Exploring amid the icebergs, glaciers and ice floes of the White Continent you find an abundance
of wildlife. And although it’s thought too cold for plant life to flourish, there are several species
of flora to see on an Antarctica expedition.
of wildlife. And although it’s thought too cold for plant life to flourish, there are several species
of flora to see on an Antarctica expedition.
Antarctica thrives with incredible wildlife
Below are the best times of the year to look for these awe-inspiring possible sights
Below are the best times of the year to look for these awe-inspiring possible sights
November
- Seabird courting season end of month
- King penguins lay eggs in South Georgia
- Fur seals mating in South Georgia
- Adélie Penguins – Engage in courtship displays, such as stone gifting to potential partners for nest building.
- Gentoo Penguins – Begin assembling nests and courting mates with trumpet calls and head bobbing.
- Chinstrap Penguins – Courtship rituals involve vocalizations and impressive displays of affection, using small stones as building blocks for nests.
- Weddell Seals – Females can be seen caring for pups born in October.
- Crabeater Seals – Their pristine white coats blend perfectly with the snow, so look closely to find them lounging.
- Leopard Seals – After 9 months of gestation, females give birth to a single pup on a snow-covered shore or on sea ice.
- Antarctic Fur Seals – Once males have established their territories, females begin to arrive to give birth.
- Humpback Whales – These gentle giants are famous for breaching in acrobatic movements and resonating vocalizations.
- Minke Whales – This is the beginning of their return to Antarctic feeding grounds after long migrations.
- Seabirds in the Antarctic Peninsula
- Petrels – These graceful fliers begin forming flocks and selecting nesting sites amid the Peninsula.
- Skuas – Large and powerful, they are often seen patrolling penguin colonies on the hunt for unattended eggs.
- Antarctic Terns – Elegant and vibrant, they are most often spotted performing aerial displays overhead.
All the information on this page and the following pages is from Atlas Ocean Voyages
