Highlights of Antarctica

Hear the beautiful 'symphony of the ice' as you glide silently past nature's frozen works of art in a sea kayak. Designed for close-up polar exploration, there's no better way to encounter the wildlife of Antarica and to enjoy its soul-stirring scenery.

• Kayak tours optimal for beginners

• Exploring by kayak means merging with nature in tranquility

• Potential of wildlife sightings as you glide through the water without the sound of a motor

• Safe experience, accompanied by very experienced guides with high standard equipment

Paddle with penguins

Merge with nature on an exceptional Antarctic sea kayaking adventure. Explore nature and wildlife up-close as we kayak along awe-inspiring icebergs and glaciers.

Paddling through crystal-clear water and spot seals, penguins, and even whales. Our experienced Expedition Team will take you to stunning Antarctic areas with high chances of encountering wildlife.

Practical information

• Only bookable on board

• Kayaking gear and dry suits are included in this excursion.

• A good level of fitness is essential.

• Basic level swimming skills is required.

• Knowledge of basic English is required to communicate with instructors.

• Subject to weather and ice conditions.

• This activity may have limited availability. If space becomes limited, participants will be chosen via a lottery-based lucky draw.

Spend a magical night camping in a tent on the shore in Antarctica. In the style of the early explorers, we use our specialized equipment to spend the night under the stars for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. As you might expect, camping is a popular activity and numbers are limited. Who gets to go usually has to be decided by a lottery system. Feeling lucky?

• Sleeping under the Antarctic sky with only the thin wall of your tent separating you from the elements.

• Encounter the Antarctic´s natural elements up close

• In the true style of the early explorers we venture out at night

• Stay warm and comfortable with top-quality camping gear

This is an after dinner and before breakfast activity offered only where the route, weather and ice/snow conditions allow.

When Scott arrived at the South Pole on the 17th of January 1912, he found a silk tent erected together with a Norwegian flag and pennant from Amundsen’s ship, Fram. The tent was a masterpiece of its time, designed for emergency use. It could fit into the pocket of an anorak and weighed less than two pounds.

Imagine yourself sleeping under the Antarctic sky with little more than the thin wall of a tent separating you from the elements. In the true style of the early explorers we venture out at night for this once in a lifetime chance to feel like a polar explorer. 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.

The adventure starts with a pre-camp briefing by the experienced expedition staff who accompany us on the activity. We set up our camp after dinner with guests participating from beginning to end. If you have never pitched a tent before, this is your chance. After the camp is set up you can either go to bed or sit outside and marvel at the stillness, or listen to penguins in the distance. Depending on the landing site, we may take short walks to nearby viewpoints and visit penguin colonies in the bright Antarctic night. If you like, wake up early, climb out of your tent and watch the sunrise.

In the morning hours we take down the camp and boats pick us up for the return trip to the ship. Back on board, we enjoy a special breakfast and debrief the experience.

As an IAATO member, Hurtigruten adheres to all guidelines associated with onshore overnight stays in Antarctica. We leave nothing behind and remove all traces of our presence to protect wildlife and the fragile environment. Join us for this unique and unforgettable experience!

Practical information

• Only bookable on board.

• Emergency food, all camping equipment meeting Antarctic standards, special breakfast served back on the ship after camping and a special certificate.

• Walking information: Walking mostly on snow, camping also on snow. Some walking with gear required to the camp. We also offer short hikes if conditions and the site allow.

• Bringing food ashore is not allowed.

• Subject to weather and ice conditions, all tents are two-person capacity. Limited space available. All participants for this activity are chosen by a lottery.

When the conditions are right, there's no better way to cross the frozen terrain than by wearing snowshoes. Our modern equipment makes it easy to walk on the soft snow, and the elements are usually best during our late spring and early summer Antarctica cruises.

• Explore a snowy area which are hard to reach without snowshoes

• Feel the spirit of the early Antarctic explorers who persevered through great frozen expanses

• Expert guidance by the Expedition Team

• The thrill of snowshoeing

Snowshoeing pure Arctic landscapes

Feel the spirit of the early Antarctic explorers. Join us for a walk on the wild side with snowshoes. Climb hills, cross glittering white plains, and untouched landscapes. Here few humans have set foot. Our experienced Expedition Team will guide you to places with awe-inspiring views. You might observe penguin colonies or even see whales swimming in the sea from above.

Practical information

• Only bookable on board.

• Language: English.

• Included: Snowshoes and ski poles.

• Requirements: A good level of fitness is essential.

• Walking information: Walking mostly on snow and icy terrain, uphill and downhill.

• This activity may have limited availability. In the event that space becomes limited, participants will be chosen via a lottery based lucky draw.

• Subject to snow and weather conditions, there is no guarantee for snowshoeing towards the end of the season.