It’s an understandable mistake if you think the so-called “great white continent” of Antarctica is white.
True, the mountains blanketed with snow and vast icy plateaus are white – so blindingly white you squint even with Ray-Bans.
But Antarctica’s icebergs?
Those are blue.
Antarctica icebergs
In “Iceberg Alley” in the Weddell Sea, colossal tabular icebergs bigger than downtown buildings are luminescent in their blueness.
There are smaller ice sculptures too, in every imaginable shape and limitless blue hues.
We see baby blue mushrooms and royal blue lotus flowers and popsicle blue mermaids.
Even when day turns to dusk and everything else is grey and silver, the bergs still glow with blue light.
Visiting Antarctica
Antarctica is often the last continent adventurous travelers visit.
They go to see not only these amazing icebergs but also the different types of penguins in Antarctica, breaching whales, seals and the vast, vast icy wilderness.
It requires a commitment in terms of time and stoicism.
Most Antarctica expedition cruises are at least 11 nights long.
It takes four days from the tip of Argentina just to get to the Antarctic peninsula and back; while crossing the infamously rough Drake Passage, we popped Dramamine like candy.
But once close to the Antarctic Circle, the ice-choked waters are calm and the magic unfolds.
Roald Amundsen, Norwegian leader of the first expedition to reach the South Pole, got it right when he wrote in his diary in 1911:
“Glittering white, shining blue, raven black, in the light of the sun, the land looks like a fairy tale.”
One with many shades of blue…
Photo credits: © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
Did you know Antarctica is so blue?
About the authors:
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George are the owners and founders of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents.
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Sherrie Fabrizi Allbritten
Tuesday 25th of December 2018
This is a destination very high on my bucket list, I am so intrigued with Antarctica! Your photography is beautiful and really captures the blue of the ice.
Janice and George
Sunday 6th of January 2019
Do plan a trip! It's so worth it :-).
Mary
Thursday 6th of October 2016
My husband and I will be cruising to Antarctica in January, and I was happy to discover your lovely posts and photography! Your blue & white iceberg photos remind me of looking for recognizable shapes in a cloud-filled sky. I can't begin to imagine what it will be like to see such splendor in person! Mary O. Greenberg
Janice and George
Thursday 6th of October 2016
How lucky you and your husband are! You'll love Antarctica -- it really is a very special place and the journey a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy!
Ellie Quinn
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
Wow amazing photos and post!!
Janice and George
Sunday 23rd of November 2014
Hard not to take amazing photos in such an amazing place :-)
Tiffany
Saturday 24th of May 2014
Beautiful photos! What an amazing experience to go to Antarctica. Everyone looks so bundled up, it must have been so nice to go out and get back to a warm place after seeing such amazing sites and animals.
Rajlakshmi
Friday 16th of May 2014
Gosh!!! The place looks fantastic. Didn't know it was so blue. Beautiful and so peaceful. Brilliant captures.