Ocean Explorer

Stand-up Paddleboarding, popularly known as SUPing, originated in Hawaii. Quark Expeditions is the first company to bring this watersport all the way to Antarctica.

SUPing combines the immersive experience of kayaking but in a standing position. Participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the azure Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participants – after a bit of practice – to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery. Imagine seeing Gentoo penguins gliding below you, or making eye contact with a Weddell seal lying on a piece of ice as you paddle by.

Guests receive on-ship and on-water instruction from a qualified SUP guide. In addition, a safety driver (in a Zodiac) stays within range to offer assistance.

Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.

Paddling in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent and a one-time experience. Your kayak guides will attempt to take you out on the water for 1-1.5 hours of paddling. Offered on most voyages, spaces are limited. All equipment, guides and instructions are provided by Quark.

Pricing subject to change based on season. Please proceed to checkout or contact a Polar Travel Adviser for more details. 

Imagine for a moment, staring at the stars in the indigo glow of an Antarctic night as you bed down for the night outside in the elements. The buzz of your daily life becomes a distant memory as you listen to the bray of penguin, the ethereal calls of the Weddell sea – even the exhalation of a humpback whale. And then you fall asleep.

Antarctic Camping with Quark Expeditions is an unforgettable experience. After dinner onboard, you'll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). Once you decide on your spot, you set up camp and enjoy the peace as the Antarctic night unfolds.

Camping in Antarctica is limited to 50 participants, all of whom will be briefed beforehand on the principals of basic camping. Prior to you settling down for the night, Quark Expeditions staff will prepare the site, including setting up a perimeter in safe, flat to gently-sloping and beautiful site. You’re free to choose where (within the perimeters) you want to settle down for the night.

You’ll be equipped with the following:

• Mummy-style sleeping bag
• Bivy sack
• Insulated sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag liner
• 3 or 4 season tent provided upon request (pending availability)
• Quark Expeditions Parka
• Waterbottle (Small collapsible reusable water bottles provided onboard upon embarkation)
• Muck Boots (insulated waterproof boots provided onboard upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear:

• Base and mid-layer clothing
• Warm hat
• Warm gloves
• Hand-warmers
• Camera and accessories
• Backpack
• Eye mask if you wish complete darkness
• Need a pillow? Roll up your parka!
• Essential medication and or supplements

Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts—expedition guides, specialists, photography guides and other special guests who will introduce you to the fascinating history, biology, ornithology, glaciology and geology of the region, and much, much more.

At Have På Ombord

• Behageligt afslappet tøj som lette skjorter, bukser eller jeans osv. (til når skibet bliver varmt)
• Komfortable, skridsikre sko med lukket tå og uden hæl (flip-flops, sandaler eller slip-on sko bør ikke anvendes ombord af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager)
• Træningstøj (til fitnesscenteret og andre indendørs aktiviteter)
• Badetøj (til Polar Plunge! Nogle skibe har også pool, jacuzzi, sauna og/eller dampbad. Se dit skibs hæfte for detaljer.)

En lille påmindelse: formelt aftentøj er ikke påkrævet på vores rejser! (men hvis du ønsker det, kan du medbringe noget lidt mere festligt til kaptajnens velkomst- og afskeds-cocktailfester)

Yderligere Genstande

• Pas, visa, vaccinationskort, rejsedokumenter osv. efter behov
• Kameraudstyr komplet med oplader, lagermedie, transport- og rengøringssæt (linseklud osv.) samt ekstra batterier
• Vandtæt mobilcover eller regnærme til kamera
• Ørepropper og sovemaske
• Spændingsomformere og stikadaptere (se skibshæftet for detaljer)
• Fugtgivende creme til ansigt og hænder (mod tør hud på grund af vind og temperaturændringer)
• Medicin mod søsyge, fordøjelsesbesvær, hovedpine eller anden medicin
• En mindre mængde lokal valuta (se pre-departure hæftet for flere detaljer)
• Insektmiddel
• Myggenet

Til Landudflugter & Vandreture

Ud over det obligatoriske udstyr (som ovenfor) til transport fra skib til land anbefales det at medbringe:

• Indgåede vandrestøvler: Selvom muck-støvler stilles til rådighed og anbefales til de fleste landudflugter, kan ekstra vandrestøvler (Goretex-for og lignende vandtætte vandrestøvler) øge komforten, især hvis du er en ivrig vandrer
• (Smart) uld- eller syntetiske vandresokker til ovenstående fodtøj (medbring et ekstra par)
• Lette og hurtigtørrende trekkingbukser, som eventuelt kan lynes af til shorts* (*afhængigt af din termoregulering)
• Åndbare vandtætte bukser* og regnjakke** til udendørs aktiviteter i dårligt vejr (*kan være samme par som til Zodiac-operationer / ** kan være yderlaget på den medfølgende Quark 3i1 Parka)
• Behagelig lang- eller kortærmet skjorte til vandring, enten syntetisk/quick-dry eller merinould (smart uld)
• (Vandre) handsker (medium tykkelse, helst vandtætte)
• Hat, buff eller tørklæde (til beskyttelse mod vind og vejr)
• UV-beskyttelse (hat, polariserede solbriller, solcreme, læbepomade)
• Sammenklappelig vandrestav til ture (hvis nødvendigt). Der er tilgængelige på alle skibe til lån.
• Ekstra genanvendelig termoflaske eller vandflaske (udover den sammenklappelige vandflaske, der stilles til rådighed)

Til Sø- & Luftrejser

Alle overførsler fra skib til land, helikopterflyvninger og Zodiac-/skibskrydstogter

• Vandtætte bukser (obligatorisk til alle Zodiac- og helikopterture. For Ultramarine-gæster, der deltager i helikopterflyvninger, anbefales løstsiddende regnbukser frem for tætsiddende skibukser. Du vil også skulle bære en tørdragt, som vores team hjælper dig med at klargøre ombord.)
• Uld- eller syntetisk basislag overdel*
• Uld- eller syntetisk basislag underdel*
• Varmt mellemlag eller fleeceoverdel*
• Varmt mellemlag eller fleeceunderdel*
• Varm hue, der dækker ørerne (medbring en ekstra)
• Tørklæde, buff eller anden ansigtsbeskyttelse
• Varme uld- eller syntetiske sokker (hav et tørt par i tasken og medbring ekstra til lag-på-lag)
• Vandtætte handsker eller vanter (medbring et ekstra, lettere par til vandring)
• Handskefor*
• Hånd- og fodvarmere*
• Kikkert
• Polariserede solbriller med UV-beskyttelse (medbring et ekstra par)
• Solcreme
• Skibriller (til Zodiac-krydstogter på sne- eller blæsende dage)
• Vandtæt, let rygsæk eller tørpose og/eller regnærme til kamera eller vandtæt mobilcover (for at holde kamera og udstyr tørt)

All guests—including vegetarians, meat-eaters, as well as those who follow a gluten-free diet—will be equally impressed with the dining options on our ships. Quark Expeditions® is able to cater to most special dietary requests, as long as you clearly indicate your needs on the required expedition forms when you book your voyage. Menus will be clearly labeled for vegetarian and gluten free options, but please do notify your server of the dietary restrictions you indicated on your form. We regret that kosher food cannot be prepared. 

When you are not busy exploring the natural beauty of the Polar Regions, you may wish to connect with family and friends back home to share some of your voyage highlights. Guests on Quark Expeditions can now enjoy free Wi-Fi as part of our “Raise a Glass and Stay Connected Free” program. This complementary Wi-Fi service permits basic Internet browsing and voice applications.

Please note that we travel to some of the most remote parts of the world. As we utilize satellite equipment for our connection, Wi-Fi signal may be intermittent.

To access email or internet on your personal computer, tablet or smart phone, connect to the network on your device, where you can access our complimentary plan, or purchase Priority Wi-Fi.

Complimentary Wi-Fi

• Lower speeds
• Suitable for basic internet browsing, texting and voice calling using text and voice apps
• Some site filtering
• No charge
• One device logged in at a time

Priority Wi-Fi

• Higher speeds
• Suitable for larger data volume apps, video calling, video streaming (in lower resolutions) etc.
• See rates by logging in
• One device logged in at a time

Find Ocean Explorers itineraries here.