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Witnessing a polar bear in its natural habitat with a small group of like-minded explorers is a truly remarkable experience. The sea ice to the north of Svalbard extends all the way to the North Pole. In calm conditions, it is possible to explore it by Zodiac landing craft. Early season in May and June is recommended for the best chances of encountering ice.
Svalbard Cruises in 2024
Svalbard expedition enables tourists to exclusively observe different Arctic animals and sea mammals in their natural habitat. Prepare to meet polar bears, blue and white arctic foxes, reindeer, seals, walruses, and whales. Svalbard is an untamed Arctic wilderness and on every cruise we do we encounter different wildlife.
See the highlights you may experience:
Iceland is great for landscapes and seabirds, whilst Norway offer some of the best fjords on the planet. Situated north of mainland Europe, Svalbard is an Norwegian archipelago of islands that range from 74° to 81° north latitude, and from 10° to 35° east longitude. The administrative centre of the archipelago is called Longyearbyen which sits on Svalbard's largest island - Spitsbergen.
Arctic Islands Discovery Iceland, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen: Eastbound
Norway to ban Arctic cruise passengers from remote islands - New Zealand Herald
Norway to ban Arctic cruise passengers from remote islands.
Posted: Sun, 18 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
However, the major reason Svalbard cruises are so popular is thanks to the archipelago's abundance of Polar bears. With some 3,000 Polar bears scatted throughout the islands, a Svalbard cruise offers up just about the best chance to see a Polar bear aboard a cruise anywhere in the world. Perhaps we’ll head to the immense Bråsvellbreen glacier to see waterfalls tumbling into the icy depths, or to Kvitøy to look for polar bears roaming the ice. Heading south, we may explore Freemansundet and Kapp Lee, or take our small expedition boats to Edgeøya or Barentsøya. The islands were named Spitsbergen ("sharp-pointed mountains") by a Norwegian, Wilhelm Barentz, in 1596 and were soon after visited in 1605 by Henry Hudson, who reported an abundance of whales. A whaling industry established by the Dutch, English, Norwegians and Russians began almost immediately and expanded to include the trapping of walruses and seals.
Exploring the east
Hiking ashore at the Lofoten archipelago is another popular excursion, which combines a landscape of picturesque villages ringed by jagged, granite peaks. Plus, there’s the popular hiking trail through Hellemobotn Valley, which reaches almost to the Swedish border. Cruise passengers can explore this region on land excursions with naturalist guides. Even if you are travelling in the height of summer, there are some pieces of clothing you'll still require for your Svalbard cruise.
If you are interested in glaciers, Svalbard is one of the best places on earth to witness their raw beauty. Svalbard is easy to reach, considering how far north and remote it is, with daily flights from Oslo, Norway. I look back on a fantastic experience, during which the awareness of human behavior on this vulnerable planet (and especially the Arctic) became very clear to me.
Scouting the Eastern Lands
Already back in the protection of Isfjorden, we will find peaceful landing sites to hike or simply relax and take it all in. Offering the best possible closure to our experience before heading back to civilization. Today’s activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions in Isfjord.
Svalbard cruise season in full swing, but unlikely to hit pre-pandemic record - The Independent Barents Observer
Svalbard cruise season in full swing, but unlikely to hit pre-pandemic record.
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer pass by. Admire the polar bear–inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum. After breakfast, it’s time to explore the world’s northernmost town, a colorful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles. If the weather changes during our outing we will head back to the ship and perhaps join a shore excursion. The ship’s captain, expedition leader and kayak guide always maintain close contact to ensure a safe paddling experience.
Kingdom of the Ice Bear
Visiting can be a lucky dip because of heavy ice, fog, rough waters and unprotected beaches. The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), supporting breeding colonies of thick-billed guillemots, black guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes. Svalbard is large and diverse, showcasing nature’s surprisingly rich and varied landscapes. Life may be perceived as harsh, but for those fortunate enough to live here, it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else. Its inhabitants strive to live as one with nature, working in harmony to uphold their unique way of life throughout the enormous seasonal variations in temperature, light and darkness. Svalbard is large and diverse, showcasing nature’s surprisingly rich and extremely varied landscapes.
It doesn’t hurt that the landscape is also pretty epic, with Norwegian fjords, soaring cliffs and tumbling cascades of waterfalls. The wildlife, landscape, and prime light from the summer’s midnight sun make this a popular itinerary for both seasoned and amateur photographers. Flexibility is key with the chance of bears and changing weather conditions, but with plenty of choices in this large fjord complex. Zodiac cruises are popular, including Monacobreen glacier at the end of Liefdelfjorden, and the islands of Andøyane, a great area for a range of birds, including King Eider. The large and impressive wooden hut at Mushamna on the NE side of Woodfjorden.
Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, absorbing the majestic scenery as it unfolds before you. The islands also became a base for polar research, as they lie halfway between the top of Norway and the North Pole. A number of expeditions by sea and early 20th-century airship flights left from Spitsbergen. In 1906, an American entrepreneur named John Monro Longyear established a coal-mining industry there, and he named what would become the island capital, Longyear City (now officially Longyearbyen). Norwegian and Russian interests also established mining claims, and the Russians still operate a mine at Barentsburg. Situated in Hinlopenstretet on the NE side of Spitsbergen, the cliffs are home to around 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots, numerous kittiwakes, and Glaucous Gulls and kittiwakes.
A few cruises get the chanceto visit the base and to go up to the Little Auk colony. The World’s northernmost year-round community and a site of cultural importance with layers of history. Originally it was a remote coal mining town, known as Kings Bay, until a serious accident in 1962. It is also a site of cultural significance with the foundations of a Pomor dwelling and several hunters cabin including a hexagonal shaped hut that is right next to the Walrus haul out. Just above the shoreline on nearby beach are the remains of a Bow Head Whale where the carcass must have drifted ashore long ago.
The Waggonwaybreen glacier has been retreating and ships can get quite close to witness carvings, a floating platform on the part of the open fjord that was covered by the glacier just a few years ago. Under the waves there is an ever present chance of beluga, humpback, minke and blue whales, while orca are also regular visitors. There are more polar bears here than there are people, and while we can’t guarantee sightings you would be unlucky to not see a bear, especially on the longer trips.
There’s huge variation in the expedition cruise market, from luxury vessels to smaller, specialist icebreakers. They will also offer typical cruise ship entertainment and facilities including evening shows, live music, spa treatments, and kids clubs, so may be preferable for families. Ecotourism is becoming popular in Svalbard, with a number of larger ships now travelling into the ... From the pristine polar landscapes and hardy Arctic wildlife to the historic wooden trapper cabins that prove humanity’s resilience, Svalbard is rightly a dream destination for many curious travelers. The average temperature in Longyearbyen during the summer season is between 3°С and 7°С. And the average summer temperature in Barentsburg is usually between 4°С and 8°С.
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