Stand Up Paddleboarding in Antarctica: Icebergs, Penguins, and Orcas at Tower Island
With a successful mission to Snow Hill behind us, the ship turned north toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Honestly, I had focused so intensely on Snow Hill that I barely looked at the rest of the itinerary. But the plan for the following day was stand up paddleboarding in Antarctica. Assuming the weather cooperated, of course.
Arriving at Tower Island
We woke to the ship anchored near Tower Island. After breakfast, the announcement came over the ship speakers calling SUP Group 1.
Only six of us gathered in the lobby when it was time to go. Under our dry suits, we wore thermal base layers, fleece mid-layers, and the insulated liner from our expedition parkas. Thick neoprene booties went over the dry suits, and the guides handed us heavy rubber gloves that looked better suited to commercial freezers than paddleboarding. We also wore thick paddling life vests.
As it turned out, none of the others had ever tried stand up paddleboarding before. We felt pretty confident given we regularly paddle at home.
Stand-up Paddleboarding in Antarctica
A short Zodiac ride brought us closer to shore where the wind was calmer. The Zodiac towed the paddleboards behind us.
There are moments on our travels when I stop and wonder what the heck I’ve got myself into. This was definitely one of them.
The paddleboards were inflatable, but noticeably narrower than the boards we use at home. Add multiple bulky layers, a thick life vest, and a bit of wind and swell, and suddenly I didn’t feel nearly as confident as I had back on the ship.
Getting onto the boards required a careful process. The guide in the Zodiac held the board steady on one side while the second guide stabilized it from another paddleboard. One by one, we sat on the edge of the Zodiac and slowly shifted onto our knees on the board. Once everyone settled in and found their balance, it was time to go stand-up paddleboarding in Antarctica.
We had two guides with us. One paddled alongside the group while the other remained in the Zodiac in case anyone got tired or needed assistance.
Paddleboarding Among Icebergs and Penguins
Seeing Antarctica from water level completely changed the experience. Icebergs drifted along the shoreline beneath towering glaciers, while rocky slopes held colonies of Chinstrap Penguin and Gentoo Penguin. Every so often, a Weddell Seal rested comfortably on the ice, watching our awkward little parade of paddleboards move past.
Andy was the only one in our group who managed to stand for most of the excursion. I mostly stayed on my knees, occasionally shifting into a seated position whenever my knees needed a break. Between the swell, the narrow boards, and the layers of gear, staying low felt like the smarter decision.
Over roughly an hour and a half, we paddled about 4.5 kilometres along the coastline, weaving through smaller pieces of ice as we went. Toward the end, the wind and swell started building, adding a bit more excitement to the final stretch.
Still, I avoided an unplanned polar plunge, I wasn’t the first person back into the Zodiac, and I can now say that I went stand-up paddleboarding in Antarctica so I’m counting the outing as a success.
The Long Ride Back
Getting back into the Zodiac meant reversing the entire process. The guides stabilized each paddleboard alongside the inflatable while we carefully shifted ourselves off the boards and back into the boat. Once everyone climbed aboard, the crew secured the paddleboards and started the ride back to the ship.
The return trip felt surprisingly long. At times it almost looked like the ship slowly drifted farther away from us. By the time we finally climbed back onboard, I was absolutely frozen. I couldn’t feel my feet. Or my butt. Sitting on a paddleboard above Antarctic water for ninety minutes apparently comes with consequences.
Charcot Bay and a Strategic Nap
The ship repositioned to Charcot Bay for the afternoon outing. Our group was supposed to go kayaking, but after finally thawing out and considering the process of putting the dry suits back on, we made what felt like a very reasonable expedition decision. We switched into a group scheduled for the following day and took a nap instead.
Orcas After Dinner
That evening, after dinner, the ship’s announcement system crackled to life.
“Whales off the port side. Orcas.”
Within moments, passengers poured onto the outer decks in various stages of getting ready for bed. Some wore full expedition gear. Others clearly threw jackets over pajamas and hoped for the best. Because when someone announces Orca in Antarctica, nobody waits to finish brushing their teeth. Not the best photo opportunity, but very cool to see and enough for an ID shot on Happy Whale.
We’re Andy and Jennifer—two former corporate executives who chose long ago to prioritise experiences over stuff while pursuing our passions for travel and photography. From the Arctic to Antarctica, and most places in between, we’ve captured the world through our lenses and love sharing those stories. Our careers gave us the means, but our purpose is inspiring others to explore and helping people create images they’re proud of.
