Polar Excursions

All outings are guided and supervised by professional guides with experience kayaking in cold-water, near ice and marine mammals. They are certified in advanced wilderness first aid and will be with you at all times to help with new skills or to offer coaching to improve your paddling performance. There will be a Zodiac to assist paddlers if necessary and to help maintain safe boundaries that limit the kayakers range of paddling.

As long as weather permits, we hope to make multiple kayak excursions throughout the voyage. The normal duration of an outing is approximately 2-4 hours with a paddling distance of up to 5 nautical miles. Kayaking is conducted while other passengers are doing landings or zodiac cruising.

We provide all the specialized paddling gear you will need to have a safe and enjoyable time in the polar environment. All our kayaks and gear are top-quality and maintained in excellent condition. We carry enough of all sizes to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable in their gear.

We use 16-foot double (Tandem) sea kayak plastic boats that are exceptionally stable and tough. You will be provided with a Kokotat Supernova padding suit, spray skirt, padding-specific PDF, wet shoes, and pogies (kayaking mittens).

The rule here is to dress for cold water conditions to minimize any risks. Cloud cover, wind, and precipitation can dramatically affect how it “feels” outside. On a cloudy, breezy day with freezing rain or snow, it can feel brutally cold, but also remember that you will be engaged in strenuous physical activity in a suit that traps air for insulation therefore the possibility of overheating and becoming wet from perspiration must also be considered. Polypropylene (fleece) and wool are the preferred fibers for paddling and you’ll want to come prepared with a moisture-wicking thermal base layer and insulating layer. Your paddling suit will be your waterproof layer.

To participate in the kayak program, you must be physically fit and have previous kayaking experience. This includes the ability to paddle a boat efficiently, get in and out of a kayak, use a rudder, perform forward, backward and bracing strokes including a “wet exit”.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the Antarctic environment in a truly unique and memorable setting. This activity includes spending one night sleeping onshore with a group of fellow campers to experience the sights and sounds, cold and isolation of the coldest, driest, windiest continent on the planet. There will be an orientation meeting prior to departing the ship to help you prepare for your outing. After dinner aboard the vessel, you will board the zodiacs to take you to the most memorable overnight camping you can experience with unique sights and sounds! You will be responsible for setting up and tearing down your tent for this excursion. The following morning you will be woken and brought back to the ship for a hearty breakfast and a nice warm shower. The camping excursion typically lasts 10-12 hours Previous camping experience is not necessary to participate in this activity

All tents are twin shared. Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller of the same gender.

We provide comfortable tents, insulating mats, minus 12°C sleeping bags, and the best views ever from a portable toilet which will be available during the camping activity.

We recommend that you prepare for potentially adverse conditions as you will be in open air for a good part of the evening. We suggest an extra fleece to have handy. A hat, gloves/mittens, extra thick socks, and waterproof, windproof pants are important for a chilly evening. You will, of course, have use of your warm complimentary parka designed specifically for the cold Antarctic region.