Five emerging Antarctica travel trends
The coldest continent on earth – Antarctica, is yet to become a home for humankind, but the range of tourist opportunities are growing rapidly. The largest ice mass on earth has unique environmental features that have been scientifically researched for decades. Here you can discover vast landscapes and an abundance of wildlife which are becoming popular tourist spots among travellers.
If you’re looking to learn more about this beautiful part of the world, here are five emerging travel trends to add to your bucket list.
Visiting the penguins
After becoming so wildly adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, the penguin species can be discovered across many places in Antarctica. Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea is home to a vast emperor penguin colony, which can only be found within the Antarctic continent. Despite the icy climate making travelling here more difficult, the Weddell Sea can be navigated by cruise, enabling us to enjoy a visit to the largest penguin species.
There are also other locations within Antarctica to spot the penguin colonies. South Georgia, in particular, is a great place to go for those looking to marvel over these beautiful creatures. Penguins are symbolic in raising the awareness of wildlife preservation efforts in Antarctica. Full of charisma and individuality, whilst being an icon of resilience and environmental importance, it would be a crime to go to Antarctica and not visit them.
Cruising the Ross Sea
If you’re looking to experience one of Antarctica’s least visited attractions, the Ross Sea, you’ve come to the right place. Travellers can embark on an Antarctica luxury cruise here, a great way to explore this beautiful part of the world.
Home to many of the brightest white icebergs including the Ross Ice Shelf, this seascape is one of the largest conservation areas on the planet. There are also other colonies of emperor penguins, various seal species, orcas and minke whales to spot around Campbell Island. Cruising passengers can visit key historical sites such as Scott’s Hut, which uncovers the challenges faced by significant explorers who discovered the scientific importance of the Antarctic landscapes.
The nature of the conditions here is ever-changing and as the cruises are governed by the climate, it diminishes the chance for these to be annual voyages. However, these experiences come equipped with the comfort needed for such a natural adventure, allowing the most intrepid traveller to visit the Ross Sea safely, and in uncompromised luxury.
Camping under the stars
Camping under the stars provides an adventurous way to enjoy a night in Antarctica. As you bundle up for warmth beneath the Southern Hemisphere skies, travellers can uncover a once-in-a-lifetime view of the constellations above.
Ideal locations for camping in Antarctica include Paradise Bay, which could be an entry to the most sublime spot on the continent due to its colossal glaciers and sea life-heavy waters. Port Lockroy, could offer an equally astonishing night with the stars. Camping a few miles away at Damoy Point makes the perfect retreat after daytime exploring. The camping location is home to the ‘Penguin Post Office’ too – earth’s most Southern location to get a letter from one continent to another, to those who aren’t living the dream with you!
Observing Antarctic whales
Those looking to enjoy memorable Antarctica vacations should take the time to visit the chief whales. Unsurprisingly, these beautiful creatures have been one of Antarctica’s most trending species to see for years. This experience offers both the novelty of differentiating between the various whale species and raising awareness around the impact of climate change on Earth’s most unique panorama.
Like their penguin counterparts, you can see whales among a multitude of offshore locations around the continent, but a few hotspots are sure to create the greatest likelihood of spotting the sea life. Curville Island, Danco Island and Petermann Island are each key whale spotting locations within Antarctica, as well as for their penguin and seal companions. If it’s a humpback whale that you’re after, Wilhelmina Bay offers the best conditions for the sighting.
The Antarctic basecamp experience
For the physically enthusiastic, a Basecamp expedition is said to be a nearly all-inclusive offering of every outdoor activity available to enjoy in Antarctica. Mountaineering, alongside soft-climb opportunities inland of Neumayer Channel, is gaining high traction with explorers. If water sports in extreme temperatures sounds more enticing, Basecamp includes the opportunity for kayaking, allowing the most nautical kind to get out into the sea-life-soaked waters.
With the conservation efforts at the forefront of Antarctic decisions, strict environmental guidelines are in place for any Basecamp explorers. Adhering to these ensures no trace is left behind that could risk an impact on the delicate ecosystems of Antarctica. It is key to remember that, whilst tourism in the continent is gaining momentum, natural beauty is one to retain and should always be more crucial than any travel trends.
Summary
The adventure of travelling in Antarctica is nothing short of unbelievable. The most isolated continent on earth is emerging on bucket lists as the once-in-a-lifetime visit, that it is. Through an appreciation of natural phenomena and wildlife, ecotourism can enable more economic growth within the continent, allowing for greater conservation methods to only continue. It’s one of the only places where human interaction with the natural world can create good, due to the lack of manmade infrastructure within the continent. It should be a ‘one-day’ for all.
The article Five emerging Antarctica travel trends first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.