Svalbard Pro – Land of the Polar Bears

We’ll meet in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, where you’ll be welcomed by our expert guide. After settling into the hotel, we’ll prepare for the incredible adventure ahead.

In the morning, we’ll take a short tour of Longyearbyen, followed by free time to explore the town’s shops. Don’t worry—we’ll tell you exactly where to find the best souvenirs (and where not to).

In the afternoon, we’ll board the ship and set sail after a safety briefing. As we leave the main fjord behind, we’ll head north along the dramatic western coast of Spitsbergen.

The voyage continues through the night under the Midnight Sun. And if we spot a polar bear on the very first night (or any night, really)—yes, we’ll wake you up. Excitedly.

By breakfast, we’ll be near the northwestern tip of Spitsbergen, close to Amsterdamøya and the site of Smeerenburg, the first Dutch settlement in the archipelago. This area has brought us several polar bear sightings in past expeditions.
From there, we’ll continue east toward one of our favorite locations—so special we won’t name it here—where we’ll visit a walrus colony and get remarkably close, as only we know how.
That night, we’ll sail toward the Hinlopen Strait.

In the morning, we’ll arrive at one of the most dramatic bird cliffs in the Arctic, home to millions of seabirds nesting during the short but intense summer. Arctic foxes are often spotted hunting below, and once, we even saw a polar bear climbing the cliff.
After lunch, we’ll explore a small bay known to deliver some of our best polar bear encounters. With a bit of luck, we’ll meet them again—drawn by a unique set of natural conditions.
We’ll spend the night in this special location to increase our chances of additional sightings.
(And yes—the sun still doesn’t set.)

We’ll begin the day at Edgeøya in search of polar bears and a visit to a large and impressive walrus colony.
After lunch, we’ll reach another massive bird cliff nestled among the rocks, where hundreds of thousands of gulls nest—a loud and spectacular sight.
In the evening and overnight, we’ll sail westward from the eastern islands, back toward Spitsbergen’s main island, scanning for polar bears in an area known for denning during the winter. Some families remain in this region through the summer.

We’ll spend more time along Spitsbergen’s eastern coast, sailing northward toward the Hinlopen Strait. Along the way, we’ll navigate narrow passages and island channels, reaching an area affectionately known as “Bear Bay.”
Why the name? Seals love this bay—and where there are seals, polar bears are never far behind.
By night, we’ll continue northeast, toward Svalbard’s second-largest island.

We’ll enjoy breakfast with an unforgettable view: the towering face of the third-largest ice cap in the world, located in northeast Spitsbergen.
The edge of the ice cap forms a massive, active wall with cascading meltwater and crashing icebergs—an awe-inspiring display of Arctic melt and climate change.
Later, we’ll sail into the island’s main fjord to search for polar bears and witness another side of the rapidly melting ice sheet.
By evening, we’ll head further north to Nordaustlandet’s northeastern tip and the “Seven Islands”—the northernmost point of our journey.
Here, we may visit additional walrus colonies and, if we’re lucky, spot belugas, as we’ve seen on past expeditions.
Overnight, we’ll begin sailing west.

We’ll start the day in Liefdefjorden, with breakfast facing one of the most stunning glaciers in Svalbard—Monaco Glacier. We’ll go ashore for a scenic hike before continuing, over lunch, to the protected nature reserve of Moffen Island.
Due to strict conservation regulations, we can’t land—but we’ll enjoy incredible walrus viewing from the ship, as this is one of the best spots in the Arctic to see them.
In the afternoon, we’ll sail west toward Magdalena Fjord, one of the most beautiful fjords in the region, where we’ll visit after dinner and continue sailing overnight.

By morning, we’ll reach King’s Bay and the world’s northernmost settlement—Ny-Ålesund, home to just 35 residents, most of whom are researchers from leading global universities.
Going ashore depends on the mayor’s approval, so it’s not guaranteed. Across from the village lies an island that serves as a nesting ground for barnacle geese and the red-throated diver—two species with fascinating behaviors.
We’ll then continue deeper into the fjord toward the spectacular 14th of July Glacier, named after France’s Bastille Day. We’ll go ashore for a short hike to a breathtaking viewpoint.

Today we’ll explore Van Mijenfjord and Cape Miller—home to a unique bird colony that nests only in this region.
We may also encounter Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, and other northern wildlife.

We’ll continue south to a towering bird cliff, known for its many Arctic fox dens. Thanks to the western sun, the lighting will be perfect for photography.
We’ll land for a gentle one-kilometer uphill hike and spend time watching playful fox pups in the wild—stay as long as you like.
In the evening, we’ll return to the ship for dinner and begin sailing into Isfjorden. We’ll wrap up the expedition with a farewell lecture and crew appreciation.
Our final night will be spent anchored as we pack up and prepare to say goodbye.

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye—at least for now—to the ship and crew, and head to either the airport or back into Longyearbyen for some final exploration before your flight.
You’ll leave with your heart full, memory cards overflowing, and stories that will stay with you forever.

Please note: This itinerary is a statement of intent and is subject to change based on weather, wildlife conditions, guide and captain decisions, and other factors.