What to pack for a trip to Antarctica

by Chris on 30th October 2019

Chris is the CEO of The Adventure People and has over 20 years experience in the travel industry.

What to pack for your Polar adventure?

It’s all about layers! They will be the key to staying warm and comfortable while you are exploring and they will be much better than a bulky jumper and big coats. You won’t want to be wearing that when kayaking! Thin wool and cotton are good bets as they will comfortable and keep you well insulated.

Base layer

Embrace long underwear! Your base layer is perhaps the most important - bring a few different sets as you will be wearing it throughout the trip. We suggest a mix of thermal underwear and long or short-sleeved tops that you can peel off when you are indoors or onboard the ships.

Mid-layer

Looser fleeces or thin wool tops are great for the mid-layer along with leggings and long trousers. Definitely have a couple of fleeces with you that can fit comfortably over your base layers.

Outer layer

This should be roomy, wind and water-resistant insulation. Bright colors are more visible - and thus safer - in polar environments. Some of our adventures may provide this for you so best to check with us before travelling. Also remember to pack waterproof, Water-resistant trousers of coated nylon or, even better, Gore-Tex for when you head off exploring. These items can be expensive so it may be worth asking around to see if you can borrow them. Also, remember some comfortable clothing for travelling or chilling in your room at night.

Socks

It is a good idea to pack a mix of think and think socks. Layer them up for extra warmth, and if in doubt, pack a couple more pairs. Snow boots or wellies are available to use when you are on the tour, so boot socks will be useful on these days. There are few things worse than cold feet when you are exploring and it will also help keep the rest of your body warm.

Sun protection

Don’t underestimate the strength of the sun while you are in Antarctica, it may be cold but it can be very sunny, especially with the reflections off the vast white snow so sunglasses with UV protection will be very useful, especially polarised ones if you can get a pair. They will help battle that snowy glare.

Gloves

We suggest getting underlayer gloves that work in the same way as your body layers. These will also be very when you want to take pictures of the wildlife. Then on top you will need some good waterproof gloves or mittens. If you can borrow some, it is worth bringing a couple of pairs with you.

Hat

Obvious but essential! Go for a close-fitting one beanie or one that covers your ears if possible. You will also need a neck gaiter or face mask for extra protection against the wind.

Moisturizer and lip balm

The sun, cold and dry air will lead to very dry skin, especially your face and hands. Make sure to pack moisturizer and some lip balm. When you're out on excursions, you'll need to have access to plenty of water. Traditional water bottles might not be able to handle the cold, and your water might be ice by the time you get to it. Look into getting an insulated winter water bottle to prevent this from happening.

Medicines

There won’t be a chance to stop off and so an emergency Boots shop once you are on your Arctic adventure so ensure you have a good supply of any medicines and toiletries supplies you may need. We recommend speaking to your doctor ahead of travelling if you have any questions.

And don’t forget…

Your swimsuit. Some of the ships have a hot tub. - or for the brave/stupid, you could always do the Polar plunge! Binoculars. You will see the most incredible wildlife so make sure you have a pair of binoculars to catch more camera shy creatures Study zip lock plastic bags. Books / iPod or some entertainment - sometimes it's days at sea and lots of downtime!