logo
The world's only place where the sun never sets for two months every year - and how to travel there

The world's only place where the sun never sets for two months every year - and how to travel there

Daily Mail​28-07-2025
From late November until the end of January there's a destination that experiences 24 hours of sunlight.
Antarctica is located at southernmost point of the planet and is the least populated continent in the world.
The chilly location attracts thousands of visitors a year with its gigantic icebergs and clear waters.
Unknown to some, a natural phenomenon happens annually, mostly during Antarctica's summer months where the sun never completely sits below the horizon due to the Earth's tilt.
This creates a constantly glowing sky, a natural wonder dubbed the Midnight Sun.
Wildlife activity is also enhanced during the enchanting time and elephant seals basking on ice floes are a common sight.
Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins tending to their chicks can also be seen.
Holiday website Wildfoot Travel described the natural wonder as 'disorienting yet magical'.
They said: 'You'll find yourself walking among penguins at 10pm, sailing past glowing blue icebergs well past midnight, or standing on deck as the sky turns gold and pink – and never goes dark.
'It's one of the most disorienting yet magical sensations on Earth.'
Interest in visiting Antarctica is 'surging', according to the travel site, and travellers are encouraged to book early, especially for trips during the festive season.
The company added: 'For many, it's not just about seeing the wildlife or the scenery – it's about feeling like you're part of a completely different world.
'The Midnight Sun adds a dreamlike quality that you can't get anywhere else on the planet.'
Visitors not prepared for the sun never setting often find it difficult to sleep at first or feel confused over what time it is.
The travel site recommends bringing a sleep mask to help block out light.
Weather appropriate clothes are also recommended with temperatures only as high as -2 to 5 degrees in the summer months.
It is advised to stick to a regular schedule, including set times for meals, to help stay regulated during the constant light.
Though it isn't a tropical location, sun cream and moisturisers are still recommended because of how much the sun reflects off the ice.
The cold temperatures can drain batteries quickly, so extra equipment is also encouraged.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Who is Ethan Guo? The teenage influencer trying to fly across all seven continents solo
Who is Ethan Guo? The teenage influencer trying to fly across all seven continents solo

The Independent

time24 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Who is Ethan Guo? The teenage influencer trying to fly across all seven continents solo

An American teen influencer, who embarked on an ambitious cancer research fundraising flight around the world last year, has been stranded in a remote location in Antarctica for almost two months. Authorities say Ethan Guo landed his small plane illegally in Chilean territory and he was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization. However, on Monday, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. It requires the teen to give a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial. He must also leave the country as soon as conditions permit and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. Who is Ethan Guo? Ethan Guo is a 19-year-old Asian American pilot and influencer who is attempting to become the first person to fly solo across all seven continents. The teenager is piloting a 50-year-old Cessna 182Q – a single-engine light aircraft known for its versatility – named Whiskey Tango. According to Guo, who has 1.4 million followers on Instagram, the plane suffered engine failure soon after he began his first attempt at the historic journey. How did he learn to fly? Guo says his passion for aviation began at the age of 13 and he earned his private pilot license at 17 – having been homeschooled to accommodate flight training and preparation. The teenager is now IFR-rated, meaning he can fly using instruments alone, without visual ground reference. So far, Guo has flown to all 48 contiguous U.S. states and crossed the Atlantic three times, amassing over 700 hours of flight time. He began his seven-continent journey in September 2024. Why is making the historic trip? Guo's journey started out as simply a passion and an achievement to aim for, but later took a more personal turn when his cousin was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2021. Guo cites his cousin as the inspiration 'to take life more seriously' and has joined the fight against cancer. His journey is now also a way to raise awareness of childhood cancer. "It was extremely unexpected because he was young, 17, 18 at that time," Guo told KTUV in May. "And it was stage 4 blood cancer, which is not very good unfortunately, and I was like, 'what can I do to help?'" On his website, the teenager states he is aiming to raise $1 million for cancer research and awareness through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. How is he funding his trip? According to Guo, while his trip was simply a personal goal, he encountered funding challenges and worked different jobs to help pay for his training, while constantly searching for sponsors. Now, though he has amassed financial backers across the world, including places such as Dubai, whom he has stopped in to visit along the way. He also accrues funds through his social media content and collaborations with traditional media outlets. The journey so far Guo's journey started in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Since then, he has travelled to six out of the seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia – stopping at hospitals along the way to meet with child cancer patients, and discuss raising awareness with experts and medical professionals. The trip has not been without its perils, with Guo coming up against extreme weather, mechanical failures, brushes with military forces in several countries, and even detainment in Myanmar. The teenager was grounded in the Chilean territory of King George Island off the Atlantic coast in June, and despite charges being dropped, he has been unable to fly on so far due to adverse weather conditions. Advice to others Guo has been honest about facing loneliness during his epic trip across the world. "To be honest, many times I am scared," he told KTVU in May. "It's not a guarantee that I'll be able to complete this journey and on many fronts there are risks. 'But I think if you have something that you believe in and you find something that you believe is worth fighting for, I think even with the risk you should take it on." However, he has remained determined and advises others to keep aiming for big things. 'What I say to people is aim as big as you can, break it down to digestible steps and work towards it step by step,' he said.

How a teen pilot ended up stranded at an Antarctic military base
How a teen pilot ended up stranded at an Antarctic military base

The Independent

time11 hours ago

  • The Independent

How a teen pilot ended up stranded at an Antarctic military base

Ethan Guo, an American teen influencer, has been stranded in Antarctica since June after his ambitious solo flight for cancer research took a disastrous turn. Authorities in Chile initiated an investigation after Guo illegally landed his plane in Chilean territory, accused of providing false flight plan information. Guo was charged with providing false information and landing without authorisation, but a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement. The agreement requires Guo to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation, leave Chile when conditions allow, and be prohibited from re-entering for three years. Guo remains at a military base in Antarctica, unable to fly his plane and awaiting approval for his departure flight, and is also responsible for his security and maintenance costs. US teen pilot stranded in Antarctica after landing without permission

US teen pilot stranded in Antarctica after landing without permission
US teen pilot stranded in Antarctica after landing without permission

The Independent

time12 hours ago

  • The Independent

US teen pilot stranded in Antarctica after landing without permission

American teen influencer Ethan Guo's ambitious cancer research fundraising flight has taken a disastrous turn, leaving him stranded in a remote location in Antarctica since June. Authorities say Guo landed his small plane illegally in Chilean territory after providing false flight plan information, prompting an official investigation. Last year, the then-19-year-old made headlines attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, while collecting donations for childhood cancer research. As part of his trip, he planned to go to the Antarctic, but according to the authorities, he lied to officials by providing authorities with 'false flight plan data.' Prosecutors said he had been authorized to only fly over Punta Arenas, but that he kept going south, heading for Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q — a single-engine light aircraft known for its versatility. Guo was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, but on Monday, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. It requires the teen to give a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial. He must also leave the country as soon as conditions allow and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. On Monday, after the judge's ruling, Guo said in a text message that he was 'relieved by the outcome.' For the past six weeks, since being charged, he has stayed at a military base. He was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, but because of the severe winter in that part of the southern hemisphere, there haven't been any available flights he could take. And he has been unable to fly his Cessna. Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto on Monday told reporters that Guo's plane 'does not have the capabilities to make a flight,' without providing details. But the American teen influencer said he is talking with this lawyer to see if there's a way he can fly it. 'I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,' Guo told AP. 'I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.' The prosecutor's office said Guo must also pay all costs for his 'aircraft security and personal maintenance' during his stay at the military facility. He also needs to cover all expenses for his return.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store