A Story from Svalbard

Longyearbyen is where you get ready to embark on the ultimate Arctic adventure with midnight sun, roaming reindeer, and the thrill of polar bear country awaits. The expedition of a lifetime starts before the wheels of the airplane touchdown on the tarmac. Soaring above the towering tops of the South Spitsbergen National Park and along the glaciers in Nordenskjøld Land, your perspective of size is erased. Out of the plane window, you gaze down onto a field of white, with occasional peaks breaking through. The cloud layer and fresh snow blend together, creating a mottled landscape. Glacial runoffs create rivers intricately braided within one another, resembling the veins of the land.

Landing in Lonyearbyen

Upon touchdown at Longyearbyen Airport, the feeling of adventure takes over. For those of us who travel often, it’s easy to form first impressions and draw comparisons to places we have been before- perhaps to feel more familiar in an unfamiliar place. However, in Longyearbyen, that is not possible. It is incomparable. The scenery is jaw-dropping, the remoteness undeniable, and the culture unique.

In the town Svalbard reindeer wander freely. These endemic ungulates, with short stubby noses adapted to the harsh, icy climate, are distinct from their cousins in the south. Scientifically known as, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus- Latin for “flat nosed reindeer”- they are a pleasant sight, grazing along Longyearbyen’s main street.

Colourful houses line the Longyeardalen valley, with a roaring river cutting through the middle. At the foothills of Teltberget mountain- Norwegian for ‘tent mountain’, – Longyearbreen glacier pierces through Longyearelva and flows towards Longyearbyen, the city of Longyear. While exploring the city, you’ll encounter polar bear warning signs- a first time for many. After the obligatory photo in front of the sign, the realisation sets in. This is polar bear habitat. The excitement builds.

The Land of Midnight Sun

You glance at your watch and it’s almost midnight. In disbelief, you look again. But it is correct. In the summer months, Svalbard has the pleasure of hosting the midnight sun. Your sense of perspective and time is now behind you. Having a day in Longyearbyen before embarking your ship is time well spent. There are cafes with dogs, shops stoked with expedition gear, restaurants serving delicious food and museums educating about polar exploration. With unlimited daylight hours, countless things to do, and the anticipation of setting sail, the day will be over before you know it.

Now, it is time to get onboard. The benefits of exploring Svalbard with a small passenger vessel becomes immediately apparent. Walking down the pier, luggage in hand, you set aboard your home for the next week or so. A warm welcome from the expedition team and crew awaits, while simultaneously, the mooring lines are tossed. The journey begins.

A Brief Trip Brief

The plan for the trip is discussed, but only briefly. As the plan for the trip is still being shaped. It depends on many factors, with the most important ones being weather, landing options, recent wildlife sightings, and the guests or charterer’s desires. That is the beauty of traveling on a small ship in Svalbard: flexibility. The adaptable daily programmes allow for more options: extended zodiac cruises, land-based exploration, or spontaneous wildlife encounters. In general, the smaller the ship, the more manoeuvrable, which opens greater potential. These vessels can transit through narrower passages, shallower depths, conduct quicker disembarkations, and access more anchorage location. All these factors are the key to a successful Svalbard expedition.

A Successful Combination

When you combine expertise and science, the task of seeking unforgettable wildlife encounters across Svalbard’s land and sea becomes far more achievable. Don’t forget, our small, manoeuvrable vessel is the final key to crafting the experience of a lifetime.

Learn more about Waterproof Expedition cruises in Svalbard here!