Activities in Antarctica
Our expedition cruises to Antarctica are not passive sail-bys. You’ll be an explorer not a tourist, boarding small boats, touring iceberg-filled bays and going ashore to see penguin colonies and other wildlife.
Your expedition comes with a full programme of included and optional activities designed to immerse you in the many wonders the frozen continent has to offer. No matter your activity level or interests, there will be something that suits you. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy on your expedition cruise to Antarctica with us.
Included activities in Antarctica
Your expedition comes with a full programme of included activities designed to immerse you in the many wonders of Antarctica.
Here are some of the activities that are included in your expedition cruise to Antarctica with us.
Landings
Whenever weather and sea conditions allow, we’ll attempt landings via small explorer boat. Sites might include a scenic harbour, ruins from the whaling era, or penguin rookeries. Once ashore, the Expedition Team will guide you on where to go and what to see. You are free to walk around on your own, keeping a safe distance from any wildlife you encounter.
Small boat cruising
Even though your expedition ship is specially designed for sailing in Antarctica, there are limits on where it can go. This is where our small explorer boats come in. Enjoy gliding through the water as you take in views of the surrounding white landscape and floating icebergs. You might spot seals, penguins or whales feeding on krill.
Lectures and talks
Your expert Expedition Team will be delivering lectures on a range of topics, such as geology, marine biology, history, photography, and ornithology. This will be in the ship’s onboard Science Center, out on deck, ashore during a landing, or when cruising in small boats.
Citizen Science
You can also get involved in a variety of projects that ask you to document wildlife or aspects of the environment. Your photos are then uploaded to scientific organisations around the world. Not only do you engage with nature, but you’ll contribute to important research too!
Polar plunge
For the brave and bold, there is an option to literally dive into Antarctica at the end of one of the landings. A plunge into the icy-cold water for a few seconds will undoubtedly get your blood pumping. Only a few guests on each expedition ever take up the challenge. Will you?
Optional activities in Antarctica
Get the most out of your cruise with activities run by our Expedition Team. They start from the ship, and are available for reservation once you get on board. Activities are subject to change.
Please note that these are optional activities and additional costs apply.
Camping in Antarctica (An Amundsen Night)
In the true style of the early explorers, we venture out at night for a once in a lifetime experience as we go camping in the Antarctic night. Although Amundsen, Scott and Nordenskjold had different equipment, they used the best gear available at the time. So do we. This activity features top of the line camping equipment that meets Antarctic standards for camping on snow.
All participants for this activity are chosen from a silent auction for supporting the Hurtigruten Foundation.
Kayaking Adventure in Antarctica
Enjoy the feeling of gliding through Antarctic waters in serene silence and admiring the sight of glaciers, icebergs and snow-covered mountains around you. You might even meet seals, birds, penguins and perhaps whales along the way.
Snowshoeing in Antarctica
This activity is only possible when snow conditions are right, which is usually late spring or early in the Antarctic summer. Equipped with modern snowshoes, you’ll easily walk on the soft snow and reach places that are normally difficult to get to just on foot.
Weather on your expedition
One important piece of kit you’ll need is awareness; awareness that it’s the elements that dictate what activities we are able to offer you on your cruise and when. Every expedition is unique. Changeable weather and shifting conditions may mean we need to tweak our planned programme of activities. But rest assured, whatever activities you are able to do, you’ll be in for an adventure of a lifetime.
