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W ildlife Cruising / Antarctica
Highlights
October and November
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King Penguin
Winter pack ice is beginning to melt and break up, this is early summer. The scenery is clean and pristine. The courting season for penguins and seabirds is at its height. Spring wildflowers are at their best in the Falklands and South Georgia. Elephant seals establish their breeding territories. Antarcticas warmest months and longest days, this is mid-summer. Most penguin chicks hatch. Seal pups are visible on South Georgia and the Falklands. Whale sightings begin to increase. The end of the Antarctic summer. Whale sightings are generally at their best. Minke, and Orca Whales are often found between the ice floes. Penguin chicks fledge and leave their colonies. Adult penguins moult onshore. More fur seals are visible on the Antarctic Peninsula. Fur seals and Elephant seals haul out on the beaches and start to moult.
December and January
February and March
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T
he Antarctic voyages of the Austral Summer echo the
The smaller vessels we prefer to use also allow you more time with the experts on board and whilst on excursions off the ship. For some this is a once in a lifetime experience, although we find that many return time and time again to this truly unique continent.
Climate
Crossings of the Southern Ocean can be quite easy and severe storms are infrequent in the southern summer months. They may occur, but visitors to the Antarctic Peninsula region need not expect very bad weather as a matter of course as the narrow waterways are quite protected. Likewise, sunny days are common in Greater Antarctica and the sun even shines among the sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Although visitors should be prepared for cold weather at any time, it is surprising how often it can seem almost too warm to wear a parka. The average summer temperature is near freezing.
journeys of the great explorers. Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton, Scott and others as you view some of the most exciting wildlife in the world. Vast colonies of penguins, seals and seabirds live unlike anywhere else against a vast backdrop of white wilderness with soaring glaciers, cliffs and icebergs. Humpback, Minke, Southern Right, Blue, Fin, Sei, Orca, Pilot and Sperm Whales are regularly seen in these waters. Some of the vessels we work with have full icebreaking capability, allowing them to reach areas not possible on lighter weight vessels.
Crabeater Seals
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