Camping on the ice in Antarctica is more than just an excursion; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself into a world of unparalleled beauty and raw wilderness.
Imagine laying on your sleeping mat amidst vast icy landscapes under a never-ending pastel sky, surrounded by glistening icebergs, listening to ice crackling and penguins braying nearby.
We spoke to four passengers who decided to leave the comfort of their ship for the night and wriggle into a thermal sleeping bag for an unforgettable night under the Antarctic night sky. Read on to discover their most memorable moments, challenges and surprises, and top tips for expeditioners considering adding this unique activity to their Antarctic expedition.
What an amazing experience we were having. In fact, everything was amazing. We can't rate highly enough the whole Antarctica experience, but lying there on the ice, looking out over the glistening Paradise Harbour with the Sylvia Earle lit up in the distance, we were simply in paradise!
The view from our bivvy bed was amazing. I still pinch myself that we got to experience that. Looking out over the water with the Sylvia Earle lit up in the distance was incredibly peaceful and you couldn’t help but smile lying there listening to the faint sounds of penguins.
Take a sleeping mask. I had to pull my beanie down over my eyes as it never gets dark.
For Natasha Boddy, adding camping to her Antarctic expedition was a no brainer that allowed her to experience as much of the seventh continent as possible. Plus, when would there be another opportunity to camp on Antarctica? If she could have had it her way, she would have stayed in her little slice of untouched paradise for even longer, but as is always the case on an Antarctic expedition, there were more unforgettable adventures to be had across the Peninsula!
My most memorable moments include looking out over the peaceful sea and watching our ship drift away in the golden light of the sun, and in the morning, waking up to the beautiful white stillness.
My husband’s most memorable experience, as he keeps reminding me, was that in the night, I pushed him off of his sleeping mat so he literally slept on the snow!
We had a couple of catch ups beforehand to prepare us for what to expect on the night. We were given specialised gear for cold weather camping. The team made sure that we were set up correctly and we knew how to use the ‘facilities’’ during the night if needed.
Go for it! It's a once-in-lifetime activity. You have already invested time and money into the trip so might as well experience as much as you can. The gear provided is well equipped for the cold and wet of the snow and (for me at least) the day’s activities tire you out, making falling asleep easier than expected.
When the idea of camping in Antarctica was first presented to Julie Robert, she was hesitant. However, she felt safe throughout the experience. Having a few members of the Expedition Team on hand to answer questions and keep watch over the small group of adventurous travellers during the night was a huge comfort.
Sleeping on the ice, under the Antarctic sky during the Austral summer, was unlike anything I’ve done before. We had almost constant daylight, with the sun only briefly dipping below the horizon. I did not get much sleep, but it was well worth it!
When we got to the landing site, we found out we’d be sharing the space with a couple of sleeping seals. That said, there was still plenty of space for us all to spread out and keep a safe distance from our new furry friends.
Sleeping on the ice under an endless sunset with two dreaming Weddell seals beside us was surreal. Our campsite was surrounded by glaciers perfectly mirrored by the water – it felt like waking up in a dream. That night will forever be one of the greatest experiences of my life and something I hope to have the opportunity to do again one day.
Want to learn more? In this blog we answer your top 5 questions about camping in Antarctica.
Browse some of our Antarctic expeditions which offer camping or download or order our latest brochure to view the full range of itineraries. To book, contact our expert team or request an online quote.
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