Antarctica in January
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The Best time for...
Penguin chicks
The breeding season varies for different species, but best time to see penguin chicks in Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer, from mid-December to mid-February. That’s when you’ll see chicks bumbling around together, chasing their parents for food, and being left in a crèche with their peers while the adults go hunting. You might even see chicks beginning to molt, shedding their fluffy down coats, and starting to grow adult plumage.
Seal pups
There are six species of seal in Antarctica and many of them breed between November and December. Mid-November to April are the best months to see Fur Seals and their pups, when the males move away from the breeding beaches after mating and leave the females to nurse their young. That’s where you’ll see these beautiful animals sunbathing, playing and learning to swim.
Warmer weather
The warmest season in Antarctica runs from November to March, with average temperatures of around 0°C and highs of up to 10°C. January is usually the warmest month, when sea ice melts, making way for explorers to access landing sites and view wildlife. This is when penguin colonies are full of chicks, and whales, including Humpback, Minke and Orca, can be spotted in the waters.