Antarctic Circle

The Antarctic Circle is the most southerly of the Earth’s major circles or parallels of latitude at approximately 66° 33’ south of the equator. It is an imaginary circle around the Earth parallel to the equator, marking the boundary between the Southern Temperate and Southern Frigid Zones. It also marks the approximate limit south of which the sun remains above the horizon all day on the summer solstice.

The Arctic Circle is the Antarctic Circle’s equivalent in the northern hemisphere. Lying within the Antarctic Circle, he Antarctic is a continent surrounded by oceans, 98% of which is covered in the South Polar ice sheet. There are no terrestrial mammals found in the Antarctic, only marine mammals such as whales and seals. The Arctic, however, is an ocean surrounded by landmasses, much of which is tundra and boreal forest. Mammals include polar bears, reindeer and Arctic foxes. There is also a wide variety of plant life that can exist in the Arctic including mosses, lichens and flowering plants. The South Pole is located within the Antarctic Circle and the North Pole within the Arctic Circle.

The Polar Circle is either the Antarctic or the Arctic Circle, located at approximately 66° 33’ south and north of the equator respectively.

A high level of fitness is not necessary for crossing the Antarctic Circle, but you need to be in good health as although there is generally a doctor on board the ship, you are a long way from any other medical assistance. The majority of activities are focused around shore excursions and Zodiac cruising and so you need to be agile and able-bodied enough to climb into and out of the inflatable Zodiacs from both the ship and the shore. On shore landings you may need to negotiate uneven and slippery ground. Shore excursions generally involve some walking.

All of our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you are doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. We consistently monitor weather conditions and will always provide you with the best possible adventure without risk of injury to you or the vessel. While some landings and activities may need to be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, every effort is made to have a contingency plan should such conditions become a reality during your expedition. Chimu have been the experts in Antarctic Circle travel for well over 10 years and use our vast experience and knowledge when picking the vessels we sell to provide you with an adventure that is unforgettable for all the right reasons.

The Antarctic Circle is the most southerly point reached by Antarctic cruises and Antarctic Circle cruises are generally only a couple of days longer than a standard Antarctic Peninsula itinerary. Most cruises that set sail from Ushuaia explore the Antarctic Peninsula before crossing the Antarctic Circle around day 7, 8 or 9.