Circumnavigation of Svalbard

Your voyage starts in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. From the moment you set sail, you will find yourself in the middle of a marvelous Arctic landscape. While sailing through beautiful Isfjorden, you might be escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. We move northwards, along the west coast of Spitsbergen stopping at intriguing places like bird cliffs, glaciers, walrus haul-outs and historical sites.

The expedition team will aim for several excursions every day. These could either be shore landings or zodiac cruises. For example, you might get to spend time ashore walking amongst the flowering tundra and observing the remarkable bird cliffs near the 14th July Glacier. Zodiac cruises around these pristine areas give a chance to see where puffins and guillemots create their nests in the cracks on the cliffs. Possible historical landings sites include the 350-year-old remains of Dutch whaling settlements at Smeerenberg (blubber town) on Amsterdamoya and the 100-year-old relics of the famous Swedish explorer Andree, who attempted to fly a balloon to the North Pole.

Another unique location we hope to visit during this expedition cruise is Poolepynten, a 1.5 kilometer long headland on the eastern coast of the island Prins Karls Forland. This location is famous for the large walrus colonies that often come ashore here, making it easy to admire them from relatively close range. You may also hike up to a viewpoint, or a walk onto the flowering tundra where reindeer can be found grazing. On these walks, the guides will always be on the lookout for some of the special birds that live in Svalbard, including the snow bunting and Svalbard ptarmigan.

As the ship sails along the north coast, we hope to explore places such as Woodfjorden and Liefdefjorden in search of polar bears. Always keep your binoculars close, as they might appear in the distance at any time. It’s a great way to pass time looking for bears while you’re on board the ship sailing to your next landing site.

Depending on the weather and ice conditions, the ship might attempt to reach the pack ice in the far north. The northernmost point of your voyage might be near Nordaustlandet, around 80° north. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before continuing south.

During this extensive voyage, you might experience areas of Svalbard not easily accessible otherwise, as the ship navigates seldom visited places in the narrow Hinlopen Strait. This area is home to bearded and ringed seals and there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. Along the east coast of Spitsbergen you enter a different world, a polar desert. This coast is influenced by the cold sea current from Siberia. This results in lower temperatures, meaning that even in summer, frequent pack ice can make navigating these waters a challenge.

If a circumnavigation is possible, you will reach Bell Sund, in the south of Svalbard. This area is slightly warmer resulting in relatively lush vegetation. Bell Sund offers excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife. You might be able to see the remains of whale hunting, at Ahlstrandhalvøya, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. A sad reminder of the 19th-century whaling industry. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod during your expedition around Svalbard.

Regardless of whether it is possible to circumnavigate Svalbard, your voyage will end in the same place it started. You will disembark the ship in Longyearbyen in the morning after breakfast. We advise booking your flights home departing in the afternoon or evening at the earliest.