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Taking the Polar Plunge in Antarctica is the ULTIMATE bucket list experience! It’s by far the most exhilarating thing we’ve ever done and it made us feel like we lived our Antarctic experience to the fullest.
In this blog we’ll cover the whole experience of diving into Antarctic waters and our top tips for doing so (if you’re as crazy as we are!).
If you haven’t read them yet, you should also check out our blogs on:
- “How to visit Antarctica”
- “What do you actually do in Antarctica?”
- “Cost to visit Antarctica + key money-saving tips!”
What is it like taking the Polar Plunge in Antarctica??
Deciding to take the plunge
Going into our Antarctic expedition I would have told you there is NO FREAKIN’ WAY I would be doing the Polar Plunge. I don’t even typically jump into warm ocean water due to my fear of the ocean, much less freezing cold water. I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, so just all around didn’t think it’d be a good idea.
Scott, on the other hand, was dead set on doing it ever since we saw it advertised in the brochure. While I’m often the queen of FOMO, there are a few things I’m happy to sit on the sidelines and watch him experience (i.e. scuba/snorkeling, sky diving, bungee jumping…). That said, I was pretty set on getting a good spot on deck and cheering Scott on from the sidelines.
Honestly, that didn’t change until the 11th hour. When they called for everyone to get dressed for the Polar Plunge and head to the mud room, I headed down to our room with Scott, helped him get changed and got the camera ready.
As I waited in our room I could hear the pump-up playlist blaring from the mudroom next door, and a slight bit of FOMO kicked in. As I was about to head out on deck I walked into the mudroom to gauge where Scott was in line, and that’s what did it. Between the energy of everyone’s adrenaline, the pump-up playlist blaring and all of our friends waiting in line peer-pressuring me as I walked by, I was sold. I ran to our room to change into my bathing suit and geared up for the craziest thing I’ve ever done.
Getting ready for the plunge
Once we were both in our robes, swimsuits and hiking boots (it looked absolutely ridiculous), we jumped back in line with our shipmates and prepared for this adventure. The mudroom was full of smiles and dance parties and man, I’ve never been so grateful for the rocky theme song. Talk about a song that makes you feel invincible!
Once we were at the front of the line our group headed down to the gangway. This is where everyone was jumping from, which is usually the dock used to board the zodiac boats. Once we got down there we took off our robes and hiking boots and stood in Antarctica in a bathing suit – insane if you really think about it.
We were about 4th and 5th in line for our group which was the perfect way to witness other people doing it but not have enough time to overthink it.
Taking the plunge!
Scott went first out of the two of us, and he took it like a CHAMP. He marched on down, smiled for the cameras and came back out looking cool, calm & collected.
You can see in our YouTube video when I asked him “how was it?!” he replied with a calm “warm!” so that I wouldn’t back out. He knows me too well.
I, on the other hand, timidly walked down the steps, put on the harness and proceeded to do world’s wimpiest cannon ball. I flailed like a fish out of water finding the ladder 3 inches from me and high-tailed it out of that water. Honestly I can’t even believe I’m sharing a photo with this many chins. But hey, guess what?! I FREAKIN’ DID IT.
After the plunge
After we took the plunge we wrapped ourselves in our robes and stuck around to watch a few of our friends do it. We then headed back upstairs, feeling like total badasses as we passed our nervous shipmates in line and assured them “it’s really not that bad!”
Back in the mudroom they congratulated successful plungers with a large shot of vodka and a Polar Plunge survivor patch for our jacket. At dinner that night it’s all anyone was talking about on the ship, and boy am I glad I did it! They also announced at our daily briefing that over 70% of our boat participated in the plunge, which blew our minds.
How bad was the Polar Plunge
It really wasn’t that bad! It’s only a split second that you’re in the water and since the air is so cold, the water doesn’t feel quite as piercing. The experience was pretty similar to an ice bath at a spa, and honestly felt really rejuvenating. That said, the vodka shot, hot cocoa and warm shower afterwards were still more than welcomed!
Why do the Polar Plunge in Antarctica?
It’s an absolute adrenaline rush and it’s one of those things that’s just fun to say you did. The whole experience gives you a great story to tell and is exhilarating. It’s also a super fun bonding experience with your shipmates!
>> Check out another epic Antarctic experience: Kayaking in Antarctica!
How cold is the Polar Plunge in Antarctica??
When we plunged it was 31ºF (-0.5ºC) outside and 33ºF (0.5ºC) in the water.
Is the Polar Plunge dangerous?
Generally, no, for healthy people the Polar Plunge is not dangerous. The cold will of course shock your body a bit, but getting in and out of the water so quickly means that the effects are minor. Taking the plunge can even have health benefits similar to those you get from an ice bath.
The crew also takes many precautions to make this adventure safe. They have zodiac rescue boats watching a few meters out, the ship doctor is on the gangway, they put you in a harness, there is a ladder inches away from where you jump and you’re told to get out ASAP. They also provide life jackets to those who want them.
However, there are some people who should not take the plunge.
People who shouldn’t Polar Plunge
People with high blood pressure and heart disease should not take the plunge. Older people should be generally cautious, as well.
Note: we are not health professionals. It’s smart to consult your doctor or the doctor on the ship before taking the plunge.
How much does the Polar Plunge cost?
On our cruise with Quark Expeditions the Polar Plunge was free and included in our expedition costs!
What do you wear for the Polar Plunge in Antarctica?
The only thing you’re supposed to wear for the actual Polar Plunge is a swimsuit. (Unless you’re our guide Finn, who wore an epic penguin onesie) However, we were also told to wear our robes and closed-toe shoes while waiting in line.
When do you do the Polar Plunge?
The Polar Plunge is offered once during an expedition and the timing is up to the crew. The expedition team takes into account the journey map and the weather conditions and announces on the morning it will be offered. From my understanding this typically occurs on one of the last days of excursions, before the boat turns back for South America.
Tips for the Polar Plunge
- JUST DO IT. If you’re healthy enough to participate, get your butt down there. You won’t regret it.
- Ladies – wear a one piece. I wore a one piece while some of my friends wore bikinis. When we compared stories the extra coverage in the mid-section seems to have really helped!
- Sneak your phone down! They told us to leave all phones, GoPros, etc. in our room. They have a camera crew taking pictures of each person on the gangway, so for many people that’s fine. However, I was not about to do this thing and not have video proof haha. So I brought my phone down to the gangway and ended up filming every person in our group. It was super easy to just put it away in my robe when I was done and we all got immediate access to fun video footage!
Polar Plunge in Antarctica YouTube
We are currently working on all of our Antarctica vlogs for our YouTube channel. This one documents the whole experience of our Polar Plunge in Antarctica! Subscribe to our channel to see all of our wild adventures down there!
Well there we have it, the whole experience of jumping into freezing Antarctic waters! While we know it’s not for everyone, both of us are SO glad we did it. No regrets, am I right??
Please comment if you have any comments or questions! Also check out the rest of our blogs on the 7th continent!
More Antarctica blogs are here!
- How to visit Antarctica – everything you need to know!
- Cost to visit Antarctica + key money-saving tips
- What it’s REALLY like to go to Antarctica
- Crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica – how bad is it?!
- Kayaking in Antarctica – everything you need to know
All of these blogs are coming soon…
- 10 Reasons to visit Antarctica
- What to wear in Antarctica and not freeze your booty off
- Quarantined in Antarctica – what’s the story??
Make sure to subscribe below to get all of our stories and info on visiting Antarctica straight to your inbox!
XO,
Kylie & Scott
(If you liked this article or have any questions, please comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)
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Can’t believe you did it Kylie!! Although, i probably would have gave in after seeing everyone else do it haha. So awesome to hear about the experience !
Ahh I can’t believe it either but the FOMO was so real hahah. So glad you enjoyed it girl!