Sea Kayaking in Antarctica – The Ultimate Guide for 2023

If you have ever regarded as going sea kayaking in Antarctica (or are just curious), then this entire manual will inform you everything you want to know.

There’s no activity far more tranquil, more invigorating, extra uplifting, than floating majestically across a quiet sea beneath a glorious pale-blue sky.

Throw in some icebergs, penguins, seals and baileys with incredibly hot chocolate, and you have got a recipe for perfection.

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Our first handful of days in Antarctica experienced concerned zodiac cruises, land excursions, watching the abundant wildlife up close and even an night used camping on the continent. Each individual and each individual moment experienced been among the finest experiences of our lives.

But there was just one exercise we have been a lot more excited for than nearly anything else – kayaking together the Antarctic Peninsula.

We have been fortunate more than enough to kayak in some phenomenal locations, from the lakes of British Columbia to Ningaloo Reef in Australia, to the tropical islands of Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. But all these seemed to drop quick when compared to one thing as mystical as paddling following to icebergs and glaciers.

In the course of our journey to Antarctica with Just one Ocean Expeditions, who are no for a longer time in procedure, we experienced signed up for their special kayaking application, and anxiously awaited our likelihood to go out.

On our current excursion to Antarctica in 2022 we got to go kayaking once again, and it was each individual little bit as outstanding as the to start with time.

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Verify out loads of other remarkable factors to do in Antarctica in our most up-to-date posting.

As we experienced a desire to also acquire in as a lot of prospects for land excursions and images opportunities as well, we organised to get out on the 4th day with the relaxation of the crew.

We could not believe that our luck when we woke up that early morning to a photo fantastic day.

There was no wind at all, building glassy problems throughout the sea. Introducing definition to the clear sky was a single of nature’s most intriguing phenomena – lenticular clouds.

These UFO-formed clouds are formed when air passes throughout the area of the earth and arrives into make contact with with ‘obstructions’ – in this scenario mountains. The air rises up and condenses on the downwind facet of the peak, building stationary waves of moisture.

Needless to say, we were ecstatic!

Examine out our ultimate destination information all about travelling in Antarctica!

Just in advance of breakfast we joined our fellow kayakers for a briefing about where we would be likely and what to assume.

The kayaking guides have been Mark and Ehren, two hardcore adventurers who had led innumerable expeditions in some of the world’s most distant locations, these as Alaska, Greenland and Mongolia.

Between them they experienced in excess of 40 years encounter in instructing and guiding, so we realized we ended up in the most secure hands feasible.

The morning’s kayaking excursion would choose place in Cierva Cove, a gorgeous spot on the Antarctic Peninsula peppered with black rock islands and floating icebergs.

After filling up on a delectable breakfast we headed into the mudroom on the Akademik Ioffe to get into our drysuits.

Absolutely dressed in the best technical gear on the marketplace we walked down the gangway and jumped into the zodiac to choose us to our start position.

The One particular Ocean Expeditions crew had presently unloaded the kayaks and were ready for us out in the open sea. Alesha and I had been crammed with anxious enjoyment as the zodiac got closer.

Achieving a secluded area in the heart of the cove, Mark and Ehren organised the group so that some would just take single kayaks, when others went in doubles. We opted for the double kayaks, so we could enjoy this wonderful working experience together (and just take copious amounts of photos and video clip).

The kayaks were being towed up to our zodiac and Mark assisted load every single guest into them, making certain they would not capsize whilst we slid into them, whilst Ehren parked his kayak on the other facet to hold them continuous.

Alesha and I were two of the last people to load into our kayaks, and with the aid Mark and Ehren gave it was shockingly straightforward to soar in. We had put all of our cameras into dry baggage to make guaranteed practically nothing would be broken.

At the time we have been settled with the water-proof aprons hooked up to protect the inside of the kayak (and our legs) from any splashes, we paddled off into the cove.

We swiftly bought into the rhythm of matters and joined the rest of the group. Mark and Ehren followed near behind, gave a person last briefing, then we headed off for our adventure.

For the next two hours we kayaked among towering icebergs that shimmered dazzling blue in the mid-early morning solar, and close to a rocky island that held a colony of gentoo penguins.

Becoming very careful not to get too close to the icebergs in scenario they tipped, we marvelled at how wonderful they ended up when observed from water amount. Being aware of that these chunks of ice were 1000’s of several years outdated was very humbling.

The surroundings was potentially the most stunning we experienced at any time observed, and we could not wipe the smiles off of our faces.

Just when we considered lifetime couldn’t get any improved, the hotel manager from the ship, Craig, arrived up to our group in a zodiac. He waved anyone over, then with a massive grin called out, “Baileys and hot chocolate anyone?“

We could not paddle above rapidly ample. Passing over big plastic mugs crammed with his very own blend of delicious alcoholic chocolate we thanked him then authorized ourselves to just sit there on the tranquil waters and savour just about every second.

As we drifted quietly with our close friends all-around us, Alesha seemed at me and asked in disbelief, “Is this in fact occurring?”

Looking around at the floating icebergs, snowy peaks, fringing glaciers and lenticular clouds previously mentioned, we shrugged and took a further sip of our warm chocolate. Yep, this was really taking place.

When the Baileys was concluded all people handed their mugs back again to Craig and we kept on paddling, generating the most of the magnificent working day. A few crabeater seals quickly appeared, coming suitable up to our kayaks to look at us out right before swimming in the direction of the penguin colony.

The resident photographer Dave Brosha arrived up in a zodiac and asked if he could get a number of images of all of us kayaking alongside one another. During his thirty day period in the Antarctic, he hadn’t had a likelihood to capture the kayakers with the weather as pristine as it was that day.

We huddled collectively in a semi-circle even though Dave snapped his shots.

Just before the tour came to an finish Mark discovered some lesser icebergs for us to test out, and we paddled around them hoping to lengthen the journey as very long as probable.

Making our way back to the ship our hearts were being thumping with pleasure. Our desire of sea kayaking in Antarctica had occur true, and the disorders couldn’t have been any a lot more best.

Even while we did not see any whales like some of our friends had the previous few days, it did not make any difference. Our working day was continue to remarkable.

There’s just one particular difficulty although. How are we ever likely to top the encounter of drinking Baileys and warm chocolate on a bluebird working day, surrounded by icebergs and penguins with lenticular clouds overhead while paddling a kayak all-around Antarctica?

Security and Gear When Kayaking in Antarctica

Obviously kayaking in Antarctica isn’t the form of action that comes devoid of some variety of chance, but the actual chance of one thing going completely wrong is extremely small.

1 Ocean Expeditions*** normally takes terrific delight in giving the safest and very best encounter for all their buyers, and all those who opt for to take component in their kayaking method are no exception.

Every single Antarctic (and Arctic) expedition has a limit of 16 individuals allowed to join the sea kayaking courses to be certain the guides have full management above the minimal selection of contributors. This has to be pre-booked well in advance of your journey, as there is no likelihood to reserve it when you are on the boat.

Ahead of any individual is allowed to actually established out in a kayak they will have to go by way of a stringent security briefing and be designed familiar with all the gear that is essential.

The most important possibility with kayaking in Antarctica is publicity to the factors, and in particular the chilly water. That is why kayakers are presented with comprehensive-human body dry satisfies, exclusive gloves, boots and an apron.

Donning all this specialty gear normally takes some time (and a touch of agility), but it guarantees all people will remain dry.

If the wind picks up or the temperature can take a turn for the even worse then the zodiacs will gather all the kayakers and take them to a safer bay, or the expedition chief will make the decision to cancel the kayak tour until finally more observe. Basic safety is paramount.

The kayaks on their own are designed for use in chilly temperatures and are strengthened for get hold of with ice and rocks. They are also incredibly sturdy.

At no place did we experience unstable or unsafe. Knowing how skilled Mark and Ehren, our guides, were also aided make every person sense comfy with this amazing adventure.

If you’ve ever required to go kayaking in Antarctica, likely with A person Ocean Expeditions will assistance make this the moment-in-a-life time experience one of the funnest recollections you are going to ever have.

[box] Our sea kayaking practical experience was produced feasible many thanks to our partnership with One Ocean Expeditions. All views, opinions and mugs of Baileys and incredibly hot chocolate eaten are, as always, our possess.[/box]