When is the best time to visit polar regions?

The timing depends on where you're heading. Antarctica welcomes visitors from November to March, with the warmest and brightest days falling between December and February when you'll get more than 20 hours of daylight and temperatures around 32-35°F (0-2°C). If you're interested in the Arctic, plan your trip between June and September when temperatures are mild at 35-50°F (2-10°C). Summer in places like Disko Bay, Greenland gives you clear skies, plenty of whale sightings, and the unique experience of the midnight sun.

What wildlife will I see?

You'll see different animals depending on which pole you visit. In Antarctica, you'll spot several types of penguins including Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap and King penguins waddling about. Keep your eyes peeled for seals lounging on ice floes - Weddell, leopard, and elephant seals are common sights. In both polar regions, you might spot whales like humpbacks, minkes and orcas, plus lots of seabirds. One TourRadar traveler shared their excitement about "watching six whales doing a synchronized performance" during a Zodiac boat trip.

How much exploring can I do off the ship?

Most days you'll have two chances to leave the ship, usually for 2-3 hours each time, using small Zodiac boats to get around. The weather plays a big part in what's possible each day. If you're visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll likely spend 4-5 days going ashore to check out wildlife and landscapes. Arctic trips often mix nature exploration with visits to small communities like Itilleq or Qeqertarsuaq, giving you a taste of local life.

You'll need waterproof pants, warm layers, waterproof gloves, sun protection, and a camera with extra batteries. Many ships provide boots (usually US sizes 4-16) and expedition jackets as part of your trip. Pack for temperatures between 20-35°F (-6 to 2°C) in Antarctica, or 35-50°F (2-10°C) in the Arctic summer. The key is bringing clothes you can layer - you'll want to add or remove layers as conditions change throughout the day.

How rough is the sea journey?

The roughest part is usually crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica - sailors joke it's either the "Drake Lake" when calm or the "Drake Shake" when rough. While ships have stabilizers to help smooth things out, you might experience some rocky moments. The good news is that ship doctors have effective seasickness medication if you need it. The Arctic waters around Greenland's Disko Bay tend to be calmer, especially in summer.

What's included in the trip cost?

Your ticket covers your cabin, three daily meals plus snacks, guided trips off the ship, educational talks, expedition gear (boots and jackets), and transfers. Some companies, like Albatros Expeditions, include flights between Copenhagen and Greenland. You'll need to budget extra for your flights to the departure point, travel insurance, optional activities like kayaking (about $345-400), and anything you buy on the ship. Most trips cost between $7,000-40,000 depending on how long you're traveling and what kind of cabin you choose.

Polar Tours & Trips

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Polar
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer
4.3 (3 traveler reviews)
"Great trip. One of best ones ever."
Sam, traveled in January
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
Duration
11 days
From $18,025
NZ$15,321
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Polar
Journey to the Antarctic Circle
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"This trip was an 'excursion', not a 'cruise', so do not sign up if you are expecting multiple restaurants, live entertainment, or other such luxuries."
Jana, traveled in December
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
15% Off
Duration
14 days
From $20,030
NZ$17,026
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Polar
Greenland Disko Bay Discovered - 8 Days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, Qeqertarsuaq,Ilulissat,Sarfannguit,Itilleq+3 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$15,245
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Polar
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula - Ocean Victory & Ocean Albatros vessels
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"The crew, the food, the service is wonderful."
Xiao, traveled in November
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
12 to 80 year olds
Ships
Ocean Victory Ocean Albatros+1 ship
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Albatros Expeditions
15% Off
Duration
10 days
From $13,334
NZ$11,333
$2,858 now + easy payments of $858
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 11 Mar 2026
Pay today$2,858
10 easy payments$858
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10 easy payments$858
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Polar
Spitsbergen Adventure: Polar Lights & Arctic Nights
Destinations
Svalbard, Tromso, Longyearbyen
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
journaway
37% Off
Duration
9 days
From $7,246
NZ$4,576
$200 now + easy payments of $221
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 16 Mar 2026
Pay today$200
15 easy payments$221
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 16 Mar 2026
Pay today$200
15 easy payments$221
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Polar
6 day Yellowstone Winter Wonderland Tour
Destinations
Bozeman, Mammoth, Gardiner, Yellowstone National Park,West Yellowstone+1 more
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Regions
Western USAYellowstone National ParkRocky Mountains+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bindlestiff Tours
37% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$6,580
$332 now + easy payments of $485
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 20 Feb 2026
Pay today$332
13 easy payments$485
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 20 Feb 2026
Pay today$332
13 easy payments$485
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Polar
Crossing the Circle via Buenos Aires, Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"it was fantastic, exceeded my expectations. We had a very unique experience."
Lily, traveled in January
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+2 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
19% Off
Duration
14 days
From $37,169
NZ$30,180
$7,545 now + easy payments of $2,515
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 28 Feb 2026
Pay today$7,545
9 easy payments$2,515
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 28 Feb 2026
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9 easy payments$2,515
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Polar
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, Operated by Quark
4.7 (12 traveler reviews)
"A fabulous and memorable trip blessed by good weather, favourable ice conditions, calm seas and great wildlife sightings."
Nicola, traveled in February
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Ship
RCGS Resolute
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
Duration
14 days
From $40,029
NZ$36,025
$9,006 now + easy payments of $3,377
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 09 Feb 2026
Pay today$9,006
8 easy payments$3,377
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 09 Feb 2026
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8 easy payments$3,377
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Polar
Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure
Destinations
Muonionalusta
Age Range
16 to 80 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,940
$1,485 now + easy payments of $446
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
Pay today$1,485
10 easy payments$446
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
Pay today$1,485
10 easy payments$446
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Polar
West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Toronto, Kangerlussuaq, Disko Bay, Qeqqata
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
21% Off
Duration
10 days
From $18,040
NZ$14,190
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Polar
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Explorers and Kings, Operated by Quark
4.4 (19 traveler reviews)
"Visiting Antarctica, The Falklands and South georgia was a humbling experience... Rolling mountains, hearing the roar of avalanche, watching whales swim past the boat."
Poonam, traveled in January
Destinations
Argentina Falkland Islands England Chile
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
15% Off
Duration
20 days
From $58,949
NZ$50,105
$12,526 now + easy payments of $18,789
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Nov 2025
Pay today$12,526
2 easy payments$18,789
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Nov 2025
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2 easy payments$18,789
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
4.8 (20 traveler reviews)
"The Ocean Adventurer was the perfect ship for the voyage; the expedition team was knowledgable, fun, and took great care of us."
Adrish, traveled in January
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+1 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
20% Off
Duration
11 days
From $21,549
NZ$17,240
$4,371 now + easy payments of $1,311
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 07 Mar 2026
Pay today$4,371
10 easy payments$1,311
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 07 Mar 2026
Pay today$4,371
10 easy payments$1,311
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.6 (25 traveler reviews)
"Food is beyond expectation, with lot of variety. This is one of our memorable trips."
djamin, traveled in January
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
Duration
11 days
From $14,799
NZ$11,839
$2,368 now + easy payments of $592
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Mar 2026
Pay today$2,368
16 easy payments$592
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Mar 2026
Pay today$2,368
16 easy payments$592
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Polar
King Penguins of the Falklands and South Georgia - Expedition
Destinations
Uruguay Falkland Islands Chile Argentina
Age Range
16 to 99 year olds
Ship
MS Expedition
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
20% Off
Duration
22 days
From
NZ$25,850
$2,585 now + easy payments of $7,755
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Oct 2025
Pay today$2,585
3 easy payments$7,755
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Oct 2025
Pay today$2,585
3 easy payments$7,755
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Polar
Swedish Lapland: The Northern Lights
5.0 (20 traveler reviews)
"Amazing experience with yes trips seeing the northern lights! Highly recommended."
Dean, traveled in January
Destinations
Stockholm, Abisko National Park
Age Range
18 to 35 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Yes-Trips
20% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$1,333
$671 now + easy payments of $45
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 05 Mar 2026
Pay today$671
15 easy payments$45
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 05 Mar 2026
Pay today$671
15 easy payments$45
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