Antarctica: 5 Things You Should Bring And 5 Things You Shouldn’t

Packing lists for people going to Antarctica tend to be gear-heavy, with a need for weatherproof clothing as well as gadgets that can make your trip more enjoyable. However, there are also things you should not bring to Antarctica due to the area’s special regulations.

This December, I traveled aboard the HX Nansen from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula. Based on that experience, below is a list of items I recommend to bring, followed by a list of items you should not to bring on your adventure down to the White Continent.

5 Things You Should Bring to Antarctica

Here are five items I recommend bringing on your trip to Antarctica:

Binoculars

Visiting Antarctica is a similar experience to visiting the African bush on safari in that much of the nature and wildlife that you want to observe will be far away. For this reason, binoculars should be in everyone’s suitcase—a day won’t go by in Antarctica where you don’t want them. You will get more enjoyment and education out of seeing an iceberg, whale, penguin, seal, or bird if you can observe it up close, in detail.

Ski Goggles

Antarctica is the windiest continent on Earth, and during the summer months, when tourist vessels visit, the wind is a major factor in determining how cold it feels and how pleasant it is to be outside. Sunglasses can suffice in light wind, but ski goggles provide protection for half your face, and make looking into high winds or riding on a zodiac much more comfortable. Pack them, and be the envy of everyone who didn’t.

Sunscreen

If you’re regularly outdoors, this will seem like an obvious addition to your suitcase. But, for many, it’s an easy thing to forget. After all, Antarctica is mostly ice and snow, right? Exactly. It is all ice and snow, which means you are essentially walking atop a mirror that reflects the sun’s light back up and into your face. Wear sunscreen every day, all day to avoid painful sunburn.

Waterproof Everything

Antarctica is the driest continent on Earth, and some who read this description make the mistake of leaving their rain jackets at home. Rest assured it does snow and rain and sleet and hail in Antarctica, so make sure you have a worthy waterproof jacket, with a hood, that’s also windproof to wear as your top layer. Waterproof boots are also essential to enjoying your time on the White Continent. Be sure to check with whatever company you are traveling with to see what they provide. HX, for example, issues all guests a pair of boots and a waterproof jacket to use while on board, highlighting the importance of these two items.

Additionally, you can increase your comfort and protection against the elements by utilizing other types of waterproof clothing, such as insulated rain pants, or ski or snowboard pants that are meant for snowy and wet conditions. And don’t overlook your hands. Many gloves can make your hands even colder if they get wet or damp, so finish off your Antarctic armor with a pair of waterproof gloves—bring several pairs for various conditions and dexterity. Finally, pack a swimsuit for the polar plunge, and, if you’re cruising with HX, the sauna.

Seasickness Remedies

Once you arrive in Antarctica, the water is relatively calm (usually). The issue with motion sickness comes as a result of the journey to get there, which, from South America, means crossing the Drake Passage on a two-day sail. Conditions can vary, but you should expect waves of at least 5 to 10 feet at minimum (which would be considered a “calm” crossing). There’s nothing worse than being seasick on a days-long journey, so prep your medical kit with various options. Consult your doctor about the best method—pill, patch, or bracelet.

5 Things You Shouldn’t Bring to Antarctica

Here are five items I don’t recommend bringing on your trip to Antarctica:

Dirty Boots and Clothes

Antarctica is a highly sensitive place, environmentally speaking, and most tour companies take great pride in protecting its pristine nature. HX, for example, provides vacuums so you can clean any debris from previous adventures off jackets and pants. You can help the cause by carefully cleaning your equipment prior to your trip, making sure no foreign matter is stuck in the treads or Velcro of your articles.

Children

The minimum age for travel to Antarctica is 5 years old (in accordance with International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators guidelines). While Antarctica can be enjoyable for kids and adults alike, Antarctic cruises are designed more for curious adults, where education is the entertainment. HX, for example, fills its on-board event calendar with lectures and scientific endeavors.

You might also consider other factors, like the amount of effort it might require to dress a child for the extreme cold multiple times per day, and then what it would take for them to sit quietly and bare the cold for hours at a time while out on adventures. Additionally, given what you will pay for a ticket, you may also conclude the ticket not worth the price for a child who may or may not remember/enjoy the experience.

Inquire as you wish, but I’d recommend making this adventure adults only.

Drones

Drones are illegal to operate in Antarctica without a special permit. Do not bring them; tour operators will not allow you to use them.

Ashes and Memorabilia

Antarctica is a special journey, and it would be understandable if one was tempted to spread a loved one’s ashes along its shoreline (as I was), or bring a handmade cross or other memorabilia to leave there as a tribute or gesture.

However, you might reconsider doing this after you learn that tour operators operate under Leave No Trace principles, and that preventing foreign matter from entering the Antarctic continent is of high importance. Consider this tale before deciding what to do.

An Empty Head

I respect travelers who consider each trip a blank slate. But if there’s one destination you want to study up on before going, it’s Antarctica.

The landscape of Antarctica tends to hide its secrets under ice, snow, and fog, and, knowing the history of the areas relies heavily on interpretation and knowledge. On HX ships, as well as others, lectures occur daily that span across a variety of topics, including Antarctica’s climate, geology, wildlife, history, and more.

Still, I suggest doing some reading and learning of your own before going, as it will greatly enhance your trip and provide context. You don’t really know how special a journey to Antarctica is until you learn its secrets. The great thing is that because Antarctica’s history is barely 200 years old, it is extremely well documented. Lots of information can be found for free online, and more anecdotal tales can be found in books like Terra Incognita by Sarah Wheeler. Other recommended, related books include explorer tales like The Worst Journey in the World and Endurance.