Camping in Antarctica

An Antarctic camp site

Camping in Antarctica is truly a once in a lifetime experience.  Imagine lying back in your self-made depression in the snow, cuddled into your bivy sack (with many layers to keep warm) – staring up at the sky (not the stars), listening to the sounds on Antarctica; penguins calling, perhaps a Weddell seal, maybe even the sound of a blow from a whale.  An incredible feeling of being somewhere remote, truly magical.

If not using a tent then bivy camping is the correct term (though some tents may be provided if conditions are suitable).

How It Works

Camping is offered, when possible, once during an Antarctic cruise.  There are only a few sites where it’s safe, appropriate and practical to ‘camp’ overnight.  The weather conditions also need to be good (i.e. if it’s too windy or snowing then the activity won’t operate).  If during the night the conditions change then it may be necessary to ‘break camp’ and head back to the ship.  And with many years of experience of sites and state-of the art weather information operators will know if you’re good to go.  Members of the expedition team will stay with you overnight.

The day before it is planned for you to camp there will be a thorough briefing explaining how the equipment provided works, what clothing you should take, explain how the portable toilet works – and answer any questions you may have.  After dinner on the ship your expedition crew will first head ashore; to mark a safe perimeter and prepare for your arrival.

The Camping Experience and Equipment

You don’t really need any previous camping experience; you won’t be fighting to erect a complicated multi-room tent.  More often than not a bivy sack is used, you dig a shallow depression in the snow and that’s our camp site.  Some operators do have a number of dome tents; and conditions need to be suitable to use them (any strong wind gusts could potentially be problematic in a tent with tent pegs in snow).

Anyone in good health and with a reasonable level of fitness will be able to join this activity.

Mummy style sleeping bag (they’re comfortable, water-repellent, connectable and designed for temperatures as low as -18°C/0°F), a freshly laundered cotton sleeping bag liner, an insulated foam sleeping pad and a waterproof nylon bivy sack (which slips over the sleeping bag).

Antarctic Ships Offering Camping

As you will see from the table below the camping activity is limited 20-50 participants on any given voyage.  As a result if you do want to enjoy camping please book early.  Whilst the ship may carry up to 200 guests only quite a small number can enjoy this activity.

There is an additional cost to participate in the camping programme;  This covers the equipment (varies a little by ship). The cost also varies by ship.
As mentioned camping is very weather dependent.

Please call 1300 784 794 one of the team and we’ll ensure you are provided all the information required to confidently book and enjoy this amazing experience.

Please click on the name of the ship to be taken to the dates and prices for that ship.

Camping is included in the voyage cost on Antarctica Basecamp voyages on-board Plancius, Ortelius and Hondius

Camping out in Antarctica is a unique experience.