You Might Cry (More Than Once)

The silence, scale, and stillness hit hard

• No one tells you how beautiful it is. Seriously. You’ll find yourself staring at the landscape thinking, ‘No one told me how beautiful it is”. Antarctica is one of those indescribable places. Try as you might, capturing the scale of the mountains, icebergs, wildlife, and so much more will elude your grasp. Antarctica is more than pictures. It’s a feeling.

Awe, fear, wonder — it’s overwhelming

• I wish someone had told me Antarctica gifts you with as many breathtaking moments as it takes. One moment, you’re basking in the excitement of having made it to the white continent. The next moment, the weather turns, and you’re one of the twenty people who didn’t make it to land. Try as you might, there is no preparing for the inevitable gut punch you’ll receive. When it comes to Antarctica, you have to accept the highs and the lows.

It’s Not Just Cold — It’s a Special Kind of Cold

The dry chill is different

• Antarctica is a desert and one of the driest places on Earth. The cold hits differently. You may be surprised that despite temperatures hovering around freezing, you never really feel cold. It’s the most common question I get: “Isn’t Antarctica cold?” My response, “Antarctica’s not cold.” As long as you stay dry, the cold doesn’t seep into your skin. Plus, coupled with the excitement you’ll inevitably feel visiting Antarctica, the cold will be held at bay.

Layering strategy = crucial (not just “warm clothes”)

• Don’t believe everything you see on social. When it comes to Antarctica, tried and true layers are the best option. Wool reigns supreme. Now, before you start arguing that wool is “itchy”, unless you have an allergy, I highly recommend you stick to wool. Why? Wool will keep you warm even when it’s wet. Trust me, try as you might, you’re going to get wet. Merino wool is the best selection. Its fibers will help regulate your body temperature, draw moisture away from your skin, repel smells, and keep you warm. As someone who has tried multiple types of base layers, wool has outperformed the others every time. Wear wool. You’ll thank me later.

You’ll Sleep on a Boat for Days

Cabin life, seasickness, and what that 2-day Drake Passage crossing is really like

• If you’re lucky, you’ll get the Drake Lake. If you’re not, well, you’ve seen the videos of the Drake Shake. Either way, you’re going to sleep a lot. Even after you arrive in Antarctica, operation days are looong. Wake-up call is around 6am, followed by 4-ish hours of operations, lunch, another 4-ish hours of operations, debrief, dinner, entertainment, and bed. Only to do it all again the next day. For what feels like days on end.
• I’m blessed not to get seasick. Quite the opposite. The rocking of the ship will put me to sleep. Because of this, I spend most of my time fighting off sleep while crossing the Drake. Can you say baby in a rocker? Yeah, that’s me. Except the rocker is an expedition ship.
• If you do get seasick, or take Dramamine just to be safe, you’ll be in your cabin asleep for most of the journey. That’s four days round trip of (hopefully) great rest. Trust me, on the way back, you’re going to need it. There is nothing like re-entering reality after visiting Antarctica. You’ll need the downtime to process.

The Zodiac Landings Are Wild – and Not Always Guaranteed

Wind, ice, and wildlife change the schedule daily

• Day one of my second expedition, Antarctica welcomed me back by immediately washing my lower legs in seawater as the zodiac I was trying to board bucked like a bronco. “Hello, old friend”, I breathed as I prayed not to take an unanticipated polar plunge. A few days later, we were greeted with three bluebird days. Can you say sunscreen? Antarctica gives and it takes. One moment it’s sunny, the next it’s snowing sideways. Enjoy every moment, because there is nothing like it anywhere else.

Flexibility is everything

• Learn to expect the unexpected. Plans change daily, or even by the hour, while you’re visiting Antarctica. Sometimes the swell will be too large to land zodiacs. Or the weather could be uncooperative, so the polar plunge is cancelled. A landing site may change last minute. Take it all in stride. The expedition teams do all they can to ensure you have a magical experience. Trust them and carry on.

You Won’t Use Your Phone Much — and That’s the Best Part

No WiFi = pure presence

• A lot has changed since my first expedition. That year in 2022, almost everyone received a wifi refund due to the internet rarely working. This year, 2025, the ship streamed the Super Bowl using its Starlink. Times change. My recommendation, put your phone down and be present. Take the time to get to know your fellow passengers. Play cards or guitar with one another. In a world where we are never disconnected, enjoy one of the last places on Earth where you can be present. Both times, I didn’t use wifi. No, I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, though I did pop in to take a selfie. The point is, visiting Antarctica is a gift, and these were the most blissful three weeks of my adult life.

Bring a camera and a journal instead

• Take the time to write down the events of the day. You’ll be surprised how much you forget when you get home. If you don’t think you can write down everything, at least write down an outline of the day. Pick your camera up, too, and take pictures of more than just the scenery. Nowhere else will you be surrounded by like-minded travelers braving a corner of the world we’re not supposed to be in. You’ll make friends you’ll have for the rest of your life over this shared experience. Trust me, I know.

The Wildlife is Unbelievable (and So Close)

Penguins walking past your boots

• Please don’t ask me if you’re going to see penguins. By the time the expedition is over, you’ll see one and be like “eh” with a shrug. I’m not saying the excitement wears off; it will always be special to see the penguins.
• Remember, while you’re supposed to stay 15ft from them, you’ll find them crossing in front of you randomly. Or you’ll be standing next to them as you’re boarding the zodiac. Just be sure to keep the penguin highway clear. You’re a guest at the penguin’s home when visiting Antarctica.

Leopard seals eyeing your Zodiac

• Expedition guides will tell you stories of seals that like to bite holes in the zodiac chambers. Don’t worry, you won’t sink if this happens. Generally, when you see seals, they’re lounging on icebergs. “Can I help you?” they seem to say. If you’re lucky, seals won’t be the only thing eyeing you. During my second expedition, we had multiple Humpback whales and one Minke whale swim over to check out the zodiacs. Remember that part about crying? Yeah, that was one of those moments for yours truly.

You’ll Leave Changed

It’s not just a bucket list check — it’s a shift in how you see the world

• Antarctica never leaves you. You’ll find yourself ID-ing its mountains in photos without being told that’s the landscape featured. You’ll see penguin photos and hear/smell them. Spoiler alert: you’ll never get the stench out of your nose. You’ll see videos of whales and wonder if your paths crossed on the bottom of the planet.
• I’ve been asked time and again why I went back. Will I go again? Without hesitation, the answer is “yes”. Antarctica touches you like no other place. It’s indescribable. You just have to experience visiting Antarctica yourself.