I traveled on board the M/V Ortelius to the Ross Sea and Antarctica as an independent press & media representative with Oceanwide Expeditions. All opinions are my own. 

10 Reasons to Visit Antarctica

Updated January 2026, 10 Reasons to Visit Antarctica was originally written in June 2017

Looking for reasons to visit Antarctica? Still pristine and barely touched, Antarctica is more than barren ice-covered landscapes. Unspoiled by mass tourism and beaconing you to visit its icy shores, now is a better time than ever to visit the polar continent.

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1. Penguin Antics

Really, who doesn’t love penguins? They’re the cutest and aren’t usually scared to get right up close and personal with Antarctic explorers.

2. Cool Ice Bergs

With icebergs larger than several small countries that have broken off the continent there’s ample opportunity to see Antarctica’s center stage star: the ice. But get there quick! With changes in the climate, the continent’s famed ice is melting faster now than ever.

3. The Desolation

Looking to get away from it all, literally? There’s no better place to escape the crowds, hectic city life and depressing fake news than Antarctica.

4. The Exciting History

History buffs rejoice! Walk in the footsteps of Antarctica’s explorers… Borchgrevink, Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen… just to name a few. These guys all had ample reasons to visit Antarctica, do you?

5. Antarctica’s For The Birds

Did you know Antarctica is chock full of exotic birds? Less colorful than their tropical counterparts, but oh so much more rare. Watch the graceful dives and spins of Skuas, Petrels and giant Albatross.

6. The Countless Glaciers

Glaciers on glaciers on glaciers! Get here quick, they’re melting and not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon

Antarctica is bursting with glaciers. There are thousands upon thousands. So many that several aren’t even named. But just like the Antarctic ice, glaciers are affected by the warming sea temperatures and melting at an astonishing rate.

7. Watch Sunset At The Lemaire Channel

Sunset reflections don’t get better than in the Lemaire Channel

Easily Lemaire Channel is the most scenic location in Antarctica. Sunset here is unbeatable with mirror-like reflections in the calm guarded waters of the famed channel.

8. Whale Watching

Watching orca whales from the helicopter just off the pack ice in McMurdo Sound area of the Ross Sea

Keep a pair of comfy slip-on shoes handy for that early wake-up call to come across the intercoms of your ship yelling at you to get on deck because the ship is surrounded by thousands of whales.

9. Face To Face With Seals

This Leopard Seal inched all the way across an ice flow in the middle of the Ross Sea to come over and peer straight down at us into our zodiac

Nothing is more an adrenaline rush than staring eye to eye with a giant seal that outweighs you 10-fold.

10. Unreal Landscapes

The landscapes are one of the best reasons to visit Antarctica. From the idyllic spine of mountains bisecting the famous Antarctic Peninsula to the flat barren nothingness of South Pole Station, otherworldly landscapes of McMurdo Dry Valleys, to cruising the ice floes of the Ross Sea with Mt. Eberus looming over you from ashore: Antarctica has a landscape for everyone.

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