to their fantastic expedition teams, luxury Antarctica cruise ships deliver a truly first-class polar experience.
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
