Antarctica - Antartica in March?

As previously post, I am interested in going to Antartica this spring. I took to long to contact my preferred vendor though, so the only availability I can get is March 10-20. Is that to late? I understand January is ideal.

Any thoughts?

As previously post, I am interested in going to Antartica this spring. I took to long to contact my preferred vendor though, so the only availability I can get is March 10-20. Is that to late? I understand January is ideal.

Any thoughts?

I was there in early March 2005. I left on March 5. You are getting into the Winter Season. That is usually one of the last weeks of tours to the continent before the ships leave for the season. That said. You should still be able to have a good trip, you just might not make it as far South as you can earlier in the season.

January is best since babies haven't grown enough to leave. March is getting near the end of the season with rougher sea's as well.

When you are paying such a large amount of money I would only go in the prime time.

Another possibility, and a real value (if you have the time to spare) is a seven-week sailing cruis on the three-masted square rigger, EUROPA, from the netherlands...

The trip departs Ushuaia 09-March, and arrives in Cape Town on April 29th.

In addition to the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll also stop in South Georgia, and Tristan da Cuhna.

A friend of mine made this trip last year, and said it was just spectacular.

And at 4900 EUR for the seven weeks, (all meals included), it's a steal.

www.barkeuropa.com

I was in Antarctica with Quark Expeditions on the Akademik Shokalskiy around the beginning of February this year. I talked a bit with the guides about the different ships and seasons, and I remember them mentioning that the last trip of the season is usually referred to as the "Dead Penguin" trip.

A lot of the penguins may be out to sea by late in the season, so you might not get to see as much birdlife as you would earlier. Most of the penguin chicks I saw when I was there in February were far into their molt and would be headed out to sea soon. Also, the islands tend to be quite a bit "dirtier" due to the build up of all that penguin guano as the season progresses. However, the whale season is in full swing, and you'll have greater opportunities for whale watching. So, there are trade offs, but you should still have a good trip.