Big Ice is Beautiful

Ice in the polar regions is nothing like the ice on a local pond in winter; nothing like skating rink ice or ice in a cocktail glass. Ice in the Arctic and Antarctic is thicker, taller, heavier and older than ice anwhere else on Earth. Yet it is fickle, and sometime elusive. Polar ice moves, contracts and expands. Wind and water currents can turn polar ice into a relentless enemy, yet it is friend to polar bears, penguins and walrus.

1 of 19
Where's the Zodiac amongst all this Big Ice?
Where's the Zodiac amongst all this Big Ice
The Arctic Ocean is covered in ice
Sediment from the glacier that calved this 'berg is visible
This photo is not Photoshopped!
Touching an iceberg in the Arctic
Striped Iceberg
Devon Island, Canadian Arctic
Chinstrap Penguins hitch a ride on an iceberg
Our icebreakers carry helicopters for aerial views of icebergs
Blue ice is old - thousands of years old
A midnight sun paints this 'berg pink
Their beauty is dangerous
Sea-kayaking among icebergs is thrilling
Devon Island, Canadian Arctic
Leopard seal - killer on ice
Alien architecture or iceberg?
Moonlight and iceberg in the Arctic
Looking like a fluffy cloud this iceberg is nearing the end of its journey
10 foot thick ice pushed aside by an icebreaker

The Best Places to See Big Ice in the Arctic

  1. Spitsbergen - Norway's Arctic Paradise
  2. Greenland - More icebergs are calved in Greenland than anywhere else in the Arctic

The Best Time to see Big Ice in Antarctica is November

Spring arrives in Antarctica in October. By November, the continent is shaking off the darkness of winter. Days are growing longer. The mountains of the Lemaire Channel are iced with snow. Pack ice bobs in small bays. The continent is pristine. There is no more beautiful time to visit Antarctica to photograph Big Ice.

You have a choice of 3 distinct itineraries:

  1. Antarctic Explorer - 11 or 12 days in the Peninsula
  2. Crossing the Circle - 15 days pushing south below the Antarctic Circle
  3. Explorers' Quest - 20 days - the Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands

Chat with a Polar Travel Adviser

Live Chat is available Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 8 PM eastern, and on Friday between 8:30 AM and 5 PM.


Or email us

Big Ice is Big Value

Early season travel in the polar regions always cost less than travel later in the season. Yet, the adventure is the same - landings, hikes and great wildlife viewing.

Back to Top