Things to do in  Antarctica

Lying about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are one of Antarctica’s most visited regions thanks to its warmer climate (compared to other areas in Antarctica), abundant wildlife, and proximity to Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego. The South Shetland Islands are typically the first stop on any cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Often termed the Galapagos of the Antarctic, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are a biodiversity hotspot. This remote collection of islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean is home to a huge variety of seabirds, penguins, seals, and other marine life. Only accessible on extended cruises of the Antarctic, these islands are a must-see for wildlife lovers.

This island halfway between Australia and Antarctica is the only place in the world where rocks from the Earth’s mantle are exposed above sea level—a rocky formation known as the Macquarie Ridge. The remote island hosts seasonal migrations of penguins and seals, as well as some 3.5 million seabirds of 13 different species.

Located north of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands, Deception Island is a curious horseshoe-shaped island, which is actually a caldera of an active volcano. Deception Island is one of the most visited spots in Antarctica and is one of the few places in the world where a ship can sail directly into the center of an active volcano.

Located on a tiny island in Antarctica’s Palmer Archipelago, Goudier Island is home to a former British military base and research station, Port Lockroy. The base was renovated into a museum, souvenir shop, and post office in 1996 and is now one of the most visited tourist attractions on Antarctica. The island is also home to a large population of gentoo penguins.

The largest of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island (Isla Rey Jorge) is the first stop for many travelers making their way to Antarctica. Its scenic bays—which include Maxwell, Admiralty, and King George Bays—are home to much of the unique wildlife and scenery that draws intrepid travelers to the frozen south.