If you’re looking for a decent article that provides a real life comparison of the Ross Sea vs Antarctic Peninsula expeditions, then look no further.
We have taken six trips to the Antarctic Peninsula, including three standard trips, one Antarctic Circle crossing trip, and two longer trips that included South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. We have taken one 28-day trip to the Ross Sea that included the subantarctic islands of Macquarie, Snares, Campbell, Enderby and Auckland Islands.
Yes, we’ve been to Antarctica seven times. With more visits planned.
There are many articles online that attempt to explore the differences between these two areas of Antarctica, but in our opinion fall very short on information. Many are also written by people who have never been.
If you’re looking for accurate, first hand information to help you decide between these two areas of Antarctica, look no further.
This article will explore the drastically different experiences of the Ross Sea vs Antarctic Peninsula. It will not provide any comparison of information on deep field, land based Antarctic exploration.
Are you ready to dig in?
Ross Sea vs Antarctic Peninsula: The Key Differences
Differences in Location
The Ross Sea is located in the southernmost part of the Southern Ocean, between Victoria Land and Marie Byrd Land in Antarctica. It lies due south of New Zealand and is typically accessed via long expedition voyages departing from ports such as Bluff, New Zealand. The region is remote and ice-covered for much of the year, with access limited to a short window during the austral summer.
The Antarctic Peninsula extends northward from the main continental landmass toward the southern tip of South America. It is the most accessible part of Antarctica, commonly reached by ship from Ushuaia, Argentina, across the Drake Passage. The relatively milder conditions and shorter distance from South America make it a popular destination for first-time visitors to Antarctica.
How to Get to the Ross Sea vs Antarctic Peninsula
Reaching the Ross Sea requires a long-duration expedition cruise. Voyages are limited to a narrow window between mid-January and early March when the sea ice retreats enough to allow access. Due to the remoteness, there are no airports or facilities, and travelers must be self-sufficient aboard an ice-strengthened vessel.
In contrast, travel to the Antarctic Peninsula is more straightforward. Most visitors fly to Ushuaia, Argentina, and board expedition ships. Trips to the Antarctic Peninsula require crossing the notorious Drake Passage. Fly-cruise options are also available, allowing passengers to skip the Drake entirely and begin their trip directly from King George Island. The infrastructure and frequency of voyages make this region much more accessible to a wider range of travelers.
Sea Conditions: Drake Passage vs Open Southern Ocean
Accessing the Ross Sea requires a long open-ocean crossing through the Southern Ocean. The voyage involves navigating remote waters with no shelter, and conditions can be rough for extended periods. While the crossing does not include a chokepoint like the Drake Passage, the seas can be as unpredictable and rough. It’s not uncommon to have huge swells.
Reaching the Antarctic Peninsula usually involves crossing the Drake Passage, the body of water between South America and the Antarctic continent. Known for its rough seas and powerful currents, the Drake is one of the most turbulent stretches of ocean in the world. However, companies have sophisticated weather tools and efforts are made to avoid extremely rough crossings. We’ve crossed the Drake Passage ten times, and have only had two rough crossings.
Both routes require crossing potentially rough seas, but the Drake Passage is shorter and more direct. The voyage to the Ross Sea is longer, more remote, and subject to extended periods of heavy seas and ice navigation.
Trip Length & Itinerary Options
Ross Sea itineraries are typically long and expedition-style, lasting 25 to 35 days. Voyages typically include stops at the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands—such as Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, and the Auckland Islands—before reaching the Antarctic continent. These landings offer unique wildlife experiences, including species not found on the Peninsula side. Once in the Ross Sea, itineraries focus on historic sites like Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts, McMurdo Sound, Cape Adare, and the vast Ross Ice Shelf. Due to the remote nature of the region and variable ice conditions, landings can be limited and are frequently subject to change.
Antarctic Peninsula itineraries are generally shorter and more varied, ranging from 10 to 23 days. The crossing of the Drake Passage takes about two days, and itineraries focus on the more sheltered waters along the western side of the peninsula and surrounding islands. Some of the longer trips include additional landings in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. South Georgia is a major highlight, with its large king penguin colonies and Shackleton’s grave, while the Falkland Islands provide cultural and historical context. Once at the Peninsula, itineraries cover the west coast and surrounding islands, with daily landings, Zodiac cruises, and visits to research stations, weather permitting.
Number of Days at Sea
Ross Sea expeditions involve a high number of sea days due to the region’s remote location and the longer itinerary lengths. Most voyages are 28 to 35 days round-trip, with around 10 sea days required to reach the Ross Sea and return, depending on the route. Additional sea days occur while navigating between the Subantarctic Islands, and during ice navigation within the Ross Sea itself. These itineraries are structured for travelers who understand that extended time at sea is integral to accessing the region.
Antarctic Peninsula itineraries vary in length, but most standard trips are 10 to 12 days, with around 4 sea days required for crossing the Drake Passage both ways. Longer Peninsula itineraries that include the Falkland Islands and South Georgia typically last 18 to 23 days and involve 7 to 10 sea days in total. Fly-cruise options are also available, allowing travelers to skip the Drake entirely by flying to King George Island and boarding the ship there. This reduces sea days to nearly zero.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle in the Ross Sea is a fundamental part of the journey. The entire region lies well below the Antarctic Circle, and most itineraries travel as far south as McMurdo Sound at roughly 77°S. As a result, travelers spend a significant amount of time deep within the polar zone, surrounded by vast ice shelves, remote research stations, and historic expedition sites. The crossing itself is not a milestone but rather a given, with the focus more on the extensive time spent in one of the most extreme and least-visited parts of the continent.
In the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Antarctic Circle is less common and typically offered as a specialty itinerary. Most Peninsula trips usually operate between 62°S and 65°S, just north of the Circle. Some extended voyages venture farther south, crossing the Circle around 66°33′S, depending on ice conditions. These trips often highlight the crossing as a milestone, sometimes marked with a ceremony on board. Reaching beyond the Circle is weather-dependent.
The key difference is that the Ross Sea lies entirely below the Antarctic Circle, offering a deep polar experience by default, while most Peninsula trips remain north of it.
Best Time to Visit
The Ross Sea has a short and specific visiting season, generally limited to mid January through early March. This is the only time when sea ice has receded enough to allow ships access to the region. Earlier in the season, the ice pack is too thick for vessels to enter key sites like McMurdo Sound or Cape Adare. Wildlife activity is still present during this window, but many penguin chicks are already well-grown, and the landscape is dominated by dramatic ice formations and remote historical sites. Because of the short season, there are very few departures each year.
The Antarctic Peninsula has a longer and more flexible travel season, running from late October through early April. Early season voyages in November offer dramatic ice landscapes and the chance to see penguins building nests. December and January are peak months, with warmer temperatures, active wildlife, and higher visitor numbers. February and March bring opportunities for whale sightings and penguin chicks nearing maturity. The extended season allows for a wide range of itinerary options and seasonal experiences depending on travel timing.
For a more in-depth breakdown on the seasons, check out the Best Time to Visit Antarctica: A Month by Month Breakdown
Weather Considerations
Weather in the Ross Sea is colder, harsher, and more unpredictable than in other parts of Antarctica. Even during the short summer season, temperatures often remain below freezing, and strong katabatic winds descending from the polar plateau can create sudden and severe weather shifts. Sea ice persists late into the season, and storms can delay or prevent landings. The remoteness and lack of shelter mean that conditions can impact the entire voyage, and flexibility is essential when traveling in this region.
The Antarctic Peninsula experiences milder and more stable summer conditions compared to the Ross Sea. Temperatures can rise slightly above freezing during peak summer months, especially along the western side of the Peninsula, where maritime influences are stronger. While storms and snowfall still occur, the presence of more sheltered waterways and a lower latitude make the weather generally more manageable for expedition operations. As a result, landings are more frequent, and itinerary adjustments due to weather are typically less drastic.
Company Options
The Ross Sea is served by a small number of specialized expedition operators with ice-strengthened vessels capable of reaching this remote region. Heritage Expeditions, based in New Zealand, is the most established company regularly operating in the Ross Sea, with decades of experience and a long history of conservation and research involvement. Other operators occasionally offer Ross Sea voyages, but departures are limited, and not every year includes this itinerary. Because of the extreme remoteness, logistics, and permitting requirements, only experienced companies with appropriate vessels and field staff venture into the region.
The Antarctic Peninsula is served by a wide range of operators, from luxury cruise lines to smaller expedition-focused companies. Major players include Quark Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, and Aurora Expeditions, among many others. These companies offer numerous departures each season, with varying ship sizes, comfort levels, and price points. The broader range of operators means more competition, more frequent sailings, and more choices for travelers.
Costs to Visit
Ross Sea expeditions are among the most expensive Antarctic voyages due to their length, remoteness, and limited availability. Trips often last 28 days or more, which significantly increases operational costs, including fuel, staffing, and logistics. Prices generally start around $30,000 USD per person and can exceed $50,000 depending on the ship, cabin class, and inclusions. Fewer departures and the need for specialized vessels contribute to the higher price point, and these voyages typically require a greater upfront financial commitment and earlier booking.
In comparison, Antarctic Peninsula expeditions offer a wider range of pricing, with shorter itineraries starting around $8,000 to $10,000 USD for 10- to 12-day trips. Mid-range and luxury options can reach $15,000 to $25,000 or more, especially for longer itineraries that include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. The variety of ship types, cabin categories, and departure dates allows travelers to choose options that fit a range of budgets. Fly-cruise itineraries, which skip the Drake Passage, are priced higher.
Wildlife You Can See
Wildlife in the Ross Sea is shaped by the region’s isolation, extreme conditions, and short seasonal window. It’s home to large Adélie penguin colonies, including the world’s largest at Cape Adare, along with emperor penguins which may be seen on sea ice or during Zodiac cruises. Weddell and leopard seals are common, and Type C orcas are often spotted patrolling the ice edge. Birdlife includes South Polar skuas and snow petrels, among many other species. The remote Subantarctic Islands visited enroute offer additional diversity, including royal penguins, snares crested penguins, erect crested penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, and albatross species not seen on the Peninsula side.
The Antarctic Peninsula supports a broader mix of wildlife, with dense concentrations of gentoo, and chinstrap penguins at many landing sites. Humpback and minke whales are frequently seen during Zodiac cruises or from the ship, especially later in the season. Leopard, Weddell, crabeater, and Antarctic fur seals haul out on ice floes. The surrounding waters host a variety of seabirds including petrels, skuas, and Antarctic terns. Voyages that include South Georgia offer some of the most dramatic wildlife encounters in the Southern Hemisphere, with vast king penguin colonies, macaroni penguins, elephant seals, fur seals, and nesting albatrosses.
Landscape Differences
The Ross Sea features some of the most dramatic and remote landscapes in Antarctica, shaped by massive ice formations and volcanic terrain. The towering Ross Ice Shelf, the largest in the world, dominates the southern edge of the region. Inland, Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano, rises from Ross Island, while the Transantarctic Mountains stretch along the coast, forming a rugged natural boundary between East and West Antarctica. Landings often occur on stark, wind-scoured beaches surrounded by cliffs and glaciers. Much of the scenery is vast, icy, and undeveloped, offering a sense of scale and isolation unmatched elsewhere on the continent.
The Antarctic Peninsula offers a more varied and accessible landscape, with dramatic mountain ranges, sweeping glaciers, and protected bays filled with floating ice. The peninsula’s western coast features steep, snow-covered peaks that rise directly from the sea, interspersed with fjords, ice shelves, and exposed rock faces. Locations like Neko Harbour and the Lemaire Channel offer iconic views of calving glaciers and mirror-like waters. The surrounding islands, such as Cuverville or Petermann, provide intimate landing sites with gentler terrain and more frequent opportunities for shore excursions.
Available Activities
Activities in the Ross Sea are more limited and focused on exploration, history, and wildlife observation due to the region’s remoteness and environmental conditions. Landings are fewer and often dependent on ice conditions, but when possible, they include visits to historic huts, research stations (if permitted), hiking options, and penguin colonies. Zodiac cruises are a primary method of exploring ice formations, wildlife on sea ice, and coastal terrain. Kayaking is now being offered by Heritage Expeditons, and there are typically no camping or mountaineering options offered. Polar plunges are offered if conditions permit and there is opportunity to particpate in citizen science programs.
The Antarctic Peninsula offers a wider range of activities, with more frequent opportunities for landings, hikes, and Zodiac cruises. Many operators also offer optional activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, photography workshops, snorkelling, scuba diving, and even overnight camping on the continent. Some ships also offer polar plunges and citizen science programs, making the experience more interactive. The greater number of landing sites and more favorable weather allow for a higher level of engagement day-to-day.
Historic Sites
The Ross Sea holds the most significant collection of early Antarctic exploration sites, particularly from the Heroic Age. Cape Evans and Cape Royds on Ross Island are home to preserved wooden huts used by Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton during their landmark expeditions in the early 1900s. Cape Adare features the oldest building on the continent, Borchgrevink’s hut from the Southern Cross Expedition of 1899. These sites are remarkably well-preserved due to the cold, dry conditions, and visiting them provides direct insight into the harsh realities of early polar exploration. The region also includes McMurdo Station and Scott Base, offering a rare look at modern-day scientific operations.
The Antarctic Peninsula features fewer historic structures, but still offers important sites tied to exploration and scientific presence. Port Lockroy, a former British research station now maintained as a historic site and museum, is one of the most visited landmarks in the region. Wordie House on Winter Island, once used by the British Graham Land Expedition, is another preserved outpost. While these sites provide insight into mid-20th-century operations, they are smaller in scale and less immersive than the early expedition bases found in the Ross Sea.
Research Stations
The Ross Sea region is home to some of Antarctica’s most significant research stations, including the U.S.-operated McMurdo Station and New Zealand’s Scott Base, both located on Ross Island. These are large, year-round facilities that support a wide range of scientific research, from glaciology to astrophysics. Due to the remoteness and logistics involved, landings at these stations are rare and typically depend on strict permissions and favorable conditions. The Ross Sea’s location near the South Pole also makes it an important staging area for overland scientific expeditions into the interior of the continent.
The Antarctic Peninsula hosts a larger number and wider variety of research stations, many of which are operated seasonally. Countries with bases in this region include the UK, Argentina, Chile, the U.S., and others. Stations like Palmer (U.S.), Vernadsky (Ukraine), and Rothera (UK) are more accessible to visitors, and some even welcome small tour groups. These stations focus on marine biology, climate science, and atmospheric studies, taking advantage of the region’s biodiversity and proximity to key oceanic currents. The relative ease of access allows for more frequent interaction between researchers and expedition tourists.
Annual Visitor Numbers
The Ross Sea receives a very small number of visitors each year due to its remoteness, limited vessel access, and short seasonal window. On average, fewer than 600 tourists visit the region annually, with less than a handful of ships making the journey each season. The harsh environment, long itineraries, and high cost contribute to the low visitor numbers. As a result, sites in the Ross Sea remain largely untouched, with minimal tourist infrastructure and a strong emphasis on conservation and controlled access, particularly around sensitive historic and ecological areas. Visiting the Ross Sea is a very exclusive experience.
In contrast, the Antarctic Peninsula is the most visited region on the continent, accounting for over 90% of all Antarctic tourism. Each season, more than 100,000 visitors arrive—most by ship, with some through fly-cruise options. The relatively short voyage from South America, abundance of vessels operating in the area, and variety of itinerary lengths and price points all contribute to the high volume. Popular landing sites and research stations can see multiple ship visits per week during peak season, making it a much more trafficked and managed tourism zone.
Ross Sea vs Antarctic Peninsula: Which One is Better?
Choosing between the Ross Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula isn’t about which destination is better. It’s about what kind of experience you’re looking for.
The Ross Sea offers unmatched historical depth, raw and remote landscapes, and a true sense of polar exploration, but reaching it requires more time, money, and flexibility. It’s ideal for those who want to follow in the footsteps of early explorers, visit some of the most isolated places on Earth, and experience a side of Antarctica that few ever see. The voyage is long, and conditions are challenging, but the rewards are unique and deeply memorable.
The Antarctic Peninsula, on the other hand, is more accessible and offers greater variety in a shorter timeframe. It’s rich in wildlife, dramatic scenery, and scientific presence, with more opportunities for landings, Zodiac cruises, and interaction with research bases. For many, it’s the best introduction to the continent, offering a balance of comfort, adventure, and natural wonder.
Ultimately, neither is better than the other. They simply offer different ways to experience Antarctica. The right choice depends on your interests, travel style, and what you’re hoping to take away from the journey.
Our trip to the Antarctica Ross Sea was in partnership with Heritage Expeditions and Adventure Life. However, all opinions, stories, advice, and insane love of penguins are 100% ours, as always.
You might also like:
- Antarctica Travel Guide
- 121 Epic Antarctica Facts
- How to Visit Antarctica Responsibly: Antarctica Tourism Deep Dive
- 21-Day Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition (Full Trip Overview)
- 34 Antarctica Cruise Tips You Must Know Before You Go
