SVALBARD: North Spitsbergen Explorer
Expedition Cruise
Landscapes, Sea Ice & Arctic Wildlife
Explore the remote north of Svalbard in search of polar bears, walruses and Arctic wildlife among sea ice, glaciers and spectacular coastal landscapes.
The North Spitsbergen Explorer takes you into the remote northern reaches of Svalbard, where vast sea ice, glaciers and dramatic Arctic landscapes create the setting for an exceptional wildlife expedition. The route explores the rich waters and remote shores of North Spitsbergen, with opportunities to encounter polar bears, walruses, whales, Arctic foxes and a remarkable variety of seabirds. Expect Zodiac excursions, shore landings and time on deck scanning the ice and coastline for wildlife. With conditions and ice shaping the route, every voyage is different, and that sense of discovery is the essence of a true expedition.
Trip Overview
The icy waters surrounding Svalbard are among the most pristine and biologically productive wildlife habitats in the high Arctic. This eight-day expedition covers remote fjords and navigates along the edge of the pack ice in the North Atlantic—starting and ending in Longyearbyen, and pushing deep into the rugged wilderness of the north of the Spitsbergen archipelago.
The route is designed around the habitats of polar wildlife and iconic seabirds, where spending the days exploring glacial landscapes and pack ice is the core point of the journey. Whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, and seals are frequently seen from the ship through waters that very few travelers and naturalists ever reach, and the remote pack ice formations, the ultimate hunting grounds of the majestic polar bear, are the ornithological and zoological centerpiece of the crossing.
Expert expedition guides lead the journey, offering language-assisted tours and a wealth of knowledge on Arctic ecology, ensuring every Zodiac excursion brings you intimately closer to the spectacular landscapes and thriving wildlife of the Far North.
Where and when?
The expedition departs from Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town on the island of Spitsbergen, and arrives ten days later back at the same port. The route heads north into the glaciated fjords of the Svalbard archipelago, navigating along the edges of the polar pack ice and exploring remote coastal areas that create one of the most reliable zones in the world for polar bear and marine wildlife encounters.
July is an optimal month for this crossing. The midnight sun provides 24 hours of continuous daylight for spotting wildlife from the deck, the summer sea ice has receded enough to allow the ship to navigate deep into hidden bays, and the massive tundra cliffs are alive with thousands of breeding auklets and seabirds feeding their chicks.
Highlights
Zodiac cruise and shore programme
By zodiac, you will explore the polar world up close, getting near icebergs, glaciers, and iconic wildlife.
The bird cliffs of Alkefjellet
Alkefjellet, Svalbard's most famous bird-watching location, is packed with guillemots, gulls, and kittiwakes.
Hornsund
Hornsund, part of the South Spitsbergen National Park, is a fjord located on the west side of Spitsbergen at the southernmost tip of the island.
Monacobreen
Formerly known as Monaco Glacier and Liefde Bay-bræ, Monacobreen is a glacier that flows into Liefdefjorden in Spitsbergen.
Diskobukta
Located near Disko Bay, this remote settlement holds great historical significance for the Inuit of Greenland.
Sjuøyane
The Seven Islands are part of the Northeast Svalbard Nature Reserve and are rich with Arctic flora and fauna.
Isfjord
Isfjord, the second longest fjord in Svalbard, is located on the western side of Spitsbergen's main island.
Arctic tern
Among the most nomadic birds on the planet, these sun-loving travelers summer twice a year during their ambitious migration routes.
Black-legged kittiwake
Named after their distinct call, these three-toed gulls that nest on steep cliffs are among the most abundant in the world.
Polar bear
Awe-inspiring icons of the circumpolar north, polar bears are majestic, terrifying, and as essential to the Arctic as ice and snow.
Walrus
These "walking seahorses" spend two-thirds of their lives in the water and nurture their calves much like human mothers do.
Brünnich's guillemot
They expend a massive amount of energy during flight, but that doesn't slow down these tightly-nesting members of the Alcidae family (which are also the longest-lived).
Tour Itinerary
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You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
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This voyage will take you into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines of rugged north Spitsbergen. Places we might visit include the following:
Raudfjord
On the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can enjoy this expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. We will try to land at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya.
Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather and sea ice, we could sail into Liefdefjorden, 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 precipitous glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
Highlights of Hinlopen
We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance, there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjord in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here we may see reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses. We can take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.
The Seven Islands
The northernmost point of the voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet at Chermsideøya or Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands. Here we may reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again.
Sailing the continental shelf
While retracing our route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, we sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.
Forlandsundet, St. Johns Fjord, or Alkhornet
Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet at Sarstangen or Poolepynten. Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
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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.
Please note: the above itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, wildlife sightings and the decisions of the expedition leader on board. Flexibility is essential on expedition cruises.
Prices and cabins
Available dates for 2027
Cabin options
Rates are shown per person, based on shared cabin occupancy. Single occupancy is available for selected double cabins at 1.7× the shared rate, subject to availability. The applicable single occupancy price will be confirmed when you submit the request form below.
Included in this voyage
- Voyage aboard the vessel indicated in the itinerary
- Support from our Warbler Tours team throughout booking and planning, as well as during your expedition
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship, including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- Complimentary use of waterproof neoprene expedition muck boots and snowshoes
- Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship, only for passengers on a selection of flights to and from Longyearbyen
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
- AECO fees and governmental taxes
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
- Complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity. All guests receive 1.5 GB of data usage per day, which resets every 24 hours
- Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition
Not included in this voyage
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post-land arrangements
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended)
- Excess baggage charges and personal expenses such as laundry, bar, beverage and telecommunication charges
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard
- Transaction costs
How to book your trip
Three simple steps to get you there.
Booking form
Prefer to write directly?
Reach us at warblertours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp.
FAQs
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This expedition is ideal for birders and wildlife photographers looking for extended time in polar bear habitat. Expect long hours on deck, Zodiac excursions and changing Arctic conditions.
It’s an expedition rather than a conventional cruise: schedules depend on ice and weather, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. No technical hiking or climbing experience is required, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven, icy ground and getting in and out of Zodiacs.
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No. Polar bears are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The route and expedition team focus on areas where bears are commonly found, and most voyages on this route encounter them, often more than once.
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You’ll board Zodiacs several times a day and walk on uneven, icy or rocky ground. The crew assists with Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation, but you should be comfortable walking for 1–2 hours and climbing between the ship and Zodiac. Contact us before booking if you have mobility concerns.
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The rate includes the voyage, all meals, Zodiac excursions, expedition lectures, rubber boots and snowshoes. Flights, travel insurance and pre/post-trip accommodation are not included. Solo travellers can share a cabin at no extra cost or book single occupancy at 1.7× the shared rate, subject to availability.