Things to do in Antarctica for a family with small kids
An expedition to the frozen landscape of Antarctica may not be everyone’s idea of a family vacation,but if you love sharing the passion of exploring a thing of wonder,it is but natural to take the kids along because both of you are unlikely to forget the experience in your lifetime.
Best time of the year for Antarctica with kids
December to March are the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere and perfect for a Christmas holiday,away from both work and school.The weather is most predictable at this time of the year and the sun shine lasts as long as twenty hours in a day.
The long days provide ample opportunities to admire the beautiful landscapes and the wildlife which you are bound to encounter. Ships move smoothly as the seas are generally calmer and there is more space to manouveur the ships.
Children in Antarctica
Tours in Antarctica come at a very high price tag,so before you set out there are some things to keep in mind prior to committing a booking:
- Only children 8 years and above are welcome on an Antarctic voyage cruise ship.
- Children under 18 years must travel with a legal guardian and pay the same rate as of the adult traveler
- Childcare facilities are not available on cruise ships which means that their guardians would be responsible for their care at all times
Again before making a decision,it is important to do a thorough research of a suitable family-friendly cruise ship,considering factors like the ship’s safety measures and age-appropriate activities.You can also seek advice from others who have undertaken the trip with small children before.
What should children expect?
One thing is certain that everyday of the trip will be full of wonder and an introduction for your little children to be aware of the polar environment and the world in general because they will see so many things which many others may not get to see even in a lifetime.
Antarctica Menu
There are a number of popular destinations in Antarctica where children and adults can engage themselves in myriad of things to do when exploring on land.
Even on the cruise ship there is hardly a full moment with plenty of activities for kids like stargazing, island hopping,whale watching, kayaking and many more.
Best things to do in Antarctica
Go camping
During the peak summer months the sun hardly goes below the horizon and affords a unique opportunity to sleep out for a night on land in a bivouac bag or in a tent.
The experience is not so cold as it may seem and you either enjoy complete silence or catch sounds of whales blowing or calls of the Penguins.Return to your ship in the morning for a welcome breakfast.
Enjoy whale watching
If you travel to Antarctica in the month of March it is the peak season for whale watching. While children can enjoy the experience from the comfort of their cruise ship, the adults can get up close in kayaks to see these beautiful mammals.
One can expect to see in these ice-cold waters several species like humpback whales,Killer whales,Blue whales,Minke whales,southern white whales and sperm whales.
Say Hi to the Penguins
There are a number of different spieces of penguins in Antarctica which the young kids will adore watching.This depends on the island you are visiting,for example on Falkland Islands you are most likely to spot the Southern Rockhopper Penguin and the Magellanic Penguin variety.
In other places you can easily come across Emperor Penguin,King Penguin and the Chin-strap Penguin colonies in South Georgia and the burial ground of the most intrepid explorer of Antarctica,Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Visit Deception Island
After hanging out with penguins and watching whales it is time for the kids to learn about the human history which has manage to survive in these harsh conditions. Deception Bay is actually a camp on an active volcano and a marine sanctuary developed to safeguard the seals and whales which were almost wiped out using aggressive techniques long time back.
Numerous eruptions in the 60s brought down the structures and a visit to the island allows you to walk through the dilapidated structures and experience a real ghost town feel.
Go zodiac cruising
Zodiacs are basically small boats made of rubber with a shallow draft which makes them very dependable and safe for an exploration cruise sitting almost at water level. Each boat seats 8-12 pax plus a driver guide and does not require any experience at all.
Imagine the joy on your child’s face as you spot a leopard seal testing on an iceberg in front of an equally stunning glacier. Zodiac boats can be operated almost anywhere, either on land,ice or rocky beaches.
Interact with Polar experts
Once you are done with your zodiac excursions and camping adventures,educate the little ones by spending time with Antarctic scientists,biologists and historians who have in-depth knowledge about the continent and shows why a trip here is worth the money and effort.
Whether your child is a birder,a history buff or a marine life enthusiast,interacting with these experts will change their perspective about the white continent forever.
Spend time in Port Lockroy
Port Lockroy is natural harbor located on the western shore of Wiencke Island and an extremely popular stop for a majority of cruise ships that come to Antarctica.The harbor was at one time a whaling station and was formed into a military base during the second world war.
Today,Port Lockroy is an important research station and a town of historic importance having a museum,the penguin post office and serves as a halt point for explorers going further deep inside Antarctica.Half of the island is however close to visitors as it houses a large penguin colony.
Cruise through the Lemaire Channel
For the ultimate up-close views of icebergs and glaciers,enthrall your young children on a cruise through the awe-inspiring Lemaire Channel.Flanked by sheer cliffs on either side,as you cruise through this narrow passage,kids will literally have a whale of a time spotting behmoths and humpbacks in the waters below.
As you glide smoothly over the water in these gorgeous surroundings, lookout for orcas as well in the loose icebergs floating in the precarious 1600 m of available steering space.The scenery is a haven for photography enthusiasts interested in wildlife and is located on the Kiev Peninsula in Graham Land and is a must visit on any trip to Antarctica.
