Camping in Antarctica
Go camping in Antarctica to fall asleep beneath the polar night sky and wake up in the morning to a stunning glacial landscape.
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A depth of knowledge on board: As a team of ex-guides, tour leaders, & polar adventurers our Antarctic knowledge is leagues ahead of the rest.
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost: We help you choose the right ship, the right cabin, and at the right point in the season.
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Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) has taken the adventure world by storm and is one of the fastest growing sport activities, so why not in Antarctica? Boarding past icebergs and playful penguins is a fairly new concept to the White Continent, but catching on fast.
Paddleboarding in Antarctica is open to all levels of experience, as long as you’re a good swimmer and confident around water. However, we’d recommend having tried it at least once before.
This is very much fair-weather paddling in calm, carefully chosen bays, where you can soak up the stillness of Antarctica away from people and boat engines. It's an incredible opportunity to explore the White Continent intimately from an unusual vantage point while navigating through ice and spotting wildlife.
All equipment is provided as part of the cost. All you need to bring along is a good sense of balance!
Paddleboarding was AWESOME! Definitely the most fun activity we did.
Travelled: January 2018
Jill & Family - Texas
Overall, the trip was fantastic. We had so many new and amazing experiences that it is hard to pick a highlight, but some of my favorites include the first landing, paddleboarding, camping, and just taking it all in.
Travelled: November 2016
Ryan - Massachusetts
Review:
Guided by experienced staff, groups of up to 10 paddleboarders at a time can do this activity. The general plan is to do several SUP excursions per voyage to allow everyone on board who wants to give it a go, with one excursion per person unless you want to pay for a second. Due to the nature of paddleboarding on open water, it is weather dependent.
The paddleboarding excursions take place at the same time as the other passengers are doing a landing or zodiac safari. Once you’re all kitted out with buoyancy aid, drysuit and booties, embarkation takes place either from a zodiac or the shore.
Beginners are strongly advised to undertake an SUP course prior to arriving in Antarctica, while a refresher for a few hours on a board is suggested even those who have done it before. The more comfortable you are on a board, the more you’ll be able to relax and take in the incredible scenery and wildlife.
You’ll be wearing a drysuit and a buoyancy aid, so you won’t be in any danger if you fall in. The qualified SUP guide will be with you at all times, with a support zodiac in attendance. There’s also no pressure to stand up: you can paddle while sitting or kneeling for the whole session if you prefer.
All the necessary equipment is provided, including board, drysuit, buoyancy aid and booties. Just pack layers, gloves and a woolly hat to help keep yourself warm. Polar fleece and wool are the preferred clothing materials for paddling, not cotton.
Note that paddleboarding is only currently being offered aboard a couple of ships: Ultramarine and World Explorer
Paddleboarding costs either $225 or $295 per person per excursion, dependent on the trip. Along with camping it is the least expensive of the optional adventure activities.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
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The best way to regulate your temperature while in a drysuit is through adding or shedding a layer in the head and neck areas. A wool or fleece hat and a neck tube, scarf or balaclava will help cover all weather eventualities.
There isn’t a set amount of time, but normally they last 2-3 hours, which is the same amount of time as the other passengers will be away on their excursion. However you can finish when you feel you’ve had enough.
Togged out in a drysuit and wearing a buoyancy aid you’re in little danger and typically people get straight back onto their board and carry on. Your SUP guide and the support zodiac will be on hand should you need it.
Yes, as long as there's space in the group and you’re willing to pay a second cost.
It's not a regular occurrence, but if you aren’t able to paddle board then you will receive a full refund on the cost of the paddleboarding you booked.
Read Swoop’s Guide to find out more about what you’ll do on an Antarctic cruise.
Go camping in Antarctica to fall asleep beneath the polar night sky and wake up in the morning to a stunning glacial landscape.
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Discover MoreImagine the swish of water as it passes your hull or the clack of brash ice against your paddle blade. Skim past penguin rookeries and seals sleeping on passing ice floes.
Discover MoreSnowshoeing is an easy way of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. For the more adventurous, try mountaineering and get a taste of the region's fantastic climbing opportunities.
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 150 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1-855-369-8288Our Global Sales Team has Polar Specialists in the US, Canada, South America, UK, Europe & Australasia allowing us to get back to you quickly, and work with you at times most convenient to you
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