Top 10 Things To Do in Antarctica in 2026

By: Int2Cruises travel expert

Visit popular research stations, which are historic sites such as Port Lockroy, camping and tenting on the ice, enjoy a polar plunge, snowshoeing and hiking across snowfields, adventure enthusiasts would love kayaking amongst icebergs, and just enjoy wildlife watching.

When you think about Antarctica, what comes to mind - lots and lots of snow, polar bears and penguins mingling in their own space, floating icebergs, and chilling cold and solitude. These alone make for an unforgettable spectacle, but there are a lot more things to do and experience during your time in Antarctica.

Here are the top 10 things you can do on a cruise to Antarctica:

1. Kayaking Amongst Icebergs

Have the time of your life sailing through the cold water in a canoe-like boat in scintillating cold surroundings. Drift past the leopard seals and the floating icebergs and playful penguins jumping around everywhere.

Which adventure activities do people do in Antarctica?

Antarctica offers kayaking, zodiac excursions exploring wildlife and glaciers, wildlife watching (penguins, seals, and whales) very up close, guided hiking on islands and glaciers, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Plenty of thrilling and exploratory activities are available for the guests cruising to Antarctica.

2. Zodiac Tours at Elephant Islands

These are a special kind of guided excursions passing by sturdy, inflatable boats (Zodiacs), allowing explorers to come up close and enjoy the continent's unique environment. You will love watching the whales, seals, and glaciers up close, specifically at the famous Elephant Islands. If you are more adventurous, you can dive deep underneath for a closer view.

3. Enjoy Shocking Polar Plunge

This makes for a story that you are going to cherish forever. Take a plunge into the sub-zero water and come back alive. The activity involves jumping into near-freezing Antarctic waters for a few seconds, where you get extreme cold shock followed by an adrenaline rush, often rewarded with a warm towel, a shot of liquor, and bragging rights as a bucket-list accomplishment.

Is the Polar Plunge Worth Trying in Antarctica?

Yes, definitely it is - polar plunge would be a major highlight on your Antarctica voyage. Imagine jumping into the freezing Antarctic waters as you strip down to a swimsuit (often supervised by an expert) and quickly wrap a towel around you. It has also become somewhat of a rite of passage that you cannot miss, which comes with thrills and bragging rights!

4. Interact with the Penguins

One of the biggest highlights of Antarctica is the exuberant penguins and how their energy, calls to each other, and constantly fidgeting with their hands, leave you amazed. The mothers protecting their baby penguins, the penguins' trails of ice vanishing into the waters, and their happiness on seeing humans make penguins the friendliest animals. Now, all this is something you can't really see amidst the populous cities.

Can You Interact with Penguins in Antarctica?

Yes! Find plenty of cute penguin colonies in Antarctica, which, first of all, is fun to observe, and you can get close and interact with them. Not to mention, you get plenty of photo opportunities to take back home.

5. Enjoy Whale Watching

Here comes another creature known for its friendly nature. Imagine being followed by a whale that is fearless, that, when it sees you, comes near to get a closer look. Whales in Antarctica are not hunted down; they are at the top of the chain here, which is why you can spot this playful creature easily in their brightest spirits.

6. Visit the Famous Deception Island

How about visiting something that looks kind of eerie and beautiful during your Antarctica tour? Deception Island, which is also one of the safest harbours of Antarctica, is the site of an active volcano. The old whale station consists of boilers, oil drums, and whale bones.

7. Enjoy Camping in Freezing Temperatures

Imagine camping with your partner or family in a pitch-dark night with only the sparkling stars above to accompany you. Moreover, you are going to love it when you are camping right next to the snoring leopard seals.

Can You Camp Overnight in Freezing Temperatures in Antarctica?

Yes, camping on the Antarctic ice is definitely a bucket-list experience. Anchorage, Alaska, is a famous place to camp for visitors, where guests can enjoy connecting with nature and spending the night sleeping under a star-filled sky, not far from the leopard seals making high-pitched cricket-like hoots. It would be truly an experience of a lifetime.

8. Photograph Icebergs in the Gelarche Strait

Feel mesmerised looking at the beautiful formations in the famous Schollart Channel and the famous Gelarche Strait regions. At the famous place called 'the Graveyards', you will find colossal icebergs of various shapes before they break and dissolve into nothing.

9. Cruising the Lemaire Channel and Paradise Bay

The Lemaire Channel (also called the Fuji Funnel, Kodak Canal, and Afga Alley) - does this ring a bell? Well, yeah, those are the names of three popular film brands. Cruising through the famous Lemaire Channel would be a fantastic experience. Then there's Paradise Bay (an embayment behind the channel and one of the only two harbours of the continent), which offers a picturesque location that is throbbing with whales and penguins.

10. Letters at the Port Lockroy

Visit the famous Research Stations to get a deeper understanding of the region. Port Lockroy is a famous one, which is the former Antarctic base located near the Antarctic Peninsula. It is also more famously known as the world's most southern post office. You can talk to the staff, visit the museum, and send a letter to your loved ones.

11. Hiking on the Ice

Imagine the experience of hiking in the spectacular glacial landscapes as you immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Frozen Continent. It would be a truly ethereal feeling of walking on the ice underfoot after you step off from a zodiac with the seabirds ringing along wild cobble beaches in the background.

Can you do mountaineering in Antarctica?

Yes, you can. True adventure souls can up the ante on their Antarctica tour by taking part in a mountaineering excursion. Imagine the feeling of standing at the top of a distant peak and having that authentic spiritual feeling by taking in the vast wilderness. Mountaineering in Antarctica is going to unlock a new level of bragging rights that is truly unmatched.

Tips to Make the Most out of your Antarctica Trip

1. It is recommended that you be clear about what you'd like to experience - wildlife, icebergs, or adventure. Don't try to cover everything.

2. Visit during the early season - November to Early December - to enjoy pristine ice and dramatic landscapes.

3. To enjoy penguin watching, consider traveling during the mid-season. Late season for whale sightings.

4. To experience polar extremes, you can travel south, crossing the Antarctic Circle.

5. Go for smaller ships to make your landings special and enjoy wildlife encounters.

6. Make your trip fun by adding hiking, kayaking, or camping on ice.

7. Enjoy walking on the historic routes once trodden by polar explorers.

8. Discover off-grid regions for even more excitement on your tour, such as the Ross Sea.

9. Don't forget to pack your camera gear since Antarctica is one of the most photogenic locations.

10. It is recommended that you book the Antarctica expedition about 6-12 months in advance because of limited departures and demand.

Experience the Voyage of a Lifetime

Having learnt the scope and depth of experience that you can have in Antarctica, you should now be more than willing to pack your bags and head to the southernmost frontier.

Antarctica 21, Azamara Club Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises, Viking Expeditions, and Windstar are some of the best cruises for your Antarctica cruise booking. Enjoy your time watching and interacting with the penguins, taking pictures of the magnificent acres of ice and snow, and various adventure activities that you can enjoy during your time in Antarctica.