The South Pole

The South Pole is the southernmost point on Earth, where every direction is north and the sun rises and sets just once each year. Unlike the North Pole, which sits atop drifting sea ice, the South Pole lies on the icy surface of Antarctica, a vast continent covered by an ice sheet up to 3 kilometres (1.71 miles) thick. 

Temperatures here are some of the coldest on Earth, and even the sun’s rays arrive at a low angle, diminished by the dense atmosphere. Despite its extreme conditions, the South Pole is a place of remarkable beauty: a windswept world of sculpted snow, shimmering glaciers and endless light, or darkness, depending on the season. While few living things can survive at the Pole itself, Antarctica teems with life along its coasts, where penguins, seals, whales and seabirds thrive. 

A visit to Antarctica offers the chance to explore this awe-inspiring environment, where each iceberg and icy bay is a reminder of nature’s power and fragility.

A Legacy of Antarctic Exploration

Antarctica has long captivated adventurers and scientists drawn to its mystery and extremes. During the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, legends like Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Douglas Mawson undertook treacherous journeys across the ice in pursuit of the South Pole and scientific discovery. Their stories, marked by bravery, hardship, and endurance, have become part of polar lore.

Journeying Towards the South Pole

While direct visits to the Geographic South Pole are rare and require specialist logistics, Aurora’s expeditions bring you deep into the heart of Antarctica’s extraordinary landscapes. Our voyages across the Antarctic Circle or into the Weddell Sea bring you closer to the South Pole than most will ever experience.

You’ll navigate pristine bays, sail past towering tabular icebergs, and land on remote shores where few have set foot. And while you won’t reach the Pole itself, you’ll gain a profound sense of connection to one of the most remote, inspiring places on