What you usually get on board for free
Most Antarctic operators issue before departure:
- Waterproof jacket and pants (parka + salopettes)
- Rubber boots for zodiac landings
- Backpack
Check with your operator — this can change your shopping list.
Base layer (thermal underwear)
Merino wool or synthetic — 2 sets. Cotton doesn't work: it gets wet and takes forever to dry. Smartwool, Icebreaker, Patagonia.
Mid layer (insulation)
Fleece or down jacket. Better a down jacket weighing 400–600 g. If the operator provides a jacket — you need the down as a mid layer under it.
Outer layer (wind protection)
If the operator doesn't provide a jacket — you need a Gore-Tex membrane jacket or equivalent. Water resistance not less than 20,000 mm.
Footwear
If the operator doesn't provide rubber boots — bring tall waterproof boots. During zodiac landings you'll be stepping into ankle-deep water.
Additional gear
- Hat + balaclava — mandatory, ears freeze the worst
- Gloves — minimum 2 pairs: fleece and waterproof
- Sunglasses — UV400 or ski goggles (bright snow)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ — reflection from snow doubles UV exposure
- Trekking poles — help during landings on uneven shore
Electronics and documents
- Camera with spare batteries (cold drains them fast)
- 200–400 mm lens for penguins and whales
- Waterproof camera cover
- Passport and insurance copies in the cloud
- Insurance with medevac coverage — mandatory
First aid kit
- Band-aids and blister plasters
- Seasickness remedy (Scopolamine patch — best option)
- Painkillers and fever reducers
- Personal meds with 2-week backup supply
What you definitely don't need in Antarctica?
Suits and heels — you won't wear them anywhere except the captain's dinner, dress code on expedition ships is zero. Cotton T-shirts in wind and spray get wet fast and dry slow — bring thermal layers. A heavy photo tripod on the Drake Passage swell is useless and dangerous. Leave expensive jewelry at home: you lose it on zodiacs, no one guards it in cabins.