I WENT TO ONE OF THE COOLEST PLACES ON EARTH!

There are some places in the world that almost feel mythical.

Places you read about in books or see in documentaries and think, maybe one day. Antarctica was always one of those places for me. It felt so impossibly far away that I never really believed I’d actually stand there one day.

Yet in March 2026, after almost a year of planning, packing far too many layers and an incredible journey across South America, I found myself stepping aboard an expedition ship bound for the southernmost continent on Earth.

Even now, it still doesn’t quite feel real.

When people ask me what Antarctica was like, I honestly struggle to answer. There aren’t enough words to describe a place that is simultaneously the quietest, wildest, most untouched and most breathtaking destination I’ve ever experienced.

It wasn’t just another holiday. It was something I’ll carry with me forever.

The Drake Passage – Living Up To Its Reputation

Before you even reach Antarctica, there’s one obstacle that almost every traveller talks about – the infamous Drake Passage.

I’d heard every story imaginable before boarding the ship. Some people described it as relatively calm. Others talked about enormous waves that tossed the ship around like a toy.

Unfortunately… I got the second version.

Crossing from South America towards Antarctica, we encountered waves reaching around three metres high. It was enough to remind everyone that nature is very much in charge down there.

Walking around the ship became an adventure in itself. One minute you’d be walking normally, the next you’d be grabbing onto a handrail as the floor shifted beneath your feet. It certainly made for an unforgettable start to the expedition.

Then, just when I thought I’d experienced the Drake at its worst… The journey back to Ushuaia had other plans… Seven metre waves.

I’ll never forget watching the ocean outside my cabin window as enormous swells rolled endlessly toward us. The ship rose and fell over each one, sometimes making it feel as though we were riding a rollercoaster but it was the continuous rise and drop each time. It was wild, a little terrifying and strangely fascinating all at once.

Looking back now, it’s become part of the story. Crossing the Drake almost feels like a rite of passage for anyone lucky enough to visit Antarctica. I also learnt you can’t say “I survived the Drake Passage” until you actually cross it with the Drake Shake.

Plenty of Time to Slow Down

One thing I hadn’t really considered before the trip was just how much downtime there would be while sailing.

Normally, I’m someone who’s constantly doing something and sitting down to relax is not something I’m a fan of. So getting on a boat going to one of the most remote places on Earth, there is plenty of down time.

And what better way to slow down and relax is being curled up with my kindle while watching the incredible views of Antarctica sail by. There was something quite peaceful about reading while surrounded by glaciers and icebergs. There weren’t many distractions apart from the calls over the ships PA system when there were whale sightings. It reminded me how nice it is to simply slow down.

Now I didn’t spend my entire time in Antarctica reading, there were many times where my travel buddies found me out on the different decks just taking hundreds of photos which I’m still sorting through.

Wildlife Beyond Anything I Could Have Imagined

No documentary could have prepared me for seeing Antarctic wildlife in person. Every single landing and Zodiac cruise seemed to offer something new. Thousands upon thousands of penguins. Mainly Gentoo Penguins, a few Adelie and Chinstrap too. Watching them waddle across the snow, seeing them carefully climb impossibly steep icy hills and watching them launch themselves into the freezing ocean without hesitation, they were endlessly entertaining.

Then there were the seals. We saw Fur Seals, Weddell Seals and 2 female Elephant Seals. Some lounged lazily across floating icebergs without a care in the world and barely acknowledged our zodiac as we quietly drifted nearby.

And then… The whales.

I’d seen whales before from beaches or boats back home, but nothing compares to seeing them in Antarctica.

One particular moment has stayed with me ever since. I had just come back from a zodiac cruise and we had seen some seals and penguins but no whales. I had gone to my room to take off my muck books, waterproof jacket and pants and the extra layer I had on and something in me just said to look out the window right now and I am so glad that I decided to listen to my gut.

A whale surfaced incredibly close to my cabin window. I remember staring in complete disbelief because until that exact moment, I’d never truly appreciated just how enormous whales actually are. Photos and videos and even seeing one from a distance don’t prepare you.

When one appears almost beside you, you suddenly realise you’re looking at one of the largest animals to have ever existed on Earth. It completely changes your perspective. It was incredibly humbling.

We were in Orne Harbour and I have never seen so many whales before in my life. They were breeching, blowholes going in up in so many directions and flukes galore. It was the highlight of the trip by far. It was so incredible to see that many whales in one place. Even on our zodiac cruise, whales came right up to the zodiac and it was incredible. They were so curious about our boat and zodiacs that even the people going on the last zodiac cruise in Orne Harbour were treated to so many whales. I even had my zodiac cruise extended as we could not get back to the ship as there were too many whales near it.

The Magic of the Zodiac Cruises

If I had to choose one experience that completely exceeded my expectations, it would have to be the Zodiac cruises. These small inflatable boats became our front row seat to Antarctica. Being so low to the water made everything feel incredibly immersive.

We could weave carefully between floating ice, approach towering glaciers watch seals resting peacefully on ice floes just metres away and every direction offered another incredible landscape to photograph.

Being so close to glaciers that have existed for thousands of years made me feel unbelievably small. The scale of Antarctica is almost impossible to comprehend until you’re actually there. Massive walls of blue ice stretched into the sky while mountains disappear into clouds behind them. Everything feels untouched, ancient and somehow unbelievably peaceful.

It Wasn’t Nearly as Cold as I Expected

One thing everyone said before I left was: “It’s going to be freezing, you know that right?”

Honestly… it wasn’t as cold as I expected and I am usually always cold. I’m someone who will wear a jumper in Summer if the air conditioning is too cold. So naturally, I expected Antarctica to be absolutely freezing. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised.

With the right clothing and expedition gear, I was actually really comfortable most of the time. One morning as we were going through the Lemarie Channel, our expedition leader announced over the ship PA that this is one of the best views of Antarctica and we should all come outside and see if we would like. I had just gotten out of the shower, had wet hair, was only wearing a jumper and track pants and I went out onto the deck to see the Lemaire Channel. It was snowing and surprisingly it was not even that cold.

Sure, there were moments when the wind reminded you exactly where you were, but overall it wasn’t anywhere near as brutally cold as I’d imagined. In some ways, it felt easier to handle than a windy winter’s day back home.

I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about Antarctica. With proper preparation, it’s surprisingly manageable.

When the Weather Finally Cleared…

Antarctica is famous for unpredictable weather. Some days the landscape disappeared behind fog, snow and sleet and everything became soft and muted, almost like the continent was hiding itself from us.

Then, almost without warning, the skies would open, the clouds would break apart and sunlight would spill across the mountains and the entire landscape transformed.

We were lucky enough to witness several absolutely spectacular sunsets after the weather cleared. The light reflected across the glaciers, turning white ice into glowing shades of gold, orange and soft pink. The ocean mirrored every colour too.

It honestly didn’t feel real.

Those evenings became some of my favourite memories from the entire trip. No photograph could truly capture what it looked like standing there in complete silence.

A Place That Changes You

People often ask if Antarctica was worth the cost. My answer is always absolutely. Without hesitation.

I know just how incredibly fortunate and privileged I am to have experienced a place that so few people ever get to visit. It’s not something I take for granted. Every moment standing in complete silence looking across endless ice, every landing and zodiac cruise and all the wildlife sightings, I found myself constantly reminded just how lucky I was to be there.

Antarctica has a way of making you feel incredibly small in the best possible way. It reminds you that nature doesn’t need us. It has existed long before us and, hopefully, will continue long after us. Standing there surrounded by ice that has existed for thousands of years puts everyday worries into perspective. All that mattered was being present.

Until Next Time…

Leaving Antarctica was surprisingly emotional. As the continent slowly disappeared into the distance, I already found myself wondering if I’d ever return. Ans I hope I do one day. But even if I never set foot there again, I’ll always carry a small piece of Antarctica with me.

Some trips give you beautiful photos, some give you great stories, Antarctica gave me both. More importantly, it gave me memories that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying and probably failing to put into words. It is without question, the most extraordinary place I have ever visited. And I know just how lucky I am to be able to say that.

-Rachelle