Antarctica - basics - Countries Guide

Time: There are no official time zones on the continent, and research stations usually go by the time of their home country for convenience.

Electricity: Each ship and base has its own electricity supply. Russian ships will have a 220-volt, 50Hz supply with a round two-pin plug connection.

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Health: Extreme cold temperatures and wind chill can lead to hypothermia. Due to the thin ozone layer it is essential that a high protection sunscreen be worn, and the glare from the ice and water necessitates the wearing of sunglasses. The crossing of rough seas will require most passengers to take some form of seasickness preventative medication. All passenger ships have an onboard doctor, but health insurance is imperative and must include emergency evacuation, which can be exorbitantly expensive.

Tipping: Tips are not included in the cost of a passenger ship, but are usually expected by the staff. Size of tip varies, but about US$10-15 per day per person is recommended.

Safety: The waters around Antarctica can be extremely rough, and in bad conditions loose equipment not tied down on board ship can cause injury; similarly passengers can be caught off balance during high seas. Sea ice is a polar hazard and icebergs are capable of sinking even a large ship. A cruise ship hit ice just off the Antarctic Peninsula on 23 November 2007 and started sinking, causing the evacuation of its 154 passengers and crew. The incident serves to highlight the dangers of Antarctic tourism. The US and UK warned a conference of Antarctic treaty nations that the tourism situation in the Antarctic region was a disaster in the making with some cruise ships carrying in excess of 3,000 people, and more than 35,000 people visiting during the season.

Customs: When visiting research bases or stations, tourists are asked to remove shoes, never to enter a building unless invited, not to interfere with scientific work, and to remember that researchers are using up precious work time to accommodate them. Make sure that restroom facilities aboard ship are used before visiting a base, as it is very bad practice to ask to use one on shore and it adds to the amount of waste that has to be removed by the researchers at a later date.

Communications: The international dialling code for Antarctica is +672. Ship-based communication is by satellite phone.

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Climate: Summer (late November to March) is the only time when tourists can visit Antarctica and even then temperatures are close to freezing along the coastal regions. The interior plateau is much colder due to its higher elevation and distance from the sea. The Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate, with temperatures averaging from 5°F to 60°F (-15°C to 16°C). December and January are the warmest months and can have up to 20 hours of sunshine a day, while in winter it is dark almost 24 hours a day with temperatures falling well below -76°F (-60°C), and the surrounding ice pack makes access by ship out of the question. To view mating rituals among the seabirds and penguins November is the best month, while December and January are the height of the tourist season and when penguin colonies are feeding their newborn chicks. The best time to see whales is during February and March.