Sailing to Antarctica? Cap vers l'Antarctique? ¿Rumbo a la Antártida?

An updated version of IAATO "Sailing to Antarctica" pamphlet is now available and can be downloaded here. The pamphlet – in English, French and Spanish – offers valuable information and links for yachts heading for Antarctica.

Yachting Guidelines and Checklist adopted at ATCM XXXV

At the 35th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (Hobart, 2012), Treaty Parties adopted Resolution 10. The resolution recommends that all those intending to undertake a yacht visit to Antarctica utilize an agreed Checklist of yacht specific items for preparing safe Antarctic voyages. The Parties also recommended the use of agreed Guidelines for Antarctic Cruises. Contact details of national competent authorities and relevant Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs) were also made available for Antarctica-bound yachts.

Yachts

Sailing to Antarctica?

Be Prepared and Help Protect the Antarctic Environment

Visiting Antarctica is one of life's greatest experiences. It is a place that can be seductive in its beauty, wildness, pristine nature and isolation, but harsh, inhospitable and fiercely dangerous in its extreme climate.

Each year, hundreds of visitors go to Antarctica onboard sailing or motor yachts to experience this unique ecosystem. With this rewarding adventure comes a responsibility: careful planning and preparation are needed to legally travel to and stay safe in Antarctica.

Remember to tread softly. Protecting the fragile environment for science and future visitors is a commitment everyone must make.

Please join the Antarctic community and help keep the tradition alive.

Be a safe and environmentally responsible visitor to Antarctica

Check for the latest information. Free advice on authorization contact points, sites to visit, resources and guidelines for visitors can all be accessed via the links to the web pages noted in the Yachts navigation menu, the gray box to the upper left.

Please review these pages, and benefit from decades of Antarctic yachting experience...

Additional resources can be found at:

Antarctic Treaty Information for visitors:
http://www.ats.aq/e/ats_other_tourism.htm
Antarctic Treaty information on protected areas:
http://www.ats.aq/e/ep_protected.htm
"Southern Ocean Cruising" by Sally & Jérôme Poncet is available for free download:
http://www.era.gs/resources/soc
Additional guidelines for yachts sailing to Antarctica have been produced by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Even if you are securing an authorization or permit from another country, these guidelines are very useful. They can be found at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/3849543/antarctica-yachting-guidelines

Among IAATO yacht operators, there are specialized yachts available for charter as a whole or with individual berths, and other companies which provide consultancy services specializing in assisting private yacht visits to Antarctica. For more information, please visit the Yacht Operators and Services Providers page or go to the IAATO membership directory.

For yacht operators interested in joining IAATO, download the IAATO Yacht Membership Guidelines & Observer Requirements

To download a multi-language pamphlet (English, French and Spanish) that covers most of the yacht information on these web pages, please click here.