Route Description - North Spitsbergen Basecamp - Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores
This expedition focuses on the pack ice of north Spitsbergen and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife.
Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Travellers touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. They can enjoy strolling around this former mining town, where the parish church and Svalbard Museum offer fascinating attractions. Though the surrounding countryside appears stark, over a hundred plant species have been recorded there. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where the first minke whale of the voyage might be spotted.
Day 2-7: North Spitsbergen’s natural beauty, wildlife, and multi-day pack-ice
This voyage takes travellers into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines of rugged north Spitsbergen. Possible destinations include the following:
Raudfjord
Located on the north coast of Spitsbergen, this expansive fjord is filled with glaciers and may be visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline support thriving seabird colonies, lush vegetation, and potentially polar bears. Expedition leaders will attempt landings at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya.
Monaco Glacier
Depending on weather and sea ice conditions, the ship may sail into Liefdefjorden, allowing passengers to land at Texas Bar and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this dramatic glacier are a feeding ground for thousands of kittiwakes, while the glacier’s base serves as a popular hunting area for polar bears. If ice conditions early in the season prevent entry, the voyage may instead continue along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
The Seven Islands
The northernmost point of the journey may reach north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here, travelers may reach 80° north—just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. At Phippsøya, walruses may be seen hauled out, and Rossøya marks the northernmost landmass in Spitsbergen. The vessel may then venture deeper into the pack ice before circling westward.
Sailing in the Pack Ice
The expedition aims to enter the pack ice at a considerable distance from the coast, offering opportunities to observe polar bears and other wildlife at the ice’s edge. Depending on ice position and weather, this passage may span several days and is considered a highlight of the voyage. While no landings or excursions from the ship are planned during this time, wildlife viewing from the vessel is the main attraction, with high chances of seeing polar bears, seals, and whales.
After navigating the ice, the ship retraces its route westward, with continued opportunities to observe polar bears, ringed seals, and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. Ivory gulls may also be spotted in this region. Approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Spitsbergen, the ship sails along the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whales often forage in nutrient-rich upwelling zones near the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, minke whale sightings are also possible.
Forlandsundet Wildlife
In Forlandsundet, walruses are sometimes seen hauled out at Poolepynten. If conditions prevent access to this site, the ship may head to the mouth of Isfjorden, where various species of rorqual whales might be observed. A planned landing site is Alkhornet, where seabirds nest on the cliffs, Arctic foxes scavenge below for eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. Another potential stop is the glacier front in Ymerbukta, where different species of eider ducks may be seen in congregation.
Day 8: There and back again
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided.