Antarctic Cruise Activities

Ship Cruising

This activity if offered on all ships and is obviously open to everyone, you can enjoy from numerous vantage points throughout the ship, including you cabin (or your balcony if you have one).  Some places like the Lemaire Channel are best enjoyed on-board the ship.  Occasionally weather or sea conditions mean that a planned zodiac cruise or shore excursion cannot be taken so that’s again when viewing from the ship is the only option.

Zodiac Cruising

Again, this activity is open to everyone and included as part of your expedition.  Some sites are best discovered by zodiac either due to the nature of the site (like icebergs or glacial walls) or IAATO regulations.  Zodiacs are basically large (very strong and safe) rubber inflatable boats where 10-12 guests sit on the pontoons (side) of the zodiac and set off from the ship and explore.

Shore Excursions

Going ashore is often the highlight of any given Antarctic Cruise.  Most of the time the same rubber inflatable zodiacs will be used to take you from the ship to shore.  More often than not you’ll disembark into shallow water (occasionally there will be jetties in places like Sub-Antarctic Islands), there will be many guides there to assist you getting safely ashore.

Once ashore it will depend again on the site you’re visiting as to what activities you can enjoy.  The options may be limited to a relatively small area, depending on the site, snow or breeding wildlife.  Similarly there may be many options and even some extended hikes.  Click on the button below to find out more.

Walking and Hiking

As part of any shore excursion there will be some walking involved.  Some sites/destinations allow for extended walks or hikes. They can vary to short but steep hikes to a particular vantage point to multi hour walks, particularly on places like South Georgia, The Falkland Island and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic Islands.  Most of these walks are part of the expedition and no additional fee is required.

A couple of ships offer the Shackleton Crossing; this is a very challenging, albeit incredible, trek and specialist training is required and an additional fee charged.

Polar Plunge

Yet another activity that is included with no additional cost.  All you need is, well to put it simply, to be happy to jump off the ship into very cold water.  I think you might be surprised just how many people do it – age is no barrier.  You wear your bathers and jump (tied onto a rope); and climb out very quickly.  There are numerous expedition staff nearby on the platform you jump from and in zodiacs and the ship’s doctor will also be on-hand.  You quickly get wrapped in warm towels and head either to the sauna or your cabin for a hot shower – with quite an incredible tale to tell.

Ships find a sheltered place where they invite anyone who wants to do the Polar Plunge! (you’ll likely get a certificate to say you’re officially mad, no, to say you’ve completed a Polar plunge).  And do we have experience – yes (Antarctica and at the North Pole).

Sea Kayaking

Some ships offer a full programme of sea kayaking (and this is what we’re talking about here – as opposed to the Kayaking/Paddling option below which is more of an introduction and limited to one or two excursions) where up to 20 participants will kayak when it is possible/safe (the number of kayaking trips will vary according to itinerary and conditions).  The kayaking trips can be for 2-3 hours and you’ll often not have time to join the zodiac cruise or shore excursion.  That said the choice is always yours to make.

Previous kayaking experience is required.  If you’d like to find out more please click the Read More Button below.

Kayaking / Paddling

Some ships offer guests the chance to have a short kayak experience – it is an incredible thing to do.  No noise, and you’re at water level.  You can look (don’t lean too far) and see the thousands of invertebrates that birds/fish/penguins/seals and whales all feed upon.  It’s a great introduction and a wonderful experience, i.e. that’s if you don’t want to kayak on multiple occasions (if you do – sea kayaking is for you).  Less or limited experience is required.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

A couple of ships now offer standup Paddleboarding (SUPing), though participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participants – after a bit of practice – to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery.

Heli-Landing and Heli-Flightseeing

The Ultramarine, Ortelius and Scenic I and II each carry two helicopters.

The Ortelius uses its helicopters to access the Snow Hill Emperor penguin colony.

The Ultramarine uses her helicopters to visit the Emperors as well as offering Flight-seeing and Heli landing on specific Antarctic voyages.

Scenic I and Scenic II also use their helicopters to visit the Emperor colony at Snow Hill offer Heli-excursions and landing which can only be booked on-board the ship

Mini Submersibles

Scenic I and II carry mini submersibles.

Capacity on both Scenic Neptune I and Scenic Neptune II is 7 including 1 pilot at a time.

Scenic Neptune I and II is capable of higher maximum depths however Scenic will dive up to 100 meters for guests overall viewing experience.

Submersible Pricing (per person, USD$ – subject to change):

• 30 minutes – $595
• 40 minutes – $795
• 60 minutes – $1,150

Skiing and Snowboarding

Ski/snowboard touring activity is offered by a limited number of ships.

Explore Antarctica & South Georgia’s untouched terrain. Offered to experienced skiers and snowboarders, preferably with off-piste experience, you are given the opportunity to enjoy day-trips alongside experienced and qualified mountain guides to climb and ski/snowboard some of Antarctica’s finest slopes.

Ski/snowboard touring programs require a reasonable level of fitness and previous skiing/ snowboarding experience. The snow conditions will be varied and the terrain can be challenging at times. While you don’t need to be a backcountry athlete to participate, and there are opportunities to develop skills during the expedition, please note the minimum ability requirements;
Advanced level of skiing or snowboarding ability (ability to ski blue or black resort runs is required) •
Off-piste experience in a variety of snow conditions •
Previous ski/snowboard touring experience is an advantage, but not essential (depending on your off- piste experience and overall ability)

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Yet again these activities are only offered by a small number of ships.  Appropriately qualified experts accompany both snorkeling and Scuba diving activities.

While it is an advantage to have previous snorkelling experience, complete beginners are welcome to participate. Our expert guides will provide all the necessary equipment, guidance and instructions needed to enjoy this activity. However, you must be a competent swimmer and have a good level of fitness to be able to climb out of the water onto the zodiac (via a ladder).

Polar diving activity is not for beginners. You must be experienced, qualified and competent for the conditions the divers will face.
Minimum entry requirements
• PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent from
another recognised agency)
• Dry-suit qualified with a minimum of 30 dry-suit dives
• In the previous 12 months before departure you must
have completed at least 10 dry-suit dives
• You must have recent experience of cold water (below
10 °C/50 °F
• Divers must be able to kit and de -kit themselves with
minimal assistance.

Trekking and Climbing

As with scuba diving and skiing and snowboarding hiking and mountaineering is only offered by a couple of ships.

Alpine trekking program is suitable for a wide range of experience levels. Most of the alpine peaks we climb are non-technical and can usually be attempted by people with limited experience.
However, it is not an instructional class for beginners and is therefore unsuitable for complete novices. Ideally, participants should have some the following experience as a minimum;
• Walking or trekking on snow including the use of ice axe
and crampons (required)
• Some trekking or hiking experience
• Rock climbing or abseiling experience is an advantage as ropes are used.

Shackleton’s Crossing is offered on-board Greg Mortimer – this is a serious trek and experience in alpine trekking is required:

Competent in the use of an ice axe and crampons including;
Cramponing on moderately steep hard snow and ice
Self arrest with an ice axe
Experience with travelling in crevassed terrain using a rope for personal safety.
Snow camping experience in tents or snow shelters. •
Ability to carry a 15 to 20 kg pack for up to 3 days, for up to 10 hours a day.
Significant outdoor experience in extreme weather conditions such as high alpine, Himalayan or general mountain terrain.