Why the US is warning vacationers about Antarctica proper now

The U.S. points journey advisories for a variety of locations – together with probably the most distant continent on Earth.

The State Department reissued its routine travel advisory for Antarctica on July 28. The icy landmass has a Level 2 designation, urging vacationers to train elevated warning due to “environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather.”

The advisory additionally warned of restricted emergency providers.

Antarctica has grow to be an more and more in style vacationer vacation spot in recent times. During the 2024-2025 season, 80,455 individuals visited the ice, in accordance with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Fewer than 56,000 did so throughout the 2019-2020 season.ewer than 56,000 did so throughout the 2019-2020 season.

Cruise operators visiting the area put together for the surprising, and passengers can take steps to remain protected, too.

How to remain protected on Antarctica cruises

Antarctica’s climate is unpredictable, and guests might get a style of that earlier than they even get there.

Most vacationers might want to cross the notorious Drake Passage. During the roughly two-day journey, passengers might get a clean “Drake Lake” or a rough “Drake Shake,” so it doesn’t hurt to bring seasickness medication just in case. (Cruise line medical facilities typically have some on hand, as well.)

Cruise operators arrive ready. After video footage of 35-to-40-foot waves during a Quark Expeditions crossing went viral earlier this year, for instance, the company provided a statement to USA TODAY noting that it “has over 30 years of experience navigating polar waters with a purpose-built, ice-class fleet and expert crew.” Passengers completed the voyage safely.

Some operators also offer flights over the Drake Passage. However, those itineraries are “exponentially more expensive” and may be more vulnerable to delays in bad weather than ships, Kristin Winkaffe, a luxury travel designer and founder of Winkaffe Global Travel, told USA TODAY last year.

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Once ships arrive, they must remain vigilant about changes. During an Antarctica cruise with Aurora Expeditions in December 2023, the onboard team assessed conditions at each intended stop, altering plans as needed (exploring by Zodiac boat instead of going on land, for example, or moving the ship to another area).

Cruise ships carrying more than 500 guests are also not permitted to disembark guests in Antarctica and operate cruise-only sailings there, according to IAATO.

The State Department “highly” recommends purchasing travel insurance before visiting (cruise operators may also require it), and warned that there are no U.S. consular services in the region. “The closest U.S Embassies/Consulates are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa,” its website reads.

Travelers should also consider visiting with a professional guide or organization like an IAATO member, among other precautions. A list of members can be found on IAATO’s website.

“Antarctica is a totally different beast in that you basically just have to accept that you’re going on a tour to Antarctica and not get attached to any specific place,” Winkaffe said previously.

Nathan Diller is a shopper journey reporter for USA TODAY primarily based in Nashville. You can attain him at ndiller@usatoday.com.