If you happen to’ve ever thought of going sea kayaking in Antarctica (or are simply curious), then this whole information will inform you all the things it is advisable know.
There’s no exercise extra tranquil, extra invigorating, extra uplifting, than floating majestically throughout a relaxed sea beneath an excellent pale-blue sky.
Throw in some icebergs, penguins, seals and baileys with scorching chocolate, and also you’ve obtained a recipe for perfection.
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Our first few days in Antarctica had concerned zodiac cruises, land excursions, watching the considerable wildlife up shut and even a night spent tenting on the continent. Every second had been amongst the perfect experiences of our lives.
However there was one exercise we have been extra excited for than the rest – kayaking alongside the Antarctic Peninsula.
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to kayak in some phenomenal locations, from the lakes of British Columbia to Ningaloo Reef in Australia, to the tropical islands of Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. However all these appeared to fall brief in comparison with one thing as mystical as paddling subsequent to icebergs and glaciers.
Throughout our journey to Antarctica with One Ocean Expeditions, who’re not in operation, we had signed up for his or her unique kayaking program, and anxiously awaited our likelihood to exit.
On our latest journey to Antarctica in 2022 we obtained to go kayaking once more, and it was each bit as unimaginable as the primary time.
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Take a look at loads of different superb issues to do in Antarctica in our newest article.
As we had a want to additionally absorb as many possibilities for land excursions and images alternatives as nicely, we organised to get out on the 4th day with the remainder of the staff.
We couldn’t consider our luck after we awoke that morning to an image excellent day.
There was no wind in any respect, creating glassy circumstances throughout the ocean. Including definition to the clear sky was one in all nature’s most intriguing phenomena – lenticular clouds.
These UFO-shaped clouds are fashioned when air passes throughout the floor of the earth and comes into contact with ‘obstructions’ – on this case mountains. The air rises up and condenses on the downwind aspect of the height, creating stationary waves of moisture.
For sure, we have been ecstatic!
Take a look at our final vacation spot information all about travelling in Antarctica!
Simply earlier than breakfast we joined our fellow kayakers for a briefing about the place we might be going and what to anticipate.
The kayaking guides have been Mark and Ehren, two hardcore adventurers who had led numerous expeditions in among the world’s most distant locations, corresponding to Alaska, Greenland and Mongolia.
Between them they’d over 40 years expertise in instructing and guiding, so we knew we have been within the most secure palms attainable.
The morning’s kayaking tour would happen in Cierva Cove, a shocking spot on the Antarctic Peninsula peppered with black rock islands and floating icebergs.
After filling up on a scrumptious breakfast we headed into the mudroom on the Akademik Ioffe to get into our drysuits.
Totally wearing the perfect technical gear available on the market we walked down the gangway and jumped into the zodiac to take us to our launch level.
The One Ocean Expeditions crew had already unloaded the kayaks and have been ready for us out within the open sea. Alesha and I have been full of nervous pleasure as the zodiac obtained nearer.
Reaching a secluded space within the coronary heart of the cove, Mark and Ehren organised the group in order that some would take single kayaks, whereas others went in doubles. We opted for the double kayaks, so we might take pleasure in this stunning expertise collectively (and take copious quantities of photographs and video).
The kayaks have been towed as much as our zodiac and Mark helped load every visitor into them, making certain they’d not capsize whereas we slid into them, whereas Ehren parked his kayak on the opposite aspect to carry them regular.
Alesha and I have been two of the final folks to load into our kayaks, and with the assistance Mark and Ehren gave it was surprisingly simple to leap in. We had put all of our cameras into dry luggage to ensure nothing can be broken.
As soon as we have been settled with the waterproof aprons hooked up to guard the inside of the kayak (and our legs) from any splashes, we paddled off into the cove.
We shortly obtained into the rhythm of issues and joined the remainder of the group. Mark and Ehren adopted shut behind, gave one closing briefing, then we headed off for our journey.
For the subsequent two hours we kayaked between towering icebergs that shimmered brilliant blue within the mid-morning solar, and round a rocky island that held a colony of gentoo penguins.
Being cautious to not get too near the icebergs in case they tipped, we marvelled at how stunning they have been when seen from water degree. Realizing that these chunks of ice have been 1000’s of years outdated was fairly humbling.
The surroundings was doubtlessly essentially the most stunning we had ever seen, and we couldn’t wipe the grins off of our faces.
Simply after we thought life couldn’t get any higher, the lodge supervisor from the ship, Craig, got here as much as our group in a zodiac. He waved everybody over, then with a giant grin referred to as out, “Baileys and scorching chocolate anybody?“
We couldn’t paddle over quick sufficient. Passing over massive plastic mugs stuffed together with his personal mix of scrumptious alcoholic chocolate we thanked him then allowed ourselves to only sit there on the calm waters and savour each second.
As we drifted quietly with our associates round us, Alesha checked out me and requested in disbelief, “Is that this really occurring?”
Wanting round on the floating icebergs, snowy peaks, fringing glaciers and lenticular clouds above, we shrugged and took one other sip of our scorching chocolate. Yep, this was really occurring.
When the Baileys was completed everybody handed their mugs again to Craig and we stored on paddling, profiting from the spectacular day. A number of crabeater seals instantly appeared, coming proper as much as our kayaks to examine us out earlier than swimming in direction of the penguin colony.
The resident photographer Dave Brosha got here up in a zodiac and requested if he might seize a couple of photographs of all of us kayaking collectively. Throughout his month within the Antarctic, he hadn’t had an opportunity to seize the kayakers with the climate as pristine because it was that day.
We huddled collectively in a semi-circle whereas Dave snapped his photographs.
Earlier than the tour got here to an finish Mark discovered some smaller icebergs for us to take a look at, and we paddled round them attempting to extend the journey so long as attainable.
Making our means again to the ship our hearts have been thumping with happiness. Our dream of sea kayaking in Antarctica had come true, and the circumstances couldn’t have been any extra excellent.
Although we didn’t see any whales like a few of our associates had the last few days, it didn’t matter. Our day was nonetheless superb.
There’s only one downside although. How are we ever going to prime the expertise of ingesting Baileys and scorching chocolate on a bluebird day, surrounded by icebergs and penguins with lenticular clouds overhead whereas paddling a kayak round Antarctica?
Security and Tools When Kayaking in Antarctica
Clearly kayaking in Antarctica isn’t the form of exercise that comes with out some kind of danger, however the precise chance of one thing going improper could be very low.
One Ocean Expeditions*** takes nice delight in offering the most secure and greatest expertise for all their prospects, and those that select to participate of their kayaking program are not any exception.
Every Antarctic (and Arctic) expedition has a restrict of 16 folks allowed to hitch the ocean kayaking applications to make sure the guides have full management over the low variety of members. This needs to be pre-booked nicely prematurely of your journey, as there isn’t a likelihood to guide it as soon as you might be on the boat.
Earlier than anybody is allowed to really set out in a kayak they have to undergo a stringent security briefing and be made aware of all of the gear that’s required.
The primary danger with kayaking in Antarctica is publicity to the weather, and particularly the chilly water. That’s why kayakers are supplied with full-body dry fits, particular gloves, boots and an apron.
Donning all this specialty gear takes a while (and a contact of agility), nevertheless it ensures everybody will stay dry.
If the wind picks up or the climate takes a flip for the more serious then the zodiacs will acquire all of the kayakers and take them to a safer bay, or the expedition chief will make the choice to cancel the kayak tour till additional discover. Security is paramount.
The kayaks themselves are designed to be used in chilly temperatures and are strengthened for contact with ice and rocks. They’re additionally very sturdy.
At no level did we really feel unstable or unsafe. Realizing how skilled Mark and Ehren, our guides, have been additionally helped make everybody really feel snug with this superb journey.
If you happen to’ve ever needed to go kayaking in Antarctica, going with One Ocean Expeditions will assist make this once-in-a-lifetime expertise one of many funnest reminiscences you’ll ever have.
[box] Our sea kayaking expertise was made attainable due to our partnership with One Ocean Expeditions. All ideas, opinions and mugs of Baileys and scorching chocolate consumed are, as all the time, our personal.[/box]
