Kayaking in Antarctica

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, Antarctica — There are worse places to be than gliding silently at water level amongst the icebergs, seals, and penguins of Antarctica.

Kayaking in Antarctica at Petermann Island
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Filed Under: Antarctica

There are worse places to be than gliding silently at water level amongst the icebergs, seals, and penguins of Antarctica. Exploring narrow and shallow passages that not even the zodiacs can pass through. Weaving through the brash ice. Looking down through the crystal-clear water. Drifting quietly by a leopard seal lounging on a small iceberg.

Craning your neck as precarious glacier cliffs tower above. Watching the playful penguins dart underneath the kayaks. Bracing yourself for a possible dunking as massive, curious elephant seals come up to nibble on the rudder. And if the breeze is in just the right direction and the ice carved just so, you might just be able to hear the icebergs sing.

Kayaking isn’t an option on every Antarctic cruise expedition, and it’s not going to be for everyone, but it is a wonderful and peaceful way to experience the stunning landscape and wildlife of the Antarctica Peninsula up close.

Photos of Kayaking in Antarctica

Kayaking Amongst Large Icebergs in Antarctic
Melchior Islands. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking in Antarctica Amongst Ice and Beautiful Scenery
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaks on the Shore at Cuverville Island
Going ashore in Antarctica doesn’t have any of the same wildlife risks that you have in the Arctic. Most importantly, there are no polar bears here. Cuverville Island. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking with Icebergs in Antarctica
A sense of scale against the ice can be deceptive, and they’re further away (safely) than it looks. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking in Antarctica with Blue Icebergs
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking Past Ice Cliffs in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking Next to Mountains in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking in Antarctica at Petermann Island
Petermann Island. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Antarctic Kayaking Group
Cuverville Island. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Tandem Kayak in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaker Amongst the Icebergs in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking in in Glassy Waters in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking Amongst Icebergs in Antarctica
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Kayaking at Cuverville Island in Antarctica
Cuverville Island. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

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David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »