Antarctica: What to Bring

How to be prepared and pack right for the great white continent

Preparing for a trip to Antarctica was the most stressful planning I've ever done for a trip. How do you know what to bring to a place unlike anywhere you have been? You know to be prepared for the cold, but you might not know how cold. There are not exactly stores to get something you forgot. There is also an element of luggage restrictions. You don't want to test the limits on weight and bag limits and risk missing the boat. I spent weeks shopping for gear, laying out my items to check, and trying to make hard choices on what to leave behind.

Assuming you are going as a tourist and not part of a year-long scientific expedition, the good news is that you can basically pack like you are going on a ski trip and there is no need to overcomplicate things. It will likely be summer and not too unbearable. Plus, you are probably only outside the ship for an hour or so at a time each day. Most of the snow gear you already have will be just fine (assuming you have some). Just in case, there are a few items you will most value having with you- and some you can leave behind.

Jacket

The great news is that the cruise will probably provide you a jacket. They love it because they get to easily track everyone on an excursion with a similar bright-colored jacket. But the big benefit to you is that you will save a lot of packing space. It will most likely be as good as anything you would want to buy. The one I got from SilverSeas had a removable down inner jacket and a waterproof shell that I used in the snow long after returning. It's not worth second guessing whether you will trust the jacket- the cruise ship will treat you right. However, you might consider some light weight jacket to protect against wind an light rain from the time you leave your home until you arrive on the ship. It's most likely summer in the Southern Hemisphere when you have your layover in Chile or Argentina and you might not need anything, but it is nice to prepare for those couple days. Once you are on the ship you are fine with what is provided.

Waterproof Pants

A simple pair of waterproof (Gore-Tex or alternative) pants will be fine. I debated a long time whether to get insulated lining, but decided on just a shell. My choice of a pair from Marmot for about $200 was perfect. They were more than a thin rain pant, but not too bulky. There were occasional splashes of water from riding in the zodiacs and rain on some of the excursions, but you will be walking over well-worn paths in the snow and are not likely to need more water protection than minor water and snow.

Boots

The standard issue boot for our trip was the Bogs Classic. I didn't necessarily understand how it was going to be exactly what I needed, but trusted the travel advisors and it worked perfect. The bigger issue was the option of renting the boot ahead of time for ship delivery or buying it and bringing my own. The problem was that the rental price was the same as the purchase price (you save taking the space in your suitcase, but don't get to keep it). I really wanted the boots after the trip to have at home and thought I didn't want to essentially pay for them twice. But this became an annoyance. At the high cost of the trip on its own, I should have just written this cost off and rented them. I was worried about proper fit and such on the excursions, but you really don't walk very far and it didn't matter. It was difficult to wrap up boots smelling like penguin in my suitcase and took up a lot of valuable space and weight in packing. If the rental is a reasonable price, take that option. And consider it even if it is expensive as the mental stress might not be worth it.

Gloves and Liners

You will want to consider three pairs of gloves. The first being a warm, waterproof ski-type glove suitable for being in the snow. It is cold in Antarctica and you will want these. The insulated, three finger gloves from Hestra were amazing. While expensive, consider them an investment for any future snow activities. The second pair is a thin glove liner. I had gloves that had liners already sewed in, but brought a pair of basic glove liners in case I wanted additional warmth. I underestimated their value beyond warmth. As someone that enjoys taking lots of pictures, I found myself taking off my bulky gloves for much of the excursions so that I could operate my camera. The liners provided the necessary dexterity when needed while providing a base level of protection from wind and cold. My insulated gloves fit over them when walking or riding back to the ship. The third pair is optional, but I appreciated a pair of basic waterproof gloves when in a kayak or other situation where I was likely to get very wet (you can chose those opportunities).

Experienced Tip: Make sure your insulated gloves have ways to clip to your clothes or similar set up so that if you take them off to operate your camera, you are not trying to hold on to them or worry about losing them. The Hestra pair above had wrist straps.

Proper Camera and Equipment

The most important thing you will bring on or buy for a trip to Antarctica is your photography equipment. If there is one piece of advice I would give is to make the most of this rare opportunity to capture and share the amazing landscapes and wildlife you will encounter. If you are learning, it might just be the best environment to build your skills because of the subjects and lighting.

While so many people are tied to their phones for pictures, the pictures mostly look good on small screens. Don't waste missing out on better quality pictures when going this far in the world. Spend just a little bit on a basic camera and if you can, at least a DSLR option.

This is also the time to invest in a good lens that has a lot of range (perhaps 18-400). You are not going to want to try and switch lenses in these elements. Having one that allows you to do whatever you want will be necessary for timing and camera safety. There are many quality brands that can save you a little money over the popular camera manufacturers while still being compatible with them.

There is a page on the site that is dedicated to other photography recommendations, but there are a few accessories you will want to bring along for this environment. The first are rain guards to protect your camera equipment. It is likely to rain some days or portions of your excursions. You will feel more comfortable protecting your equipment. Related to the rain, your lens is likely to get water spots on it, so you will want to have a basic lens cleaning kit in your room for when you return. Because of the cold, you will want to ensure to have a spare battery. There were we a few people that had problems getting their camera (or phone) to work until it warmed up. Finally, if you are experienced using filters or want to try, a polarization filter might be something you want to use occasionally, but it is not necessary.

Laptop Computer

The reason a laptop is mentioned here instead of a tablet is that there is a lot of time back on the ship after an excursion where you can download pictures and spend time sorting and editing in a relaxing environment. It's a lot of fun while the memories are still fresh and will be an incredible opportunity to improve your photography skills because you will see what you did right or could have done better, then have another ideal opportunity to shoot in a few hours. But do your best to enjoy the experience and not spend the trip online looking at nonsense.

Base Layer

I brought two pairs of thin thermal pants and five thin thermal long sleeve undershirts made by 32 Degrees, but any brand will be fine. I got them affordably at Costco and they did the job just fine. No need to invest money here as you will likely only put them on for a couple hours a day while on excursions as extra warmth and breathability. While any shirt will do, some level of breathable fabric is best to help repel sweat so you don't get cold.

Second Layer

I brought two pairs each of tops and pants to be a middle layer between the base and the jacket or waterproof pants. Probably one of each would have been okay (nobody will know under all that gear), but a backup is essential just in case. For the top, any fleece type jacket or workout jacket will do just fine and it is not worth investing any money here. For bottoms, even sweats would be fine, but I enjoyed a pair of winter tights that were thick enough for warmth but were not bulky under the waterproof pants.

Socks

Like gloves, you will appreciate having variety when it comes to socks. Bring at least one pair of sock liners to help wick away moisture when you are doing excursions. Also plan on an appropriate amount of hiking socks or similar to wear with your waterproof boots. The number will depend on the length of your adventure and how comfortable you are wearing them multiple times. Keep in mind you only need them for part of the day and you are not likely doing anything too active.

Ship Clothes

With just a few options to rotate under your snow gear, you can save space in your luggage for more clothes to wear around the cruise ship. You will be going to meals, educational sessions and just walking around the boat. Each cruise will have a different level of formality and appropriateness, but everyone is on a causal adventure. But you will want to have a few versatile options for looking presentable, but also want to be comfortable. Dressing like at a ski lodge will be a good balance.

Alternative Shoes

Since most of your day will not be spent in your waterproof boots, you will want shoes to wear around the boat and in your layover destinations. Any pair that can be versatile as both casual and comfortable, while decent to wear with something a little more business casual is probably a safe bet. I was happy to have brought a pair of slippers to walk around the boat in to go to an area to read or listen to an educational session. Also consider a pair of shoes that are both warm and easy enough to slip on if there is something interesting to see outside your room and you don't want to miss it.

Rolling Duffel Bag

This is featured on the general packing page, but the Eagle Creek Rolling Duffel was one of the best purchases I made for this trip. It was lightweight to not take up precious ounces, but also collapsed very small when I took my clothes out and didn't take any space in the cramped cruise ship room. It's a must for cruise travel.

Backpack

There is a very good chance that the cruise company will provide you with one. If that is the case, it will be nice to not have to pack it. If not, you will want any basic backpack. It is very helpful to throw your camera in while on a zodiac to keep safe store items while on excursions.

Sunglasses

Nothing too stylish or expensive needed here, but you will like having some sort of polarized lenses to help shield against the glare off the ice. Polarized lenses will also make for good viewing of the water when in a zodiac or kayak. I prefer a yellow or blue lens and found a wrap around style helpful to keep out additional glare. You can get a basic pair at a sporting good store for about $20 and you won't worry about losing them.

Binoculars

You are going to spend a lot of time on the ship and see some amazing icebergs, wildlife and rock formations. Having a quality pair of binoculars with you is a nice amenity. That said, I found myself looking through my camera lens a bit more, but was glad to have a respectable pair. I wouldn't invest a lot of money getting anything expensive. It may be an item you can borrow from someone for the trip.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm

There is a lot of snow reflection and just like any wintertime activity, you can get sunburned. But you won't be out all day so just packing one small bottle to cover your face is all you really need. Any lip balm with SPF will also help you protect yourself.

Entertainment

Everyone has their own style and preferences for books, music and movies. Plan accordingly to your own needs but check with your cruise company about available entertainment. The trip I took had unlimited TV and movies and didn't require a lot of thoughtful downloads before hand. Wi-fi was available for purchase (other than an hour a day that can be used for calling home and basic searching) but movies were not able to be streamed. However, do not overstress this area. There is so much going on and things to do. You will not prefer to watch shows over making the most of your once in a lifetime trip.

Items that you may regret taking

Tripod: As much as it is a great place for photography, a tripod probably isn't worth the effort. You will regulated from dodging penguins and will have so much to see in your limited time that you will probably give up using this.

Walking Stick: The exception here is if you have difficulty walking in normal conditions. For everyone else, you are likely walking in well-worn paths and won't need it. You are not blazing a new trail in the Antarctic.

Waterproof Bag: This sounds good in theory to keep camera equipment safe during zodiac trips. And it might be worth the insurance. But these rides are not long and any small spray of water wasn't enough to get through a standard bag with decent protection around your camera.

Any additional suggestions or questions are encouraged through the contact page!