What to Wear in Antarctica
Tourist season in Antarctica occurs from late November to early March when it is late spring and summer in the southern hemisphere. However, the temperatures on the Antarctic peninsula hover around freezing but wind chill can make it feel dramatically colder. Weather conditions can change hour by hour.
Variables such as weather and long-haul travel are factors in making packing for Antarctica a challenge. Below are suggestions to make the task easier.
Select clothes for each activity.
Packing for an adventure trip to Antarctica can be overwhelming. It may be easier to think about clothing when you consider the following potential activities:
Overnight flight to/from the U.S.
Time in Buenos Aires where the weather is warm during the Antarctic travel season.
Active excursions that may include water landings, kayaking, plunges, and trekking (where you need waterproof clothing and easily removed layers if you get warm.)
Inactive excursions such as zodiac cruises and small boat rides where you can get chilly just sitting still.
Hanging out on deck and attending lectures
Dining in a more formal restaurant
Sleeping and quiet time in your cabin
How you pack is important.
How you pack for Antarctica is just as important as what you bring. Before leaving home, ask your tour company if there will be any occasions when you do not retain control of your luggage. If so, make sure you have a second bag large enough to accommodate a day or two of clothing.
During my Viking voyage, the company took my luggage early at the beginning of my vacation and at the end. Therefore, it was important that I had a second bag big enough to carry toiletries and clothing for the next day. Here is what happened:
My itinerary featured a layover night in Buenos Aires. After arriving in the morning, I enjoyed a day of sightseeing in Argentina’s largest city. Viking asked passengers to place their luggage in the hotel hallway by 9 pm for airport delivery in advance of our early-morning departure. Since shuttle buses left the hotel at 4:15 am, it was a bonus not to worry about my large bag.
Consequently, the same routine occurred the night before we left the ship to return home. Porters picked up our luggage and brought the bags to the airport in Ushuaia during the early morning hours.
Are laundry services available?
If you can access washers and dryers (or reasonably priced laundry services), do not overpack. Do laundry during your voyage instead. My ship, Viking Octantis, incorporated laundry rooms on most levels. As expected, these facilities were busy, but the lines moved. The in-room shower had a retractable drying line to hang up items as well as a drying closet.
Determine what clothes your tour company provides.
Viking Expeditions requires passengers to wear gear they provide which includes boots, waterproof pants, and a brightly colored waterproof jacket. We also received a black Primaloft jacket from Helly Hansen to wear under our bright red coats along with a bathrobe and slippers. (We could bring both coats home. Porters picked up the boots and pants after the ship left Antarctica.)
In 2021, I made a reservation on Quark Expedition, a company that requires its Antarctica passengers to bring waterproof pants for the expeditions. The pants I purchased would have taken up half the space in my suitcase. Quark cancelled that 2021 trip due to Covid complications.
From my research, every Antarctica tour company provides guests with a waterproof coat. The colors vary but remain bright so crew members can quickly spot passengers during landings.
Bottom line: the more clothing your tour company provides, the less you pack. You may want to pack a fleece and a warm vest depending on what outer layers your tour company provides.
What to pack
Below is a chart outlining suggested clothing for an Antarctic cruise:
BASE LAYERS
Base layers are critical to staying warm and comfortable during your time off the ship and on deck. I selected merino wool base layers which were great. Merino wool is a natural fabric that keeps you cool in summer months and warm in wintry weather. This fabric tends to be more expensive but worth the investment for hikers and travelers who pack light. Packing three sets of bottoms and top base layers should be enough for a two-week trip.
Socks & miscellaneous
I brought six pairs of socks. A heavy-duty pair of merino wool hiking socks along with an inner set served me well during excursions. (Since I wore two pairs of socks, I selected a larger-than-normal sized boot.) Of course, you will need underwear (consider fast dry travel underwear) and two sleepwear options. Other miscellaneous items to bring include a travel pillow, eye mask, journal, binoculars, camera, chargers, toiletries, and worldwide adapter.
Two dinner outfits
Depending on your ship, a more formal outfit at dinner may be appropriate. I packed a dress and a nice pair of pants along with a colorful scarf to level up. Alternating outfits worked well.
Gloves / neck gaiter / hats
Bringing two pairs of gloves (preferably waterproof with liners) for excursions is a safe strategy. Do not bring a scarf – it will only get in the way. Instead, pack a neck gaiter. One traditional wool hat and one beanie hat (worn under a hood) will also provide warmth.
Sunglasses / ski goggles
Because of the reflection from the snow, when the sun shines, the sky is very bright. Bring a good pair of sunglasses and sunscreen for your face. (Viking provided sunscreen and lip balm.) If you happen to own ski goggles, bring those along as well.
Casual clothing
There is a tremendous amount of downtime on the Antarctica cruises. It takes about four days to cross the Drake Passage twice (leaving and returning to Ushuaia.) I enjoyed seven days in Antarctica, and the weather determines each activity. One day, the crew cancelled excursions because of high winds. With a little luck, your schedule may include one morning and one afternoon excursion per day in Antarctica. Landings and boat rides only last about 60 minutes.
Consequently, you will need comfortable, warm clothes. Consider two T-shirts, two pairs of pants, and a sweater or sweatshirt. If your itinerary includes Buenos Aires, note it is summer in this capital city during the Antarctic travel season, so bring a warm-weather outfit.
Shoes
Due to the strict environmental protocols for Antarctic tourism, crews fit each passenger with waterproof boots for landings and other excursions. Most people only need rubber-soled travel shoes and a more formal pair of shoes to wear with a dinner outfit. Optional: you may need flip flops if you use the pool. Passengers walked around my ship with slippers Viking provided.
Bathing suit
Pack a bathing suit for the heated pools aboard your ship or a cold-water Antarctic plunge.
What to expect
To carry your own luggage at times.
In addition to the waterproof gear, you will wear a life preserver when you leave the ship.
When you return to the ship after an Antarctic landing, the crew will thoroughly clean your boots by spraying off any debris. You will also walk through a brush device that soaps up the boots, making them sparkly clean.
Storing large suitcases is difficult.
Boot washing after an Antarctic landing on Viking Octantis
Elizabeth Tuico owns Rebel Road Creative, a marketing and content writing consultancy based in Washington, D.C.