Think twice about traveling south — way, way south — this summer.
On July 28, the State Department reissued its routine travel advisory for Antarctica with a Level 2 designation, meaning travelers should “exercise increased caution.”
The advisory was put out as a consequence of “environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather.”
It also noted that there are limited emergency services.
There are 4 levels for international travel advisories: Level 1 (“exercise normal precautions”), Level 2 (“exercise increased caution”), Level 3 (“reconsider travel”) and Level 4 (“don’t travel”).
The Level 2 warning stays unchanged, although the reissue emphasizes the unpredictable weather events which were occurring within the region.
The weather warnings likely check with the extremely low temperatures seen earlier this 12 months in addition to the deterioration of the Thwaites Glacier, also known as Antarctica’s “doomsday” glacier.
Antarctica’s weather is unpredictable, and cruise operators prepare for the unexpected, but passengers should take precautions as well.
The State Department “highly recommends” that visitors buy travel insurance before traveling to Antarctica.
In addition they suggested traveling with knowledgeable guide or organization, or, if happening a non-public expedition, travelers ought to be self-sufficient and have emergency medical evacuation insurance.
The State Department warned that there aren’t any US government consular services available to Americans within the Antarctic Region.
Most travelers will likely cope with Antarctica’s weather before even getting there while crossing the infamous Drake Passage. Passengers might undergo a smooth “Drake Lake” or rough “Drake Shake” through the two-day journey.
Antarctica has change into a well-liked tourist destination in recent times, with 80,455 people visiting the icy landmass within the 2024-2025 season, based on the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.
The rise in interest is fairly recent. Fewer than 56,000 visited Antarctica within the 2019-2020 season.
