It’s 9 p.m., and we just trudged up a steep hill in a remote location. None of us have cell service, and there are no signs of civilization for hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles. “Dig yourself a shallow grave.” The ski-masked man forces a black shovel into my hands. There’s no point in screaming. No one will hear us. I freeze.
A. Have we been kidnapped by a serial killer?
OR
B. Are we camping in Antarctica?
Fortunately, B.
Oceanwide Basecamp Expedition
Camping in Antarctica was one of the highlights of our Oceanwide Basecamp Expedition. However, camping in Antarctica is the “polar” opposite of normal camping. Unlike typical camping which requires a lot of gear—like a tent, sleeping bag, food, bug spray, marshmallows, flashlight, cooking gear, etc.—camping in Antarctica is really quite simple. You only need to bring four items.
Camping supplies for Antarctica
1. Shovel. Camping in Antarctica doesn’t require a tent but a shovel. To protect you from the bitter wind, you will dig a shallow grave slightly longer and wider than your sleeping bag and approximately 15-18” deep. It’s shocking how toasty you’ll be as you listen to the wind gusting just above your head. It’s important to stack the snow blocks that you dig out along the perimeter of your pit. In the morning you’ll need to fill in your grave so that it’s not a danger to penguins who could venture off of their “penguin highway” and fall into your pit, unable to escape.
2. Sleeping bag. The most important item for surviving your open-air slumber party in the Antarctic is your sleeping bag. Our ship, the Hondius, provided a special bivouac sleeping bag and mat. We slept in our base layers (long johns) and used our outerwear as a pillow. I burrowed deep into my bag, keeping my head and face out of the frigid temps. The Antarctic-rated sleeping bags were surprisingly warm.
3. Eye mask. While an eye mask may sound bougie for camping, you’ll want one in Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula experiences around 22 hours of daylight in December. If you expect to get any sleep, you’ll want an eye mask, a Buff, or something to cover your eyes.
4. Toilet. Yep, camping in Antarctica requires you to BYOT. Unlike typical camping destinations where you can duck behind a tree when nature calls, relieving yourself (including number one and number two) on the continent is prohibited. For daily landings, passengers carry pee bottles…just in case. The only poop allowed (which you’ll see and smell plenty of) is provided by the penguins.
Despite the fancy toilet provided by the Hondius, passengers are ordered encouraged to take care of all number-two business onboard prior to departing for the camp out. No one wants to clean that out of the potty!
Food restrictions for camping in Antarctica
What about roasting marshmallows? No camping trip is complete without a campfire, ghost stories, and S’mores, right?
Sorry, but camping in the most pristine environment on the planet requires some sacrifices. Strict regulations prohibit any food, drinks (other than water), snacks, cooking gear, or campfires on the White Continent. To protect this fragile environment, everything and everyone who steps foot on Antarctica is decontaminated.
From rigid inspections of our outerwear (including making sure there was no fuzz in the Velcro or random crumbs in our pockets) to sanitizing our footwear in a special solution before and after walking on the continent, it is imperative to protect the most spectacular place on the planet.
How can I camp (and kayak and mountaineer) in Antarctica?
The best way for adventurers to explore Antarctica is on a Basecamp Expedition. On a Basecamp cruise, all of the adventure activities are included in the cost. Camping on the white wonderland is only offered by a handful of adventure cruises. Be sure to do your research, so you won’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind camping experience.
Cruise ships and passenger counts in Antarctica
When it comes to visiting Antarctica size matters. And smaller is always better! Don’t make the mistake of being lured by the big ships’ cheap prices. Their prices are cheap for a reason: You don’t actually explore the continent. It’s sail-by sightseeing at best.
In fact, passengers on ships with 500 or more guests don’t step foot on the continent. Friends don’t let friends brave the Drake and then never get off the ship!
Be sure to pick a ship with no more than 200 passengers. Per Antarctic restrictions, only 100 passengers are allowed on each landing. We had 140 passengers on the Oceanwide Hondius. This allowed us to explore two different landing sites per day. While half of the group (~70 passengers) was on land, the other half explored the icebergs and wildlife on 12-passenger Zodiac rides. This allowed every passenger the opportunity to explore two different sites per day with plenty of time on land.
There are so many choices. How do I decide?
Planning a trip to Antarctica is unlike any other destination in the world. It is the most remote and the most expensive. You don’t want to get this wrong. I highly recommend working with a polar adventure specialist to help you find the right ship for your trip.
After extensive research, I chose Andrew Browning at AdventureSmith Explorations as my travel advisor. With first-hand knowledge of all the Antarctica cruises and operators, Andrew helped me pick the perfect Antarctic expedition for our family’s 7th continent!
Are you interested in going on a Basecamp Expedition to Antarctica? See what to expect with this 3-minute sneak peek!
Ready to explore the world? Then check out THE PASSPORT PROJECT and THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL TRACKER to inspire and manage your wanderlust.
Interested in more epic adventures? Check out the following:
- Camping in Antarctica: Everything You Need to Know to Survive
- How to Save Thousands on Your Family’s Galapagos Adventure
- Ten Day Namibia Road Trip: Sand, Seals, and Safari
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation to the Luxurious Maldives
- How to Book an Amazing and Affordable South Africa Safari
- No Regrets: Bungee Jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand
- The Passport Project: A DIY Journey Around the World
Interested in more cultural adventures? Check out following:
- Three Tips for Ethically Visting Myanmar‘s Long-Neck Women
- How to Volunteer at Delhi’s Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh Community Kitchen
- Burial, Cremation, and Reincarnation in Bali
- Learn to Meditate at Truc Lam, Da Lat, Vietnam’s Buddhist Monastery
- Family Travel Idea: Spend the Night with the Embera Puru Indians in Panama
- Don’t be Flashy! Guidelines for Luang Prabang’s Alms Giving Ceremony
- Cambodia‘s Genocide: What I Never Learned in School
This post offers such a unique and fascinating glimpse into the extreme adventure of camping in Antarctica! The tips on packing essentials, like the shovel and eye mask, are super helpful for anyone curious about this once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s amazing how much care goes into preserving the pristine environment, from filling in snow pits to decontaminating gear. Definitely something to add to the bucket list for any adventure traveler. Thanks for sharing all the details and what to expect!
That was fabulous. Don’t think I could have gone swimming. Brave souls!😀
Thank you! I’m not sure I could do the polar plunge again!! 🥶