Categories: Antarctica

Choosing Your Antarctic Adventure: Ross Sea, East Antarctica, or the Antarctic Peninsula?

Starting to plan your Antarctic trip can feel overwhelming. With so many factors to consider—like the wildlife you’d love to see, the weather to expect, and the unique features of each region—choosing the right itinerary is a big decision.

This handy guide is here to make that choice easier by comparing the Ross Sea, East Antarctica, and the Antarctic Peninsula, so you can plan the ultimate Antarctic adventure.

The Antarctic Peninsula

Where is the Antarctic Peninsula?

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most accessible region of the continent, making it an ideal starting point for anyone looking to tick Antarctica off their travel bucket list. Extending towards South America, the peninsula boasts towering icebergs, dramatic fjords, and unparalleled wildlife viewing.

Our Antarctic voyages often begin here, exploring the region before venturing further south. The peninsula provides a perfect introduction to the continent’s frozen wilderness, combining stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and fascinating history.

What wildlife can I see on the Antarctic Peninsula?

The Antarctic Peninsula becomes a bustling metropolis of wildlife from late spring, when we commence our expeditions to Antarctica. For the best wildlife encounters, visit in the peak of summer, when tiny penguin chicks are growing quickly, and fur seal pups are being weaned. Here’s a glimpse of what you might encounter:

Penguins: The peninsula is home to thriving colonies of penguins, including gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins. These adorable, resilient birds are a highlight of any Antarctic expedition, whether they’re waddling across ice floes or tending to their chicks.
Seals: Leopard seals glide gracefully through the icy waters, fur seals playfully dart near Zodiacs, and Weddell seals rest serenely on ice floes. The region also offers the chance to spot elephant seals, once hunted extensively but now recovering in numbers.
Whales: The peninsula’s nutrient-rich waters attract a variety of whales, including humpbacks, minkes, and orcas. Witnessing these majestic creatures breach or dive is a memory that will stay with you forever. Late-season voyages in February and March are particularly rewarding for whale-watching enthusiasts.
Seabirds: From the elegant snow petrel to the majestic wandering albatross, the skies above the Antarctic Peninsula are alive with fascinating seabirds. Other species, such as Cape petrels, Antarctic terns, and skuas, can also be spotted soaring over the icy waters.

The Antarctic Peninsula’s Iconic Destinations

Our Antarctic Peninsula voyages immerse you in the heart of this incredible region, showcasing its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Here are just a few of the unforgettable destinations you might visit:

Paradise Harbour: This stunning inlet is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a chance to see gentoo penguins, minke whales, and seals against a backdrop of dramatic glaciers. Watch as massive slabs of ice calve thunderously into the water.
Port Lockroy: Known as the “penguin post office,” Port Lockroy is one of Antarctica’s most famous visitor sites. Explore the historic British military base, now a museum, send a postcard home, and meet its resident penguins.
Neko Harbour: Another breathtaking inlet, Neko Harbour offers spectacular glacier views, wildlife encounters, and opportunities for shore landings. It’s a photographer’s dream, with gentoo penguins and seals dotting the icy landscape.
Lemaire Channel: Nicknamed “Kodak Alley,” the Lemaire Channel is a narrow sea route flanked by towering peaks. As you navigate its waters, keep an eye out for orcas, humpbacks, and seals.
Deception Island: This active volcanic caldera offers a unique landscape of steaming beaches and ash-covered glaciers. Once a hub for whaling, its ruins now serve as a stark reminder of Antarctica’s history. Seals, penguins, and seabirds thrive here, making it a fascinating stop on any voyage.

The Ross Sea and East Antarctica

Where are the Ross Sea and East Antarctica?

This remote and scarcely touched region stretches across the southernmost reaches of the planet, bordered by the icy expanse of the Antarctic continent to the south and the towering peaks of the Transantarctic Mountains to the west. Here, where the Antarctic ice sheet meets the Southern Ocean, an otherworldly landscape of towering icebergs, expansive ice shelves, and vast stretches of sea ice unfolds.

The Ross Sea, with its crystalline waters and towering ice formations, serves as the gateway to this majestic realm. Named after the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who first discovered its icy waters in the 19th century, the Ross Sea is renowned for its rich biodiversity and historical significance. Along its shores, historic huts and remnants of early Antarctic expeditions stand as testament to the bravery and determination of the explorers who ventured into this frozen wilderness.

To the east lies East Antarctica, a vast and enigmatic landmass that encompasses nearly two-thirds of the Antarctic continent. Here, the landscape is dominated by immense ice sheets and glaciers, punctuated by towering mountain ranges and deep fjords. Despite its harsh and inhospitable environment, East Antarctica teems with life, from resilient penguin colonies to majestic albatrosses soaring overhead.

Together, the Ross Sea and East Antarctica form a region of unparalleled natural beauty and scientific importance – a region where the spirit of exploration lives on, and where the wonders of the natural world continue to inspire awe and wonder.

What Wildlife Can I See in the Ross Sea?

The Ross Sea and East Antarctica region is a haven for wildlife, despite its harsh and remote environment. From the depths of the Southern Ocean to the icy shores of the Antarctic continent, a diverse array of species call this pristine wilderness home.

Penguins: Adelie penguins, easily recognised by their striking black-and-white plumage, are the region’s most iconic inhabitants. Cape Adare in the Ross Sea is home to the world’s largest Adelie penguin colony, a spectacle of life in one of the most extreme environments. Emperor penguins, the largest penguin species, also inhabit this region, using the sea ice as breeding grounds. Remarkably, Cape Washington hosts the second-largest emperor penguin colony, and a new colony was discovered near the Ross Ice Shelf in 2023.
Seals: Weddell and crabeater seals are commonly seen resting on ice floes, while leopard seals, with their sleek, spotted coats, roam the waters as apex predators. These incredible animals, adapted to the extreme cold, are often spotted on sea ice or hunting in the nutrient-rich Southern Ocean.
Whales: The Ross Sea’s pristine waters provide feeding grounds for a variety of whale species, including humpback, minke, and fin whales. Orcas, or killer whales, also make appearances, adding to the region’s extraordinary wildlife spectacles.
Seabirds: The skies above are alive with seabirds, from the wandering albatross, known for its massive wingspan, to petrels, skuas, and fulmars. These birds thrive on fish and krill, showcasing the rich biodiversity of this untouched wilderness.

Ross Sea and East Antarctica’s Destination Highlights

Embark on a Ross Sea and East Antarctica expedition and witness nature’s grandeur alongside the echoes of human exploration. These are just a few of the extraordinary places you could discover:

Cape Hallett: Explore Seabee Hook, home to a significant Adelie penguin rookery, and visit the historic base of Greg Mortimer’s 1988 Bicentennial Antarctic Expedition.
Ross Ice Shelf: Witness the largest floating ice body in the world, spanning an area the size of France, and marvel at its sheer scale.
Transantarctic Mountains: Gaze at the ice-clad peaks of this colossal range that spans over 3,200 km, dividing East and West Antarctica.
Commonwealth Bay: Step back in time at Cape Denison, where the historic huts of Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition still stand as a testament to human endurance.

How Do You Get There?

Travelling to Antarctica depends on your itinerary:

Travelling to the Antarctic Peninsula

For those heading to the Antarctic Peninsula, most voyages depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. The journey begins with a two-day crossing of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Known for its unpredictable conditions, the Drake Passage is as much a rite of passage as it is an exhilarating start to your Antarctic adventure.

Or if you’d prefer to skip part of the crossing, fly/sail options are available, allowing you to fly over the Drake Passage in at least one direction, maximising your time exploring the peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula also serves as a gateway to other iconic destinations, such as South Georgia and the Falklands~Malvinas. Wildlife enthusiasts will be captivated by South Georgia’s teeming king penguin colonies and rich whaling history, while the Falklands~Malvinas combine local charm with incredible birdlife, including albatrosses and rockhopper penguins. For those seeking the ultimate adventure, some of our itineraries offer the opportunity to venture south of the Antarctic Circle, offering a rare opportunity to witness the stark beauty of this less-explored part of the continent.

Travelling to the Ross Sea and East Antarctica

Voyages to the Ross Sea and East Antarctica depart from Hobart, Australia, or Dunedin, New Zealand, and begin with a picturesque journey across the Southern Ocean. With 3–4 sea days en route to the Antarctic continent, you’ll have ample time to enjoy the ship’s enrichment programs, spot soaring seabirds, and gear up for the icy landscapes that await.

Plus, on the way, you’ll have the unique opportunity to explore the Australian and New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands, including Macquarie Island and the Auckland Islands. These UNESCO World Heritage sites are teeming with wildlife, such as royal penguins, endemic birds, and seals. These remote and rarely visited islands provide a stunning introduction to the polar regions, with dramatic landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity.

Explore Both Regions in One

For those who can’t choose and want to experience it all, our Epic Antarctica voyage is the ultimate adventure. Starting in Dunedin, New Zealand, this journey explores the Australian and New Zealand Sub-Antarctic islands, the Ross Sea, and East Antarctica before crossing the continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring all the incredible sights in between, and finally disembarking in Ushuaia, Argentina.

This comprehensive voyage spans 34 days and offers the chance to see a wide range of wildlife, historic sites, and breathtaking scenery.

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Antarctica?

No matter which region you choose, an Antarctic expedition promises breathtaking scenery, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and memories to last a lifetime.

Start planning your ultimate Antarctic adventure today, browse some of our most popular Antarctic expeditions below or download or order our latest brochure to view the full range of itineraries. To book, contact our expert team or request an online quote.

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