The short answer is no, your mobile phone will not work during your tour of Antarctica.
While we’ve come a long way from the earliest expeditions when explorers could only send snail mail via other ships, Antarctica is still a remote and wild destination with a telecommunications system to match. We think you’ll enjoy it best if you embrace the adventure and leave uploading all your photos and giving your friends the rundown until you get home.
That being said, you won't be totally cut off from the wider world. All of Intrepid’s Antarctic expeditions operate on vessels equipped with satellite phones that can be operated at the discretion of the ship manager on a pay-per-minute basis. However, satellite communications from the ship can be disrupted when travelling through mountainous areas or through narrow channels, or until satellites next pass overhead. As such, these phones are generally reserved for emergencies only. Â
Internet access is possible via wi-fi on your personal laptop or device in certain areas of the ship and is charged via a prepaid card which can be purchased through the ship manager. Be aware that connections can be slow and intermittent, so all ships charge for data used rather than time spent online. Accessing some websites such as Facebook using the ship's wi-fi will be very expensive, as downloading picture-heavy content uses a large amount of data. Text-only emails are therefore the most affordable way to communicate with friends and family at home.
If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, make sure your loved ones have realistic expectations of your (in)ability to communicate with them.
Click here to read more Antarctica FAQs
Our tours in Antarctica
11 Days
From
121500
Capture the essence of the Antarctic Peninsula and its incredible islands aboard the...
11 Days
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106532
Follow the whales of Antarctica as they migrate south on this 11-day expedition cruise,...
14 Days
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196500
Take an adventure of a lifetime to the Antarctic and beyond. Cross the Antarctic Circle...
14 Days
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210440
Take an adventure of a lifetime to the Antarctic and beyond. Cross the Antarctic Circle...
21 Days
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238165
Explore South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland Islands with Intrepid...
11 Days
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175350
This 11-day Christmas expedition travels to Antarctica for the ultimate white Christmas...
21 Days
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298160
Embark on a 21-day Intrepid expedition including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
12 Days
From
121500
Take to Antarctica on an 12-day expedition on board the Ocean Endeavour via Puntas...
11 Days
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101665
Take to Antarctica on an 11-day expedition on board the Ocean Endeavour via Puntas...
14 Days
From
210440
See a total solar eclipse as you tour for 14 days on an Antarctica expedition aboard...
11 Days
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142780
Sail through the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula,...
8 Days
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196775
Visit Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage and cruising through the South Shetland...
23 Days
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349150
Visit the Falklands and South Georgia islands on a 23-day immersive polar expedition...
14 Days
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188375
Uncover the sublime white beauty of Antarctica on this Southern Expedition. Travel...
20 Days
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286760
Visit Antarctica and travel through the Beagle Channel to the Falkland and South...
11 Days
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241165
Embark on an adventure of a lifetime while crossing the Antarctic Circle. Discover...
16 Days
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357550
Nothing on earth can prepare you for Antarctica; you have to see it for yourself. See...
23 Days
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554325
Embark on a cruise across the Antarctic Circle and visit the Falklands, South Shetland...
11 Days
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232770
Sail through the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula,...
14 Days
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138165
Experience the rare opportunity to explore both the eastern and western sides of the...
11 Days
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138165
Join Intrepid and special guests from the World Wildlife Fund – Australia’s whale...
14 Days
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192895
Join Intrepid and special guests from the World Wildlife Fund-Australia’s whale...
11 Days
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142780
Sail through the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula,...
14 Days
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304760
Uncover the sublime white beauty of Antarctica on this Southern Expedition. Travel...
13 Days
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286760
Experience the rare opportunity to explore Cape Horn and the Diego Ramirez Islands on...
20 Days
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554325
Follow in the legendary footsteps of Shackleton and his crew with an epic 20-day...
15 Days
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232770
Experience the rare opportunity to explore Cape Horn, Diego Ramirez Islands, and three...
