Shrouded in ice, snow and a component of thriller, Antarctica is as unknown as they get
When travellers describe far-off locations, they’re most likely pondering of locations like Antarctica. A vacation spot requiring an epic journey, specialised gear and educated professionals. The place the panorama feels virtually as otherworldly because the floor of the moon and whose uniquely tailored wildlife enormously outnumbers any human inhabitants.
Setting our sights due south, let’s uncover the best myths about our icy southern continent.
Delusion 1: The Drake Passage is admittedly scary
Referred to as one of many roughest seas on the planet, it’s no marvel the Drake Passage has churned up a little bit of hype. Those that have confronted off towards this assembly place of ocean and wind have earned themselves a pat on the again. That’s if you had been met with the Drake Shake and never the Drake Lake – extra on that later.
What’s so scary in regards to the Drake Passage?
The Drake Passage is a stretch of water between South America and Antarctica, the place the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet.
One notable attribute of the Drake Passage is that it’s very unpredictable. You might get easy lake-like situations often called the ‘Drake Lake’ or the tough various: the ‘Drake Shake.’
For those who do get the Drake Shake, know that when you’re incomes your Passage stripes, you’ll be well-protected and well-taken care of.
Ships that constitution this passage, together with Intrepid’s ships, are sometimes ice-strengthened and purpose-built for the situations. Equally, your crew shall be a hardy, well-trained bunch who navigate these waters in all situations a number of occasions a yr. There may even be an onboard physician who’s skilled in treating seasickness. Have a chat with them earlier than the passage should you’re feeling a little bit apprehensive.
And throughout the crossing days, there’s lots to maintain you distracted. Why not find out about your arrival vacation spot with onboard Antarctica consultants, and even get your coronary heart price going – or slowing – within the fitness center, spa or sauna?
Tips on how to hack the Drake Passage, learn your information to tackling the Drake Passage
Delusion 2: I’ll be too seasick on the ship to get pleasure from a visit to Antarctica
Other than the passage, the waters instantly surrounding Antarctica are extremely easy, so it’s unlikely you’ll have any issues while you get there.
Whether or not you’re somebody who is aware of they get seasick or when you’ve got by no means skilled tough waters, it’s advisable that everybody comes ready to keep away from white-knuckling the railing. Seek the advice of your physician about doable medicine and take cautionary measures like avoiding greasy meals and alcohol. And as at all times, regulate the horizon and attempt to get some contemporary air.
Insider tip: though they will’t be assured, attempt to request a central, center cabin which may be much less affected by the situations.
However whether or not you select to experience out the journey in your cabin or up with others within the lounge – know that it’s simply part of travelling to Antarctica – no ache, no acquire, in any case.
Delusion 3: A visit to Antarctica will value me my life’s financial savings.
I’ll preserve it actual: Antarctica is without doubt one of the most distant locations on the planet; it’s not going to be a fast or low-cost journey. However truthfully, you most likely wouldn’t need this to be a ‘low-cost’ journey as Antarctica is an advanced place; you need to know you’re in secure fingers.
Ships are purpose-built, crews are extremely educated and corporations are well-equipped to assist the journey. So, will probably be greater than your common vacation spend, however that is Antarctica – type of goes with the territory.
Delusion 4: I’ll get actually bored on the journey days
Not like ye olden days when boats took lengthy, tedious journeys, at present’s expedition cruises have seen Twenty first-century upgrades.
Take Intrepid’s Ocean Endeavour. This ship has an onboard fitness center, spa, library, bar, boutique, pool, yoga courses and every day expert-led data periods, to not point out the wi-fi and TVs in each cabin.
And hey, should you’re fortunate, it’s possible you’ll even get some free leisure taking part in conceal and search with passing whales.
Delusion 5: It’s actually harmful to go to Antarctica
Similar to in every other chilly local weather, there might be moments of excessive winds and elevated snowfall. Relaxation assured, your crew will at all times be monitoring the climate and are fast to make itinerary adjustments to minimize the consequences of antagonistic climate.
Nonetheless, importantly, you’ll want to return ready with specialty gear – as this isn’t your common out of doors expedition. Intrepid ships will offer you a water-proof jacket and rubber boots, however you will want to ensure you’re stocked up on the proper clothes for any and all climate situations – to your personal security, you is probably not let off the ship should you’re not sporting the proper clothes.
You’ll want waterproof pants, high quality beanies, gloves, base layers and mid-layers to put on underneath the jacket and pants. Make sure you’ve learn the supplied packing lists fastidiously.
Learn Intrepid’s information on what to pack for Antarctica
Is Antarctica’s wildlife harmful?
There’s not a lot to fret about relating to harmful wildlife encounters in Antarctica. Intrepid, alongside different operators, should abide by strict Antarctica codes about sustaining distance from wildlife; so long as you’re too, try to be secure round any animals.
In abstract, don’t pet the penguins.
Delusion 6: A visit to Antarctica is not good for the setting
At its core, visiting Antarctica is about educating and sharing the wonders of wildlife and the significance of preserving the environment. Intrepid works to be a accountable tour operator in a couple of methods.
The primary: Intrepid is a member of the Worldwide Affiliation of Antarctic Tour Operators (IATTO). Being an IATTO member means working throughout the parameters of the Antarctica Treaty to practise secure and environmentally accountable journey to the continent.
The second is partaking in accountable journey practices. These embrace:
- Responsibly sourcing onboard supplies, from sustainable seafood to cleansing merchandise,
- Carrying all waste out of Antarctica and avoiding, the place doable, single-use plastic, together with plastic straws,
- Guaranteeing all objects, each worn and carried, are freed from international matter earlier than going ashore,
- Carbon off-setting emissions.
Delusion 7: It’s simply one other cruise
Need to know the distinction between a daily cruise and an Antarctica expedition cruise? For starters, as an alternative of hundreds of passengers, Intrepid ships carry lower than 200 folks.
Second, as an alternative of bingo, casinos and different traditional cruise fare, your days shall be spent zipping round on Zodiacs, strolling on land to stand up near the wildlife, studying easy methods to turn into an Antarctica wildlife photographer, becoming a member of citizen science applications or listening to the expedition consultants throughout the onboard lecture applications.
And if you’d like extra pleasure, Intrepid’s polar cruises additionally provide a ton of actions to get you even nearer to the Antarctic motion. Take part on non-compulsory paid actions like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, in a single day ice tenting and extra.
So, much less like your typical cruise and extra like a summer season camp within the coolest place on Earth. Cool, proper?
Traveller tales: My journey to Antarctica was like a grown-up summer season camp at sea
Delusion 8: There’s not a lot to see, it’s simply ice and water
So, this is probably not an actual delusion, however in case you had been questioning, ‘What’s the enchantment?’ – right here’s why folks spend their hard-earned money and sort out the Drake Passage to go to Antarctica.
Together with the panorama of jutting snow-topped mountains and close to luminescent icebergs, Antarctica’s land, water and skies are residence to 235 uniquely tailored species. A few of their most intriguing are:
- Cute waddlers just like the chinstrap, emperor and king penguins,
- Cute Antarctic fur seals, bizarre-looking Southern elephant seals and carnivorous leopard seals,
- Mammoth ocean dwellers akin to blue, humpback and fin whales in addition to the formidable Antarctic orcas.
Phrases could by no means have the ability to convey what it’s to be on this elusive seventh continent, however there’s this: Antarctica is a spot that genuinely strikes folks to tears.
Now you’ve uncovered the myths, will you be setting sail for The Ice?
Try Intrepid’s Antarctica journeys.
