For most people, going to Antarctica is about hitting their 7th continent (Only 6th for me) or seeing a penguin in real life (ok, yeah, count me in) – but once I signed up and booked the trip, and I saw there was kayaking, it was one of the things I was most looking forward to.

I committed to the fact that the trip to Antarctica was already expensive. I was going to add another grand into expenses for excursions. This cost $365 and was absolutely was worth it.

Just like anything in Antarctica – it’s ALL weather dependent. We got called for weather four times (I think) before we actually were able to go. Every time, dressed, at the door, waiting for the zodiac. There was actually one time when we were standing there, I saw the zodiac thrashing around at the side of the ship and I thought “there’s no way we’re going out on that” – I was right, we did not!

The only downfall for me is that I didn’t have a partner to go out with so I was randomly paired. She was a perfectly nice lady who cared more about having her phone out the whole time and almost lost her paddle a few times. *sigh Flashbacks to working on the river in high school! (hah!)

Ok lets talk about the gear: warm base layers, then dry suit, same boots we wore out every day, life vest, warm hat, every piece of camera equipment I could manage, dry bag.

And MOST IMPORTANTLY: When you see the awesome and amazing videos, you’ll want to know how I got them: My INSTA360!! I just put it on the selfie stick and shoved it in my vest. Set it and forget it!

It was the most incredible experience – Probably top 10 of my life.

First of all the water was insanely clear and blue – bright blue, like the Caribbean. 

Getting as close as we did to the ice burgs was terrifying. They could flip at any minute. This can suck you under and cause a huge wake (not that I was fearful of that at all).