People interested in exploring the extremes of the globe will inevitably be drawn to Antarctica and the Arctic. While, at first, one would think they’re two sides of the same coin, nothing would further from the truth. Let’s look at the differences.

In 2019, we explored Antarctica with Silversea.

Exploring the Arctic and Antarctica offers two very different adventures. As you may know, the Arctic is a polar region at the top of the globe, surrounded by landmasses like the USA (Alaska), Canada, Russia, and Greenland, making it more accessible. Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic Region is a mostly frozen ocean and not a snow/ice-covered landmass. In the Arctic there are numerous Inuit indigenous communities, research stations, and even some sea routes like the Northwest Passage which we are attempting to traverse. Indeed, the vast and ever-changing Canadian archipelago offers countless opportunities to explore passages that rarely see humans. On the other hand, Antarctica is a remote, icy continent at the bottom

of the world, surrounded by ocean. No one lives there permanently, and getting there is tough, mostly limited to scientists.

The Arctic has extreme seasons, with summers warm enough to melt some ice. You’ll find polar bears, walruses, and a variety of other wildlife. Antarctica, however, is a frozen desert with ice covering almost everything. It’s much colder and drier, with mainly marine creatures like penguins and seals calling it home.

Humans have explored the Arctic for centuries, searching for trade routes and resources. Nowadays, it’s a hotspot for research and understanding climate change. Antarctica’s exploration history is newer and more controlled. The Antarctic Treaty keeps the continent focused on scientific research and free from commercial exploitation.

While the Arctic is more accessible and diverse,  Antarctica is a remote, icy wilderness mostly reserved for science. Traveling in both regions of the globe requires planning coupled with flexibility as the conditions are continuously changing.