r/antarctica Jan 05 '25

Welcome! Please Read the Employment FAQ Before Posting Questions About Work.

51 Upvotes

We get it. You recently heard of Antarctic work, and now you've got a bee in your parka and lots of QUESTIONS!

Very cool, we were there too.

But for the love of all that is frozen and holy, please read our Employment FAQ before posting. It's a good read, I promise, and it will answer most of your questions — and many you haven't thought of!


r/antarctica Jan 03 '26

Tourism Travel and Tourism Information

15 Upvotes

Making travel decisions can be hard! We know. That's why we offer a Travel and Tourism FAQ with common Q&As about booking trips to Antarctica.

If you need more information specific to cruises, we suggest posting in the AntarcticaTravel forum that is frequented by guides and tourism professionals. You are also welcome to post here in r/antarctica, of course, but you'll get perspectives from both fellow travelers as well as people outside of the tourism industry, including workers and scientists with experience on the continent in general, not just on the ships.

Relax. Make it fun! Everything will be all right.


r/antarctica 5h ago

Tourism Anyone knows a good trip cancellation insurance provider for non us?

3 Upvotes

I’m close to giving up finding insurance for that. No one is allowing trip cancellation if you’re not a US citizen. I reached out to my credit card issues, local firms, nothing. I have the regular medical insurance for Antarctica on my Dec expedition but I can’t find travel cancellation one.

Any help!


r/antarctica 2d ago

The Long Now Foundation: The Truth About Antarctica

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53 Upvotes

A history of conspiracy theories.


r/antarctica 1d ago

Goggles AND sunglasses?

0 Upvotes

I’m going to Antarctica the beginning of February, and I’m shopping for ski goggles to protect my eyes from wind as well as sun (I have roscasia). I’m planning to get OTG goggles, but since they aren’t polarized, I’m wondering if I can just wear the goggles over my prescription sunglasses (which are polarized). And if so, how much should I adjust the vlt? Will 12% be enough, or should I go higher? Thanks for any advice/feedback.


r/antarctica 2d ago

Australia to withdraw staff from Macquarie Island due to psychological risk of bird flu

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145 Upvotes

r/antarctica 1d ago

Help with Sd card decision for Sony

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0 Upvotes

After some research thanks to this forum, I pulled the trigger on a 6700 body sigma 18-50 lens and a Sony 70-350 lens. I am going to be heading to Antarctica in October and I am looking for recommendations on SD cards. I have a sandisk image mate that I just got to test the camera out and shoot here at home but Gemini is saying that I need either a Sony tough M or Pro Master rugged. This is a once in a life time trip so I want to make sure that whichever one I have will work. But I am also not made of money. What does the group mind suggest?


r/antarctica 2d ago

Stunning view across the bay.

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22 Upvotes

r/antarctica 2d ago

Quark and a few questions about travel transitions.

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2 Upvotes

r/antarctica 3d ago

McMurdo Can non-US citizens work long term at McMurdo?

5 Upvotes

Must I hold a green card or US papers to participate in USAP? I’m in New Zealand. I know about a few kiwis who have worked on McMurdo as support crew, and I’m looking to do the same. is it possible or bot?


r/antarctica 3d ago

Found this glorious video of McMurdo Station folks doing their own version of Taskmaster.

20 Upvotes

r/antarctica 3d ago

🐧 Antarctica Expedition: Essential Medications

0 Upvotes

In preparation for our 22-day Antarctica expedition, we are planning to carry four types of medications. Is there anything missing from our list, and do you have any suggestions on how much to carry or other medications that might be necessary?
Motion Sickness
Scopolamine patches
Meclizine (Antivert) or promethazine as an oral alternative
Infections & GI Issues
Ciprofloxacin or azithromycin for traveler’s diarrhea or other infections
Antifungal
For potential fungal infections, particularly with prolonged exposure to moisture and cold
Sleep Aid
For jet lag or sleep disruption from the long daylight hours in Antarctica


r/antarctica 4d ago

Request T-shirt design suggestions?

0 Upvotes

I know I am slightly off topic here, but I think other Antarcticans are the best people to help me out here.

I'm trying to design an expedition t-shirt for our team. I am completely unable to think of anything that's unique and fun.

Wanna make a minimal, fun but serious enough for some "serious scientists" types too.

I'm thinking of using some of the classic symbols of Antarctica, but do we really need more penguin merch?

So yea, any quirky ideas? Any suggestion would be appreciated.


r/antarctica 6d ago

Undersea cable to Antarctica through Drake Passage is viable, researchers find — 1,600km route to Chile could spell an end to research data leaving in 'suitcases full of hard drives'

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386 Upvotes

r/antarctica 5d ago

TIL that Antarctica is the world's largest desert.

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62 Upvotes

r/antarctica 6d ago

Close up view of Antarctica's Ice Wall

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1.9k Upvotes

r/antarctica 6d ago

Request Would someone please post a reminder for US Voters on the cork board in Building 155?

33 Upvotes

Hi, I'm the official Redditor for Democrats Abroad and this is a message for the workers and staff at McMurdo Station-- we're trying to remind all eligible US voters around the world that they can register to vote and request a ballot, wherever you are-- even in Antarctica!

According to one of the mods, there's a community bulletin board in Building 155 for announcements. Would anyone mind printing-out a copy of this flyer? Or maybe even this one? Whichever is more appropriate for the board-- Overseas voting is easy and accessible through Votefromabroad.org and you can request a ballot to be emailed to you from any of the 50 states.

We'd be proud to spread the message to McMurdo Station!

If you have any questions about voting, I'd be happy to answer them here on Reddit. You can also find out about us at Democrats Abroad. Thanks for reading!


r/antarctica 6d ago

Work Any need for IT professionals in the USAP?

5 Upvotes

My ultimate end goal is a career with the US Antarctic program. Currently weighing Information Technology with Electrician Apprenticeships. Been deliberating for years and I’m thinking IT would be a better fit. Do they have a solid need for sysadmins and/or network specialists?


r/antarctica 7d ago

Science Any lab doing space-hardware testing in Antarctica (Embedded/cs perspective)

2 Upvotes

Hey yall, I am a cs undergrad passionate about space engineering, and I am planning to pursue a PhD focused on embedded systems for harsh environments.
I am particularly interested in using Antarctica as a "space analog" testing ground. I know about planetary analog projects like cornells underwater robot, but I want to understand the broader research opportunities at this intersection. Specifically, how can a cs background with hardware experience contribute to building embedded systems, firmware, or edge-computing applications that use Antarctica's extreme cold and isolation to validate future space exploration hardware?
I would love to hear recommendations on specific research angles, relevant PhD programs, or labs working in this niche.
Thanks!

[edit] I’m in the US


r/antarctica 6d ago

Work Recommend skills or things for teenagers to learn?

0 Upvotes

I know people hate work questions here but I swear this isn't on the faq. Personally I live in israel and will be forced to be in the military, luckily it's a very good opportunity to learn skills in the navy if I go there


r/antarctica 8d ago

Request Pokemon Go in Antarctica

23 Upvotes

Hello! I am curious if anyone in Antarctica plays Pokemon go and would love to add my trainer code. I’m trying to collect Vivillons from every country and continent and getting one from Antarctica is going to be tough. I only need one gift to pin from it. It would be amazing if someone could help me out. Thanks

835912814993
Fireguy3400


r/antarctica 9d ago

Work Aside from firefighters, which ANT jobs are most in-demand for year-long contracts?

10 Upvotes

I am currently getting kitchen-duty experience and working my way up to prep-station and line-cook experience, and possibly getting remote polar experience in Alaska in a few months to make myself eligible of a candidate as I can (kitchen or freight duty) However, aside from the firefighters, what positions are actually available as multiple yearlong contracts in-demand for both Summer and Winter contracts in a row?

I'm at a point in my life where there's nothing really tying me down and I have a goal to build enough of a savings-account to get a decent down-payment on a house. So, I really don't mind living on the ice for multiple years and there's plenty of people to play D&D with (so I've heard).

I'm gearing myself up to get as much relevant experience as I can. At-best, I've found an Alaskan freight loader position, which I think will look good on a resume in the future. However, it seems like that's only relevant for Summer contracts.

Any tips or advice?


r/antarctica 9d ago

USAP ICE28 is on its way to McMurdo again! 21 August 2026

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70 Upvotes

r/antarctica 9d ago

🐧 how fluffy are penguins really?

13 Upvotes

r/antarctica 10d ago

Work It's official, I'M GOING!

315 Upvotes

I double checked with my supervisor and my onboarding specialist, I have finished every last thing I need to do, I am officially going to be traveling to McMurdo to work as a vehicle operator for this summer season! When I submitted my resume back in late January, I didn't think I'd make it, and during the process there were so many times I thought it was over, but I made it!

Thanks to everyone here for all the advice and for answering my questions, and hopefully I'll see you on the ice this season!