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Planning your Antarctica journey? Discover the best films, books, and documentaries to enjoy before your journey, from incredible wildlife to the stories of early explorers.
Antarctica is unlike any other destination on Earth. A land of extremes, home to extraordinary wildlife and a long legacy of daring exploration, from Sir Ernest Shackleton to Caroline Mikkelsen, often credited as the first woman to set foot on Antarctica. Understanding its environment and history before you travel will make your Antarctica travel experience far richer.
It is the most remote continent on Earth, drawing more than 122,000 visitors each season according to IAATO. If you're planning an Antarctica tour, here are five things to watch and read before you set sail.
1. Frozen Planet
The multi-award winning Frozen Planet (2011) is a masterful docuseries about the polar regions. While it highlights Antarctica, the program also goes beyond the icy continent to the vast North Pole. Modern technology gave these cinematographers access to never-before-seen places, allowing them to capture rare footage from deep beneath the ice, such as polar volcano eruptions and the animals that inhabit the depths of the polar oceans. Think breathtaking footage of penguins in Antarctica huddling together to keep warm, families of orcas hunting for their next meal, and polar bears in the Arctic (not Antarctica), all narrated by the one and only, Sir David Attenborough.
This series is essential viewing for anyone planning an Antarctica tour or simply fascinated by its extreme environments, as it discusses the impact of climate change on polar regions and how shrinking ice and warming seas affect wildlife. For travellers, it’s an important primer on Antarctica’s environment, sharpening your sense of its fragility and importance.
2. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
In 1914, explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton set sail on the ship Endurance in search of the South Pole. Shackleton and his crew of 27 planned to traverse Antarctica on foot, but just a few months into the journey their ship became trapped and was eventually crushed by ice. Stranded in the world’s harshest conditions with no hope of rescue, Alfred Lansing’s non-fiction book, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, is the harrowing account of their journey and struggle for survival.
Pieced together from the diaries of Shackleton and interviews with surviving crew members, Lansing’s account is one of the most esteemed accounts of the Antarctica expedition. It’s a tale of survival, leadership and extraordinary endurance that has captivated readers since its release in 1959.
3. The complete guide to Antarctic wildlife
For most visitors, the best part of a trip is meeting the locals, and Antarctica is no different. From seals and whales to birds and fish, the great southern continent has remarkable marine and bird biodiversity, even if its terrestrial diversity is limited. The author, Hadoram Shirihai, is a leading ornithologist (bird expert), and The Complete Guide is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive books on Antarctica. Its pages are stunning and comprehensive, full of species guides, photos, illustrations and maps.
Over the years, given his background, Shirihai has published many books on birds, but his Complete Guide is one of his most famous and praised titles.
The guide includes detailed profiles of penguins in Antarctica, seals, whales, and seabirds, explaining their behaviour, life cycles, and adaptations to extreme polar conditions. It is invaluable for anyone interested in observing Antarctic wildlife responsibly or wanting to understand the delicate balance of this amazing ecosystem.
4. Mawson’s Will
Another story of triumph through Antarctic adversity, Mawson’s Will is Lennard Bickel’s 1977 masterful account of one young Australian's solo journey. Once an integral part of Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition, Sir Douglas Mawson turned down an opportunity with another leading explorer, Robert Scott, to lead his own research expedition to Antarctica. From his main base at Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay, Mawson set out with two other men, Belgrave Ninnis and Xavier Mertz, on a sledging journey to map unexplored coastline, and as quickly as the expedition began, tragedy struck. Ninnis fell into a crevasse with most of their supplies, while Mertz later died from the combined effects of starvation, exhaustion and exposure. Mawson was forced to traverse the harsh Antarctic alone, battling diminishing supplies, illness, and severe weather. Against all odds, he not only survived but also managed to continue his scientific studies throughout the struggle.
Mawson’s Will is the dramatic tale of his expedition, and if you’re eager to learn about Antarctic history, it is a gripping must-read.
5. Antarctica: A Year on Ice
A documentary 15 years in the making, Antarctica: A Year on Ice dives into the lives of filmmaker Anthony Powell and his wife Christine, who have worked on the remote continent for the past decade. While visually brilliant, the film is much more than the sights and wildlife. It highlights the harsh conditions and tribulations faced by the pair and other Antarctic residents throughout the brutal winters and bright summers of the icy south.
After international screenings upon its 2013 release, this Antarctica documentary garnered many awards and nominations. It provides an inspiring introduction to Antarctica for travellers, adventurers, and armchair explorers alike.
It also offers a behind-the-scenes look at life on research stations, including daily routines, logistical challenges, and how humans adapt to extreme isolation and severe weather. For anyone planning a visit to Antarctica, it provides perspective on the human side of life on the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning on visiting Antarctica? Here are answers to some of the most common questions travellers have before setting off.
What is the best time to go on an Antarctica tour?
The ideal time is between November and March, making it the best season for travel to Antarctica, when temperatures are milder and wildlife (such as penguins) is most active. Long daylight hours during these months are ideal for sightseeing, photography and observing Antarctic wildlife in its natural environment.
What wildlife can I expect to see on an Antarctica tour?
Visitors can encounter a wide range of Antarctic wildlife, including seals, whales, and multiple species of penguins. Birds are also abundant, and some tours offer guidance on observing wildlife responsibly to minimise disturbance to the fragile ecosystem.
What are the recommended books to read before travelling to Antarctica?
Several books are invaluable for first-time travellers. Some of the most recommended include Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, The Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife, and Mawson’s Will. These books provide insight into historical Antarctic exploration, the extreme conditions, and the environment.
What documentaries showcase life in Antarctica?
Several Antarctica documentaries offer stunning visuals and real-life experiences from the continent. Notable examples include Frozen Planet and Antarctica: A Year on Ice, which provide both breathtaking footage of Antarctic wildlife and insights into how humans live and work in such extreme conditions.
Can I take part in an Antarctica expedition as a tourist?
Yes, modern Antarctica expeditions are available and run by experienced crew members. Inspiring Vacations’ tours to Antarctica provide opportunities to witness Antarctic wildlife, learn about Antarctica’s environment, and explore the continent while following strict safety and environmental regulations.
How can I prepare for an Antarctica tour?
Preparation is key to a safe and enjoyable Antarctica tour. Read books, watch documentaries, and familiarise yourself with the region’s extreme conditions, Antarctic wildlife, and its history. Proper clothing, physical readiness, and understanding environmental guidelines are essential.
Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Inspiring Vacations’ Antarctica tours range from our Highlights Of Antarctica Exploration Cruise, with options to extend to Patagonia, to epic month-long journeys across South America and the Galapagos.