Antarctic Explorer

Written by Amy Slater

That First Look at Antartica

I’ll never forget the moment Antarctica came into view. After days of open ocean, suddenly there it was—massive icebergs, snowy mountains, and this crazy stillness that made everything feel kind of magical. I just stood there on deck, totally speechless (and freezing, let’s be honest), trying to take it all in. It felt like stepping into a postcard or a movie set—except it was real, and I was actually there. If you’ve ever dreamed of going somewhere that feels completely untouched, this is it.

Icebergs, Penguins and That “I’m Really here” Feeling

One of the best parts of the trip was getting off the ship and into the thick of it—cruising around in a little Zodiac boat, weaving between icebergs, and then actually stepping foot on Antarctica. We floated past seals lounging on the ice and penguins diving into the water like pros. Then we landed and hiked up a snowy ridge, surrounded by penguins waddling around like they owned the place (which, let’s be honest, they kind of do). Standing there, looking out over the icy landscape, it hit me: I’m really here. On Antarctica. Wild.

Whales, Orca, Seals….. Everywhere!

The wildlife in Antarctica is next-level. One morning, we spotted a group of humpback whales bubble-net feeding right near the ship—watching them work together like that was mind-blowing. Later, we saw orcas slicing through the water with that sleek, powerful grace that gives you chills. And the seals? Leopard Seals, Weddell Seals (Cutest), Antarctic Fur Seals – Chilling on Ice Bergs, Sleeping on a Rocky beach or giving the Chinstrap Penguins a hard time as they try and make their way to the water. It felt like being dropped into a nature documentary, except we were living it. If you’re an animal lover, this place will absolutely steal your heart.

Watching a Glacier Crash Into the Sea

Okay, this was wild. We were anchored in this quiet bay, just soaking up the views, when suddenly we heard this loud cracking sound. A huge chunk of glacier broke off and crashed into the ocean—it was like nature’s version of fireworks. The sound, the splash, the sheer size of it all… it gave me goosebumps (and not just from the cold). It was a reminder that this place is alive and always changing. If you ever get the chance to see something like that, take it.