Arctic Mammal and Birding Cruise Norway: Svalbard (Spitsbergen) — Polar Bears and Seabirds
June 2027

This Arctic birding and mammal cruise around Svalbard allows you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be acquainted with special birds and mammals of the High Arctic. The list of likely species (both birds and mammals) is a rather short one, however it is quality over quantity here, as these specials are mostly only possible in the High Arctic. Another highly exciting element of Arctic birding is that you get to enjoy several widespread species in their fine breeding colors – a breeding plumaged Red Phalarope takes some beating! We invite you to join us on this exciting cruise as we explore the Svalbard Archipelago and enjoy finding some truly iconic Arctic wildlife.

Polar Bear, the ‘King of the Arctic’ occurs throughout the Svalbard Archipelago however is most readily encountered in the pack ice in the north.

You will arrive in the world’s northernmost town, historic Longyearbyen (previously known as “Long Year City”), deep within the Arctic Circle, and we will have time to explore this small city of about 2,000 human inhabitants. We usually spend some time birding around Longyearbyen, where several species are more easily observed (than on the cruise) and often make for good photographic subjects. We then depart on our cruise for the northern parts of the beautiful, remote Svalbard Archipelago (previously known as Spitsbergen).

While one of our main targets on the Arctic wildlife cruise will be Polar Bear (and other High Arctic mammals), our guide is first and foremost a birding guide, so we will be constantly watching for the Arctic’s special birds. Some of our bird targets include Ivory Gull in the pack ice in the far north, with Rock Ptarmigan often found on our landings, and we will also try for all the sea ducks and the many other desirables. The scenery in the ‘land of the midnight sun’ is truly spectacular, with the many glaciers, fjords, jagged peaks, and myriads of small islands constantly taking your breath away!

Rock Ptarmigan, here a male in its winter plumage, can be confiding around Longyearbyen.

While on this eight-day Arctic cruise we will head up the northwest coast of the Svalbard Archipelago, although the final itinerary is based on sea ice and weather conditions. We will generally partake in a couple landings and/or zodiac cruises (in small inflatable boats) per day which ensures we can get closer to the wildlife and birds, and often results in many fantastic photographic opportunities.

Itinerary (8 days/7 nights)

Day 1. Birding Longyearbyen, then cruise ship departs

We suggest arriving in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, Norway, the world’s northernmost city, the day before the cruise departs, in case of any flight delays. Before the early evening departure (or the previous evening, if you arrive the day before our ship departs) we will explore this old mining town in search of Brant and Barnacle Geese, King and Common Eiders, Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, Common Ringed Plover, Glaucous Gull, Parasitic Jaeger, Rock Ptarmigan, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Bunting, and Arctic Fox which are often seen scavenging at the base of seabird cliffs. Although we should see most of the above on the actual Svalbard cruise, we often get better and more prolonged views, with improved photographic opportunities, on our Longyearbyen day tours. Please see the ‘Costs’ section to find out about additional costs for a Longyearbyen day tour prior to the cruise.

Red Phalaropes, such as this gorgeous female, are regular around Longyearbyen.

Upon setting sail out of Isfjorden, the second-longest fjord in the Svalbard Archipelago, we may see our first Northern Fulmar, Red-throated Loon, and Common Minke Whale, or perhaps we will get very lucky with an early sighting of the angelic Beluga Whale! Our voyage will be on board a 300–350-foot polar vessel which accommodates up to 170 passengers.

Walrus are usually encountered on this cruise.

Days 2-7. Enjoying northwestern Spitsbergen’s natural beauty and wildlife

Over the next six days we will visit a variety of spectacularly beautiful fjords, seabird breeding colonies, and other fascinating landing sites. The final itinerary is entirely weather- and condition-dependent and will be decided by the expedition leader while on the cruise. Below are some of the exciting destinations and activities we might enjoy over the next few days.

Along the northern coast of west Svalbard we will cruise alongside beautiful glaciers while enjoying the area’s impressive wildlife. In this area of Svalbard, Polar Bear is sometimes seen, in addition to Bearded and Harbour Seals. The shoreline cliffs at 14 Julibukta are home to colonies of seabirds, including Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot), Atlantic Puffin, and Black Guillemot. High up above, masses of Black-legged Kittiwakes breed, with Artic Foxes often prowling the lower slopes for fallen eggs and chicks. Lush vegetation flourishes in areas protected from the weather, and on our landing, we may find some of the Arctic’s flowering plants here.

Atlantic Puffin breed on the low sea cliffs in Krossfjorden.

We hope to visit Krossfjorden which is close to Ny Ålesund, the most northerly settlement on Earth, once a mining town and now a research base. It was at Ny Ålesund that Amundsen and Nobile anchored their airships prior to their successful crossing of the North Pole. The area often has breeding Arctic Terns around, as well as Great Skuas, and Red-throated Loons. While cruising Krossfjorden it is always keeping an eye out for attractive Long-tailed Jaegers, as some of the archipelago’s few known breeding pairs are found nearby. Common Eiders occur along the coastline here and these attractive sea ducks are likely to feature on most days of the cruise.

Weather dependent, we will sail along the three-mile-long face of Monaco Glacier, heading into Liefdefjorden. These waters harbor a favorite food source for Black-legged Kittiwake, offering spectacular views of thousands of birds. Polar Bear also frequents the glacier, sometimes providing good photo opportunities. The rare Sabine’s Gull will also be on our radar in this area as we will be relatively close to one of their breeding islands at Moffen Island.

King Eider can often be seen alongside the more widespread Common Eider.

Seven Islands will likely be the most northerly point we visit on this Arctic cruise. This area likely represents our best chance of finding our most important mammalian target, Polar Bear, and we will ensure we have our scopes out on deck scanning for bears. The pack ice is also the best area to find our most important avian target, this being Ivory Gull, which is a delight to observe. There are usually good numbers of alcids around in this area too, with Black Guillemot, Thick-billed Murre, and Little Auk constantly giving flyby views. There will hopefully also be good numbers of seals on the pack ice in the north, with Bearded, Harp, and Ringed Seals being the most likely candidates.

We will likely also stop in at Sorgfjord where we visit a haul-out of massive Walruses and enjoy a walk in the Arctic tundra which often produces Rock Ptarmigan and shorebirds, such as Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, or Sanderling – all looking dapper in their breeding colors.

Arctic Fox is another charismatic mammal we should see on this Arctic wildlife cruise.

Navigating through the Hinlopen Strait will prove to be rich in Arctic wildlife. We will have opportunities to see thousands of Thick-billed Murres alongside some impressive Arctic wildlife such as Polar Bear, Ringed and Bearded Seals, and if we are lucky Blue Whale – the largest animal known to have ever existed. In our zodiacs we may cruise through the sea ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya and visit a huge colony of Thick-billed Murres at the cliffs of Alkefjellet. We will also attempt to land at Torrelneset on the island of Nordaustlandet, where Pink-footed Goose, (Svalbard) Reindeer (the smallest subspecies of Reindeer), and Walrus may be seen. As we cruise through the Hinlopen Strait we will pass through the foraging waters of Fin Whales and have decent chances of spotting Common Minke Whale.

Ivory Gull will be our primary avian target in the High Arctic.

Weather dependent, we will either sail into Forlandsundet, where we might encounter Walrus, or alternatively into St. Johns Fjord or to Isfjorden and possibly landing on Alkhornet, where along the cliffs we will look for nesting seabirds and along the base of the cliffs Arctic Fox may be seen foraging for fallen chicks or eggs. We may see Svalbard Reindeer grazing before making a nighttime arrival back in Longyearbyen.

Day 8. Disembarkation at Longyearbyen

We will come ashore in Longyearbyen on this last day of our journey for flights south to Oslo and from there to our home destinations.

PLEASE NOTE: A typical itinerary to the northern Svalbard Archipelago is illustrated above. This itinerary is for guidance only. Depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites, and opportunities to see wildlife, the program may vary. The expedition leader on board will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed for the vessel is 10.5 knots.

Svalbard (Spitsbergen) Cruise: Polar Bears and Seabirds

Tour-specific Information

TOUR OUTLINE

This Arctic wildlife and birding cruise around the Svalbard Archipelago (part of Norway) offers perhaps the best chance of seeing some of the Arctic’s most iconic wildlife and birds. The cruise leaves from Longyearbyen (Svalbard’s largest town and one of the most northerly settlements in the world) and returns eight days later. We often suggest a full extra day’s birding (before or after the cruise) around Longyearbyen where a few particular species can be seen at closer range, such as Rock Ptarmigan and Arctic Fox. Most cruises head along the coastline of the largest island of the archipelago, Spitsbergen and when possible, a day will be spent in the pack ice.

The highlight and biggest target of any Arctic cruise is Polar Bear and on this trip we stand an excellent chance of seeing ‘the King of the Arctic’ alongside other charismatic wildlife such as Beluga, Walrus, Bearded Seal, Arctic Fox, Reindeer and an assortment of other seal and cetacean species, including the possibility of Blue Whale. Of course, it is not only the amazing mammals which attract tourists to the Arctic. On this cruise we also stand a good chance of seeing a true high-Arctic species, Ivory Gull (often hanging about Polar Bear kills). Other fantastic bird species including King Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Rock Ptarmigan, Red Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Jaeger, an assortment of alcid species and many others are likely. Wildlife aside, this cruise offers fantastic scenery as we head through beautiful fjords and view impressive glaciers. We invite you to join us as we take in the best that the Arctic has to offer!

DAILY ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TOUR PACE

On most days during the cruise, we will undertake two landings and have two zodiac cruises (zodiac boats are small inflatable boats which take around 10-12 passengers). During our day (or two) in the pack ice we will be entirely ship-based, when we spend our time looking for Polar Bear and Ivory Gull. The landings can occasionally be a bit rough (depending on sea and ice conditions) and may sometimes involve walking over slippery rocks or ice to and from the zodiac boat. If the landing looks too rough, there is always the option to stay onboard the ship, or to just join for the zodiac cruise (often through beautiful fjords) and return to the ship after the zodiac cruise.

During the landings we normally spend a couple hours wandering around the area, enjoying the wildlife and plants of the Arctic. These short walks, normally up to half a mile (one kilometer), are normally at a very gentle pace, allowing you to enjoy the wildlife and scenery at leisure. It is very important to remember that during these landings Polar Bears are a possibility and are a danger. However, there will always be armed guides around during these landings and the areas are always thoroughly scouted beforehand to ensure we have no encounters with Polar Bears. As such we must always adhere to the instructions of the guides and not wander beyond the demarcated area.

A rough breakdown of a typical cruise day is as follows: 07h30-08h30: breakfast, 09h00-11h30: landing/zodiac cruise, 12h30-13h30: lunch, 14h30-18h00: landing/zodiac cruise, 18h30: daily recap, 19h00: dinner. As mentioned above, you do not have to join the zodiac cruises or landings, should you prefer to stay on the ship.

Although the sea conditions are generally quite flat, it may, on occasion, get a little choppy out at sea and we recommend bringing sea sickness medication (consulting your doctor, beforehand), if you are prone to sea-sickness.

SAFETY

This cruise is considered very safe and safety should not be a concern when signing up. Polar Bear encounters are possible during our landings, however all precautions are taken to ensure this does not ever happen. If a Polar Bear is seen in the area (we’re hoping this happens for us) then we will not land at that site but may perhaps get closer on zodiac boats. Whenever we make a landing there will always be armed guides around who are trained in what to do should a Polar Bear show up!

Getting in and out of boats can, at times, be tricky. Sometimes we step off the zodiac boats onto slippery rocks or ice. There will always be a helping hand around to aid you as you climb into and out of the zodiac boats. Walking sticks may aid you on some of the tricker landings/walks. Should you prefer to skip any landings and rather stay on the ship, this is always possible.

WEATHER/CLIMATE   

Being an Arctic cruise, you should expect very cold weather conditions. However, our cruises take place in mid-summer and thus temperatures are generally not too extreme. Average temperatures in June and July (when our cruises depart) are around 36–48 ^oF (2–9 ^oC) but it will often drop below freezing. Precipitation, in the form of rain, sleet or snow is always possible and thus it is important to bring along an entirely waterproof ‘outer shell’ (trousers and a jacket). Any form of precipitation, or sea spray, together with a strong, biting wind can make it feel significantly colder and thus it is vital to dress adequately, especially on the zodiac cruises/landings. On some days the weather can be lovely and mild and, on these days, it is important to ensure you bring sunscreen along. The climate inside the ship is well maintained and always comfortable and so should things ever get too cold or wet out on deck, you can return to the warmth and comfort of indoors and watch wildlife from lounges etc.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation onboard the cruise ship is of a high standard and is very comfortable. Depending on your preference (and budget) it is possible to book a berth in a 4-sleeper cabin, 3-sleeper cabin, 2-sleeper cabin or to have a cabin to yourself. The entire range of accommodation options has plenty of cupboard and drawer space to unpack your bag for the week and there are multiple charging points in all the cabins.

We will be visiting the Arctic during the mid-summer which means 24 hours of daylight, despite this, sleeping is not normally an issue as all cabins have blackout curtains/blinds.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION IN LONGYEARBYEN

Once you have finalized your booking with us, we would recommend booking your domestic flight (from Oslo or Tromsø) as soon as possible, as flights get booked up very early during the busy summer season. This also applies to accommodation in Longyearbyen which also books up very early.

The cruise generally leaves late in the afternoon/evening and so it is possible to fly in on the same day as your cruise departure however we would strongly advise to arrive at least one day before your cruise departure. This is because there seem to be routine luggage issues from flights from Oslo, with luggage sometimes only arriving the day after your flight. An extra night or two in Longyearbyen is not a bad idea, with there being plenty of wildlife and birds to see and other activities which will easily keep you entertained. On one of these days, you could join us on a guided tour around the area, targeting a few species which are not always seen as close-by on the cruise (Rock Ptarmigan, Arctic Fox, etc)

Upon arrival at Longyearbyen airport, you can easily take the bus which stops at all the accommodation establishments and simply pay for this by credit card once you get onboard. Be sure to let the bus driver know which accommodation you are staying at though.

CURRENCY AND MONEY

For your time around Longyearbyen (before or after the cruises) it is possible to use Norwegian Krone (NOK), however everybody accepts and prefers to use credit cards. If you will only be on Svalbard (and not on the Norwegian mainland) it is actually suggested to not bother organizing cash, as all establishments (from taxi drivers, to vendors to restaurants) accept credit card, with some establishments not accepting cash at all! Longyearbyen is essentially a cashless society, with no ATMs existing on the archipelago.

While onboard the cruise ship, any extra expenses will be added to your bill which is to be settled at the end of the cruise, either by credit card, or cash (US dollars or euros). Credit card is again the preferred method of payment here. In fact, the only thing you would exclusively need cash for would be for gratuities.

ELECTRICITY

In Norway (including Svalbard) the power plugs and sockets are of Type F. The standard voltage is 230 volts (V), and the standard frequency is 50 hertz (Hz). Further details and photos of this plug can be found here.

Adaptors and voltage converters are likely to be needed for some visitors from overseas (e.g. if you are from the United States) — please be cautious with certain appliances that utilize different frequencies. You can use your electric appliances in Norway, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220–240 V (such as the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100–127 V (as is in the USA, Canada, and most South American countries), you will need a voltage converter in Norway, but please visit this website for specific details.

COMMUNICATION

In Longyearbyen, it is possible to buy a local SIM card which can be used around town, while on the ship cellphone/mobile connection is very limited and should not be relied upon. It is possible to buy data for Wi-Fi onboard the ship however the data packages are generally very expensive and we would suggest simply going offline for the week. For those who need to stay connected you can buy these data packages once onboard. Some ships offer small complimentary data packages.

MEALS

The food onboard is of an excellent quality, with a wide array of options to suite everyone’s requirements or taste. Breakfasts and lunches are generally a buffet with many options available, with dinners generally being a la carte, with meat, seafood and vegetarian options all available. Water and juice are provided free of charge with meals however any soft drinks or alcoholic beverages will be for your own account. The tap water onboard the ship is safe to drink and so we would recommend bringing along a water bottle which can be refilled, to take with you on landings and zodiac cruises.

WHAT TO BRING: CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS

If you plan to join any of the landings or zodiac cruises (highly recommended) it is mandatory to bring along a waterproof ‘outer shell’ which essentially means you must bring along waterproof trousers and a waterproof top (a jacket/poncho). With temperatures potentially getting below freezing (with the added effect of wind chill), it is important to bring along adequate clothing, with many clothing layers being the name of the game in the Arctic.

For those people who are a little unsteady on their feet, a walking/hiking pole will be a good idea.

Before our first landing, we will all be provided with strong, warm and waterproof Muck boots which are to be worn for all zodiac cruises and landings. The boots are supplied in a variety of sizes onboard and you are sure to be able to find a size that fits you well. For normal life onboard the ship, a comfortable pair of sneakers/trainers will be just fine. Sandals or slops are not recommended.

Although most wildlife and birds are very approachable and are often unphased by the presence of humans, which means you can get close to most wildlife, a telescope is recommended. Some animals, such as Polar Bears, are not allowed to be approached by large ships (beyond a certain buffer zone) and so a telescope will help here. Similarly, some of the seals in the pack ice are often only seen at distance and so a telescope will help aid identification. Our guide will ensure a telescope is taken along, for those who do not have a telescope or do not want to bring one along.

Download Svalbard (Spitsbergen) Cruise: Polar Bears and Seabirds Information