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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Antarctica

42 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Antarctica

Updated August 10, 2026
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Polar Week 11
Ecosystems 7
Martian Landscapes 7
Natural Wonders 6
Abandoned 5
Architecture 5
Exploration 5
Nature 5

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Stories About Antarctica

Antarctica - a trip that will change your life

Save the money, make the trip.
by Tim Martini - Exploring The Obscure, Community Contributor
A Weddell Seal napping

Antarctica, December 2019

by Rebecca Cruz, Atlas Obscura

The Trip That Changed Me: How Antarctica Shattered Daniela Hernandez’s Sense of Self

Two reporting trips to Antarctica forced the science journalist to confront who she really was, and come home ready to rebuild her life.
by Emma Patti, Atlas Obscura
Ivan the Terra Bus

The Bus, the Myth, the Legend: Ivan the Terra Bus

The iconic Antarctic airport shuttle is retiring from McMurdo Station after 30 years of service. What will he do next?
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura
Watch for whales and other wildlife as you pass through a seascape of towering icebergs.

Adventure at Sea: An Explorer’s Guide to Antarctica

Discover thrilling sites and hidden gems at the end of the Earth.
Sponsored By Silversea
Published by the British Antarctic Survey in March 2025, Bedmap3 is the highest-resolution map ever made of the geologic underworld beneath Antarctica’s ice sheets.

This Is the Most Detailed Map of Antarctica Ever Made

Scientists compiled decades of data to reveal the continent hiding beneath millions of miles of ice.
by Robin George Andrews, Atlas Obscura
For the last 30 years, Ivan the Terra Bus has dutifully transported people between Antarctica’s airfields and research stations. The 2024–25 summer season marked Ivan’s final days on the ice.

One Last Ride for Antarctica’s 'Ivan the Terra Bus'

After more than 30 years as an iconic fixture of the polar research station, this beloved bus is bidding farewell to the southern continent.
by Allegra Rosenberg, Atlas Obscura
These unassuming lichens growing on rocks in Antarctica may have a sexy secret.

The Secret Sex Lives of Lichens

Researchers found these dusty clumps of green and brown may be hiding how they get it on.
by Roxanne Hoorn, Atlas Obscura
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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