This small ship voyage around Svalbard travels at a slower pace, offering ample opportunity to enjoy the best of this magical region and discover iconic Arctic wildlife such as polar bear and walrus.
In a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bears roam the edge of the pack ice, ringed seals relax on ice floes, and guillemots cry from towering cliffs, we explore on a small-ship expedition to discover breathtaking fjords, glittering glaciers and awe-inspiring icebergs.
On this extended voyage, we travel at a slower pace, with the aim to circumnavigate the Svalbard archipelago (if conditions allow). There are plenty of opportunities to experience the natural environment, on small-group landings and Zodiac cruises. Back on board, your expedition team will conduct presentations on a whole host of subjects including photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history.
We hope to encounter a variety of wildlife, including Svalbard reindeer, Arctic fox and with luck, the magnificent polar bear. Various species of pinniped can also be seen, such as walrus, ringed seal and bearded seal. Cetacean sightings are also possible, including beluga, fin, humpback and minke. Numerous species of seabird are also likely, including puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, barnacle geese and Brünnich’s guillemots.
General Manager Dan Free and his wife Dani travelled on this voyage and share their experience in our blog.
A typical itinerary is shown below, however we offer a choice of expedition vessels and cabin types to suit your requirements.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive in Longyearbyen
Day2: Embark in Longyearbyen
Embark your vessel in Longyearbyen. Before embarkation, there may be an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. Later today, the ship sails out of Isfjorden.
Days3-14: Explore the Svalbard Archipelago
Over the next few days, you explore the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard. Every expedition will be different, depending on sea, ice and weather conditions, and of course, wildlife opportunities. If conditions allow, you attempt a full circumnavigation of the archipelago. Travelling at a slower pace, you linger longer in quiet bays and hope to enjoy wildlife encounters with a whole host of species. With luck, you can hope to see walrus hauled out on sea ice, seals relaxing on ice floes, towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and colonies of little auks. As you sail, search for the mighty polar bear, along the edge of the pack ice, watch for ivory gulls overhead and scan the horizon for cetaceans.
Day15: Disembark in Longyearbyen
This morning, you cruise back into Longyearbyen for disembarkation.
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 15 daysfrom £9,600 ppOcean Explorer: from £10,300 pp
Ocean Adventurer: from £11,900 pp
Sylvia Earle: from £13,295 pp
Ultramarine: from £16,400 pp
High above the Arctic Circle lies the remarkable archipelago known in Norwegian as Svalbard. Spitsbergen, the main island, means 'jagged peaks' and befits this remarkable land with its spectacular coastline, littered with glaciers flowing into the sea, and high cliffs with endless opportunities for viewing wildlife.
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The Ocean Adventurer is an ice-strengthened ship and is one of the most comfortable expedition vessels to navigate the polar seas. An aspect of this ship which sets it apart from other expedition ships is the substantial outdoor space – spread over four decks - for observing wildlife.
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The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant, and purpose-built for polar exploration. It features spacious and luxurious cabins, ample outdoor viewing areas, and the latest sustainability technology. The ship offers a luxurious and comfortable sailing experience, allowing you to intimately connect with the polar wilderness.
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Described as ‘a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet’, the brand new, purpose-built Sylvia Earle combines the latest in cutting-edge technology with maximum comfort for polar exploration, and was named after the world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer.
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Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters plus 20 quick-release Zodiac boats, Ultramarine offers passengers the next level in polar exploration. The opportunity to view frozen landscapes from above and to take impromptu wildlife viewing excursions speedily and efficiently, set it apart from other polar vessels.
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