Summary
Sea Kayaking in Antarctica
My hands were shaking when our guides Val and Solan told us to prepare to jump into our kayaks for our first sea kayaking adventure in the icy waters of Antarctica.
We had taken a zodiac off the ship to calmer waters with our kayaks in tow, and now it was time to start paddling through brash ice, around icebergs, and through waters filled with fascinating marine life such as humpback whales and leopard seals.
It was going to be an exciting 5 days, but we were also a little nervous. Dave and I put on a brave face, and we both volunteered to jump into our kayaks first. Our guides pulled a sea kayak parallel to the zodiac, and I climbed in while a few people held on to keep it steady.
Getting into the kayak from the zodiac is the most challenging part; sea kayaks are tippy, and if you don’t distribute your body weight properly, the risk of going overboard increases. Fortunately, we had taken a refresher course at the Toronto Kayaking Club before heading to Antarctica, which made us feel more comfortable with entries and exits and even prepared for a roll if necessary. Thankfully, such a scenario didn’t occur, as the water was quite chilly!
Once we were in the water, we paddled around to get comfortable in the kayaks. Initially, I felt stiff, nervous, and unstable, but once we all grouped together and began paddling along the shore, my confidence soared, and I relaxed into the motion, fully appreciating the breathtaking scenery.
Why Sea Kayaking is Essential
There is nothing quite like kayaking in Antarctica, and we highly recommend that everyone seize this opportunity during their Antarctic Expedition. Although it adds another $950 to your trip’s cost, embarking on this unique adventure is absolutely worthwhile when you travel all the way to Antarctica.
What’s truly amazing is that we didn’t just kayak once; we had the chance to kayak eight times during our 12-day Antarctic Explorer trip with Quark Expeditions. While other passengers engaged in shore landings to visit the penguins, our group of 16 ventured out to face the elements firsthand.
We were fortunate to witness a minke whale surface right behind us, and playful penguins leaped right in front of our kayaks. We caught sight of leopard and Weddell seals dozing peacefully on ice flows, and we maneuvered our kayaks toward them so quietly that it felt like we could almost reach out and touch them.
The kayaking experience doesn’t mean you’ll miss any land activities. After our kayaking sessions, we were able to land on shores, explore the continent, and visit the penguin colonies, experiencing everything that every other passenger enjoyed—just more intensively!
Unique Experiences While Sea Kayaking
We kayaked through a bay filled with icebergs, even navigating completely around them. There are guidelines urging paddlers to maintain a distance that is twice the height of the iceberg, as they could capsize at any moment, potentially endangering us.
Additionally, we paddled through dense patches of brash ice. The sound of ice scraping against our kayaks was exhilarating, as we carved our own paths through the thick layers of frozen water.
Paddling through brash ice requires patience; maintaining balance and avoiding sudden turns is crucial. It presented an exhilarating encounter with rugged conditions, making us feel like genuine adventurers rather than mere tourists watching from afar. We truly embraced the essence of Antarctica.
Some days presented tough conditions with high waves, requiring us to exert every ounce of strength to reach the shore, while other days were tranquil, allowing us to sit in silence and soak in the stunning landscape. Facing gigantic glaciers that perpetually calved—where enormous chunks of ice broke off and crashed into the water—was nothing short of mesmerizing.
In silent unison, we cheered out our names, and at one point, we even yelled “Meatloaf,” a humorous nod to “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” while paddling in Paradise Bay—a moment I will never forget as our voices echoed off the high glacier walls surrounding us.
During our kayaking tours, we sampled ‘thousand-year-old’ glacier ice floating by whenever we needed refreshment and even began testing our agility, trying to paddle over larger pieces of ice as our confidence grew. The excursions were memorable because we only brought our waterproof cameras. Given the potential threat of falling in, we recommended using a GoPro or an Olympus Tough waterproof/freezeproof camera for capturing unforgettable moments, and we emerged with stunning footage from the trip.
After a couple of hours of kayaking, we either landed on shore for a penguin visit or returned to the zodiac, which would take us to our next destination. Shore landings were contingent on weather conditions; sometimes, the waves were too rough to land, but on calmer days, we could paddle right up to the beach, step out, and begin our hiking adventures to view the extraordinary wildlife of Antarctica.
We left our dry bags containing non-waterproof camera gear in the Zodiac, and once on dry land, we could unleash our creativity and capture the breathtaking scenery.
Ultimately, sea kayaking in Antarctica is the perfect enhancement to any Antarctic adventure.
Have you always dreamed of visiting Antarctica? Consider exploring Quark Expeditions for more information.
