SVALVARD 2026
SVALVARD
North Spitsbergen Explorer
A Journey Into the Realm of Ice
Expedition dates:
13 - 20 June, 2027
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: m/v Hondius
Embark / disembark:
Longyearbyen / Longyearbyen
Cabins & Prices:
- Quadruple porthole: 4.150 €
- Twin porthole: 5.750 €
- Triple porthole: Sold out
- Twin window: 6.250 €
- Twin deluxe: Sold out
- Superior cabin: 7.500 €
- Junior suite: 8.550 €
- Grand suite: 9.300 €
The best opportunity to get active while spotting exotic Arctic wildlife
This expedition focuses on the versatility of North Spitsbergen’s visually stunning landscapes, vast spans of sea ice and exceptional wildlife opportunities.
Sailing through the wilderness of Spitsbergen in the remote Svalbard, we explore glacier fronts, tundra coastlines and the drifting pack ice in search of Arctic icons.
Expect opportunities to encounter:
- Polar Bear
- Walrus
- Svalbard reindeer
- Seals resting on sea ice
- Minke whales
- Vast seabird coloniesThis is true expedition cruising — flexible, wildlife-focused and shaped by ice and weather conditions.
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All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. In the event that any service, accommodation, activity, or component of the programme is unavailable and no suitable alternative can be arranged, any diposits made for the unavailable portion will be fully refunded.
The 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.
Activities you can participate in:
— Kayaking (3 places left): Our standard kayak program uses hard-shell double-seat kayaks. Basic kayaking experience is helpful but not required. As a supplemental activity, we accommodate a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 kayakers on PLA & OTL. On HDS, we accommodate 4 to 28 kayakers. On Basecamp voyages, kayak outings are included in the cruise cost, with no limit on participants.
Cost: 450 €
- Photo workshop: onboard guidance to get the most from your gear and encounters.
Cost: FREE
Photography Focus:
This is a trip for photographers who want variety: wide landscapes, graphic ice, intimate wildlife moments, and action from sea-level. We plan each day around conditions, light, wind, wildlife movement, to help you come back with a coherent Antarctica portfolio, not a random collection of sightings.
Guided by Rafael Armada.
Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole
Cabins available- Cabin size between 15.3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Twin Porthole
Cabins available- Cabin size between 13.3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Twin Window
Cabins available- Cabin size between 12.1 m² and 14.3 m²
- 1 window
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Superior
Cabins available- Cabin size between 20.7 m² and 21.3 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Junior Suite
Cabins available- Cabin size between 19.2 m² and 20 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Grand Suite with private balcony
Cabins available- Cabin size 26.7 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private balcony
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
What’s included
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
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 those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) 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.
What’s not included
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 all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
The Hondius
Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel and was built from the ground up for expedition cruising.
Interested in this expedition?
We handle the booking and help you choose the best cabin option for you.
You can fill in the form, or simply write to us at warblertours@gmail.com to plan your trip.
