Our Signature Expeditions aboard Explorer offer an immersive journey through Svalbard’s breathtaking wilderness. This exclusive 13-day voyage is guided by Rinie van Meurs, a renowned Arctic expert with over 30 years of experience. His deep knowledge and passion bring the Arctic to life through engaging lectures on Svalbard’s wildlife, environment, and history.
With its high ice-class rating, Explorer is built to navigate into the pack ice of northern Svalbard. This vast, frozen landscape is our favorite place to observe polar bears. Beyond bears, we expect to encounter a diverse range of Arctic wildlife, including walrus, whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and many migratory seabirds.
Expedition Highlights
- Extended 13-day expedition
- Multiple days in the pack ice
- Expert-led photography
- Spot polar bears on the ice
- Peak wildlife season
Our expeditions are designed to experience the Arctic with respect for the fragile nature. Traveling aboard a small expedition yacht allows for a more intimate and meaningful adventure.
Svalbard’s Frozen North
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!Map
Downloadthe brochure for this expedition
Map
Downloadthe brochure for this expedition
Programme
Travelling to Svalbard means embracing the unexpected. We cannot guarantee wildlife, or influence weather and ice. With flexibility and spontaneity at the core, this is an expedition in the true sense of the word!
Day 1 | Embarkation in Longyearbyen
Your Svalbard expedition starts in Longyearbyen where expedition yacht Explorer will be waiting in port. Embarkation takes place in the late afternoon of the first day. Leaving Longyearbyen, you will find yourself in a beautiful Arctic scenery straight away. Grab your binoculars and have a first look at the wide coastal plains, steep glaciers and characteristic plateau-shaped mountains that are so unique to Svalbard.
DAY 2-12 | Exploring Svalbard & Into the pack ice
You’ll travel north along Svalbard’s magnificent coastline while enjoying zodiac cruises and shore landings in various locations. With 12 guests onboard, each zodiac will carry just 6 passengers. There is enough space for camera equipment and we can maximise our time, exploring and photographing the beauty of Svalbard. July is peak wildlife season and besides bears, we hope to encounter an array of Arctic wildlife, including walrus, whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, seals and countless seabirds.
We aim to sail as far north as possible, venturing deep into the pack ice. This ice realm is our favorite place to look for polar bears, beyond the reach of most other vessels. An ever-changing frozen wilderness where we plan to spend several days to capture its unique beauty and look for wildlife. As sea ice retreats during the summer months, the far north is the only place where polar bears can hunt for seals on the ice. It’s an absolute treat to see polar bears in their natural habitat. At the same time, the far north offer us good chances to spot whales as they feed along the ice edge.
You will get to spend quality time in Svalbard, a great chance to improve your photo skills. Our guides have a professional photography background and will take light and weather conditions into account in order to offer the best photographic opportunities. This expedition is suited for photographers of all levels, from beginners to the most experienced.
Day 13 | Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
You’ll disembark in Longyearbyen after breakfast on the final day of your expedition. We recommend scheduling your return flights for the afternoon or later. This is the end of your Waterproof Expedition in Svalbard, and we wish you a pleasant journey home.
Impression
Dates & Rates
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!Other dates
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
- Travel insurance.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
- Travel insurance.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Accommodation on board.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Starts with dinner on the first night, ends after breakfast on the last day.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Warm zodiac suits.
- Rubber boots for landings. Limited sizes available, please bring your own boots if you want to be certain of a well-fitting pair.
- Shore landings and zodiac cruises.
- Use of sauna and jacuzzi.
- Lectures by the experienced guides.
- All service taxes and port fees.
- Flights & transfers. We recommend scheduling your flight home for the afternoon or evening at the earliest.
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar drinks, etc.
- Gratuities for ships crew and expedition staff.
- Pre and post voyage excursions and hotel.
Travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation coverage is mandatory. We also strongly recommend taking out trip cancellation insurance. This will cover your costs in case you need to cancel your trip after you’ve confirmed your booking.
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!FAQ
As of 01 January 2025, all tourist ships in Svalbard are required to adhere to new regulations. These rules have been put in place to protect the environment and safeguard an increasingly fragile wildlife amid the challenges of climate change and rising visitor numbers. We believe visiting Svalbard will remain an extraordinary experience and a unique chance to view Arctic animals in their natural home.
The most impactful new regulations involve restrictions on visiting protected areas:
- A limit of 200 passengers on board ships
- Landings are limited to 43 landing sites of which 13 will be restricted to amaximum of 39 persons at once
- The use of drones is prohibited inprotected areas
Starting from 2025, stricter regulations will be enforced regarding the viewing of wildlife:
- Minimum distances from polar bears; 300 meters from July 1 to February 28 and 500 meters from March 1 to June 30.
- Minimum distances from walrus haulout sites; 50m when on land and 150m for motorised boats with a maximum speed 5 knots within 300 metres.
- A speed limit of 5 knots applies within 500 metres from certain bird colonies.
Keep in mind, nothing will change in regards to approaching polar bears, which has never been allowed.
Providing the best possible photography and wildlife viewing, while maintaining a safe distance, is our top priority. Beyond polar bears, we always keep an eye out for walrus, seals, whales, arctic foxes, and birds, not to mention the spectacular scenery.
The new rules and regulations are of hardly any impact on our operations. Our expeditions take place on board small ships (12 guests), allowing us to maintain access to all of Svalbard’s landing sites. Additionally, our high ice-class vessel Explorer allows us to explore the pack ice, which is outside Svalbard’s territorial waters.