thepinkginpassportVisiting Antarctica is a once in a lifetime trip so you want to make sure you pack exactly what you need. While you will be in the most isolated place in the world for at least 10 days, the limited baggage allowance on flights to Ushuaia means you don’t want to overpack either.
What clothes should I pack for Antarctica?
- Fleece- I invested in a Patagonia fleece which kept me warm but was also breathable
- Waterproof coat- our tour provided us with this but I still had one on me anyway for the days I spent in Ushuaia either side
- Waterproof gloves
- 2x waterproof trousers
- Wool socks (x5 as I re-wore mine)
- 5 t shirts
- 1 pair of jeans for the evenings (you’ll wear the same thing every day)
- Thermal underwear x2 or 3
- Short pyjamas (it gets hot on the boat especially at night in your room)
- Wool hat (no bobbles as that won’t meet bio security checks)
- Comfy underwear
- Trainers (our waterproof boots were provided by the ship)
- Swimsuit- if you dare to do the polar plunge
- Extra bikini if you’re going to relax in the jacuzzi
- Waterproof bag for valuables for landing
What toiletries should I bring?
- No 1 is quality sunscreen. A small bottle that you can take with you to reapply htorughout the day is also important.
- A good barrier cream like Nivea I used to slather myself before I went to bed each night as the weather can be harsh on your skin even just standing out on deck.
- Saline nasal spray- we sprayed this up our nostrils before each landing and we didn’t get a dry nose or throat throughout the trip.
- Full first aid kit, ibuprofen and cold/flu tablets in case you get sick. There’s no turning back once you set sail so you want to ensure you are in the best health you can be for your own enjoyment and that of your ship.
- Sea sick tablets- start them as soon as you get on board and take throughout if you need to. I still got sick and needed the jab from the Doctor but once we were in the peninsula just taking travel sickness tablets meant I felt great for those 4 days (as someone who gets general travel sick on planes coaches and ferries).
What gadgets should I pack for Antarctica?
- Invest in a good pair of binoculars that you can use for other wildlife trips such as Borneo or an African safari.
- Polarised reflective sunglasses as the snow can be so bright. Also protects your eyes if the wind picks up
- I brought a torch which was so unnecessary as it was midnight sun!
What camera should I bring to Antarctica?
While the latest iPhone offers great photos and videos, if you’ve invested in a trip to Antarctica I think its worth investing in a decent camera. I took my Dad’s Sony A7 and the photos I’ve taken on this trip have been the best quality. I’ve now used this photos to makes calendars as gifts for loved ones. I did practice using the camera for 6 months before this trip which I highly recommend. Wildlife moves so quickly you don’t want to be stuck behind a lease the whole time trying to work out settings and allow yourself time to just soak in the incredible scenes. If you’re taking a good camera ensure you have a waterproof bag to keep you gear close to you, spare batteries and battery chargers.
Anything else?
I bought penguin teddies in Ushuaia then took photos of them in front of the icebergs to give as gifts (and keep one for myself). Nothing is actually produced in Antarctica so rather than spending ££ on gift shops at certain stations this is a more cost effective way of brining a souvenir home. Also, your itinerary could change at any moment depending on the weather and if you don’t make a stop to a gift shop this acts as your back up to bring back something meaningful from the trip.
I also bought an Antarctica flag off Amazon before the trip to take a photo when we first went on land. I then got friends I made on the trip to sign the flag which is now a lovely keepsake!
