A member organization founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice
 safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic.

Information for Yachts

Latest News

Recent Incidents and sightings involving yachts in Antarctic waters have generated considerable interest and concern among the members of IAATO. The incidents and reports – some of which have been covered by the media – involve commercial and private yachts not associated in any way with IAATO, April 18. Read more

IAATO announces the appointment of Claudia Holgate to the part-time position of Environmental Operations Assistant, March 7. Read more

Following a good response to its public awareness campaign, IAATO has continued its efforts during the current 2011-12 season to educate those bound for Antarctica aboard sailing or motor vessels, Feb 21. Read more

IAATO makes new information available from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment to assist travel agents and tour operators with Antarctica travel planning for their Japanese clients and foreign residents of Japan, Feb 21. Read more

The Risk-Based Approach to the Polar Code, MarineLink.com, Nov 4, 2011 Read more

Questions About IAATO or Antarctica?

For answers to questions like these, please take a few moments to peruse our extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions. Don't hesitate to Contact Us if you have other questions.

Featured Articles and Events

What is IAATO?

Since the beginning of the modern Antarctic tourism industry in 1969, the number of tourists in Antarctica has grown from a few hundred to more than 30,000 each year. Recognizing the potential environmental impacts that such growing numbers of tourism could cause, seven private tour operators conducting excursions in Antarctica joined together in 1991 to practice and promote the highest possible standards of travel in this remote, wild and delicate region of the world. Read more to learn about IAATO's Mission, the History of IAATO and for an Overview of Antarctic Tourism.

Third Edition of Antarctic Peninsula Compendium Now Available

Ron Naveen, President of Oceanites, has announced that the new compendium, covering 142 different sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, can now be downloaded in PDF format at no cost. All ATCM site guidelines are included, and many relevant management plans are appended for easy reference in this valuable 360-page document. For additional details, visit the Oceanites website.

Get the Facts: Non-Native Species in Antarctica

Non-native species are those species that do not naturally occur in an area and have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally. A wide range of non-native species now occur in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Read more

Get the Facts: Climate Change in the Antarctic

Antarctica is a crucial part of the Earth system. The climatic, physical and biological properties of the continent and surrounding ocean are closely linked to the Earth's environment through ocean and atmosphere circulation and exchange of globally produced carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. See our Science News & Support Initiatives page for this pamphlet and other publications.

Port Lockroy: Insights into our Antarctic Heritage

This is the first in a series of 2011-12 Antarctica Centennial Cele- bration articles dealing with historic sites on the White Continent and the efforts to restore and preserve them for posterity. In 1911, Port Lockroy was little known, aside from the whaling factory ships that were just discovering the large natural harbor as an ideal location for their work. Read More