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antarctica sailing

Single / Solo Antarctica Travelers

Solo Antarctica Travelers

Sailing on Ocean Tramp is a Great Option for Solo travelers to Antarctica

Who joins Quixote Expeditions? We get a mix of couples, friends and solo travelers. Today we are going to focus on why Quixote Expeditions is a good choice for solo travelers and hear from some Solo travelers who have joined us in the past.

Photo: Annie Ford

Common Challenges for Solo Travelers:


“I don’t know anyone”

Onboard Ocean Tramp we have maximum 8 passengers, 3 crew, and 1 scientists.  That means we all start out as strangers and leave as good friends.  Onboard a sailboat minimum time is spent in cabins.  Most of the time is spent outside on deck, in the pilot house looking out, or in the main saloon, eating, chatting, playing games, listening to a lecture, or reading a good book.  By the end of the first day you will know everyone onboard.

 

Who do I sit with for dinner?

Onboard everyone eats around one big table – family style.  There is never the risk of walking into a big dinning room and looking for an empty spot with a group or ending up sitting alone.  We are all together, laughing, eating, telling stories.

 

I don’t want to pay a solo supplement

Because so little of our time is spent in cabins, most guests don’t mind sharing.  As long as you are willing to share a cabin, there is no solo supplement

 

I want to be able to share the experience with someone

As noted above, onboard Ocean Tramp in the first few days everyone becomes fast friends.  Thus the experience feels like one shared with friends you’ve had for a long time.

Photo Annie Ford

 

What have past solo travelers thought about their experience?

I didn’t really worry about being a solo traveler. I remember someone I was talking to in the Ushuaia airport said he thought I was brave, traveling on my own – I hadn’t thought of it that way. I think that with a trip on a yacht to Antartica, there’s a significant filtration that happens, in terms of the kind of person that’s going to do the trip. (1) choice of Antarctica; 2) on a sailboat; 3) adventurous and curious). So there’s a greater chance that one is likely to meet like-minded people on such a trip. – Katherine

My advice for any singles would be not to hesitate to take a trip like this alone , because it’s so unique and personal that you really never feel alone and become close with people incredibly fast.  – Sean

Other Advice from past Solo Travelers

Bring pajamas if you’re not used to wearing any (it’s cold, and you won’t have your own cabin). Seriously I can’t think of anything else. The trip is so fantastic, and you won’t get bored: There’s great books on board, the scenery is amazing, you can access movies if that’s what you want, and you’ll be on board with people who are also there to enjoy one of the most spectacular places on earth. – Katherine

 

Trips for Solo Travelers

Fly and Sail to Antarctica:  HERE

Fly both ways:  HERE

Chinstrap penguins coming back from the sea on Half Moon Island, Photo: Bertrand Bouchard

By Laura K.O. Smith

Laura is a founder of Quixote Expeditions as well as an Expedition Leader on their Antarctica and Isla de los Estados trips. She loves sharing amazing places with guests and giving back through Quixote Expedition's Guest Scientist program and citizen science projects.

5 replies on “Single / Solo Antarctica Travelers”

Good morning

This looks amazing, both from a traveller and from a scientist perspective.

I am a biologist who have lived for just over two years on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. After years of working in the biological field, I decided to become a teacher as I love to teach and train people.

Are there any opportunities that I can apply for to be a scientist on one of your trips?

Thank you

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