Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest

Begin your journey in Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views, and a polar bear warning sign reminding visitors of their wild new location. Your expedition ship awaits you in the harbor; toast your departure from civilization as you sail into the Arctic wilderness, on course for adventure!

During the Arctic “night,” we sail past Prins Karls Forland to the stunning Kongsfjord, framed by glaciers and the dramatic Three Crowns mountains. The first stop is Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost settlement, known for its scientific stations and historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings.

North West Svalbard, a National Park since 1973, preserves a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling. First visited by William Barents in 1596, the area became a hub for Dutch and English whalers. Their haunting remnants, such as the blubber ovens, and graves of young sailors at Smeerenburg, remain visible. Now heavily protected, the region has been reclaimed by nature, hosting Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears, making it once again a pristine wilderness and haven for wildlife.

The Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard is a vast, everchanging wilderness, shifting seasonally and stretching beyond the North Pole to Alaska and Siberia. Though seemingly barren, this icy habitat supports diverse wildlife, from fish and seabirds, to seals, belugas, and bowhead whales, and is the preferred hunting ground of polar bears. The Ocean Albatros navigates through ice channels to explore this remote environment, hunting for wildlife, ending the day cruising toward the Hinlopen Strait between the islands of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet.

From the Arctic ice, the journey continues into Hinlopen Strait, where towering cliffs host some of the world’s largest seabird colonies, crowded with guillemots and fulmars amid predatory skuas and gulls. The unearthly polar deserts of northeast Svalbard are surrounded by iceberg-studded seas, where vibrant marine life thrives. Walruses rest onshore, belugas frolic in pods, and scampering shore birds feast on the beaches, showcasing Svalbard’s rich biodiversity despite the harsh Arctic conditions.

In Eastern Svalbard, cold polar waters meet the weak last gasp of the Gulf Stream, and the ocean remains icy even under the midnight sun. On Edgeøya, evidence of past large-scale walrus and beluga hunting contrasts with today’s strict wildlife protections and extensive nature reserves. Highlights we may visit include the geological marvels and walrus colonies at Andréetangen and Kapp Lee, or the vast bird colonies at Sundneset, before we return toward the main island of Spitzbergen via Sørkapp.

After rounding the southern tip of Spitsbergen, the expedition enters the greener, warmer fjords of Bellsund and Hornsund, nourished by Atlantic currents. These fertile valleys support reindeer, Arctic foxes, nesting seabirds, and drifting icebergs from nearby glaciers. Rich in wildlife and history, the area offers highlights like the grassy meadows of Vårsolbukta and the historic sites of Calypsobyen and Bamsebu, making it one of Svalbard’s most diverse and captivating regions.

During the night we will enter Forlandssundet, the strait which separates Prince Karls Forland from Spitsbergen. Our destinations may include Poolepynten (Poole Point), a small headland named after the British whaler Jonas Poole. Today the area is inhabited by herds of walruses who can be seen (and smelled!) from a distance. The large mammals flaunt their tusks and whiskers, as well as their considerable bulk. The remote beaches, rugged mountains, and tundra plains of the region positively beg to be explored! From Forlandsundet, we will return southwards during the afternoon into Isfjorden, all the while on the lookout for wildlife and spectacular views as we return to civilization.

On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive back in Longyearbyen. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic!

After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew and your fellow Arctic explorers, return to Svalbard Airport and join your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime.