Magnificently inhospitable, the one time the Antarctic yields to cruises is during its summer spell. This takes place from November to late March, and within this period there’s no optimal window – just different natural spectacles to be seen at different times.
In the early stages of summer there’ll still be a glistening covering of snow right up the water’s edge, with highways built by penguins to get to and from their nests. Penguins can also be seen courting and laying eggs at this time before they hatch out between December and February.
February to March is the time to spot whales breeching as they return to feed, and fledgling penguins waddling about and chasing their parents for food.
