Base Belgrano II Airport

Argentina's southernmost research base at the edge of the world.

Base Belgrano II is an Argentine military and scientific research station located on the Bertrab Nunatak in Coats Land, Antarctica. Established in 1979, it sits at approximately 77°52'S, making it one of the southernmost permanently occupied bases on the continent. The base is operated by the Argentine Army and hosts rotating scientific personnel studying glaciology, meteorology, and geophysics.

Visitors to Belgrano II are virtually exclusively scientists, military personnel, or rare authorized expedition members. The surrounding landscape is one of raw, uncompromising beauty — endless ice shelves, towering pressure ridges, and the profound silence of the polar interior. The Filchner Ice Shelf dominates the horizon, offering dramatic vistas unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Life at the base is dictated entirely by the extreme environment. Temperatures regularly plunge below -50°C in winter, and the sun disappears for months at a time. Every aspect of the station is engineered for survival, making a visit here a humbling encounter with the absolute limits of human endurance and ingenuity.

• •Filchner Ice Shelf — vast, otherworldly ice frontier stretching to the horizon.
• •Bertrab Nunatak — rocky outcrop rising dramatically from the surrounding ice sheet.
• •Midnight sun phenomenon — continuous daylight during austral summer is surreal.
• •Polar aurora displays — winter skies erupt with vivid southern lights.
• •Scientific facilities — observe cutting-edge glaciological and atmospheric research in action.
• •Wildlife sightings — occasional emperor penguins and Weddell seals near the ice edge.

Getting around: There are no roads, buses, taxis, or rideshare services at Belgrano II. Movement within and around the base is done entirely on foot for short distances, while snowmobiles, tracked vehicles, and helicopters are used for any travel across the ice. All logistics are managed by Argentine military and scientific support personnel.

Best time: The austral summer months of November through February offer the most accessible and survivable conditions, with milder temperatures, 24-hour daylight, and open supply routes by air.

Local food: Meals at Belgrano II are prepared by military cooks serving hearty Argentine staples like stews, empanadas, and asado when supplies allow, prioritizing high-calorie sustenance suited to the extreme cold.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.