Antarctica – The White Continent: a guide to this extreme yacht charter destination /

Antarctica was once only the domain of explorers, whalers and scientists, but now with advances in naval architecture and navigation it is possible to charter a specialized vessel and make the epic journey to the White Continent.

The extreme weather and demanding conditions make a charter to Antarctica a unique adventure that must be undertaken with careful planning and specialist capabilities. Recent years have seen the emergence of a bold new breed of scout yacht that are ideal for this type of adventure, offering long range, high levels of safety and reliability plus the same luxurious interior and fittings as the best superyachts. Explorer yachts are also large volumes with plenty of room for guests, crew and equipment, making them desirable for longer cruises in the challenging Antarctic environment.

In short… they take you where you want to go.

The alien landscape of Antarctica is dominated by the ice, which is 2 miles (3.2 km) thick in places and covers 98% of the continent. Unlike the Arctic, Antarctica has land under the ice sheet and is the size of the US and Mexico, combined with more than 70 subglacial lakes. Icebergs appear with a blue hue and are carved and polished into gigantic towering structures that move eerily through the water and along permanent ice cliffs.

The inhospitable environment makes permanent human habitation impossible, but the continent is home to abundant wildlife… penguins, seals and whales – which have found remarkable ways to survive in the coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth.

The ice and wildlife are what fascinate visitors, and on an expedition charter yacht, it’s possible to enjoy every comfort as you explore: large staterooms with superior amenities, bubbling hot tubs on deck, specialty water toys, and chef-prepared meals served by a professional crew. Highly skilled captains and guides with expert ice navigation experience will keep visitors safe on board and strive to make the most of the conditions to maximize guest experiences.

Despite the harsh conditions, it is still possible to explore outside the yacht, as many carry special watercraft, toys and diving equipment. Hard tenders can support fishing expeditions, small dive boats will visit underwater landscapes, while stand-up paddleboards or kayaks allow guests to enjoy the silence broken only by sounds of moving ice and penguins skimming through the water. Some of the larger yachts also have helicopters that can take guests to remote spots where custom 4-wheel drive vehicles can drive across glaciers and snowfields in complete isolation. Visitors with the relevant qualifications can make use of the onboard diving equipment and dive master to experience a unique polar dive. A dip in the world’s coldest water will leave guests feeling refreshed and grateful for the onboard hot tub and sauna!

With the sun barely setting for 6 months of the year, 24-hour daylight creates a mysterious backdrop for evening alfresco dining on the deck. The sky glows with the Southern Lights, or aurora australis, and clouds made of tiny ice crystals create a phenomenon known as “diamond dust.” The polar ‘summer’ between November and March is the best time to visit and when temperatures range from 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit – warm for Antarctica!

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Detailed itineraries depend on sea, ice and weather conditions and are determined by the onboard Captain or Expedition Leader, who is likely to be knowledgeable about wildlife, historic sites, Antarctic research and the historic explorers who first traveled to the South Pole at 90 degrees south latitude.

Most charters depart from Argentina in South America, but it is possible to depart from New Zealand or meet your ship further south by helicopter. Tourism is closely monitored by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), an organization dedicated to promoting and conducting safe and environmentally responsible travel on the continent.

Longer charters can also include visits to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, where huge colonies of king penguins crowd the beaches of Salisbury Plain and thousands of giant elephant seals fight for space and breeding opportunities – fur seal pups can be spotted in the right season. It’s en route to the Antarctic Circle when the importance of a long-range hunt becomes apparent, as the 850 nautical miles take two days to reach the Antarctic Peninsula. Arrival at Elephant Island evokes thoughts of early Antarctic explorers, as 22 of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s men spent four long months here awaiting rescue.

The South Shetlands are the most accessible landmass in Antarctica and where guests can discover the controversial history of the seal and whaling industry. This is also where the Antarctic research stations are located, which may be visible from your charter yacht. Next stop is the Antarctic Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea – the premier ice cruising area. Icebergs break free from ice shelves before entering the Antarctic Sound. Guides may spend some time searching the ice for emperor penguins, which you may be lucky enough to see, even though they often disperse in the summer after the breeding season.

For those seeking the most remote and challenging environments to visit aboard a charter yacht, a trip to the Ross Sea will take you 2,000 nautical miles south of New Zealand. The sea is icebound for most of the year, but a short window in summer allows the strongest explorer yachts to see the vast expanses of ice and the hundred-year-old expedition huts of early explorers Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton.

Since days are spent in extreme elements, it is important for explorer yachts and their crews to provide a warm welcome to their guests. Many explorer yachts have extensive suites and there is often an owner’s suite where primary charter guests can enjoy a superior level of privacy. Other facilities include full bathtubs for a relaxing soak after a long day, saunas and even wellness spas. All suites are likely to be fitted with blinds and curtains to cut out 24-hour light, allowing guests a peaceful night’s sleep. The main saloon should be spacious, comfortable and inviting with a large dining table to seat everyone on board – indoor dining is more common on Antarctic charters. Since the crew is also on a long voyage, their accommodation will likely be generous and well-defined, ensuring privacy for guests and relaxing space for the crew.

The first ships to travel to Antarctica, such as the Discovery and the Endurance, are a far cry from today’s luxury explorer charter yachts that are safe and stable in extreme ocean conditions and may have a reinforced icebreaker hull. But the navigators and crew aboard those boats, whose names are forever associated with the area, paved the way for the lucky few to visit in the modern era of extreme charter vacations.

Trina Howes is a director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with outstanding yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.

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