Antarctica trip clothing

JohnUibh

Hi all.
I am travelling to Antarctica in November for 18 days and was looking for some advice on what clothes to bring and where to buy same. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. John

whomitconcerns

John if your going to Antarctica and have to ask that in a general forum like this, you probably should not be going...I would ask the group you are traveling with. The guides will be best to ask

coylemj

The cruise company will probably advise you, you will almost certainly get an information pack in advance with practical advice. As above, I'm pretty astonished that someone books a cruise to a polar region and then asks a bunch of anonymous internet users for advice on what to wear!

NSAman

If it is a cruise (OP doesn’t say this) tuxedo for night time wear and flip flops and shorts for daytime wear should be fine.

(Seriously cannot believe someone would come on here looking for advice on what to wear after booking a trip like this)

Car99

Essential Antarctica Packing List

Parka

You’ll need one, but don’t bother to bring your own. Again, unless you’re a researcher, you’re going on a cruise ship. You’ll be given a parka in a bright color – usually red – because they want you to show up against the ice.

Knee High Waterproof Boots

These should be good ones, preferably insulated. You’ll use them to get from the cruise ship to the uninhabited shores, riding in an inflatable landing boat.

Called by their brand name, Zodiac, these run-abouts are made of heavy duty, rubber-like material. They carry about 12 people at a time, and are nearly indestructible. There aren’t docks or jetties in the Antarctic. You disembark from the Zodiac directly onto the beach, often stepping into the water. Your boots should come up at least to mid-calf. Ankle high boots will not cut it. Trust me, you do not want wet feet!

If you choose to bring your own, don’t worry if they aren’t insulated. I wore a pair of LL Bean Wellies with two pairs of warm socks, and that worked fine. The pros prefer Bogs or Muck Boots.

A note on tread: Avoid rubber boots with a deep tread. Penguin guano can be hard to wash out of those little nooks and crannies.

Waterproof Pants

Zodiacs are open boats. You’ll be exposed to spray and the occasional wave. Lightweight waterproof pants in a pull on style are best. You can wear them over a warm insulating layer. Make sure to get good quality ones that won’t tear. Once on shore, you may want to sit on the ice while taking photographs. In some places, like Paradise Bay, you may be able to slide down a snowy hillside.

In general, you want clothes you can layer. Pull on waterproof pants are a better choice than snow pants, because you can easily take them off if they’re not needed. Also, they’re easy to clean. Depending on the weather and the time of year, penguin rookeries can be very messy. Waterproof pants are essential.

Base Layers

Pack a couple of pairs of thin, warm base layers that don’t itch. Silk, polypropylene, Smartwool, whatever you prefer, or have on hand.

If you’re not sure how to pack for a cold weather trip, you’ll want to think layers, and good quality fabrics that will wick sweat and keep you warm.

Warm Socks

Pack plenty. They can get wet. Cold, wet feet are not only uncomfortable, they can be dangerous. Buy quality if you can. The Tortuga team members are big fans of Smartwool for durability, warmth and long term value.

A note about laundry: Some ships give you the option of a public laundry room. Others offer a laundry bag that you leave for the cabin steward. The latter is convenient, but expensive. Adjust your sock and underwear allotment accordingly. Hand washing socks and underwear during your shower is another option to stretch your wardrobe and minimize what you pack.

Hat, Gloves & Scarf

Pack:

Two pairs of waterproof gloves or mittens, and glove liners if you likeA scarf, or neck gaiterA hat, warm & windproof

Your hat does not need to be a fleece-lined deerstalker. But it should cover your ears. There will be cold wind on the boat and the ice. Be prepared to stay warm.

Sunscreen

I’m serious. Pack high SPF sunscreen and make sure to wear it. The ozone layer is at its thinnest above Antarctica, and there is significant glare from the white snow and ice.

Everyday Clothes to Wear Onboard

Onboard you’ll want to dress in comfortable clothing. Bring footwear you can slip into quickly. There are great views of wildlife and scenery from out on deck. You don’t want to risk missing a pod of orcas because you had to lace your shoes.

A note on footwear: Unless you plan to dress up, you can get away with only two pairs: waterproof boots, and something comfortable to wear onboard, both inside and on deck. If there’s an exercise room available and you plan to use it, bring sneakers. Otherwise, I’d avoid anything with laces.

Tidy Wear

Some ships are more formal than others. In general though, passengers on expedition cruises tend to leave the sequined ball gowns at home. Do pack something nice to wear for the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. In my family, this is known as “tidy wear.”

The last time I went, I brought a pair of lightweight flats in addition to my wellies and my onboard pull-on boots. If, like my mother, you believe that packing light trumps fashion, don’t worry. The Captain isn’t going to take offense if you show up in a nice sweater and a pair of slacks. But change out of those rubber boots, and brush your hair.

Other GearCamera

You are going to one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. And it’s inhabited by penguins! Pack the best camera you can afford.

Binoculars

These are particularly useful for spotting whales and sea birds from the ship. A small, packable pair is best. If you don’t have a pair and are unsure about what to buy, check out this binoculars buyer’s guide, which compares the options by size, field of view, weight, rating, and cost.

Backpack

For the Zodiac ride to shore, you need a lightweight daypack to store camera gear, binoculars, hats, and gloves. The last company I traveled with, A&K, gave these out with our parkas. Waterproof is best, because Zodiacs can get wet.

Waterproof Camera Bag

This is good insurance in the event of a wet Zodiac ride. A heavy ziploc bag works fine. Traditional expedition grade, roll top dry bags are another option if you don’t want to invest in an expensive waterproof camera bag.

Sunglasses

Again, it’s summer down there. The sun can be very bright, blazing on all that ice and snow. You don’t want headaches from constantly squinting, nor do you want to miss something spectacular. Polarized lenses are a great idea.

Seasickness Medication

If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever works. Some people swear by acupressure bands, others prefer scopalomine patches, Dramamine, or ginger. Bonine is a brand name, once per day, anti-nausea med that will not put you do sleep the way Dramamine has a tendency to do.

The Drake Passage between the tip of South America and the continent of Antarctica is the roughest stretch of ocean in the world. I’ve been incapacitated on crossings of the Drake, and other times felt fine. Some of it depends on weather conditions and some on the ship’s stabilizers. You may get lucky, and experience the Drake Lake. But come prepared for stormy weather.

Consider Renting

Some Antarctic travel companies now offer the option of renting gear. You fill out an online form and your selections are waiting for you onboard. It’s not cheap, but it keeps you from having to haul bulky rubber boots halfway around the world. It’s less expensive than purchasing a whole range of new gear that you may never use again if you live in a warmer climate.

Note: Copied from someone's blog. plagerised if you will. I'm sitting in an airport bored .

JohnUibh

Car99.

Thank you very much for your helpful advice, I really appreciate it. To all the other comedians, as I said, I was just looking for some helpful advice/ suggestions on what might make the trip more enjoyable and comfortable.

Peace

partyguinness

JohnUibh wrote: »

Car99.

Thank you very much for your helpful advice, I really appreciate it. To all the other comedians, as I said, I was just looking for some helpful advice/ suggestions on what might make the trip more enjoyable and comfortable.

Peace

As a matter of interest is it for work or pleasure?

JohnUibh

partyguinness wrote: »

As a matter of interest is it for work or pleasure?

It was a birthday present for my 40th so pleasure. I knew nothing about it and thought here would be a good place to start asking for some advice

FluffyTowel

Hey. So, I’ve no advice after Car99’s amazing post, but saw this on the front page and can just say I’m so jealous and hope you have a ball!

HeidiHeidi

What a fabulous present, lucky you!!

I was on a 9 day trip a few years ago - the cruise company provided loads of information, and also supplied us with outer gear, buoyancy aids and boots for the twice-daily landings.

The tour company are definitely your best port of call, each company will be different in terms of what's included or available.

We were unbelievably lucky with the weather, it never got below 0 and the sun shone all day every day (which is fairly unusual I think) so we never needed mega layers, but you'd be foolish not to have them available.

Enjoy, it was one of the best holidays I've ever had.

Jimbob1977

I just had a peek at Antarctica's November temperatures at the coast.

As it's "summertime" and the days are very long, the daytime coastal mean is -6c and the nightly coastal mean is -13c.

That's cold, but not savagely cold. I was expecting much worse.

However, the South Pole remains unbelievably cold in November. Around -35c to -40c.

In summary, the coast in November is like Iceland or Sweden around March.

The South Pole will be absolutely freezing, no matter what .

kingshankly

NSAman wrote: »

If it is a cruise (OP doesn’t say this) tuxedo for night time wear and flip flops and shorts for daytime wear should be fine.

(Seriously cannot believe someone would come on here looking for advice on what to wear after booking a trip like this)

Got brilliant advice didn’t he you never know who’s among us

I went with Hurtigruten in 2017, the most memorable place I’ve ever been. It was in January so the weather was “mild” and I saw plenty of nice sunshine. You spend a lot of time on deck, it’s indescribably beautiful & serene. Hurtigruten provides the boots & the outer jacket, and walking poles. Indeed I brought along a lot of thermal stuff and even got too warm at times as it went up to 4C. Travel sickness travels are a must for the two day Drake Passage either way as it can be very rough. Binoculars are a must to scrutinise wildlife from the deck, and a decent camera as well as your phone camera as the shots can be just magnificent. A good first aid kit is a must as there’s no chemist shops out there.

I had imagined it was going to be colder than it was. I brought bathing suit for dipping in the jacuzzi on deck during the Drake Passage. We were brought to a fine volcanic beach for a quick dip in 2C water, which at least had volcanic heat on the surface from underground hot springs. This is a voyage for everyone. One or two persons on the ship were wheelchair users and thoroughly enjoyed the voyage as there is a huge amount to be seen from deck. Do be prepared for the awful stench of deceased wildlife and bird lime on shore landings.

BbSean

Evening,

I was in Antarctica last month (December) though I flew in.

My trip was well organised and I was told in advance what I needed. I expect that you might find that your trip organiser has a list if you ask.

I was given the opportunity to hire the cold weather gear - trousers, coat and boots.

Bought the rest of the stuff I needed locally here in Ireland (I was running a marathon so the entire kit list might not be of much use) - base layers, socks, gloves, jumpers, hand warmers toe warmers hats etc.

One thing I forgot to pack was the sunscreen!! Factor 50. Though thankfully I was able to borrow some when I got there.

At the last moment I also picked up polarised sunglasses, I needed them!!

As for asking here, seems like a good place as at least two people are able to help.

As for the trip, if it even comes close to what I experienced you are going to love it!!

Forgot to mention I brought a lot of thermal kit that I never wore as it was a lot warmer than I expected, but I don’t regret it. I would rather have it and not need it than the other way around

partyguinness

BbSean wrote: »

Evening,

I was in Antarctica last month (December) though I flew in.

My trip was well organised and I was told in advance what I needed. I expect that you might find that your trip organiser has a list if you ask.

I was given the opportunity to hire the cold weather gear - trousers, coat and boots.

Bought the rest of the stuff I needed locally here in Ireland (I was running a marathon so the entire kit list might not be of much use) - base layers, socks, gloves, jumpers, hand warmers toe warmers hats etc.

One thing I forgot to pack was the sunscreen!! Factor 50. Though thankfully I was able to borrow some when I got there.

At the last moment I also picked up polarised sunglasses, I needed them!!

As for asking here, seems like a good place as at least two people are able to help.

As for the trip, if it even comes close to what I experienced you are going to love it!!

Forgot to mention I brought a lot of thermal kit that I never wore as it was a lot warmer than I expected, but I don’t regret it. I would rather have it and not need it than the other way around

Don't mind your polarised glasses. Two fundamental questions every lad wants to know:


1. Was there good Guinness and what time do the bars shut, and
2. Chances of gettig the ride with a woman that is?

partyguinness

partyguinness wrote: »

Don't mind your polarised glasses. Two fundamental questions every lad wants to know:


1. Was there good Guinness and what time do the bars shut, and
2. Chances of gettig the ride with a woman that is?

If you visit the Varnadsky (Ukraine) base there it’s all men I’m afraid. That’s the nearest to native humans you will get apart from at Port Lockroy post office. There’s a bar at Varnadsky where you can buy salty vodka made from seawater, and it’s the only place you can buy souvenirs actually made in Antarctica, made from bits and pieces by the men stuck at the base for 12 months. It’s also the only place with a totally civilised landing harbour.

I bought specially commissioned (ie made in UK and brought out for sale there) place mats and Christmas tree ornaments at Port Lockroy, and posted 3 cards from there which took a very circuitous route to their final destinations.

I was lucky that my ship, the MS Fram, was able to get as far south as just beyond the Antarctic Circle!

A barbecue in preparation. Nothing like enjoying an al fresco dinner on deck in Antarctica. Note how the crew are dressed!

Collie D

I genuinely never knew the Antarctic was a tourist destination. Must be amazing!

What kind of money would you be talking?

HeidiHeidi

Collie D wrote: »

I genuinely never knew the Antarctic was a tourist destination. Must be amazing!

What kind of money would you be talking?

A lot!!


I can't remember the figures, but we decided when travelling that far to do a few add-ons - and went trekking in Patagona for about 5 days, then flew down to Ushuaia for the 9-day cruise, and then had four days in the lap of luxury in BA before travelling home - so 3 weeks in all.


It cost plenty, but worth every penny in my book and if I won the lotto another, longer trip would be one of the first things I'd do.

patsy mulcaghy

Collie D wrote: »

I genuinely never knew the Antarctic was a tourist destination. Must be amazing!

What kind of money would you be talking?

Could be done for as low as 2,400USD + flights to BA + Ushuaia (2014 price from small operator in Ushuaia), depends on the length on cruise, ports visited, time of season (end nearer Feb/March is cheapest), program onboard and luxuriousness of the ship.

An experience you would never forget, would love to go again! That mans advice above is excellent, some of our crew rented the waterproof gear to go out, handy if your backpacking + definitely seasickness tabs if you suffer, that Drake passage is a wild one!

It is hideously expensive. I had planned to spend more a third of my retirement lump sum going there. A close cousin who had big travel plans of her own but was struck down by a rapid form of motor neurone disease and very shortly before her death she booked me on the Antarctica trip. She said “I can’t use the money myself to travel, but don’t be like me and leave your big trip on the long finger. I’m booking you now on the Antarctica trip you always talked about.” She booked and paid in full, and booked me on business class flights. She got a kick out of legally circumventing the taxman, so much of her single aunt’s money going to Revenue after death.

It’s literally the price of a small car. Many expedition type cruises are in this cost category: North-West Passage; West Alaska, Aleutian Islands & Russian Far East. Greenland cruises are also extremely expensive, indeed visiting Greenland any way is very costly, but it is a stunning place. Galápagos is expensive, but not as much as Antarctica. Svålbard, though expensive, can be done on a cheaper diy basis by booking SAS flights via Norway, and booking one of the Longyearbyen hotels direct. Excursions there can be booked through likes of Viator. However you are far less likely to see polar bears this way than going on an expedition cruise.

A couple of pics from my trip. You are instructed not to go near wildlife, but sometimes they come to you!

Mollyb60

Absolute dream holiday for me but I know I wouldn't be able to handle the Drake passage. Went on a Hurtigruten cruise around the northern tip of Norway in Feb 2015 and the seas were so rough I couldn't even sleep. Couldn't even be sick in the bathroom as the toilet water was all over the floor because of the high seas. The bits on land though were just jawdroppingly amazing but I am a poor sailor even in calm waters. In -23 weather in Tromso we were well protected in a base layer, fleece layer, and waterproof coat. There were additional insulated overalls available but we didn't need them. 2 pairs of gloves (inner thin gloves and a heavier outer ski type glove/mitten), hat with ear flaps and neck gaiter, 2 pairs of socks and heavy boots.

I didn't realise you could fly in though? I thought the flights were just a flyover with no landing.

Mollyb60

Mollyb60 wrote: »

Absolute dream holiday for me but I know I wouldn't be able to handle the Drake passage. Went on a Hurtigruten cruise around the northern tip of Norway in Feb 2015 and the seas were so rough I couldn't even sleep. Couldn't even be sick in the bathroom as the toilet water was all over the floor because of the high seas. The bits on land though were just jawdroppingly amazing but I am a poor sailor even in calm waters. In -23 weather in Tromso we were well protected in a base layer, fleece layer, and waterproof coat. There were additional insulated overalls available but we didn't need them. 2 pairs of gloves (inner thin gloves and a heavier outer ski type glove/mitten), hat with ear flaps and neck gaiter, 2 pairs of socks and heavy boots.

I didn't realise you could fly in though? I thought the flights were just a flyover with no landing.

The Drake Passage was relatively calm when I went over, but coming back it was rough on account of the ship travelling at full speed to get an ill passenger to hospital as quickly as possible-they had to pull in the stabilisers which add drag and slow passage. There was no water swilling about or anything like like, but being the bad traveller that I am I spent a lot of time dozing in cabin.

Sailing around the shores of Antarctica, it is extremely calm, as calm as you could possibly find anywhere. I don’t know about air routes into Antarctica, and where they land. Flying in Antarctica is inherently riskier than many other areas. Most modern aircraft aren’t designed for it, so old DC3s and the like tend to be used. It’s aviation as it was in 1920s & 30s, with some navigational and communication enhancements because of satellite technology.

That vast majority of cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula, which is regarded as being the most scenically spectacular area of the continent, and with a number of bases with a temporary population of people to visit, which is interesting. If money or time is not limited. one can take an extended cruise to also visit the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, or one could also join a cruise around the Patagonian fjords or the east coast up to Buenos Aires. There’s a lot of permutations.

Out of interest I researched the cost of a voyage to the North Pole on board the Russian icebreaker. From over €30K! Maybe if I win the Lotto!

BbSean

I flew in on an organised flight to Union Glacier Antarctica.

It was on an Ilyushin Il-76 from Punta Arenas in Chile.

It was all organised by Runbuk inc

https://www.icemarathon.com/site/6.html

There is an ice runway there

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Glacier_Blue-Ice_Runway

It’s not cheap but it was worth every penny.