Arctic or Antarctic: which one should you see first? | Travel News

Arctic

 

Unlike continental Antarctica, the Arctic is an ice-covered ocean encircled by land masses like Greenland, Norway, Russia, Canada, and Alaska. Wildlife can be harder to spot here compared to Antarctica, though nearly every visitor hopes to see a polar bear—Svalbard in Norway is often regarded as the best place for such sightings.

Exploring vast parts of the Arctic is most easily done on an expedition cruise, which in some remote areas might be the only option. However, many also opt for land-based stays in regions like Arctic Scandinavia, where the Northern Lights frequently light up the winter skies. One notable difference is that while Antarctica is primarily a summer destination, the Arctic welcomes visitors throughout the year.

According to Alex McNeil, the Arctic unfolds gradually, unlike the instantly awe-inspiring Antarctic landscapes, which can take a few days for the full impact to settle in. He also points out that while Antarctica is visited by a small, temporary group of researchers, the Arctic has a rich human history, exemplified by the enduring Inuit culture that dates back thousands of years.

Antarctic

 

Reaching Antarctica almost always involves joining a cruise, even though much of the experience occurs north of the Antarctic Circle. The most popular starting point is Ushuaia at South America’s southern tip, favored for its closeness to the Antarctic Peninsula. Alternatively, one can fly from Patagonia to the South Shetland Islands to skip the Drake Passage, though a cruise is still required afterward.

Other cruises set off from places like Hobart in Australia or Invercargill and Bluff in New Zealand, heading for destinations such as the Ross Ice Shelf. As Kieron Tebbutt explains, traveling to Antarctica feels like embarking on a genuine expedition—apart from a few research stations, it’s like stepping back into a time before modern civilization. The Antarctic travel season runs from October to March: early in the season, the ice is at its clearest; December and January offer the warmest weather, long days, and plenty of adorable penguin hatchlings; and February is the prime time for whale watching. Tebbutt adds that the sheer abundance of wildlife and scenery in Antarctica creates an overwhelming sensory experience, whether you’re among vast penguin rookeries or cruising in small Zodiac boats past icebergs, leopard seals, and minke whales.