Here are some general tips to help you plan your trip to see the Northern Lights:



Choose the right location. The Northern Lights are most commonly visible in the polar regions, including countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and in the USA in Alaska.



Check the solar activity. The Northern Lights are more likely to be visible when the sun is more active, which typically occurs during the solar maximum (the peak of the sun's 11-year cycle of activity). You can check the current solar activity on sites like www.spaceweather.com.



Consider the time of year: The Northern Lights are visible throughout the year in the polar regions, but the visibility can vary depending on the time of year. In general, the lights are more likely to be visible during the winter months, when the nights are longest. This is because the Earth's atmosphere is more effective at scattering the charged particles that cause the lights during the winter months.



Choose the right time of night: The Northern Lights are most commonly visible at night, and the best time to see them will vary but may typically around midnight but that will vary. This is because the Earth's magnetic field is most directly aligned with the charged particles from the sun at this time, which allows them to interact more effectively with the Earth's atmosphere.



Overall, the best time to see the Northern Lights is during the Fall and Winter months, when the sun is more active and the nights are the longest. To increase your chances of seeing the lights, visiting the Arctic as early as the end of August in Arctic and plan your trip around the solar maximum.

Antarctica is a place that stirs the imagination of intrepid travelers. It is remote, foreign to many, isolated, and a region with tourist experiences dictated by weather and ice. The reward for traveling to Antarctica is enjoying an experience that will transform the most experienced traveler - no one forgets their first trip to Antarctica! The sights, smells, and wildlife are like nowhere else on the planet.



The Antarctic tourist season is short and lies within the austral summer as it’s only then that a tourist can visit. The season runs from late October through to early March. Every single polar operator runs their programs in these months and at the end of the season, they head North to escape the oncoming brutal cold.



Tourism Regions

The predominant Antarctic tourism region encompasses the Falkland Islands, and South Sandwich Islands - including South Georgia, with most trips originating from Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. Recently though there are now tripsoriginating from Puerto Natlales, or even New Zealand and South Africa.



The majority of all Antarctica tourism experiences take place on and around the Antarctic Peninsula. At the northern extreme of the peninsula are the South Shetland Islands and, for many, these are their first introduction to the white continent. There are also tour operators that offer a multitude of experiences to the Ross Sea, the Weddell Sea, and further south, and in the West into the Bellingshausen Sea, well below the Antarctic Circle.



There is considerable variability in what to expect from October through to March. Whether it's the wildlife, the weather, or ice, the timing of your trip is important for an enriching and successful polar cruise. With that said there is no 'bad' time to go to Antarctica, except maybe in June or July.



Late October/November in Antarctica

November is traditionally the beginning of the polar cruise season in Antarctica, however, some cruise operators may begin to depart from Patagonia and Cape Horn at the end of October. These are the exceptions however as most polar cruise operators will begin their expedition cruises in November.



November is a transition month for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean can inevitably be a little unpredictable at this time of the year. Particularly, the Drake Passage which is a notoriously infamous body of water between South America and Antarctica. The Drake Passage is in itself a destination for sailing or maritime aficionados and something everyone should experience on a trip to Antarctica. There are options to avoid it altogether as certain expedition operators offer jet service from Punta Arenas to King George Island.



As temperatures begin to hover above freezing and as we near the austral summer months, this is the best time to see the ‘big ice’ and experience pristine snow conditions.



Late October and early November are good times to see courting and nesting penguins, as well as returning seabirds such as albatross. Many photographers will tell you that some of their best pictures are in November because of the ample clean snow in backgrounds and foregrounds.



December in Antarctica

December in Antarctica is when the tourist season begins in earnest, and many habitual polar explorers will say that this is the best month to visit Antarctica. It’s this time of the year when you can still get a blast of chilly air, and see lots of ice and pristine snow, while the weather will remind you of where you are and how lucky you are to have a warm, safe polar cruise ship to retreat inside.



Generally speaking, but not including the holiday season, polar cruise ships may have fewer guests onboard in December than the peak months of January and February. Guests often comment on the luxury of having just that little bit of extra elbow room onboard.



Average temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula in December can range from daily highs of +4 C (37.4 F) to lows of -2C (29F) but the temperatures and wind on the ocean can make it feel much cooler. Along with gradually warming temperatures, long days await you in December with nearly 24 hrs of daylight. The soft evening light at this time of the year is a photographer's dream come true.



Wildlife is much more active than in November, especially further north on the Peninsula at this time of the year. In particular, on the South Shetland Islands, you can see the start of the penguin (adelie, chinstrip, gentoo) hatching season.



As the days go by, ice conditions are starting to improve for ships gaining them more and more access further down the peninsula. The sea ice break-up truly begins in December giving more and more open water leading to plankton growth, which in turn invites the krill to feast, and eventually, the humpback, minke, and orca will migrate to feast in the cold but nutrient-rich waters.



January in Antarctica

January is the peak of tourist season and arguably one of the best time to visit Antarctica. The long days in late January are normally the ‘warmest’ temperatures and possibly the most ideal time for wildlife viewing. The first month of the year is the height of the austral summer and temperatures inland regularly climb as high as 14 -16 C (57.2 F-60.8 F).



At this time of year, many of the migrating cetaceans have now made their way to Antarctica, and sightings of humpback and minke are almost daily occurrences.



Penguin chicks are also hatching early i nthe month and seeing the small hatchlings in their fuzzy creches is a trip highlight for every guest.



Shore excursions and kayaking adventures are great in January, but will be offered all season, as conditions lend themselves to exploration with your expert polar guides. This is often the first chance many passengers will get to camp as well, a treat for any intrepid explorer.



February in Antarctica

Antarctica weather is changing in February, and typically later in the month, the seas can be a little rougher with the temperatures beginning to dip. In February 2020 a record was set as a land temperature was recorded at 18.3 C (64.9 F). The Polar Adventure Company was in Antarctica on that day and can attest to how shockingly warm it was! T-shirts were worn on deck!



One advantage to traveling in February is that most of the sea ice is broken up, meaning that ships are exploring further south, along the Antarctic Peninsula and towards the Arctic Circle. Shore-landings are easier for your Polar Guides as bays and harbors are more navigable and ice-free.



The wildlife, particularly the whales and even including orca, are more abundant. Open water, ice-free channels, and krill-laden waters mean that baleen-feeding whales are seemingly everywhere enjoying the unfettered access to their favorite food source.



Penguin chicks are soon fully-fledged and will be having to fend for themselves.



March in Antarctica

In March, temperatures begin to drop below freezing but wildlife is still very active and visible.



Penguin chicks have fluffy fledged and are beginning to flee to nest. Daylight hours begin to fade, and, as March turns to April, the winds begin to grow stronger and the temperatures plunge as winter begins to take hold. However, with fewer ships cruising during this month, early March is one of the best times to glimpse Antarctica without any ‘competition’ from other cruise ships!



The South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia are great places to explore in early March. The more northern South Shetland Islands, such as Deception Island and King George Island, are ideal shore landing destinations before the season comes to a close at the end of the month.