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2026/27 · Peak Summer (Dec – Jan)

Antarctic departures in December 2026

Peak Season · 20h Daylight

69 Antarctic expeditions departing in December 2026, from $10,061. Compare ships, cabins and operators.

  • Hatching Chicks
  • 20h Sunlight
  • First Whales
Filter & compare all 69 departures

December brings peak season: the warmest temperatures so far (0 to +8 °C on the Peninsula), nearly 20 hours of daylight, and the first penguin chicks hatching around the solstice — colonies turn into noisy nurseries. Whale sightings pick up week by week.

Christmas and New Year departures are the most sought-after (and priciest) of the year; celebrating the New Year at midnight in broad daylight is a story in itself. Book these sailings 12–18 months out.

December 2026 — Key Facts At a Glance
Available departures 69
Price range (per person, USD) $10,061 – $58,734
Typical duration 8–26 days
Active fleet coverage 13 operators · 33 ships
Seasonal window Peak Season · 20h Daylight (2026/27)
Daylight & air temp 20–24h · -1°C to +5°C
Prices last verified 48-hour verification methodology

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