Top 10 Places to Visit in Antarctica During Your Tour
Antarctica, also known as the White Continent, is unlike any other place on Earth. With its dramatic ice formations, curious wildlife, and vast, untouched landscapes, it feels both ancient and otherworldly. However, while the continent may appear isolated and inhospitable, it offers a surprising variety of experiences and locations that can be explored on an expedition cruise. From scientific bases and penguin colonies to active volcanoes and towering glaciers, this southernmost continent is a destination of extremes.
In this Antarctica exploration guide, we take a closer look at the top destinations in Antarctica that are commonly included in cruise itineraries. These locations are chosen for their ecological importance, historical significance, scenic beauty, and accessibility during the Australian summer months. Whether you’re travelling for the icebergs, the wildlife, or the pure silence, these are the places to visit in Antarctica that you’ll recall for the rest of your life.
At Meraki Diaries, we help travellers connect deeply with the places they journey through. Antarctica, especially, invites stillness, awe, and reflection. Our curated polar journeys prioritise comfort, insight, and meaningful experience; perfect for travellers who want to engage thoughtfully with this remote environment.
If you’re wondering about the most iconic and rewarding places to visit in Antarctica, the following ten destinations unfailingly appear on well-designed cruise itineraries. Each one offers a different window into the continent’s beauty, from wildlife encounters to natural phenomena, and from historical remains to geological surprises.
The South Shetland Islands are usually the first landing point for most Antarctic cruises. Located just 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula, these islands are known for their rugged beauty and abundant wildlife. You’ll find chinstrap and gentoo penguins, giant petrels, and occasionally elephant seals lounging on black volcanic beaches.
Deception Island, one of the most famous spots in the group, is the site of a submerged volcano whose flooded caldera forms a natural harbour. This is one of the few Antarctic tourist attractions where you can set foot inside an active volcano. Its geothermal activity even allows for a warm sand bath if conditions are right.
These islands provide a dramatic and accessible introduction to the continent, making them a recurring favourite in most Antarctica itinerary ideas.
True to its name, Paradise Harbour is known for its stunning scenery and serene atmosphere. Massive glaciers plunge into the sea, ice cliffs tower around the bay, and humpback whales are often seen feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.
What makes this destination one of the top sights in Antarctica is the contrast between its silence and grandeur. Landings here often include visits to Argentine and Chilean research stations, where you can learn more about scientific life in Antarctica.
For photographers, this is one of the most scenic locations in Antarctica, offering striking light, reflections, and wildlife.
It is one of the few locations on the Antarctic mainland that is accessible to cruise travellers. This makes it an essential entry on any list of must-see spots in Antarctica. Framed by glaciers and icy peaks, the harbour allows for a true sense of walking on the “seventh continent.”
Zodiac landings at Neko Harbour are often followed by short hikes offering panoramic views of Andvord Bay. Here, gentoo penguins nest near visitor trails, and the thunder of calving glaciers serves as a backdrop to your exploration.
Because of its direct access to the mainland, Neko Harbour is often a highlight on many Antarctica tour highlights lists.
Nicknamed “Kodak Gap,” the Lemaire Channel is one of the most photographed natural wonders in the world. This narrow waterway is flanked by cliffs of ice and rock that rise nearly 1,000 metres from the sea. The channel itself is often filled with floating icebergs, making navigation both challenging and exhilarating.
Sailing through the Lemaire Channel feels like drifting through an ice cathedral. The reflections on the water, the occasional sightings of whales or seals on ice floes, and the silent passage between towering walls of ice make this one of the best places in Antarctica for scenic cruising.
Because landings are not always possible here, it’s the experience of the sail-through that becomes the highlight.
Port Lockroy is one of the most visited historical sites in Antarctica. Once a British military base during World War II, it now operates as a museum and post office. Managed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, the base showcases what life was like during the early years of exploration and science on the continent.
For many, it’s a surprising entry in their Antarctica cruise stops — a place where you can send a postcard home from the end of the world. The site is also home to a thriving gentoo penguin colony, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife observation.
This juxtaposition of history, nature, and human resilience makes Port Lockroy one of the most remarkable landmarks to visit.
Cuverville Island is a small rocky outcrop situated between the Arctowski Peninsula and Rongé Island. Despite its size, it is home to one of the largest known colonies of gentoo penguins. Birdwatchers and photographers will find this one of the most rewarding wildlife spots in Antarctica, as the birds are often seen waddling along marked paths, utterly unfazed by human presence.
In addition to penguins, you might spot skuas and snowy sheathbills, as well as leopard seals patrolling offshore. The surrounding icebergs, usually grounded in the shallow bay, add a surreal dimension to every photograph taken here.
Cuverville is frequently included in Antarctica itinerary ideas, especially for those prioritising close wildlife encounters.
Located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Sound is famous for its tabular icebergs — giant, flat-topped icebergs that break away from the Larsen Ice Shelf and drift north. These colossal floating ice platforms are among the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the Antarctic.
The Sound is also known for its historical significance, as the Swedish Antarctic Expedition passed through here in 1902. In addition to its towering ice, the region is home to Adélie penguins and Weddell seals.
If you are curious about where to go in Antarctica to witness the dramatic power of nature, this should be high on your list.
Brown Bluff sits on the Tabarin Peninsula and is one of the most geologically striking top destinations in Antarctica. It is a volcanic formation, with reddish-brown cliffs rising directly from the shoreline — a rare contrast against the surrounding white.
It is also a hotspot for wildlife. You’ll see Adélie and gentoo penguins, sometimes side by side. The beach is often dotted with pieces of volcanic rock, and ice formations cling to the cliffs in strange, wind-carved shapes.
This site allows for meaningful exploration on foot, with clear walking paths and close-up views of nesting birds, making it one of the more engaging Antarctica tourist attractions for families.
Nicknamed “Whale-mina Bay” for its abundant whale sightings, Wilhelmina Bay is one of the best places for marine life. Humpback whales are regularly seen feeding and breaching here, especially during the peak of the Austral summer.
Soaring mountains and expansive glaciers surround the bay. Kayaking is sometimes offered in calm conditions, allowing visitors a close view of icebergs and marine wildlife.
For anyone seeking top sights in Antarctica focused on marine observation, this bay delivers exceptional experiences in a relatively sheltered environment.
These two locations are often visited together, providing a balance of scenic cruising and on-foot exploration. Mikkelsen Harbour features a small Argentine refuge and is home to a large pseal population. Trinity Island, located nearby, features dramatic ice cliffs and an icy inlet that is often filled with small icebergs and floes.
Both locations are less crowded than other popular spots and provide a more contemplative version of Antarctic travel. They are often included in specialist itineraries, making them a hidden gem within the larger Antarctica exploration guide.
A trip to Antarctica is a privilege and a responsibility. As tourism grows in this fragile ecosystem, it becomes increasingly critical to choose your travel partners carefully. At Meraki Diaries, we work closely with ethical cruise operators who follow strict environmental protocols and provide deep, respectful engagement with Antarctica’s landscapes and wildlife.
From selecting the correct route to preparing your packing list, we guide our travellers through every detail of an unforgettable journey south.
These ten destinations represent just a portion of what Antarctica has to share. From steaming calderas and active glaciers to penguin-covered beaches and quiet scientific outposts, each site on this list reveals a distinct aspect of the continent.
If you are wondering where to go in Antarctica to experience the extremes of nature truly, these Antarctica tour highlights provide an excellent starting point. The journey may take you far, but what you discover along the way will stay with you long after the ice fades from view.
