
Camping in Antarctica
Fall asleep beneath the Antarctic night sky and wake up in the morning to a stunning glacial landscape, and maybe even an inquisitive penguin or two!
Discover MoreIf you choose to experience kayaking in Antarctica as part of your voyage, you'll be offered kayaking excursions as much as conditions allow, up to twice a day, and you can choose to take part in as many or as few as you like.
While the rest of the ship takes zodiacs out to landing sites, Antarctica kayak tours give you a chance to explore Antarctica from a unique perspective. You'll typically set off a little earlier and paddle for 2-3 hours out to the landing site meaning you'll arrive a little later and can explore with fewer people around, but will have less time on land. For many, that's more than compensated for by the experience of paddling around natural ice castles to get there!
The waterways around the Antarctic Peninsula are very protected, so more often than not conditions are perfect for sea kayaking in Antarctica. Think glassy surface, clear waters, wildlife swimming under and around your kayak, and getting closer to icebergs than you'd thought was possible.
This is still Antarctica, and weather and ice conditions can change daily, so staying flexible is key (and very much all part of the adventure). Your kayaking guides are experienced and safety-oriented, and you'll be kept informed as they monitor the surroundings.
Costs for Antarctica kayak tours vary from $695 - $1,050 per person, depending on which ship you join. While this may seem high compared with the more modest price for camping, bear in mind that you only camp once, but with kayaking, you could be out every day. The more often you join the kayaking excursions the more value you’ll get.
If you only want to experience kayaking in Antarctica once, alongside a wide range of other activities which are all included in the voyage price, then consider the Antarctic Basecamp Adventure, a voyage packed with adventurous activities.
Togged out in a drysuit and wearing a buoyancy aid you’re in little danger and typically people get straight back into their kayak with the help of the support zodiac.
Double kayaks are preferred over single kayaks as they are more stable. If you're traveling alone, your guide will assign you a kayaking partner. Anyone wishing to have their own kayak will have to demonstrate their competency first, and it’s at the kayaking guide’s discretion.
Unfortunately this isn’t possible for a few practical reasons:
For those people undertaking a longer voyage with South Georgia, kayaking is available but isn’t as widely offered as kayaking in Antarctica. The kayaking here is also more challenging and weather more of a factor.
Sea kayaking in Antarctica is open to anyone with an adventurous spirit, basic paddling skills and the ability to get themselves in and out of the cockpit of a kayak. You don't need to be super experienced, but you should have paddled before as this isn't a 'beginner's course'.
Find out more about other adventure activities.
In most occasions, you'll be provided with a full dry suit, neoprene boots, a waterproof dry bag, 'pogies' (insulated mittens that attach to your paddle) and a life vest. You need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a warm hat and layers for under your suit.
When on the move, you may get warmer than you thought, so leave some extra layers on the safety zodiac boat to wear once you get onto shore.
Fall asleep beneath the Antarctic night sky and wake up in the morning to a stunning glacial landscape, and maybe even an inquisitive penguin or two!
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Discover MoreWith over 50 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.