What Camping in Antarctica Really Looks Like

Antarctic camping isn’t your typical tent-in-the-woods experience. After evening dinner on your expedition ship, you board a Zodiac and head ashore to a snow-covered landing site specially chosen for its safety and minimal environmental impact.

Most programs don’t use tents. Instead, you sleep in a bivy sack — a lightweight, weatherproof shell wrapped around an insulated sleeping bag and sleeping pad. It’s a minimalist setup that still keeps you warm, dry, and surprisingly comfortable. As you settle into your gear, the landscape around you is quiet and vast: glaciers creak in the distance, water laps against the shore, and penguins may occasionally shuffle nearby.

No fires. No camp kitchens. No built structures. Just you, your group, and the Antarctic night.

How the Camping Experience Works

1. Briefing and gear-up
   Before heading ashore, guides provide a safety and environmental briefing. You’re given all the necessary equipment, including sleeping bag, liner, bivy sack, sleeping mattress, and waterproof boots.

2. Zodiac transfer after dinner
   Once everyone is ready, the group boards Zodiacs and lands at the chosen campsite — often a gentle slope of packed snow with sweeping views of surrounding peaks or ocean.

3. Set up camp
   You stake out a comfortable spot, prepare your sleeping area, and then settle in to enjoy the surreal stillness. Many campers spend time taking photos, exploring the immediate area (within guide-approved limits), or simply absorbing the silence.

4. Night on the ice
   Depending on the month, “night” may mean anything from soft twilight to full 24-hour daylight. You drift off to sleep inside your bivy sack, fully immersed in the elements, warmed by insulated gear and layers.

5. Morning return
   At dawn — or earlier if conditions shift — the group packs up and returns to the ship for breakfast. Everything is carried off the ice, leaving no trace behind.

Where and When You Can Camp

Camping is typically offered on expedition cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula and occasionally on select sub-Antarctic island itineraries. The activity is always weather-dependent: wind, snowfall or unstable conditions can lead to last-minute cancellations.

The best time for Antarctic camping is during the Antarctic summer (November to January). Temperatures are relatively milder, daylight is abundant, and snow coverage makes for more comfortable camping surfaces.

What’s Provided — and What to Bring

Most expedition operators supply:

• Waterproof bivy sack

• Insulated, expedition-grade sleeping bag

• Sleeping mat

• Waterproof boots

• All safety equipment

You should bring:

• Thermal base layers and insulating mid-layers

• Waterproof, windproof outer layers

• Warm hat, gloves, thick socks

• A dry set of layers for bedtime

• Water bottle, camera, and personal essentials

Staying dry is the key to staying warm — and layering is everything.

What It Feels Like to Camp in Antarctica

Spending a night on the White Continent is equal parts surreal and humbling. You lie wrapped in your bivy sack as mountains glow in late-night light, icebergs drift silently offshore, and wildlife calls echo faintly through the stillness. Many travellers describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment of deep connection — the kind of experience that feels almost spiritual.

Sleep may or may not be plentiful, depending on conditions. But comfort isn’t the point. The point is being present in a place few humans have ever experienced so intimately.

Essential Things to Know

• Camping is always supervised by trained polar guides.

• No cooking, fires, or traditional camp setups — everything is strictly minimal-impact.

• All waste is carried back to the ship.

• Once you’re ashore, you stay for the night unless there’s a safety issue.

• Weather rules everything; cancellations are normal.

Antarctica demands flexibility — and rewards it with unmatched beauty!

Antarctica Camping – Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping in Antarctica safe?

Yes. Camping programs are run by experienced expedition teams who carefully choose landing sites and monitor weather and ice conditions. As long as guests follow guidance, it’s considered a safe and well-managed activity.

How cold does it get when camping?

Expect temperatures around –5°C to –15°C (23°F to 5°F), sometimes colder with wind chill. High-quality sleeping bags and bivy sacks are designed for these conditions, and proper layering makes the experience surprisingly comfortable.

Do we sleep in tents?

Not usually. Most Antarctic camping is done in bivy sacks — durable, insulated, weatherproof cocoons that allow you to sleep directly on the snow while staying warm and protected.

What gear is provided?

Sleeping bag, liner, sleeping mat, bivy sack, waterproof boots, and safety equipment are supplied. You only need to bring clothing and personal essentials.

Do I need camping experience?

None at all. The activity is designed for beginners, and guides assist with setup and instructions.

What about bathrooms?

Expedition teams bring environmentally-safe portable toilet systems. All waste is transported back to the ship.

Is it guaranteed that I’ll get to camp?

No. Weather and ice conditions can cause last-minute cancellations. Flexibility is important.

What if I get cold or uncomfortable during the night?

Once ashore, the group stays until morning unless conditions become unsafe. Guides keep watch and can decide to return early if necessary.

Can wildlife approach the campsite?

Sometimes penguins or seals may wander nearby. Strict distancing rules apply to protect both wildlife and guests.

How long does the camping night last?

Usually 6–10 hours, depending on weather and daylight. During high summer, it may remain bright all night long.

What should I wear?

Thermal base layers, insulating mid-layers, waterproof outerwear, warm socks, gloves, and a hat. Dry layers for bedtime are essential.

Can children join the camping activity?

Age limits vary by operator, often around 12–16 years old. Always check your specific itinerary.

Why camp in Antarctica at all?

Because it’s one of the purest, most extraordinary wilderness experiences on Earth. A night on the ice offers perspective, silence, and a sense of connection that’s impossible to forget.

Following are some expeditions which may include the option for camping:

(Note that availability is often limited due to small group sizes, so early booking is always essential)