Antarctic Kayaking

Sea kayaking in the Antarctic is an incredible experience, gliding silently among grounded icebergs or paddling through wind chop, accompanied by penguins. Often encountering curious seals and whales which may surface nearby. Kayaks are the ideal craft for silently and unobtrusively observing wildlife, allowing us to really be at one with nature. Our excursions from the ship and shore landings are selected for wildlife, historical and scenic value. Cruising in our own private group of about 6 to 12 paddlers, we will generally visit the same sites as the Zodiacs but be more independent and perhaps access areas not appropriate for Zodiacs. If the ship’s schedule allows, it may be possible to do an extended day trip, taking our lunch with us. Sea kayaking in the polar regions requires an adventurous attitude as the wind and elements play an important role. To make the most of your trip, it is essential that you TAKE THE TIME TO PREPARE FOR IT.

If you intend to participate in the sea kayaking, you will need to complete a Sea Kayaking booking form, please contact us for details. This form is necessary to confirm your participation in the sea kayaking option. Note that spaces are limited and that your experience will be checked. A kayaking surcharge applies, for further details please contact us.

How experienced do you have to be?
You should be an intermediate paddler, active in the outdoors and have an adventurous spirit. This should not be your first sea kayak experience and you should be able to get in and out of your kayak without assistance. You do not have to be an expert or know how to roll. However, you should have practiced a wet exit and assisted re-entry before the trip. This can easily be practiced in waist deep water at home, with a friend's help or under tuition. You should also recognise that the weather will influence greatly what we can and can't do. You need to be proficient in putting a spray skirt on yourself. Try to rent a kayak locally before leaving home if you feel you need some additional experience, or seek out a local operator for some paddling tuition. We could be paddling in strong winds and will not have any opportunity to instruct before our first paddle. We often begin our first paddling session from the shore and after that we will be launching directly from the ship, so you should be comfortable paddling on seas that could have up to half a metre swell. Generally the water surface ranges from glassy calm to a 30-40 cm wind chop, so do practise in a variety of conditions.

Fitness levels
You should be fit enough to paddle for up to 3 hours, able to climb up and down a 2 metre vertical ladder and climb between moving zodiacs on the water. You should partake in regular exercise, as the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the experience. The more paddles you can do before the trip, the better. You should be agile enough to climb a two metre rope ladder with assistance and practise getting into a kayak from a pier, wharf, or deep shoreline where you can’t step into the boat from standing on the bottom. Your guide will stabilize the kayak while you get in.

Distance and length of time paddling
It depends on the weather and ice conditions, but outings can range from 5 to 15 km. On average we aim to paddle about 8 km per session and at most, we could end up 8 to 10 km from the ship. We would only paddle further if the ship is moving to meet us. We will not be aiming to paddle big distances, but will seek out the most interesting things to view. We carry radios and are in constant contact with the ship.

The paddling time varies, depending on how long the ship spends at each spot and how much the group wants to paddle. Generally the excursions will be 2 to 4 hours, but we may be out for up to 6 hours. We would expect to have between 5 to 8 Kayaking excursions in the Antarctic. We may go out twice in one day as the 24-hour daylight allows some beautiful evening paddles. If we are out for more than two hours we will endeavour to get out on shore and stretch our legs.

Kayaking Guides
There will be an experienced kayak guide on the ship who accompanies all the kayak excursions. In addition there will also a Zodiac inflatable rubber boat in radio contact nearby.

The Kayaks
We generally use 16-17 ft. Prijon plastic double and have a few single kayaks. These are hard shelled and well suited for day trips and launching quickly from the ship. The guide will paddle a single kayak but any other use of singles will be at the guide’s discretion and is influenced by the group numbers and individual abilities. The kayaks are quite stable and for our first paddle we try and start in shallow water along shore where you can gain a feel for them. If conditions are calm we may start from the ship in deep water. We will always paddle back to the ship in deep water unless conditions are too rough.

Equipment
All kayaking equipment will be provided: paddles, life jackets, kayaks, dry suits, safety gear and pogies(insulated mitts that attach to your paddle and help keep your hands warm). We also supply one 20 litre dry bag for spare clothing while you are paddling.

Antarctic Kayaking is available on the following trips