If you are going to the bottom of the world, one would think you are simply packing the warmest stuff you can find – but there’s much more to an Antarctica packing list than warm clothes!
I’ve been to Antarctica twice now, and each time I was surprised to find out the weather wasn’t as cold as I expected it would be. In fact, most days it was warmer in Antarctica than it was in South Dakota in the winter!
You do need to be prepared for the cold storms, but a mix of layers is the key.
Most cruises to Antarctica go as far as the Antarctic Peninsula (the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica), which experiences milder temperatures than coastal or inland Antarctica.
However, I’ve also been to Eastern Antarctica and that had a bit of a different environment. It’s much more exposed. The temperatures in and around Antarctica vary. The peninsula ranges between 20 to 40 degrees F, while Eastern Antarctica is more like 0 to 32 degrees F.
But it’s not just about the cold — it’s also wet, windy, bright, and unpredictable. And when the wind blows, those average temperatures are meaningless!
Here are the most essential pieces on my Antarctica packing list.
Table of Contents
Antarctica Packing List Essentials
Cold Weather Gear & Clothing
You will definitely need warm weather gear, but pack with layers in mind, since half of the time you’ll be lounging around on the ship.
The rest of your time is spent out on the zodiacs or hiking around on the continent.
Of course, there are a few obvious things you’ll want to take with you:
- a warm hat
- ear coverings
- a neck gaiter
- mittens and/or gloves
But there are often things that you might not consider when you think about your Antarctica packing list.
Here’s what I recommend for a typical Antarctica cruise that you might not have thought about:
Waterproof boots or Wellies – Make sure you check to see what your boat supplies first. Some cruises, like mine, supplied us with Wellies which made packing much easier. The boots must be completely waterproof as often times when you are getting out of a zodiac raft and onto shore you will have to step in water that can be ankle-deep.
Wool Socks – Layers of wool socks are best for drying quickly and keeping you warm. I suggest a liner sock and then bulky wool socks to keep warm in the boots. Our Wellies were not insulated and the wool socks were my main insulation – I used tall ski smartwool socks under my Wellies. Take multiple pairs in case they don’t have time to dry out between zodiac outings.
The cozy merino wool cushioning next to the skin insulates the foot from hot spots. Now featuring 37.5 Technology to keep you dry in the office or on the mountain.
Waterproof pants and jacket – Waterproof pants are absolutely necessary for getting in and out of the zodiac in deeper water. In addition, if you are in a zodiac when it starts to rain or snow you’ll be happy you have them! A waterproof jacket comes in handy as wind protection and if like me you are doing other Subantarctic or other island stops that get more rain than snow.
Great for a wind and rain barrier as a top layer for your adventures. EVODry Torreys Jacket offers the weather protection you need for unpredictable days and the lightweight breathability you want in a high-performance shell. I always have it with me in my pack.
These pants are great for rainy hikes. They have lots of pockets and soft breathable EVOdry fabric.
Comfortable clothes & shoes for lounging around in the boat – You’ll spend a lot of time lounging around the boat so bring comfortable clothes and shoes. I packed yoga pants, long-sleeved t-shirts, and fleece pullovers. Most of my suitcase was full of travel clothes from Exofficio, as they are all quick drying and made specifically for travel and comfort. Many people had UGG boots or slippers for lounging around the ship.
Smart Phone Gloves – If you plan on taking your smartphone with you for photos or videos on the zodiac or simply outdoor pics from the ship then be sure you have the right gloves with fingertips made for touch screens. You don’t want to take off your gloves to take photos! However these are simply lightweight gloves, you’ll definitely want something warmer too for those windy days.
Swimsuit – yes, you read that right. Many of the expedition ships have a sauna or hot tub you might want to use. But the main reason to take a swimsuit is to take a polar plunge! Are you brave enough?
Medications to Pack for Antarctica
Most expedition ships come with highly qualified medical staff and supplies since you’re traveling around remote destinations.
However, the most frequent medical issue is seasickness. Crossing through the Drake Passage or Southern Ocean is rough, and both left me feeling pretty queasy and sometimes just awful.
Be sure to do your research before you go and take seasickness meds or patches – different things work for different people, so my advice is to take more than one. Most ships also provide this too if you forget yours.
I started off using the Scopolamine Patch (prescription necessary from the US), then switched to Stugeron/Cinnarizine (only found in the UK over the counter), and that seemed to do better for me.
People also had motion sickness wristbands, ginger tablets, and Dramamine.
(20 Tablets) Antinauseant for NAUSEA, VOMITING & MOTION SICKNESS Ages 6 And Up
Photography/Video Equipment
For most people, this may be the most important gear, since you will be sharing your amazing experience when you return home.
Make sure you have tested out all of your equipment before you go and know how to use it.
And don’t forget extra batteries for all your gear, as they will deplete quickly in the cold temperatures. I used a Sony Mirrorless camera and lenses and they worked great for my trip.
Don’t have a telephoto lens for those penguin and whale close-ups? Then consider renting a lens before you go! Places like BorrowLenses.com allow you to rent by the week.
What Photo Equipment Should You Bring for Antarctica?
See my complete list of My Favorite Travel Photography Gear
Non-Cloud Backup
Take some way to backup your photos while you go (laptop, iPad, or notebook). You don’t want to risk losing them!
You will not have any ‘cloud’ storage/backup availability as the internet access is only available via satellite from the expedition ships and it’s VERY expensive to use.
I store my photos on WD Elements 2TB external drives.
Rain/Snow Gear for Your Camera
Just like you are waterproofing your clothes, you’ll want to protect your camera too.
I use a simple DSLR raincoat from LensCoat which is great for this type of outdoor shooting when the weather quickly changes.
Plus you can also get lens covers that will protect your lenses from all light weather.
If you plan to do underwater shooting, bring a smartphone waterproof case, a GoPro & underwater case or equivalent, or a DSLR waterproof case.
Don't let the weather stop your photography! This innovative cover provides protection for your camera and lens from the elements like rain, snow, salt spray, dirt, sand and dust while allowing you easy access to the camera and lens controls.
Sunglasses and/or Ski Goggles
The combination of water, snow, and sun creates deadly glare so be sure to pack sunglasses and heavy-duty sunscreen!
Or consider going the ultimate route, ski goggles which are really super for the windy days of which there are many in Eastern Antarctica. They provide more face protection too and that’s always a bonus!
I don't ski - but goggles are also great for snow shoeing or snow mobiling in cold weather! Airflow lens technology provides active ventilation to reduce fog in even the worst conditions, making the Drift the solid choice for a reliable medium-fit goggle.
Bird/Wildlife Watching Reference
The ships normally have this type of reference material, but if you want to take notes or have complete access to the guide all the time, then bring your own!
Binoculars
I didn’t have any and I wish I did. I normally just used my telephoto lens as my way to get a closer view, but a good pair of binoculars would have been a real help.
View small, yet powerful binoculars
Hand/Feet Warmers
Grab a multi-pack of these as they can be a great way to keep warm when you are on shore.
I had them in my wellie boots and I had hand warmers in my coat pockets so I could easily warm my hands up between photographs where I often can’t use bulky gloves.
Dry Bags
I used these for everything. To keep my smartphone protected while on the zodiac or in my backpack I also brought a drybag that was big enough to hold my cameras and I could sling over me as a backpack. It was just great to not have to worry about important things getting wet.
Dishwashing/Cleaning Gloves
Dish gloves are cheap and a perfect way to keep your other gloves dry while on the zodiacs. Just grab a pair of these and put them on over your other liner gloves for water protection.
Clothes Line and Pins
Each ship is different – but it is nice to be able to string up a clothesline in your cabin and let clothes dry from your landings or from any handwashing you do in the sink.
On my month-long Eastern Antarctica expedition, I had to hand wash things all the time in my room, so it was great to be able to dry them easily as well. Don’t forget a little bag of laundry powder too if you are planning to do sink washing!
Eye Cover for Sleeping
Remember you’ll be in the land of midnight sun and that means it’s hard to sleep since the sun never really sets. Bring along a good eye cover for sleeping
Travel Coffee/Tea Mug
It’s just nice to have one of these along so you can have hot beverages in your room when you want them. Or take it out on deck and enjoy the view with a cup of joe.
Compression socks for travel: what, why, and how
Water Bottle
For shore excursions, it’s great to have a water bottle. It was especially important for my Eastern Antarctica trip since we were often on land for 3 to 4 hours at a time thanks to our small ship numbers and the lack of other tourist boats there.
Hiking Poles
Hiking poles really do help with uneven surfaces. Many of our landings included hikes on pretty rocky/boulder-covered ground. It was nice to have a little extra balance.
Hiking packing list – essential hiking gear for any hike
Entertainment (Digital and Non-Digital)
You will have a fair bit of free time on the ship as you make the journey, so bring things to do.
Books, videos, movies, and podcasts are great for entertainment.
But don’t forget it’s also nice to unplug and have some other hobbies too, such as knitting, painting, writing, etc.
Some of my favorite Antarctica Books:
Check out some great Ross Sea reads before your trip!
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Emergency Evacuation Insurance
Most Antarctica expeditions require proof of Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance. This is pretty much the norm on these types of remote trips. Getting proof of coverage was easy for me to do. I just called my insurance provider and made sure I was covered and then had them send me the paperwork that provided my proof of coverage. If you don’t have emergency evacuation insurance under your normal medical insurance, then you’ll need to look into travel insurance plans that cover you separately. I used Allianz Travel Insurance to determine my choices and choose a plan that worked for Antarctica.
Extra Passport Pages
Make sure you have empty passport pages. Most of the research stations the ships stop at will stamp your passport with a special Antarctica stamp.
Cash
Yes, you can shop in Antarctica! The ships normally stop at various simple research stations along the peninsula and most of the stations sell Antarctica memorabilia. You’ll find hats, postcards, patches, wine, mittens, and even vodka!
You’re all set to visit this magical remote land! Stay warm and Bon Voyage!
More About Antarctica Travel:
- 7 Things To Do In Antarctica (that surprisingly don’t involve wildlife!)
- How to Travel to Antarctica: The Ultimate Guide
- Outnumbered on Macquarie Island
- 4 (Subantarctic) New Zealand Islands You’ve Never Heard Of But Should Explore
By jillyanne March 14, 2017 - 2:30 pm
A hiking pole is great too for something to hang on to while you try to ease your foot, along with your boot, out of the very sucky mud/pelican poo gumbo between the rocks and on some trails.
By Sherry March 15, 2017 - 9:35 pm
SO TRUE!! I actually was just looking at some video footage of me walking through muck in my boots…
By Melanie Trethowan March 14, 2017 - 5:35 pm
My parents had an exciting trip to the Antarctic – their ship crashed into an iceberg and they had to be rescued! As part of their package they were given fabulous water/windproof coats. The coats are fantastic reminders of their adventure but total overkill for Australia! 😉 Thanks for the packing insight. I can’t wait to get to Antarctica myself. Mel
By Sherry March 15, 2017 - 9:35 pm
Wow – what an Adventure! They really crashed into an iceberg?!! Crazy. Did they go from Australia/New Zealand or South America?
By same day agra tour by train March 15, 2017 - 3:15 am
Great post, Antarctica is an awesome place and have so many good things to enjoy. i really like its beauty and you shared amazing packing list of that place.
By Erin Southerland March 15, 2017 - 8:39 am
My Antarctica trip is still years away and this guide was fascinating to read because at this point I know almost nothing other than: I want to go. I didn’t expect to hear about rain! And I had no idea I could get a raincoat for my camera. Thanks for this list!
By Sherry March 15, 2017 - 9:33 pm
Erin – you have so much to look forward to! The rain was mainly in the Subantarctic Islands which is further north. If you go to the peninsula from South America then you probably won’t have that issue. But rain pants are required regardless as you will have wet landings. And honestly a waterproof coat is great for the Zodiacs. Let me know if I can be of any help!
By Adonis Villanueva March 20, 2017 - 9:14 pm
Amazing photography Sherry! I’m a fan 🙂 Antartica is on my list but still years away. I’ll definitely use this article as a resource when the time comes.
By Dick Troop May 6, 2017 - 7:40 pm
Hi, Sherry,
Great meeting you on TripAdvisor, and getting to hear some more about the Spirit of Enderby. I noticed that your next trip is to Norway. Have you been there yet? We’ve done a couple of trips to Norway – the first to hike above the fjords, centered in the most incredible botique hotel not too far from Trollsteigen, and the second to spend 10 days exploring the Lofoten Islands. If you haven’t read it, I suggest a book called Summer LIght, a walk through Norway, which gives a true view of being Norwegian and living Norwegian.
cheers
dick troop
[email protected]
By Sherry May 6, 2017 - 8:11 pm
Hey Dick – thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the book tip for Norway. This will be my first trip there and I”m really excited. I’ll be in Oslo for a couple of days and then up to Fjordland – however now as far north as Lofoten Islands. However I do believe I’ll be near Trollsteigen. Still working out itinerary. But it’ll be a driving trip – I can’t wait! Let me know if I can be of any help on the Antarctica stuff – you’ll have a wonderful time!!
By Dick Troop May 6, 2017 - 8:44 pm
Mange takk, Sherry [do you have time to learn to speak a little Norsk? The transliterations don’t work at all.]. On our first trip, we flew into Oslo, took the train from the airport into town (the best way to go), and flew the next day to Ålesund, where we rented a car. It’s very easy to drive in Norway, but you do need to pay attention to the ferry schedules as you make your way around. The first place we stayed was the Juvet Landscape Hotel (google it), which was the site used for the movie Ex Machina — spectacular. Our host furnished us with topo’s that we used for our hikes. Then we drove to the Hotel Union Oye, and did some great hikes and side trips around there. I’ll see if my album from that trip is still available online
cheers
dick
By Dick Troop May 6, 2017 - 8:48 pm
I do have my photo album of the trip. If you email me your email address (to [email protected]) I can send you a link to it.
d