antarctica cruise polar plunge

I jumped off a cruise ship in Antarctica and lived to tell the tale

I can barely breathe because of nerves … or is it excitement? Out across the bay, mountains thick with snow vanish into bleached skies. The sea glitters with ice.

I shrug off my robe, step out of my slippers and walk down to the water. The air is chill, the wet floor beneath my feet supremely cold. A small iceberg floats by and is soon gone, sped on by an unseen current. I shiver. No doubt about it, this is going to be cold.

There's no time to waste. With every ounce of courage, I run, jump and leap into the air.

Time slows.

Seconds feel like minutes.

Somewhere to my right is an inflatable boat and expedition crew, bundled up against the chill.

Mountains, icebergs, ice.

Then confusion as I go under.

A clanging fills my ears, the water so frigid, that I feel instantly disoriented. Everything hurts, the cold like a vice. It jolts me into action.

Surfacing fast, I swim with jagged strokes to where a ladder strapped to a pontoon leads from the sea up to our ship, Atlas Ocean Voyages ' World Voyager. The 198-passenger vessel's expedition team is standing by, ready to lend a neoprene-gloved hand to hoist me out of the sea.

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For the past week, this spot has been our launching pad for adventures in the Zodiac inflatable boats. Kitted up in thermals and Atlas-issued lime green polar jackets, our small group of 10 has carved a white path through diamond seas, bound for icebergs, penguins and snow-covered islands. We've stared spellbound at crevassed glaciers bigger than a suburb and spied seals dozing on ice floes.

This afternoon is very different. One by one, we check off the hottest ticket in Antarctica — plunging into the freezing 30-degree waters of the driest, highest continent on Earth.

Related: The ultimate guide to Atlas Ocean Voyages sailings

The ultimate ice bath

I'm no stranger to ice baths and the health benefits they bring, from reducing inflammation to accelerating muscle recovery and switching off the "fight-flight" that can lead to high cortisol and stubborn fat.

I've braved Sydney's Bondi Beach in winter, taken regular cold showers and dived headlong into near-freezing waters at the North Pole — that one on a 15-day cruise aboard the new luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot , from upscale line Ponant Cruises.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Belinda Luksic (@belindaluksic)

But nothing beats the heart-stopping chill of plunging into Antarctica's waters in late spring — or the camaraderie of sharing the exhilarating moment with 86 like-minded daredevils.

Navigating adventure

Just a week ago, 138 of us set off to Antarctica on the nine-night maiden voyage of World Voyager — fast-growing Atlas Ocean Voyages' third new ship in two years. Leaving Ushuaia, Argentina, behind, we met the roiling Drake Passage at peak shake, riding the churning 33-foot swell. In the days that followed, we staggered to mandatory safety briefings, polar boot and jacket fittings and gala dinners.

The more adventurous among us planned to kayak or camp overnight in the continent, snug in bivouac sleeping bags designed to withstand freezing temperatures. It's the kind of luxury that polar explorers of old, like Ernest Shackleton, could only dream about. Both activities came with a price tag. The polar plunge was free and open to all.

Related: Atlas Ocean adds expedition cruises to mainstream destinations

We moseyed around the South Shetland Islands, sidling into the flooded caldera of Deception Island. The active volcanic shield had erupted twice in the late '60s. At Pendulum Cove, the foundations of the Chilean research station were all that remained. An old whaling station haunted Whaler's Bay, our first sighting of penguins.

The spirit of expedition sailing

On the continent, the weather turned. Gale-force winds and heavy snowfall chased away blue skies and sunshine. Barrelling down the Gerlache Strait, we hit hurricane-strength 100-knot winds and a 16-foot swell. Wind-wracked, salt-lashed seas rose and fell.

On board, the tempest barely registered, ballasted as we were by the ship's twin Rolls-Royce stabilizers and the maneuvering of our Norwegian captain, Terje Ulset. I went to the gym and the sauna, watching the drama unfold through panoramic glass. At dinner, we lingered over cheese plates and dessert as waves rocked the ship. The Dome observatory lounge, on the top deck, was our port in a storm for late-night cocktails and cabaret.

As the wild weather continued, we pivoted. Landings were shuffled, and plans scuttled. First, the kayak, and then the overnight camp were canceled. The polar plunge looked set to suffer the same fate until day six dawned bright, white and promising.

The final countdown

We chanced frostbite on Cuverville Island, snapping photos of the cute gentoo penguins waddling to the summit. Come afternoon, it was Shackleton's fate we tempted, powering through fractured pack ice to touch the continent in lieu of a landing.

It wasn't long before the plunge deck was readied. We waited in the lounge for our group to be called, dressed in matching robes and slippers as if at a day spa. A pod of humpbacks entertained us. I watched the crew herd icebergs in the Zodiacs.

Down in the mud room, the excitement was contagious. There were selfies and laughter. People shuffled along in the queue, returning dripping wet and grinning. A belt was fixed to my waist, a tethering rope clipped to it before the jump. The ship's doctor stood by with a defibrillator (a precaution, I later discovered, rarely needed).

Related: I just spent the night in an igloo in Antarctica — here's how you can, too

World Voyager's godmother, Harpreet Kaur "Preet" Chandi, had joined us in Ushuaia for the ship's christening. Here was a woman who had skied solo to the South Pole, a two-month quest where winds howled and snow bit like sand. Did she have any words of wisdom to impart?

"Remember to enjoy every moment," she shot back with a smile.

I'm reminded of this as I stand dripping on the pontoon, the post-plunge high already kicking in. It wraps around me like a warm blanket as I do a victory lap onto the ship, cheers and applause ringing in my ear.

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Polar Plunge Guide – How to Prepare for an Epic Dip in Antarctica

Laura Pattara  |  1 December 2023

Taking the polar plunge in Antarctica is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can enjoy on an expedition cruise. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but if you're into thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime activities in extraordinary destinations, you could not challenge yourself with a more worthy experience.

Antarctica is one of our planet's most extreme and remote environments, and immersing yourself in its frozen waters is an adventure like no other.

 Since we field so many questions about this incredible activity, we thought we'd compile a comprehensive polar plunge guide – The following is all you need to know about taking a plunge in the icy waters of Antarctica comfortably and safely and taking home memories that'll last a lifetime.

• Understanding the Polar Plunge

Why take the polar plunge? The science of cold-water immersion

Can anyone do the polar plunge?

What to expect on a polar plunge

Camaraderie, how cold is the water in antarctica in summer, where can you do a polar plunge, how much does a polar plunge cost, insider tips on taking your polar plunge, what is a polar plunge.

Akin to an extreme ice bath, the polar plunge is an exhilarating activity where you jump into (or gently enter) the icy cold waters of Antarctica. Yes, it can be as painful as it sounds, but this challenging activity is one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences on Antarctica expedition cruises.

Proponents have long touted the benefits of cold-water immersion , and science is proving them right. Not only do you get an immediate adrenalin and endorphin rush when you plunge into cold water, but you also develop an overall feeling of euphoria that lasts for hours. Usually, everyone's quite apprehensive before they take their plunge (because of icy waters!), but completing a polar plunge also triggers an incredible sense of accomplishment, and those happy hormones can last for days.

Plus, taking a polar plunge on an Antarctic expedition cruise grants your boasting rights forever more!

Say ‘freeeeeeze!

We’re not gonna lie, the sea of Antarctica is freezing cold even in the heart of the southern summer. Sea temps usually range between -2 C and 2C. Most experienced polar plunges will say that you won’t actually feel much difference between those two temp ranges, so there’s always that consolation. Due to the high salt content of the sea, you won’t need to break through ice, so the difficulty of a plunge only comes down to your mental resolve.

Not all cruise ships headed to Antarctica offer the polar plunge, but usually, all expedition ships carrying only 200 passengers do. Look for cruise ships that specifically mention it among their offered activities – that’s the best way to know for sure that it’s on offer.

Remember that conditions must be just right for a polar plunge – so although every expedition ship captain will endeavour to make it happen, it is never 100% guaranteed.

Courage is the only thing a polar plunge in Antarctica will cost you – the activity is free to those brave enough!

- Know your medical history – This is very important. The polar plunge isn't for everyone, so make sure you don't have any medical conditions that might preclude you from a swim in freezing water

- Wear what makes you comfortable – Most people take the polar plunge in their swimmers but feel free to wear shorts and a t-shirt if it makes you feel more comfortable in a crowd. Although easier said than done, it's important not to overthink it too much – once you've decided to plunge, don't double-guess yourself and JUST DO IT.

- Stand around a minute or so in your swimmers – Some say there's no need to freeze before you enter the water, so keep your clothes/robe on until the very last second. Yet there's a logic to acclimatizing just a little to the cold before jumping in. The air temperature will likely be similar to the sea, so it won't be such a shock if you are already standing around half-dressed.

- Plug your nose – Keep a firm grip on your nose as you dive to take in less seawater, or just forget about all that and do a silly jump for the cameras!

- Join in the fun – The polar plunge is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Antarctic expeditions, even if you're not diving in. Join the supportive crowd and have a ball, the whole thing is entertaining, even as a spectator.

- Dive or slide – Doing what makes you feel more comfortable is essential. Some people really do cannonball right off the ship while others prefer to enter the water more gingerly. Let your experienced guides know what you prefer, but listen to their recommendations – they know best!

- Keep warm – Everything will be set up to warm you as soon as you exit the water – listen to your guide's instructions and change into warm clothing ASAP. Enjoy those post-plunge celebrations and soak up the high!

The Polar Plunge – Don’t Think It…Just Do It!

Keen to take the plunge on your expedition cruise to Antarctica ? Contact one of our Destination Specialists, and they'll help you plan the trip of a lifetime!

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Polar Plunge Antarctica: The Ultimate Bucket List Experience

Completing a Polar Plunge in Antarctica is the ULTIMATE bucket list experience – but it wasn’t on mine originally. I hate cold water – so why would I want to do it in the coldest ocean? Simple “When in Antarctica” (also, peer pressure). Now that I’ve survived and my body temperature is back to normal, I’ll admit that it’s by far the most exhilarating thing I’ve done and I couldn’t imagine NOT doing it. In fact, it was such a typical Antarctica experience – I decided to do it twice .

There have been a number of questions I’ve received over the year related to this experience – so here’s my guide to swimming with the penguins and my top tips!

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What is it like taking the Polar Plunge in Antarctica?

Most smaller ships visiting Antarctica include the option of a Polar Plunge (weather dependent, of course). During the booking process, I decided that if I was spending all this money to reach Antarctica, I was going to experience everything it had to offer. Even though I hate cold showers and hate even the idea of a polar plunge. However, I am not one to sit on the sidelines and watch experiences pass me by – too much FOMO.

There are a few ways that I’ve seen polar plunges done – jumping from the ship into the open water or doing a run on the beach. Our plunges were done from the beach.

We were told before landing that polar plunges would be available and to let a staff member know if you were interested so they could bring enough towels. Staff instructed us to wear our bathing suits under our layers. After you were done on land, you’d strip down into the bathing suit and run in the water. They made it sound so simple and not like I was running into just-above-freezing-water.

They didn’t recommend staying in the water long ( I still can’t believe someone asked me this question…. anyway….) as it isn’t good for your body to be that cold for long. There were penguins on the beach and in the water with us ( alright, I guess swimming with penguins was pretty cool but not cool enough to keep me in the water) . Once you got out of the water, the ship staff gave us a towel to dry off. I only put on my jacket and windproof pants for the zodiac boat ride back and carried the rest of my clothes.

Those who did the plunge had first dibs on the zodiacs back to the boat so we didn’t have to wait on land. Then it was a quick ride on the elevator to the hot tub on the top floor to watch others make the dumb questionable decision we just made.

The first polar plunge was held at Deception Island. The island is located at 62.9409* S and 60.5554* W..Our cruise ship was planning on crossing the Antarctic Circle, located at 66.5* S. So when the option to do a second polar plunge south of the Antarctic Circle came about, of course we couldn’t pass up those bragging rights.

Why do a Polar Plunge in Antarctica?

Yes, the ultimate question – Why? Despite the adrenaline rush and absolute chill, you get from the experience (see what I did there?), it’s a great story to tell. There are only 10,000 people who go to Antarctica every year, and even less of them swim – and even less of them do it twice — so yeah, bragging rights. It also didn’t help that my father insisted on doing them – peer pressure was definitely a factor. Hurtigruten (the company we went with) also gave us a nice certificate for doing it.

How bad was the Polar Plunge?

Pretty freaking bad. Really cold. Some people say “it’s not that bad” – just the initial impact of coldness that is rough. I think they may be in denial about just how cold it is and are enjoying the bragging rights. As a former athlete, I’ve taken plenty of ice baths and while it was similar – it was so much colder . That said – once I was in the hot tub and back to normal temperature – I have started to look back on these experiences with fondness.

How cold is the Polar Plunge in Antarctica?

Very, very cold. The first plunge we did was 32*F (0*C) outside and 34*F (1*C) in the water. The second plunge was 33.8*F (1*C) outside and 36.5* (2.5*C) in the water. Everything is weather dependent in Antarctica – we got lucky that the second plunge location was that warm since it was further south. If it was colder, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.

What do you wear on an Antarctic Polar Plunge?

I wish we wore the dry suit we wore kayaking – but no – just a bathing suit. That’s it. Some people did it with leggings and a spaghetti string, but that keeps more water on you for a longer period of time. It also weighs you down in the water. I also recommend water shoes .

The first plunge was on a nice sandy beach. Picture a Caribbean beach, just with icebergs. Sand that was soft on your feet. Pleasant to walk into, pleasant to walk out of. The second plunge though….not so much. Dad had to through the ice out of the way for us to go in. The beach was also filled with rocks. Going in was okay – coming out though? It felt like knives stabbing my feet ! How I wish I had water shoes.

Is the Polar Plunge dangerous?

Generally, no. For healthy people, a polar plunge is not dangerous. The cold will impact the body, but you’re not staying in long. The crew also takes precautions to make this as safe as possible for everyone. The staff is on land with plenty of towels available. Zodiacs are waiting for swimmers to bring them back to the ship immediately for warmth. The ship doctor is also readily available for any issues.

However, people with high blood pressure and heart disease should not take the plunge.

Travel Tip: A physical is required before you board the ship so talk to your doctor about the plunge!

How much does the polar plunge cost.

A few brain cells. Pretty sure I lost a bit of those doing these, but other than that – nothing. Polar plunges are included on Hurtigruten expeditions (and on most ships that I can tell).

When do you do the Polar Plunge in Antarctica?

Everything in Antarctica is weather dependent. Polar Plunges are typically offered once on an expedition. You can’t just decide to run into the water one day – you don’t know if there are seals in the water, the temperature of the water, or other weather conditions to be aware of. I’ve seen a number of people do polar plunges on Deception Island as the water is usually calmer there.

Tips for Your Antarctic Polar Plunge

• Don’t overthink, just do it . No matter how hard you think about it or how much you think about it, it’s going to be cold. Just do it anyway.
• Get a buddy. Whether this is someone that you travel with ( thanks, Dad!) or someone just as crazy as you to do it with on the ship. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have done it without Dad pressuring me. Not only will it hold you accountable, it’ll make it more fun .
• Ask someone to be a photographer. Some ships provide this, but who doesn’t want their own photo? Ask someone watching ( and there will be PLENTY of people watching you) to take a few photos so you can access it immediately.
• Put your jacket and pants on before getting in the zodiac. That quick ride from land to boat seems pretty short every other day of the expedition – but on those days you didn’t just get out of 35* water. Put it on – trust me. You don’t have to put on all the clothes, just the windbreaker jacket and pants to protect yourself.

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12 thoughts on “Polar Plunge Antarctica: The Ultimate Bucket List Experience”

I love this! When in Antartica is right?! It’s basically a once in a lifetime experience!

You are so brave! Friends we made on our first Antarctic trip tried to persuade me to have a polar plunge but I cried off. They went ahead, but found the hardest bit when they got back out of the water, had towels ready to wrap around them but then decided to transfer back to the ship before getting dressed which meant shivering for a good few minutes before they could get back into the warm and dry properly!

I hate the cold too, but I would make an exception to swim with penguins. I did a Polar Bear Plunge once in Maryland and totally agree…don’t over think…just jump. Full disclosure though, I only went in to my waist 😉

Haha I still count it! My dad was the hard judge insisting I had to dunk my head! That was rough!

Gosh, you are very brave! I’m not sure if FOMO or peer pressure could make me do it… 😀 Antarctica must be amazing though, it’s a lifetime experience I imagine.

Haha, when in Antarctica 😉

I can’t even imagine how cold that must be! You’re certainly very brave. I love the tip about not thinking and just doing it, it’s super easy to psych yourself out of thing as soon as you start overthinking.

Yea, I’ll pass lol. I don’t even plan to go to Antarctica but even if by some miracle I was convinced to go, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Bless your heart!

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For our Polar Plunge, we jumped from the boat’s gangway where you hop onto the zodiacs! I reckon I prefer jumping into the water instead of walking in because there’s no turning back! Such a fun experience though and I would have done it twice too, because like you said, when in Antarctica, right?

Yeah that would have been fun but was it hard to get out of the water? We got to swim around too and then walk on the beach. It was fun swimming with the penguins.

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Doing the Polar Plunge in Antarctica

Apr 13, 2021 | Antarctica Activities

Taking the plunge in Antarctica

Did you know that cold dipping is a Scandinavian tradition that has numerous health benefits? Taking a plunge in the coldest of waters provides plenty of perks for your well being including reducing stress, boosting energy, improving your immune system and relieving pain.

Doing a polar plunge is a tradition in some parts of the world, held on New Year’s Day to celebrate a new beginning. ‘Polar Bear Plunges’ are often held in order to raise money for charities. Did you know that every December the polar plunge is held as part of the ‘midsummer’ celebrations in Antarctica? It’s a rite of passage for scientists and visitors at several of the  research bases .

Polar plunging is a popular activity during our  itineraries  and something our guests have participated in for many, many years. You’ve made it this far; this is how you take your Antarctic adventure to the next level and go all the way.

Is it Cold?

Well, yes of course it is! But it’s not as bad as you think. It only lasts a quick moment, and there is a warm robe and hot (or stiff) drink waiting for you when you exit the water. You can always warm up in the  ship ‘s sauna.

What Does it Feel Like?

It depends on the person, but you might feel anywhere from delightfully shocked to a million tiny prickles on your skin. One of the most remarkable things is when you exit the water, the air feels warm, leaving you to feel revitalized as your skin tingles from the icy water.

Is it Safe?

Every safety precaution is taken. If the weather isn’t cooperating, we won’t do it. The ship’s doctor will be present, and we have safety personnel, safety boats, and other safety measures in place. It is perfectly safe.

Can I Do It?

Anyone can do it, though we do recommend checking with your doctor prior to the voyage if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. Polar Plunging is not recommended for those who have high blood pressure, heart conditions, or any other serious medical issues.

Do I Have To Do It?

No one is required to participate; it is entirely up to you. If you’re not feeling up for it, you can happily sit on the deck with a hot beverage and enjoy the show. A word of advice – if you are healthy enough to participate, we recommend going for it! It’s exhilarating, it gives you an incredible adrenaline rush, and it’s a great story to tell!

What Do You Wear?

We recommend simply donning your swimsuit so don’t forget to  pack  one! Ladies, one pieces are better but two pieces are fine. Some folks like to wear something fun or funny but we don’t recommend wearing layers or clothing that will just get wet and heavy.

Let’s Get Wet!

Are you ready to take the plunge? Call your preferred travel professional or  our team  today.

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Polar plunge

If you’re up to the shock, taking the polar plunge can be an invigorating addition to an expedition cruise

Region: Antarctica, Arctic

Destinations: Antarctic Peninsula, Svalbard

Taking the polar plunge

A favorite activity for some of our passengers is the so-called polar plunge, a shore-based swimming activity we sometimes offer in the Arctic and Antarctica when local conditions allow.

For safety reasons, we cannot offer the polar plunge directly from the ship or Zodiac boat. Rather, we select a suitable beach from which the brave few can immerse themselves in the invigorating (some say frigid) polar waters.

The polar plunge activity always takes place under the direct supervision of our guides to ensure the safety of our guests.

5 photos of the Polar plunge in the gallery »

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Doing The Freezing Polar Plunge In Antarctica

Written by BELLA FALK

Welcome to my post about how I refused to do the Polar Plunge in Antarctica for three full weeks but somehow ended up doing it anyway. Want to know why? Want to know if it was as bad as I thought it would be? Read on and all your questions will be answered!

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“No way. Absolutely not. Don’t be ridiculous. Why on earth would I want to put myself through THAT?! It sounds stupid and painful and utterly, utterly pointless. You can count me very firmly, 100%, OUT…”

I say this repeatedly and decisively, for 18 months, right up until about 10 minutes before I somehow find myself Polar Plunge-ing into the icy waters of Antarctica wearing nothing but a Marks & Spencer’s bikini and a safety rope.

I am not an adrenaline junkie. When, in 2010, I jumped out of a plane (harnessed to an instructor; I’m not a complete lunatic), I only did it because I was goaded into it by my then-boyfriend. I screamed with terror for the entire 60-second freefall and sobbed with relief when my feet (or to be precise, my bum) touched solid ground again.

I rarely exceed the speed limit, I loathe rollercoasters, and I’m too afraid of falling off a cliff to be a good skier. So when I booked my trip to Antarctica and read about the Polar Plunge for the first time, my immediate reaction was a very firm ‘NO’.

Let the crazies do their thing; I’ll quite happily stand on the sidelines and take pictures. After all, that’s what I do best.

I did pack a bikini of course, but I was absolutely, definitely, NOT going to wear it to jump into near-freezing seawater in Antarctica. The bikini was for the hotel swimming pool in Buenos Aires, and nothing else .

So we board our expedition ship, and set sail for Antarctica, via the Falklands and South Georgia . And every time the subject of the Polar Plunge comes up, I’m firm.

Yes, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and yes, I’ll probably never come back to Antarctica again, but no, I’m not going to do it. You might want to nearly drown and catch hypothermia at the same time, but masochism’s not my thing, ta v much. End of story. Move on.

So how exactly do I end up doing it anyway? Read on to find out…

What is a Polar Plunge?

But first, a brief explanation. The Polar Plunge, as you might have guessed, is a challenge that’s offered on a number of Arctic and Antarctic cruises.

Sometimes called the Polar Jump or Polar Splash, the challenge involves jumping into the freezing sea, swimming around for as long as you can bear the pain, and then getting back out and into a dry towel as fast as humanly possible.

There’s no real purpose to it, but it’s one of those slightly insane things that people do for the bragging rights. After all, how many people can say they’ve swum in the Antarctic Ocean?

What happens when you do the Antarctica Polar Plunge?

The exact details of the experience may vary depending on the company you travel with, but here’s what happened on my trip to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica with Quark Expeditions .

Right at the end of the voyage, on our last day in Antarctica, the captain anchors our ship in a very calm, quiet bay. The crew open the gangway that we’ve been using throughout the trip to board the zodiacs used for shore landings, and everyone who wants to do the Polar Plunge lines up in their swimwear.

Those of us, including me, who have zero intention of doing anything so silly, gather on the upper deck so we can watch the shenanigans going on below.

Then, one by one, people step forward, are attached to a safety rope, and jump.

Some hold their noses and plunge, others throw shapes for the photographer. Some jump in and get straight back out again, others splash around for a short while before returning to the gangplank, where they are detached from the safety rope, wrapped in a towel by a friendly crewmember, and handed a shot of vodka to warm up before heading to the hot tub or the shower.

Read More: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

What to wear for the Polar Plunge Antarctica

If you are brave (or stupid) enough to decide you want to do it, you’ll need swimwear! For most people that was just shorts or a swimsuit, others wore a rash vest or top over their cossie. No one wore any kind of wetsuit: that rather defeats the point. On top of that, you’ll need a robe or towel to keep warm while you wait your turn… and that’s it!

How cold is the Antarctic Polar Plunge?

Short answer: cold! But also, not actually THAT cold. While the polar regions can get well into negative numbers during the winter, you’ll likely be travelling in the summertime, when temperatures hover around zero.

Both the air and water temperature on the day we did it were about 1°C.

Which is still cold, don’t get me wrong, but not frostbite-and-gangrene cold. At least, not in the short time you’ll be exposed to it. So don’t worry, you won’t die. Probably. But I’m not a doctor, so proceed with caution.

Is the Antarctica Polar Plunge dangerous?

Probably not. But if you’re in any kind of doubt, check with your doctor before you leap. While jumping into freezing water is rumoured to have health benefits, there is also a small chance that if you suffer from a heart condition or circulatory problems, giving your system a shock like this could cause complications.

I am NOT a doctor though, so please consult someone qualified if you’re concerned.

Read more: 32 Awesome Animals In Antarctica (And Birds Too!)

What are the health benefits of the Polar Plunge

People have been bathing in icy lakes and rivers for centuries, both for practical reasons (like washing or getting to the other side), and for the rumoured health benefits.

In places like Iceland and Norway, jumping into the snow after first warming up in the hot springs or sauna is practically the national sport. That’s because that sharp shock from hot to cold is said to be great for circulation, makes you feel more energetic and invigorated, and can help with rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and respiratory complaints like asthma.

How to do a Polar Plunge Antarctica

Have I not managed to put you off? You still want to fling yourself into a salty, icy bath just for shits and giggles? Ok then, here’s how to make the most of it…

• Go with your friends. After a few days on the boat you’ll no doubt have met some lovely people, so make sure you queue up with them. That way you can egg each other on and check that no one wimps out at the last minute.
• Strike a pose! There’ll be a photographer there recording the moment so you can prove to your friends back home that you actually did it, so try to throw a shape when you leap so you’re looking your best for the camera. (Admittedly, I failed at this.)
• Take a towel, but don’t wear it beforehand. The worst part of jumping into water is the shock from the temperature difference. That’s why if you run into the sea on a very hot day it can still feel horrific. But if you wait around in the chilly air in just your swimming costume before you do the Polar Plunge, you’ll already be cold, so when you hit the water it won’t feel nearly as bad.

Where can you do the Polar swim?

If you’re that keen to take a dive into freezing water, you can of course do it anywhere where you have access to the sea or a lake in winter – but please check it’s safe to do so! Or you could just fill your bathtub with ice. But if you want to do the Polar Plunge specifically, the place to go is either the Arctic or the Antarctic, on an official expedition where they offer it as an activity.

If you want to find out more about visiting Antarctica, check out Going to Antarctica: 30 Common Questions Answered

Why I decide to do the Polar Plunge in Antarctica (Take One)

As you know, I was not at all keen to take a dive into the freezing sea. I thought it would be painful, and I really didn’t see the point in putting myself through that just for the sake of some bragging rights.

But as I stand on the top deck looking down at the jumpers below, I begin to doubt my decision. For one thing, the FOMO and the peer pressure start to get to me. All my friends are doing it, and I want to be part of the gang. I worry that if I don’t do it, I’ll regret not taking the opportunity.

And most of all, it doesn’t actually look that bad! Everyone who jumps seems to be just fine. No one emerges from the water gasping in pain. Some people even stay in and swim about for a bit. How bad can it really be?!

So I decide to face my fears and jump, literally. I hand my phone to a friend and ask him to film the epic moment from the top deck. Then I run down to my cabin, put on my bikini, queue up, and leap into the Antarctic water (not especially elegantly, but who’s judging?).

And you know what? It really isn’t that bad. Cold, sure, but thanks to my no-towel-in-the-queue tactic I manage to reduce the shock, and it isn’t painful at all.

Which is just as well, because it turns out my friend has a bit of a problem with the video…

Why I decide to go swimming in Antarctica a second time (Take Two)

Yep, somehow he failed to focus, and the video is useless (and yet, I still managed to use it anyway, yay!).

Which of course means there’s only one thing for it. I’m going to have to do the Polar Plunge AGAIN!

So yes, dear reader. I went from 100% certainty that I was not going to jump if you paid me , to doing the Polar Plunge twice! But then, being the queen of indecision is just how I roll.

And after all that stress and worry, I’m really glad I did. I faced my fears, I got to be part of the gang, I did something a bit cool and different, and best of all, of course I now have ALL the bragging rights.

Which is why I wrote this blog post. Thanks for reading it!

Where to next?

If you enjoyed this post about my Antarctica swim and would like to know more about my trip to the Falklands , South Georgia and Antarctica, here are some more posts you might enjoy…

• The Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Our Itinerary
• South Georgia & Antarctica: The Trip Of A Lifetime
• Visiting the Falkland Islands on an Expedition Cruise
• Wildlife Wonders on a South Georgia Cruise
• 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

If you liked this Polar Plunge Antarctica post, why not Pin It for later?

An Unhelpful Guide To… Aztec Ruins In Mexico

The 8 types of penguins in antarctica: a photo guide, 7 thoughts on “doing the freezing polar plunge in antarctica”.

Ohhhhh this is so, so cool! I’m always looking for crazy (stupid?) things like this to add to my ever-growing bucket list. I know I’ll probably have second (third, fourth, fifth) thoughts when I’m at the water’s edge, but I’ll definitely do it. Well done for doing it twice!

Thank you! As you can see it certainly wasn’t on my bucket list, but I’m definitely glad I did it!

This is amazing, good job. I’m not one for swimming really, so I would probably be like you: dead set against it. In reality I might cave when I got there. Good to know some tips though

I enjoy swimming, but not when the water is THAT cold! But it definitely wasn’t much of a swim as you can see from the videos!

You are very brave to be doing that! I’m from Canada and still haven’t plucked up the courage to try it.

Oh god, I am screaming inside

Haha it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be!

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Polar Plunge with Viking

By Fropa , July 6, 2022 in Antarctica

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I'm looking at possibly booking with Viking for Antarctica in January 2023. A polar plunge in the itinerary is important to me, but I can't find anything that says if they try to include one. Anyone travel with them this last season that knows for sure? Thanks.

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You will likely get better answers about Viking Cruises on their board, here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/689-viking-ocean/

PerfectlyPerth

On 7/6/2022 at 2:03 PM, Fropa said: I'm looking at possibly booking with Viking for Antarctica in January 2023. A polar plunge in the itinerary is important to me, but I can't find anything that says if they try to include one. Anyone travel with them this last season that knows for sure? Thanks.

It's worth noting that even if an expedition company has a polar plunge listed in their itinerary it may not happen. As with everything on a polar expedition everyone needs to be flexible in attitude. The weather, sea & ice conditions can change at any time and the captain & expedition leader will make changes to the itinerary. I recollect on one of my trips one of the polar plunges was cancelled as a leopard seal insisted on swimming round the gangway for an hour!   

My advice is to not have a list of "vital moments" in your wish list. (I say the same to people who have very exact lists of shore landing locations). You will only end up focused on them and then be disappointed when they don't happen.  Instead reduce your expectations, relish the trip hour by hour and day by day. That way every experience is amazing. 

On 7/7/2022 at 4:54 AM, PerfectlyPerth said: It's worth noting that even if an expedition company has a polar plunge listed in their itinerary it may not happen. As with everything on a polar expedition everyone needs to be flexible in attitude. The weather, sea & ice conditions can change at any time and the captain & expedition leader will make changes to the itinerary. I recollect on one of my trips one of the polar plunges was cancelled as a leopard seal insisted on swimming round the gangway for an hour!    My advice is to not have a list of "vital moments" in your wish list. (I say the same to people who have very exact lists of shore landing locations). You will only end up focused on them and then be disappointed when they don't happen.  Instead reduce your expectations, relish the trip hour by hour and day by day. That way every experience is amazing. 

Thanks for the response PerfectlyPerth. I agree with what your saying and understand nothing can be guaranteed on an expedition cruise. My thought is if there is something you really want to do it's better to find a trip that includes it and know it may not happen rather than book a trip that doesn't include it and know it won't.

16 hours ago, Fropa said: Thanks for the response PerfectlyPerth. I agree with what your saying and understand nothing can be guaranteed on an expedition cruise. My thought is if there is something you really want to do it's better to find a trip that includes it and know it may not happen rather than book a trip that doesn't include it and know it won't.

The thing with plunges is quite often it's not mentioned in an itinerary at all. It may just happen because a particular location, the weather and ice conditions (and lack of hungry seals) looks good and the expedition leader decides to do it then and there.   

Or if a landing happens at Deception Island - people often do a walk in plunge from the shore. If landing time permits. 

scottjeanne

Polar plunge was awesome.  Well worth checking into it.

4 hours ago, PerfectlyPerth said: The thing with plunges is quite often it's not mentioned in an itinerary at all. It may just happen because a particular location, the weather and ice conditions (and lack of hungry seals) looks good and the expedition leader decides to do it then and there.    Or if a landing happens at Deception Island - people often do a walk in plunge from the shore. If landing time permits. 

Good information, thank you. The hungry seals would definitely make for a good story when telling people why you didn't get to plunge.

1 hour ago, scottjeanne said: Polar plunge was awesome.  Well worth checking into it.

That's cool that you got to take the plunge. Was that with Viking or another company?

1 hour ago, Fropa said: Good information, thank you. The hungry seals would definitely make for a good story when telling people why you didn't get to plunge.  

On one of my trips we had a polar swimmer on board doing a series of 1km swims to raise awareness about pollution & environment & over fishing etc. 

During one swim there was an urgent radio call from the captain - who from high up on the bridge could see what the support crew down on the zodiac couldn't. A fast moving big bull fur seal heading towards the swimmer !!!! He swam a record fast few metres back into safety of the zodiac 🤣 🤣

1 hour ago, PerfectlyPerth said: On one of my trips we had a polar swimmer on board doing a series of 1km swims to raise awareness about pollution & environment & over fishing etc.  During one swim there was an urgent radio call from the captain - who from high up on the bridge could see what the support crew down on the zodiac couldn't. A fast moving big bull fur seal heading towards the swimmer !!!! He swam a record fast few metres back into safety of the zodiac 🤣 🤣

That's a great story. It sounds like you've had some great experiences. Nice to know they were looking out for him and he got to work on his speed.

On 7/9/2022 at 5:34 PM, Fropa said: That's cool that you got to take the plunge. Was that with Viking or another company?

It was Silver sea.

16 hours ago, scottjeanne said: It was Silver sea.

Thanks for letting me know. I have looked at them a lot for Antarctica, but I've seen some posts saying they have fallen off in quality since Royal Caribbean bought them in 2018. 

Fropa, Silver seas is billed as a luxury company, and in my very limited experience it met the mark.  Food was not exceptional, but it was good.  Service was inconsistent.  On the other hand, the 24 expedition crew members (for 136 or 68 passengers- we did a back to back) were truly extraordinary.  They were a wealth of knowledge and experience.  We were on the last cruise of the season and they were as excited and as enthusiastic as if it were their first.

Due to Covid, I used Silver seas air and pre and post extensions and they pampered us and held our hands the entire time.  The only exception was we had to disembark in Monte Video instead of Buenos Aires and then fly to Buenos Aires, which makes no sense but that was Argentinas rules.  Silver seas did not have the ground staff as they had at every other port, so it was difficult and messy.    

Overall, I would recommend them for the expedition experience.  It was a trip of a lifetime.

We did SilverSea for Antarctica in 2018 and thought it was amazing.  It was our most recent of about a dozen cruises we have taken and the facilities were incredible as were the staff and of course the destination.

Zero complaints.

Thanks scottjeanne and Nitemare for information about your experiences. Silversea has always stayed near the top of my list while looking at Antarctic trips, good to know you both had good experiences with them

On 7/9/2022 at 9:32 AM, Fropa said: Good information, thank you. The hungry seals would definitely make for a good story when telling people why you didn't get to plunge.  

I would not worry about most seals but leopard seals might be a problem - check out this post.

https://www.science.org/content/article/antarctic-researcher-killed

On 7/16/2022 at 1:43 PM, donaldsc said:   I would not worry about most seals but leopard seals might be a problem - check out this post.   https://www.science.org/content/article/antarctic-researcher-killed   DON

That's crazy. You definitely can't let your guard down in nature. Thanks for the link.

• 7 months later...

On 7/9/2022 at 12:48 PM, PerfectlyPerth said: On one of my trips we had a polar swimmer on board doing a series of 1km swims to raise awareness about pollution & environment & over fishing etc.  During one swim there was an urgent radio call from the captain - who from high up on the bridge could see what the support crew down on the zodiac couldn't. A fast moving big bull fur seal heading towards the swimmer !!!! He swam a record fast few metres back into safety of the zodiac 🤣 🤣

Wow, I had no idea that a bull fur seal is such a threat.  What was the danger?  That the seal thought that the swimmer was a penguin?

But, wow, a series of 1 km swims is impressive!  Heck even 100 m in ice water is impressive. 

On 2/19/2023 at 3:41 PM, pdmlynek said: Wow, I had no idea that a bull fur seal is such a threat.  What was the danger?  That the seal thought that the swimmer was a penguin?   But, wow, a series of 1 km swims is impressive!  Heck even 100 m in ice water is impressive. 

I would suggest you google "fur seal attacks" for your own research. There are ample articles out there.  https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(20)30212-X/fulltext

The environmental awareness swimmer in question is lawyer Lewis Pugh. He does big swims all over the world and holds world records.  https://lewispugh.com/  

https://lewispugh.com/swims/  this link shows all the locations including the polar ones. 

• 3 weeks later...

Yes, Polar Plunge is like any other activity and landing in the Antarctic only doable if the conditions are right, as are the overnights on land. 

When I did Antarctica with G-Adventure in February 2020 for example, the overnight on land was postponed due the snow condition on land and we did it at another place later on. The Polar Plunge we did was jumping of the ship (where we usually board the Zodiacs) on a leash, where we could be brought back just in case and it was a far niecer experience as we got a shot of whiskey and could go stright away in to the Sauna to warm up...it was the very last activity we did before we were heading back to the Drake passage...

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By Ellie Willson

Long-time volunteer, patrice schermerhorn, plunges in antarctica for special olympics.

Patrice Schermerhorn didn’t jump into the freezing waters just off the coast of Antarctica for fun, but rather to raise money for Special Olympics Tennessee.

Schermerhorn, originally from Moscow, Idaho, now resides in Chattanooga, TN. Her day job has her employed as an investigator at the Hamilton County Medical Examiner's Office, but she also works as an EMT instructor at Chattanooga State Community College. When she is not at work, however, she is likely to support Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) in any way she can.

“I started [with] Special Olympics back in 1986,” said Schermerhorn. “My neighbor down the street has Down Syndrome and she started participating in Special Olympics and so I started volunteering with her during the competitions”

That start began up north in Idaho, but her passion for Special Olympics followed her during her move to Tennessee.

“I was in law enforcement and got involved with the torch run,” said Schermerhorn. “Then I started volunteering with Special Olympics here.”

Schermerhorn’s role with SOTN has taken many forms, not the least of which is the annual Polar Plunge. In her time with the organization, she has participated in at least ten plunges. It seems, though, that the Tennessee water wasn’t quite cold enough for her.

“[My mom and I] went on a cruise to Antarctica in December, and while we were there, the cruise line had an opportunity for people to do a polar plunge,” said Schermerhorn. “I started to think and I was like, ‘How can I tag team this?’ and so I got ahold of Jennifer McAfee (Law Enforcement Torch Run Director) and I said, ‘Hey, post something and see if you can have people challenge me to do the polar plunge in Antarctica’, and we raised over $500 for Special Olympics.”

Even with water temperatures nearing zero degrees Celsius, Schermerhorn is certain she would do it again given the chance.

Schermerhorn’s passion for the organization is evident in her decades of volunteer work. The root of this passion, though, is the athletes.

“The athletes are such an inspiration,” said Schermerhorn, “[They] are nothing but a ray of sunshine, always great attitudes, always willing to try.”

She believes the community can learn from the attitudes of these participants, enjoying where they are rather than expecting to be number one. Schermerhorn has had her fair share of experiences to be grateful for as well.

At the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, FL, Schermerhorn found herself supporting Team Tennessee. During the games, Schermerhorn acted as a medic for the team, marking the first time SOTN was able to take a medic with them, and the first time Schermerhorn had gotten to attend the USA Games in her decades of volunteering.

Schermerhorn encourages the whole community to find ways to get involved with SOTN. One option, of course, is the annual Polar Plunge, with events happening across the state now.

“You jump in, and you can get right back out,” said Schermerhorn. “When you first jump in, you’re like ‘oh it's cold’ but then you get out and it’s really not that bad.”

Don’t just take Schermerhorn’s word for it though, take the 25 EMT students she has gotten involved in Polar Plunge as an example. Each year she offers extra credit to students willing to participate in the fundraiser, with several continuing to attend even after graduating from her class.

Schermerhorn encourages everyone to take part in Polar Plunge at least once because “you don't know until you try it”.

Join Special Olympics Tennessee and hundreds of other brave souls across the state for the coolest thing you'll do in 2023. Whether you jump, run, or tiptoe in you'll be helping us build a bigger, better and COOLER community for 17,000+ Special Olympics athletes.

Find your local polar plunge here .

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Which Polar Cruise is Better: Antarctica or the Arctic?

Posted: December 22, 2023 | Last updated: December 22, 2023

Pop quiz: Which of these photos is in Antarctica and which is the Arctic? (The answer is at the bottom of the article.)

Left image courtesy of Pia Harboure/Atlas Ocean Voyages; right image courtesy of Tyson Mayr/Aurora Expeditions

Hiking in a steady snow to the summit of Danco Island off Antarctica , I felt like I had stepped out of an extreme adventure film and straight into a Disney movie.

After days of sailing through the infamously rough Drake Passage, then in and around storms with winds as high as 100 knots, a welcome calm had set in, allowing one final landing among hundreds of adorable, waddling tuxedo-vested penguins.

Seemingly oblivious to our presence, many broke away from their colony to climb, parallel to us, up the peak. A few stopped to squabble with each other. Others were more polite and took a bow.

The encounter highlighted the answer to one of the most obvious questions that inevitably arises as travelers increasingly board a new generation of expedition ships to sail to the ends of the earth: What’s the difference between Arctic and Antarctic cruises?

Penguins versus polar bears, of course, and how up close and personal you can get with the flightless birds as opposed to the much more elusive majestic white ursine mammal.

While getting a glimpse of some of the estimated 20 million penguins that inhabit the coastal areas of Antarctica is almost guaranteed, exploring the Arctic is more like heading out on safari. There are many more species to see in the Arctic, they are just harder to find. But that’s part of the adventure.

There are many other differences between cruising in Antarctica and the Arctic, each with its own subjective pros and cons, including how to get there, the weather, onshore experiences, and the differences in their respective majestic and very dramatic landscapes. So how do you decide which and if one is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of the main difference between cruises in Antarctica and the Arctic, so that you can better choose.

Even in ships as beautiful and sophisticated as Atlas Ocean Voyages’ expeditions vessels, sometimes there’s no escaping the hardships of the rough seas in Antarctica.

Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages

Getting there

Less than 24 hours into my Antarctica sailing last month for the maiden voyage of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ newest yacht, World Voyager , the other very obvious difference between Antarctica and the Arctic, where I sailed in July on Aurora Expeditions’ new 132-passenger Sylvia Earle expedition vessel, became crystal clear: the process of getting there.

Just a few hours into the infamous two-day crossing of the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Seventh Continent, passengers were scurrying from the lecture hall for sickness bags. That night at dinner, dishes seemed to be crashing all around us as we navigated what the captain said were 30-plus-foot waves.

We definitely spent much of the initial crossing experiencing the “Drake shake” versus the “Drake lake,” though we did get more of the Drake lake on the way home. But experiencing the roughness of the Drake Passage could be a pro or a con, depending on whether you get seasick . For those of us with strong stomachs, it’s a big part of the adventure.

For those without the stomach for rough seas , one other option, offered by numerous cruise lines and tour operators, is to fly, at least one way, to King George Island, the largest of the Shetland Islands off the coast of the northern tip of the Antarctic peninsula. Of course, the flights are still at the whims of the weather gods, and nowhere are said gods more fickle than in Antarctica.

In the Arctic, you can start your cruise from any number of cities, including Longyearbyen in Svalbard , which is already deep in the Arctic Circle and is the world’s northernmost settlement with a population of more than 1,000. Longyearbyen is about a four-hour flight north of Oslo, but once you get there you are just a few hours sailing away from the nine main islands of the archipelago. The only full sea day on my 14-day Arctic cruise this past summer was the last one, when we sailed across the Denmark Strait to end the cruise in Reykjavík, Iceland. And while we had a few windy days, we never experienced anything nearly as rough as in Antarctica.

The weather

“That looks kind of scary,” one friend said as I shared some of my photos of my Antarctica trip over cocktails after returning home.

“It looks cold. I’m not sure that’s going on my bucket list,” said another.

Indeed, polar cruises are not for everyone. Yes, it’s cold. And Antarctica is especially severe, with conditions like katabatic winds that can change from zero to 60 mph in a matter of seconds.

After our rough sailing through the Drake Passage, we awoke our first morning in the South Shetland Islands to a calm and mostly sunny day, where we hiked and saw our first penguins on Deception Island. But that weather didn’t hold.

The next morning, just as we finished boarding our Zodiac for a morning cruise, the captain’s voice came over the radio to halt operations. As the day wore on, conditions intensified, and despite the crew’s best efforts to find a calm in the storm, we ended up in 100 knot winds with snow around us literally blowing in every direction. Again, the captain—whose announcements came to be dubbed jokingly by one passenger as “the voice of doom”—came on the PA to let us know we wouldn’t be able to make any afternoon outings.

Tucked safely on our comfortable luxury yacht , however, no one seemed to really mind. In fact, cheers went up when the champagne came out because you’re not supposed to partake in Atlas’ unlimited alcoholic beverages policy on expedition days until the off-ship activities are over.

Arctic cruises, too, are unpredictable, though Antarctica is wilder in part because of its dramatic wind shifts. And while there is less ice in the north, it can still have a big impact. In July, for instance, we were almost unable to make any landings in eastern Greenland due to ice buildup along the shore.

So, whether you go north or south, the No. 1 rule is to be flexible when it comes to weather and sailing conditions.

The wildlife

Another major consideration when choosing between a cruise in Antarctica and sailing the Arctic is what animals you want to see, and how easy you want those viewings to be.

With so many penguins roaming the coasts of Antarctica during the southern hemisphere summer (which is winter in the northern hemisphere), you are guaranteed to see penguins in the wild—and lots of them—as well as whales and seals.

In the Arctic, you can spend days hiking and riding Zodiacs, hoping to get a glimpse of a polar bear, arctic foxes, reindeer, walruses, seals, and whales. That often means days of disappointment, only to be followed by euphoria when you finally get a chance to see one of the elusive white giants in the wild, swimming, hunting or simply resting on a rock. Or when a huddle of curious walruses bob alongside your Zodiac. Or you catch of a glimpse of an Arctic fox running along a river, a freshly caught bird in mouth.

But where the weather in the Antarctic dominates much of one’s activities, in the Artic it’s all about the polar bears because they are very fast—and very dangerous. Often times, sailings will need to change course to ensure the safety of the passengers and that of the polar bears. (link to my Arctic story).

Asked about the differences between Arctic and Antarctica cruises, our World Voyager captain said Antarctica is “much wilder.” And you truly are alone.

In the Arctic, many cruises start in Longyearbyen, where you can get a sense of what it’s like to actually live within the Arctic circle. While most of the cruises are spent in the wild, hiking on islands and taking Zodiac cruises around massive glaciers, ice caps and icebergs, they typically also make at least one stop on the remote shores of Eastern Greenland to visit indigenous communities—again offering some insight into life in the northernmost reaches of the world.

Antarctica, on the other hand, is as remote as you can get, with the only civilization revolving around a collection of research camps based there. And because of the many environmental protection rules that travel companies have agreed to follow, you may not be able get off the ship for more than an hour or two each day.

In the Arctic, I sailed with Aurora Expeditions on one of its small expedition ships with about the same number of passengers as World Voyager , yet we sometimes spent more than three hours off the ship twice a day, including a few challenging hikes.

In Antarctica, only ships carrying 500 passengers or less can let passengers off—whether on Zodiacs, kayaks or for actual landings. And no more than 100 passengers can be on land at a time, so you have to get off in shifts. That means ships with more than 200 passengers usually can’t let passengers off for more than about an hour or an hour and half a day.

We had just under 150 passengers on our sailing, and the most time we were able to spend off the boat was between 45 minutes and an hour-and-a-half, twice a day.

Both also offer some extreme adventures, weather permitting. For instance, in Antarctica, I had signed up to camp overnight under the stars, tucked into just a sleeping bag partially buried in the snow. Unfortunately (or fortunately) severe weather canceled that along with plans for kayaking and paddleboarding.

But with the number of new ships now sailing the polar regions, it’s easy to find one that is a good fit for varying tastes in both on and offboard activities. Some of the new luxury ships even offer helicopter and submersible experiences. And some operators offer more extreme adventures like scuba diving.

I’m partial to small ships like World Navigator , which provided intimate, casual luxury and spectacular views from just about every cabin and lounge on board. You really get to know your fellow travelers, crew members, and expedition team members, which is a real bonus for solo travelers.

Sustainability

There is one indisputable con to both Arctic and Antarctic cruises: the impact on the environment. Indeed, reports about the record number of ships cruising into these fragile environments and the increasing speed of ice melt gave me pause.

The good news is that the newest class of expedition ships sailing to polar regions—vessels both big and small—have the latest in green technology. For instance, World Voyager is equipped with some of the most advanced sonar, stabilization, and engine technologies, including a hybrid electric-diesel engine and a hydro-jet propulsion system for smoother, safer, and more energy-efficient rides.

And I’ve never met a group of people more committed to protecting the wildlife and the environment than the expedition team members I have sailed with in the world’s polar regions. Whether it’s onboard lectures or conversations while hiking or riding a Zodiac, they really provide a nonstop education about these environments, the wildlife, and the dangers humans and climate warming present.

The pro to the con? As one expedition leader told me, after sailing in the polar regions, most travelers go home hyper-aware of their environmental footprint and the real dangers we all pose to the majestic glaciers, ice caps, and wildlife in the fragile polar zones.

Indeed, as I sat in Word Navigator’s Dome Lounge watching a pod of whales playing off the bow as the light from the setting sun cast multiple colors across the stadium-sized icebergs, mountains, water, and clouds, I realized what people mean when they call a trip to Antarctica life-changing—and one that no doubt has created many lifelong stewards of the environment.

In the photo at the top of the story, the left image is of a Zodiac outing in Antarctica and the right image is a Zodiac group exploring Greenland in the Arctic.

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Glaciers in East Antarctica also 'imperiled' by climate change

Usually seen as less vulnerable, they carry the potential to add 16 feet to global sea level.

A team of scientists from the University of California, Irvine has found evidence of significant mass loss in East Antarctica's Totten and Moscow University glaciers, which, if they fully collapsed, could add 5 meters (16.4 feet) to the global sea level.

In a paper published this week in the American Geophysical Union journal Geophysical Research Letters , the glaciologists estimate that between April 2002 and September 2016, the two glaciers lost about 18.5 billion tons of ice per year -- equivalent to 0.7 millimeters (0.03 inches) of global sea level rise over the analyzed time period.

UCI's researchers discovered this by applying a locally optimized technique to data from NASA's Gravity Recovery & Climate Experiment satellite mission, combined with mass balance approximations from regional atmospheric climate models and ice discharge measurements by NASA's Operation IceBridge and Measures projects.

"For this research, we used an improved methodology with GRACE data to retrieve the mass loss in an area undergoing rapid change," said lead author Yara Mohajerani, a graduate student in UCI's Department of Earth System Science. "By overlaying these data with independent measurements, we improve our confidence in the results and the conclusion that Totten and Moscow University are imperiled."

Making up roughly two-thirds of the Antarctic continent, East Antarctica has been viewed by polar researchers as less threatened by climate change than the volatile ice sheets in West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.

"Both of these glaciers are vulnerable to the intrusion of warm ocean water and hold considerable potential for sea level rise," said co-author Eric Rignot, Donald Bren Professor and chair of Earth system science at UCI. "This work highlights that East Antarctic glaciers are as important to our future as those in the continent's western regions."

According to co-author Isabella Velicogna, professor of Earth system science, it's challenging to study the Totten and Moscow University glaciers because the signal of change is much weaker than that of their counterparts in the west.

"In this remote part of the world, the data from GRACE and other satellite missions are critical for us to understand the glacier evolution," she said.

• Global Warming
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Issues
• Snow and Avalanches
• Earth Science
• Antarctic ice sheet
• Global warming
• Paleoclimatology

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of California - Irvine . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Yara Mohajerani Isabella Velicogna Eric Rignot. Mass Loss of Totten and Moscow University Glaciers, East Antarctica, Using Regionally Optimized GRACE Mascons . Geophysical Research Letters , 2018 DOI: 10.1029/2018GL078173

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