What to pack for a trip to the Polar Regions

When packing for your holiday, do you have trouble deciding between what to take versus leave at home? If so, you’re certainly not alone – it can be tricky deciding what makes the cut into your luggage.

Of course, what often helps is knowing the environment that you’re entering into. With Antarctica and the Arctic – known as the coldest, most isolated and remote landscapes in the world – there might be a tendency to pack your suitcase with all the winter gear under the sun.

Dressing in the Polar Regions

Your choice of clothing during the voyage will largely depend on your tolerance to cold climates.

Polar temperatures in summer are similar to most ski fields in winter. If you are a skier, your ski clothing will be perfectly adequate; as long as it is thoroughly waterproof. Under your waterproof layer, you will need between two to four insulation layers depending on the day. For example, thermal underwear, jumper, polar fleece and waterproof jacket and/or Aurora Expeditions waterproof 3-in-1 jacket provided.

Onboard Attire

Our vessels are air-conditioned and the temperature on board is generally between 15°C (59°F) and 25°C (77°F). When on board, dress is informal. Normal clothing usually consists of jeans or casual trousers, and light long-sleeve T-shirts or jumpers. Lightweight walking shoes with good grip are ideal to wear on board the ship and on the outer decks.

Complimentary Polar Expedition Jacket

We are excited to introduce our new Eco-Expedition Parka, thoughtfully designed in collaboration with XTM to blend premium functionality with sustainable innovation. Featuring a retractable pass pocket, contrast zip-away safety hood, and reflective safety patches, this parka ensures practicality and visibility on your adventures. Available in male and female sizes for an even better fit.

Sustainability is at the heart of this design—made from recycled PET plastic and packaged with 100% landfill-free materials. Partnering with XTM, a Certified B-Corp and carbon neutral brand, our new jackets reflect our commitment to responsible travel.

We’re excited to offer a parka that combines functionality, comfort, and sustainability—designed to enhance your expedition experience while caring for the planet.

Your jacket will be ready and waiting for you in your stateroom when you board for your expedition.

You will receive a complimentary Aurora Expeditions polar expedition jacket at the start of your expedition. However, you are welcome to bring and wear your own jacket if you wish. 

We offer complimentary loan of Muck boots for use during the voyage. Muck boots are to be worn on all shore visits unless advised otherwise by the expedition team. If you have difficult sizing requirements, please speak with our expedition experts before your voyage to ensure we can accommodate your needs.

• Waterproof Trousers: A light pair of waterproof nylon trousers or waterproof ski pants are critical for keeping you warm in the wind, and dry on Zodiacs.
• Warm Trousers: Ski, tracksuit or polar fleece pants are suitable to wear under your waterproof trousers. Jeans are not suitable to wear as an under-layer.
• Thermal Underwear: Medium to thick thermal underwear, leggings, a long-sleeve shirt, and socks are essential. Polypropylene fibres are warmer when wet than silk or wool. ‘Sportwool’ – wool sprayed with synthetic is also ideal. We recommend a few singlets, three tops and two bottoms minimum.
• Woollen Jumper: Ideal to wear as an added layer over your polypropylene thermals.
• Polar Fleece Jacket: A 200-300 weight fleece is ideal, or another warm jumper would be suitable.
• Gloves & Mittens: A pair of polypropylene or woollen gloves covered with a waterproof glove such as ski gloves or industrial fleece-lined rubber gloves. We recommend you take two pairs.
• Headwear: Please bring your preferred choice of headwear to keep your head warm. We recommend a beanie or a cap with earflaps. A neck warmer or scarf is also essential for protecting your neck and face.
• Sunglasses/Ski Goggles: Are essential to protect your eyes from the UV rays. We recommend you take two pairs of sunglasses in case of breakage or if a pair is misplaced, and attach sunglass strings to keep them secure. Ski goggles are useful if you have them but are not essential.
• Socks: Bring a mixture of thick and thin socks to test for the best combination to keep your feet warm.
• Footwear: Warm comfortable shoes for onboard the ship. Make sure they have good grip for the outside decks. Slip on shoes or moccasins are ideal for indoors. For health and safety reasons, please wear enclosed shoes in public areas while onboard the ship.
• Fly/Sail & Fly/Fly Voyages: If your voyage commences with a charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, it is important that you have a waterproof/windproof jacket to get to the ship after disembarking the flight on King George Island.

Other recommended items:

• Waterproof daypack for landings 
• Dry bag or plastic bag for camera 
• Binoculars: to get the most out of the incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities during the voyage. Please bring your own binoculars. You are welcome to use Aurora Expeditions’ supply of binoculars on board the ship, but they are limited to use on the Observation Deck 
• Camera and accessories
• Spare batteries and memory cards for camera 
• We suggest you bring a laptop for image processing; there are limited public computers to use 
• External hard drive for storing downloaded images and other data USB stick to share photos with fellow passengers 
• Collapsible hiking poles, depending on individual needs 
• Sunscreen and chapstick 
• Moisturiser for wind and / or sunburn 
• Glasses cord for prescription glasses and sunglasses 
• Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses 
• Ear plugs (especially if you are sharing a stateroom) 
• Sleep eye mask (great for plane travel and for ice camping) 
• Watch – to keep track of landing return times 
• Swimsuit (for sauna, jacuzzis/plunge pools and Polar Plunge) 
• Double-adapter for multi-charging 
• Personal toiletries (Bodywash, shampoo, conditioner, and handsoap is provided in each stateroom and refilled throughout the voyage) 
• Sea sickness medication 
• Personal medication – we recommend carrying this in your hand luggage at all times 
• Personal first aid kit - An onboard medical clinic is available whenever you need it 
• Small flashlight 
• Pocket-sized notebook and pen 
• Pack of playing cards or other travel games

All voyages operated by Aurora Expeditions are staffed by a doctor experienced in remote and expedition medicine. Our onboard medical clinic is well equipped to handle most medical illnesses or injuries that may occur. 

Medical appointments with our onboard doctor are available free of charge for the initial consult. You will then be advised if costs are applicable for subsequent appointments. 

As supplies are limited, it is important you bring your own personal medical requirements (e.g. medication, dressing, etc) with you. We suggest you pack all medications in hand luggage and carry a duplicate supply in your checked luggage. 

Motion and Sea-Sickness

Not everyone feels the affects of sea sickness. Some people are very lucky and don’t feel a thing. Others can feel ill for a day or so, but a select few are more prone to the effects of not being on dry land. The good news is that seasickness can often be avoided if managed early, and it usually doesn’t last more than a day or so. 

A few simple remedies can help: 

• Keep your eyes on the horizon 
• Facing the direction of the travel helps some 
• Try not to change direction too often 
• Keep eating – small amounts, regularly, is best 
• Try to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water or perhaps soft drinks if you prefer, and avoid alcohol while you’re experiencing seasickness 
• Try to stay active and, if possible, get outside in the fresh air 
• Do not read if you are feeling unwell 
• If all else fails, lie down with your eyes closed, have dry crackers or biscuits, and a bottle of water beside your bed 

What Medication to Bring 

The use of medication can help prevent or treat seasickness. Common medications include: 

• Promethazine (Phenergan, Avomine) 
• Hyoscine (Kwells, Travelcalm, scop patches) 
• Meclizine (Antivert) 
• Cinnarazine (Stugeron) 
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) 

Most medications can cause sedation and dry mouth. However, at low doses, this effect is often minimal.

Alternative Therapies 

With years of trial and error, our passengers and staff have found that alternative therapies such as ginger tablets, pressure points or acupuncture bands are not effective on their own, particularly if the seas happen to be very rough. We recommend you bring a supply of medication as a backup. 

When to Take the Medication 

Generally, we recommend using some form of motion or sea-sickness medication for the first 24 to 36 hours, and then see how you feel. Most people usually get their ‘sea legs’ after this time. The tablets should be taken early rather than waiting until you feel very unwell, as by this stage, they are no longer well absorbed by the stomach. With the morning dose, take medication while still in your bed, and allow it to work (e.g. wait half an hour) before getting up. 

Sun Protection 

The sun in the polar regions is very strong, and sun protection is essential. The glare from the snow and ice can be intense, even on overcast days. Regular application of sunscreen and chapstick (minimum SPF50+) to exposed parts is essential to avoid sunburn. A dab around the nostrils is also a great idea as burnt nostrils from reflected UV radiation are very painful! 

Sunglasses with a good UV protection rating are also essential to prevent eye irritation or snowblindness. Remember to attach a cord to your glasses to prevent loss – we recommend carrying a spare pair of glasses in your luggage, just in case. 

Dehydration and ‘Polar Hands’ 

The atmosphere in the polar regions can be very dry, with low humidity, so it is important to drink enough water. Also, the skin on your hands in particular can get very dry and develop small cracks around the fingertips. We recommend bringing a small (35 g) tube of moisturiser to use when required. 

Immunisations

All travellers should be up-to-date on routine immunisations, including: 

• Tetanus/diptheria vaccine (ADT). You can now have a ‘Boostrix’ that also includes a whooping cough vaccination for adults. 
• Influenza vaccine. This is available yearly and could help to prevent spoiling your holiday of a lifetime with a flu infection. 

Please consult your General Practitioner for further information. If you are travelling to South America either before or after your Antarctic voyage, please check the advised immunisations for those countries.

Our main objective is to ensure that our expeditions are carried out with the utmost consideration for the fragile ecosystems, local cultures and cultural remains; while ensuring safe operations at sea and on land.