When to Go: Ice Ice Baby

I am going to break from the day to day listing of our experience aboard the Sea Spirit at this point in the blog to talk a bit more about the many many reasons that February and March are my favorite time to be in Antarctica. The day to day aboard the ship always flows in a similar manner,no matter the time of season you visit. Travelers are woken up and eased into the day by your expedition leader over the intercom, announcing coordinates, the weather and that breakfast is open for everyone, followed by the order of the groups who will disembark for your morning excursion, be it a shore landing or a zodiac cruise. Mid Day will bring lunch and a very brief time to rest before everyone is suiting up again and getting ready to head back out on zodiacs to spot whales, seals or porpoising penguins,  zoom around giant icebergs, or check out gentoo and chinstrap colonies on land. 

What does vary is what you will see in the time of season you visit. For me, Antarctica is about many things, one of them being ice. February and March provide incredible opportunities to see Antarctic icebergs in their glorious many forms! Antarctica is surrounded by a sprawling expanse of frozen seas, home to a myriad of icebergs. These towering formations, calved from glaciers and ice shelves, come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own unique allure. Antarctic icebergs can be classified into three main types based on their shapes and sizes:
Tabular Icebergs: These are the largest and flattest icebergs, resembling immense floating tables. Tabular icebergs can stretch for kilometers and are often the result of the calving of ice shelves. Domed Icebergs: Characterized by their smooth, rounded shapes, domed icebergs are smaller than tabular ones. They often result from the melting and reshaping of larger icebergs over time. Pinnacled Icebergs: These icebergs feature dramatic spires and pinnacles, giving them a more jagged appearance. Pinnacled icebergs are formed through a combination of erosion, weathering, and the effects of melting. Witnessing the majesty of Antarctic icebergs is a highlight of any polar expedition. February and March enhance this experience even more with the changing light that you experience throughout the day. Since you are out of the eternal daylight of the summer solstice, The morning and evening light play off of the icebergs and snow in a whole new way, enhancing the deep blues, and jagged angles, in these towering sculptures.

One of the most enchanting features of Antarctic icebergs is their striking blue hue. This mesmerizing phenomenon is a result of the interplay of light and ice. The icebergs are composed of compacted snow that has undergone intense pressure, squeezing out most of the air and creating ice crystals of a particular size. When sunlight hits these ice crystals, the longer wavelengths of red light are absorbed, while the shorter wavelengths of blue light are scattered, giving the icebergs their characteristic blue appearance. The vibrant blue reflections from icebergs are further enhanced when they interact with the surrounding seawater. As sunlight penetrates the ocean surface, it is absorbed by water molecules. The remaining sunlight, enriched in blue wavelengths, penetrates deeper, creating an ethereal blue glow that complements the color of the icebergs. This interplay of light, ice, and water transforms the Antarctic seascape into a surreal dreamscape of blues. Zodiac cruising through sea ice and icebergs is an unforgettable experience. The blue and white hues shift and change as you float along next to these features, with the sound of ice crackling around you. Our group was extremely lucky on the day we zoomed into Cierva Cove, witnessing an iceberg rotate, groaning as it turned and exposing a glittering new face that was hiding beneath the water (all from a safe distance of course). Others may observe calving and the eruption of movement that is generated as the ice crashes into the water. 

No matter how you experience the ice, it is one of the features that absolutely defines the Antarctic landscape and provides vivid and unforgettable memories.