Antarctica / South Pole Tours in December 2025
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10 best Antarctica / South Pole tour packages in December
Compiled by

MelissaAntarctica / South Pole travel expert at TourRadar
- Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
- Antarctica Classic in Depth
- Christmas in Antarctica
- Sporty Basecamp in the Antarctic
- Classic Antarctica - 11 days
- Torres del Paine O Trek & Navarino Trek - Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego 16 Days
- The Ultimate Antarctica Experience- Quest for the Circle, 12 Days
- Epic Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica
- Antarctica: The White Continent (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia) (2025)
- Antarctica Classic
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Intrepid Travel December departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left 10 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left From
- NZ$29,510
Antarctica Classic in Depth
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything is exceptionally well-organized, and I truly appreciate their hard work in making this an unforgettable experience.”
Naveen, traveled in November
Duration 13 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures December departure dates
1 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left From $21,899
30% Off- NZ$15,329You save $6,570
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions December departure dates
17 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$20,214
Duration 13 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia December departure dates
See All Departure Dates9 Dec, 2025 10 spaces left 16 Dec, 2025 10 spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$17,708
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 15+ Operator On The Go Tours December departure dates
1 Dec, 2025 4 spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$13,265
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Albatros Expeditions December departure dates
5 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$20,386
Duration 19 days Destinations Argentina, Falkland Islands, Chile, Antarctica Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Albatros Expeditions December departure dates
16 Dec, 2025 10+ spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$31,011
Duration 12 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette December departure dates
26 Dec, 2025 9 spaces left From
30% Off- NZ$11,549+$2,600 upfront costs
Antarctica Classic
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Food is beyond expectation, with lot of variety. This is one of our memorable trips.”
djamin, traveled in January
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures December departure dates
12 Dec, 2025 5 spaces left From $14,999
25% Off- NZ$11,249You save $3,750
What people love about Antarctica / South Pole Tours in December
- Antarctica Classic
Excellent! From the moment of booking till the moment of disembarkation everyone was incredible. Every question we had months before we embarked was answered within hours. The cruise itself was outstanding and a once in a lifetime experience! Well done to Jenny & Crew!!
- Antarctica Classic in Depth
The crew is incredibly caring and shares a wealth of knowledge about Antarctica and its unique biosphere. Everything is exceptionally well-organized, and I truly appreciate their hard work in making this an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour! With six days on the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll have ample opportunities for kayaking and landings, weather permitting. I would absolutely love to do it again!
What our customers ask about Antarctica / South Pole Tours in December 2025
What is the weather like in Antarctica during December?
December brings milder conditions to Antarctica with temperatures between 20°F to 40°F (-6°C to 4°C). The region experiences the Midnight Sun phenomenon creating nearly 24 hours of daylight. This makes December particularly good for exploring and photographing the landscape. Weather tends to be more predictable during this time with TourRadar travelers reporting comfortable conditions. One visitor to Paradise Bay commented "We had sunshine and no wind and boiled in our thermals."
What wildlife can I see in Antarctica during December?
December marks peak wildlife activity across the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Visitors can watch penguin chicks emerge at colonies of Gentoo Adelie and Chinstrap penguins particularly at Neko Harbour and Petermann Island. The waters come alive with leopard seals hunting near penguin colonies while humpback and minke whales return to feed. A TourRadar traveler noted that "the pristine environment in Antarctica needs to be seen and felt to be appreciated" with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities around Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel.
What are the best locations to visit in Antarctica during December?
December's melting sea ice opens up key Antarctic locations including the Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay and Lemaire Channel. The Antarctic Peninsula becomes fully accessible allowing visits to Port Lockroy's historic British research station and Neko Harbour's impressive glaciers. The South Shetland Islands especially King George Island provide excellent landing spots. TourRadar travelers highlight Paradise Bay and the Neumayer Channel for their "breathtaking landscapes with calving glaciers framed by alpine peaks."
How rough is the Drake Passage crossing in December?
The Drake Passage typically offers more stable sailing conditions during December though rough seas remain possible. Modern vessels like the Ocean Victory and Ocean Albatros use X-Bow technology to improve stability. Travelers seeking to avoid the crossing can choose fly-cruise options such as Exodus Adventure Travels' "Antarctic Express" which replaces the two-day ship crossing with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. Recent travelers note that newer expedition ships provide "exceptional stability at sea."
What is the price range for Antarctic cruises in December?
Antarctic expeditions in December start at USD 9245 reaching up to USD 20995 per person. The 8-day "Antarctic Express" fly-cruise begins at USD 20995 while traditional 12-day voyages like Poseidon Expeditions' "Christmas in Antarctica" start from USD 10395. Adventure-focused basecamp cruises with included activities begin around USD 9245. TourRadar travelers often note the "impeccable procedures" and "good value" considering the all-inclusive nature of these expeditions.
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