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.

Što nositi na brodu

• Udobna ležerna odjeća poput laganih košulja, hlača ili traperica (za slučaj da brod postane topao)
• Udobne, neklizajuće zatvorene cipele bez pete (papuče, sandale ili obuća za lako obuvanje nisu dozvoljene zbog sigurnosnih razloga)
• Odjeća za vježbanje (za fitness centar i druge unutarnje aktivnosti)
• Kupaći kostim (za Polarni skok! Neki brodovi također imaju bazen, hidromasažnu kadu, saunu i/ili parnu sobu. Detalje potražite u brodskom vodiču.)

Podsjetnik: na našim putovanjima nije potrebna formalna večernja odjeća! (ali ako želite, možete ponijeti nešto elegantnije za kapetansku dobrodošlicu i oproštajne koktel zabave)

Dodatni predmeti

• Putovnica, vize, potvrde o cijepljenju, putni dokumenti i slično prema potrebi
• Foto oprema sa punjačem, medijem za pohranu, torbom za transport i setom za čišćenje (krpica za leće itd.) te dodatnim baterijama
• Vodootporno kućište za mobitel ili zaštita za kišu za fotoaparat
• Čepići za uši i maska za oči za spavanje
• Transformatori napona i adapteri za utičnice (detalji u brodskom vodiču)
• Krema za lice i ruke (za zaštitu kože od isušivanja zbog vjetra i temperaturnih promjena)
• Lijekovi protiv morska bolesti, probavnih smetnji, glavobolje i drugi potrebni lijekovi
• Mala količina lokalne valute (detalji u priručniku prije polaska)
• Sredstvo protiv insekata
• Mreža protiv komaraca

Za izlete na kopno i planinarenje

Osim obavezne opreme (kao gore navedeno) za prijelaz s broda na kopno, preporučuje se ponijeti:

• Isprobanu planinarsku obuću: Iako su Muck čizme osigurane i preporučene za većinu izleta, dodatna planinarska obuća (čizme s Goretex postavom ili slične vodootporne planinarske čizme) povećat će udobnost, osobito ako ste strastveni planinar
• Pametne vunene ili sintetičke planinarske čarape za navedenu obuću (ponesite barem jedan par viška)
• Lagane i brzo sušeće trekking hlače koje se mogu pretvoriti u kratke hlače* (*ovisno o vašoj termoregulaciji)
• Prozračne vodootporne hlače* i kišnu jaknu** za aktivnosti na otvorenom u nepovoljnim vremenskim uvjetima (*mogu biti iste koje koristite za Zodiac operacije / **može biti vanjski sloj priloženog Quark 3u1 Parka)
• Udobnu majicu dugih ili kratkih rukava za planinarenje, bilo sintetičku/za brzo sušenje ili od merino vune (pametna vuna)
• Planinarske rukavice (srednje debljine, poželjno vodootporne)
• Šešir, buff ili šal (za zaštitu od vjetra i vremenskih uvjeta)
• Zaštitu od UV zraka (šešir, polarizirane sunčane naočale, krema za sunčanje, balzam za usne)
• Sklopivi štap za hodanje (ako je potreban). Na svakom brodu dostupni su štapovi za posudbu.
• Dodatnu višekratnu termos bocu ili bocu za vodu (uz priloženu sklopivu višekratnu bocu)

Na moru i u zraku

Svi transferi s broda na kopno, helikopterski letovi i vožnje Zodiacom/brodom

• Vodootporne hlače (obavezne za svaki vožnju Zodiacom i helikopterom. Za goste Ultramarine koji sudjeluju u helikopterskim letovima preporučujemo lagane, široke vodootporne hlače u stilu kišnih hlača, a ne uske skijaške hlače. Također ćete morati nositi suho odijelo, za koje će vam naš tim pomoći pripremiti na brodu.)
• Osnovni sloj od vune ili sintetičkog materijala – gornji dio*
• Osnovni sloj od vune ili sintetičkog materijala – donji dio*
• Srednji sloj topao ili od flisa – gornji dio*
• Srednji sloj topao ili od flisa – donji dio*
• Topla kapa koja pokriva uši (ponesite i rezervnu)
• Šal, buff ili druga zaštita za lice
• Tople vunene ili sintetičke čarape (držite suhi par u torbi i ponesite dodatne za slojevito oblačenje)
• Vodootporne rukavice ili mufovi (ponesite i lakši par za planinarenje)
• Unutarnje rukavice*
• Grijači za ruke i stopala*
• Dalekozor
• Polarizirane sunčane naočale s UV zaštitom (ponesite i rezervni par)
• Krema za sunčanje
• Skijaške naočale (za vožnju Zodiacom po snježnim ili vjetrovitim danima)
• Vodootporni, lagani ruksak ili suha vreća i/ili zaštita za kišu za fotoaparat ili vodootporno kućište za mobitel (za zaštitu opreme od vlage)

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.