Can you imagine sea kayaking in Antarctica? While penguins dart like torpedoes underneath you, and icebergs show off their many shades of blue that plunge down into the dark abyss below? Ok maybe that last part was a bit morbid.
But anyway! Sea Kayaking in Antarctica is one of the top in-demand additional activities you can sign up for! But it’s hard to get a spot, not always likely it will happen, and there’s a bit of confusion the companies don’t explain well, so here I am to do it for you!
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Sign Up for Sea Kayaking in Antarctica ASAP
As soon as you decide to go to Antarctica, sign up for kayaking. It sells out FAST and even if you change your mind later, you can potentially sell your spot to another person on the wait list.
Prices start around $1k for the entire sea kayaking program. Some companies have started doing day-paddle options (because I non-stop bugged them to), but so far I haven’t seen any go out.
Sea Kayaking is Weather Dependent & Not Guaranteed
On my second Antarctic expedition, the kayakers only went out once. This last one, they went out three times! If there were prefect weather every day, they could have potentially gone out six or seven times!
Like everything in Antarctica, it is weather dependent. So don’t expect to go out every single day, which may not be a bad thing, because…
The Sea Kayaking Program Technically Means You Miss Going on Land
If the kayaking team says it’s a go, and you get picked to go out (they do a lottery system so everyone gets a turn), that means you go kayaking instead of doing a landing (AKA you don’t go on land).
In my opinion, it’s important to go on land as much as possible, but passionate kayakers may think kayaking is better.
Either way, I would not suggest adding your name to the lottery if the landing is going to be:
- Port Lockroy
- Paradise Harbour
- Deception Icland
- Any Antarctica peninsula/continental landings
How Will You Know if You’re Going Kayaking
You’ll be briefed at the beginning of the trip about the sea kayaking program. They’ll give you a basic overview of how it works and how to get the dry suit on, and what to bring.
Then they will ask who wants to sign up for the first two slots if they happen. This is when they collect everyone’s names and start the lottery. If you added yours to the lottery and you get picked, your name will be on the designated board, so be sure to check it.
Next you just have to pay attention to the announcements to hear if/when they call for kayakers to go to the mudroom.
Do you Need Experience to go Sea Kayaking in Antarctica?
I would strongly suggest it, but they’re not going to tell you no if you don’t. They make you fill out a form that asks if you have experience, but I heard most people lie anyway.
I’ve definitely never kayaked in sea, but I had in rivers and lakes, and paddleboarded in the sea, so I felt like that was fine. However I learned once I was getting INTO the kayak, that it’s slightly differet…
The Difference Between Sea Kayaking and Regular Kayaking
So yeah. I’ve done regular kayaking where you paddle in the direction you want to go. But with sea kayaking, there’s these little pedals that I didn’t know exiseted until I was climbing over the edge of the zodiac down into my sea kayak.
The expedition crew asked if I could reach them and I was like, “Reach what?” not realizing they existed. It was only then that they explained that you push either the left or right pedal to go in that direfction and you just continuously paddling side to side. I’m not sure why they didn’t explain this in the briefing, but again, here I am to enlighten you in case you didn’t know.
So here’s my tips for how to use the sea kayak:
- You’ll butt-slide from the edge of the zodiac down into the hole of the kayak
- You need to widen your legs and push your thigs up against the two pads on the inner-roof of the kayak
- This will give you leverage and strength to push against the two little foot pedals – make sure you can reach them! Otherwise the crew can adjust your seat
- Push left to go left, and right to go right
- You’re supposed to paddle continuosly on left and right while pushing the pedal in the direction you want to go in…I still used the paddles to steer by paddling multiple times on one side though
- To stop yourself and reverse, paddle backwards
- Remember: It’s not a race (even tho I was def in the lead), enjoy the scenery!
What to Wear Sea Kayaking in Antarctica
Much to my disappointment, I couldn’t wear a metallic snowsuit for this activity. It’s ok though, because I’ve done the Polar Plunge and I would much rather have a dry suit on if I happened to tip over!
That being said, you’ll be wearing a Dry Suit. As the name implies…it keeps you dry.
This is what I wore when I went snorkeling in Silfra in Iceland, and basically what anyone would wear in the water in freezing temperatures. They are NOT fun to get on at all, but they work.
The ship supplies your drysuit and your booties and they’ll give you a fun little demonstration on how to put the suit on. I personally hate putting it on and getting it off, but again, it’s necessary.
Click here for links to everything listed below: Antarctica Packing Guide
Here’s what you should wear and pack for Sea Kayaking:
- 1-2 wool thermal layers
- Wool socks + spare in case you get wet
- Warm hat + spare in case you get wet
- Gloves (for before and after)
- Waterproof camera
- Drysuit & Booties (given onboard to borrow)
- Pogies AKA kayak paddle hand warmers (given onboard to borrow)
- Waterproof bag (given onboard to borrow)
- Sunglasses (for sun OR snow)
NOTE: They had all of us leave the waterproof bag on the zodiacs since there’s not much room in the kayak! So be prepared to just bring your camera/phone!
ALSO NOTE: They recommend NOT wearing gloves with the pogies, because they will keep your hands warmer without them, like mittens. However, once you take your hands out to get on the zodiac, your hands will be freezing so have your wool gloves readily available!
What happens if you flip the Kayak?
I’ve never seen this happen, but I have seen people fall off of a paddleboard in Antarctica, and it’s not pretty!
If you happen to flip the kayak, the most important thing to do is HOLD ONTO IT. Then an expedition team member will come assist you on a zodiac. The zodiacs follow you the whole time and can easily get to you within seconds.
They will likely encourage you to keep going though..which is why they say to bring extra hats and socks, in case you get wet!
Tips for Taking Photos while Sea Kayaking in Antarctica
I did a solo kayak, assuming someone from my group was going to help take photos, but he ended up being too cold. Luckily I had my selfie stick and a GoPro so I captured plenty of footage…before my stick froze and broke and I almost lost my camera.
Anyway, I used just the selfie stick and I stuck it in the front of my life vest for POV shots. Every now and then I would carefully stop and use it to get angles of me and the kayak, then use it hand-held for shots of the wildlife and other kayakers.
I’d probably suggest leaving your settings on video mode with superview angle so you can get the whole kayak. You can also do screen grabs to get photos from the videos.
I had my phone as well but it was a lot harder to use since I had to remove it from a pocket, and use both hands. It was much easier just tapping the button of the GoPro.
OH! But! I’m a professional selfie-tographer, and also a good kayaker. If you are not, I would recommend getting a head strap or chest strap for your action camera. Just remember to keep wiping it off if it’s snowing!
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xx, Alyssa
Antarctica’s remote and challenging conditions require thorough preparation, and your insights will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more enjoyable experience. From dressing in layers to navigating ice formations, your recommendations showcase the importance of adapting to the extreme environment.