One of the many things I wish I knew before going to Antarctica is that even though it is an “expedition”, you’re not exactly camping in the wilderness. So, it’s okay to bring a rollaboard suitcase and pack nicer clothes. Most of the blogs I read listed what to pack for Antarctica during landings but not so much what to wear while lounging around the ship.
So, if you’re planning to go to the White Continent when we can travel again, here’s a definitive list of what you’ll want to bring.
Essentials:
- Long sleeve base layer tops (see this Smart Wool crew neck).
- Base layer bottoms (see this one from Smart Wool).
- GORE-TEX pants (e.g. ski pants) (this one from Marmot fits me like a glove and as a 5’3″ petite woman, that’s something like a miracle). One pair is more than enough. You will just wear it on top of your base layer for landings.
- GORE-TEX outer layer jacket (I use this one from Arc’teryx a lot; it’s pricey but worth it IMO. I’ve used this on a trek to Everest Base Camp, and a lot of hikes stateside and it has proven to be sturdy and weatherproof).
- Down jacket (I use and love this one from Patagonia, but I actually wish I had one without a hood like this one from Marmot so it can fit better with my outer layer).
- Hiking boots (you’ll want to wear shoes with good grip even while lounging around the ship. There will be plenty of opportunities to step out on the ship’s deck and you don’t want to be wearing sandals at that time. You will be provided boots for landings so you’re really just going to wear this on the ship. I’ve been using this pair from Merrell for years; I originally bought them for an 8-day trek to summit Kilimanjaro three years ago and I still use them today).
- Wool socks (see these from Meriwool).
- Daypack (I brought this 9 liter capacity daypack from Osprey but I wish I’d brought my Exped Torrent 20 liter. This bag is completely waterproof should there be any accidents on the zodiacs (unlikely but…) this will keep your things safe and dry. Not only that but I wanted more capacity for my camera(s), tripod, and extra layers).
- Gloves (I personally like having a thinner lining glove like this one from Outdoor Research that I can wear inside a thicker, waterproof glove like this one from Marmot. The mitten-like gloves provide more warm and insulation and the lining gives you the ability to use your camera/phone when needed).
- Beanie (I used a wool beanie from Patagonia that I unfortunately can’t find online anymore, but I have been eyeing this one from Carhartt. Although it’s not wool but still very cute and warm).
- Buff or Balaclava (see this one from Smart Wool).
- Mountaineering sunglasses or glacier glasses (I used a polarized sunglasses from Warby Parker but I really need to invest in a nice pair of glacier glasses like these from Julbo. I just need to find one that compliments my round face).
- Clothes for sleeping… whatever that means for you (personally I love a nice set of flannel pajamas. I use this one from Ll Bean almost every day and I’m looking for another set so I will likely give these PajamaGram a try).
- Camera (this might seem optional for some, but very essential for me. I never go on a trip without my X-T10 from Fujifilm, and for the Antarctica trip I also brought a Fujinon XC50-230mm lens for zooming in closer to wildlife and a Fujinon XF10-24mm lens for landscapes). Having a zoom lens handy made it possible for me to take plenty of wildlife photos since it is strongly recommended to avoid disturbing the animals and frankly you won’t be allowed to get too close to wildlife.
- Passport is required when visiting Antarctica.
- Motion Sickness Pills or Patch was essential for me. I brought Dramamine but kind of wished I had one of those prescribed patches. Everyone I met with the patch seemed to be more functional while crossing the Drake Passage than those who didn’t. But it’s best to speak with your doctor about what he/she might prescribe for you.
Optional:
- Swimsuit (our ship had a sauna so I actually used my swimsuit a couple of times. Oh, and if you’re planning to partake in the Polar Plunge, this will be essential (read about the Polar Plunge here)
- A couple pairs of jeans for lounging around the ship (jeans are not permitted during landings)
- Warm dressy casual tops for lounging around the ship
- Make-up (I brought some light foundation, brow powder, eye liner, mascara, and tinted lip balm)
- Tripod (I usually bring this compact tripod from Reticam whenever I travel)
Our ship had a souvenir shop on board and they carried down jackets, GORE-TEX jackets and pants. But as with any souvenir shops, these are a lot more expensive than what you can buy from home.
