We recently came back from the trip of a lifetime, an expedition to Antarctica! We will be the first to tell you we did not know what to pack for Antarctica expedition is unlike preparing for any other journey! The frozen continent demands careful planning and the right gear to ensure you stay warm, safe, and comfortable.
We explored with Quark Expeditions. So we are speaking from our experience aboard their ship with their team.
In this blog post, we are providing a comprehensive guide on what to pack for Antarctica for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
How Much To Pack For Antarctica
While there was no specific restrictions on amount of pack (unless you are flying in), our biggest piece of advice would be to keep it light and pack only what is essential for you.
We also recommend packing in a soft sided luggage so that it is easy to store and out of the way when you unpack. While the rooms are generously sized, you don’t want a bunch of luggage taking up valuable space.
Pack For Antarctica – For Excursions and The Outdoors
Layering is the key to staying warm in Antarctica. The weather can be unpredictable, with strong winds and temperatures well below freezing at times. You want to bring clothing that keeps you warm and keeps moisture away from your body. We also recommend packing duplicates of certain items like thermal base layers, hats and gloves. There are often two excursions a day off the ship and you don’t want to re-wear wet gear and be cold.
Below we are sharing exactly what we packed to have a comfortable and warm trip in Antarctica.
Packing Essentials
Base Layers: Opt for thermal tops and bottoms made of moisture-wicking materials like merino wool or synthetic fabrics. These will keep you dry and warm. We packed these:
Mid Layers: Layering is important for the changing conditions in Antarctica. Fleece and Wool sweaters are a great addition to ensure that you can stay warm but are easy to remove as needed. They are also great to wear around the ship between excursions and in the evening.
Waterproof Outer Layers: Most Antarctic Expedition ships provide a parka for passengers to keep as a souvenir. We traveled with Quark Expeditions and the parka they provided also has an inner puffer jacket that can removed and used around the ship on warmer days
It is also important to pack waterproof pants as it is mandatory to wear these on all zodiac excursions and on the helicopter if that is included in your expedition.
Women’s Waterproof Pants
Men’s Waterproof Pants
Accessories: Don’t forget insulated gloves or mittens (waterproof is best), a balaclava or neck gaiter, and a warm hat. Sunglasses with UV protection are essential to guard against snow glare. As I said above, we recommend bringing duplicates of a hat and gloves so if one set becomes wet during your morning excursion, you have a dry pair that will keep you warm on your second excursion.
Footwear: Waterproof and insulated boots are typically provided by your expedition team. Quark Expeditions provided waterproof muck boots for us to use for all off ship excursions. Don’t forget thick wool socks to keep your feet warm during your excursions. (pack extras in case they get wet).
Pack For Antarctica – On The Ship
Keep It Casual: The dress code on the ship is casual. Our biggest piece of advice is to be comfortable and pack things that you can re-wear on the ship and off the ship during excursions to save luggage space.
The last night on the ship there is a captain’s dinner so if you did want to bring something a little on the dressier side you can do that too! Although on our ship everyone kept it pretty casual.
Swimsuit: Make sure to pack a swimsuit to be able to partake in the polar plunge and enjoy the sauna and hot tub.
Footwear On The Ship: We recommend bringing a comfortable pair shoes for on the ship when you are walking around or using the gym facilities. We also recommend packing a pair of sandals for use in the sauna and also for using the hot tub!
Other Items To Pack for Antarctica
- High-SPF Sunscreen: The sun’s rays are intense, even in Antarctica, due to the reflective snow and thin ozone layer. We recommend bringing sunscreen for any areas on your body that may be exposed to sunlight, including Lip Balm with SPF!
- Moisturizer: Combat dry skin in the harsh environment.
- Travel-sized First Aid Kit: Include any personal medications, blister care, and motion sickness remedies!
Electronics and photography gear
- Waterproof Backpack and Drybag: A small, waterproof daypack or Drybag with straps will keep your essentials dry during excursions. Use these to protect electronics, documents, and other valuables from moisture.
- Phone Case with Wrist Strap: This is one we didn’t think of until our first excursion on our Zodiac cruise. A fellow passenger dropped their phone off the side of the Zodiac (in an area with very deep water so it wasn’t able to be retrieved). This is definitely something to bring with you. Some even have a waterproof cover for your phone and float like this one here!
- Camera and Lenses: Capture the stunning landscapes and unique wildlife. This is our camera body. A zoom lens is highly recommended, this is our favourite zoom lens!
- Extra Batteries: Cold temperatures drain batteries quickly, so bring extras and keep them warm.
- Portable Charger: Ensure your devices are always powered, batteries die a lot faster in cold weather.
- Waterproof Camera Cover: Protect your gear from snow and water spray. We bought these ones to protect our camera!
Travel Documents and Miscellaneous Items
- Passport and Visas: Ensure all necessary travel documents are up to date!
- Travel Insurance: This is mandatory for any Antarctica Expedition
- Notebook and Pen: Jot down your thoughts and observations about this extraordinary experience.
- Binoculars: Perfect for spotting wildlife like penguins, seals, and whales from a distance. Although on our expedition they did have some for use for everyone in the observation deck so if you don’t have space then don’t worry!
Some Final Tips
Laundry Service: Want to pack light or maybe get some things clean while on your expedition? Then you will definitely want to take advantage of the laundry service on board the ship. There will be a small bag in your closet and a list of services to review that you leave for the great expedition staff and you will get clean clothes the next day!
Boutique: Forget something or want to buy something on your trip? There is a boutique onboard that has everything you need from thermal base layers, to fleece sweaters, waterproof gloves and even Antarctica branded sweaters and hats. They also have a great variety of souvenirs so be sure to leave some room in your luggage to bring home some amazing things to remember your trip!
Stay Up To Date With Your Expedition Provider: Your expedition provider will have a packing guideline that is specific for your itinerary. You can reference Quarks packing guidelines here!
Final Thoughts
An Antarctica expedition is truly an adventure of a lifetime, and being well-prepared will ensure you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty and majesty of the White Continent.
Make sure to save this blog post with packing essentials for your expedition to Antarctica!
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