about the arctic

Arctic Information

The Arctic, the land of the midnight sun, of snow and ice, offers some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Visitors to the region can witness enormous colonies of seabirds thronging the cliffs and shores, and enjoy the thrilling antics of whales at sea, and seals and walruses hauled out on rocks and ice-floes. The proximity of the pack-ice offers spectacular cruising between ice-floes. The lucky may even encounter the very symbol of the Arctic – the polar bear.

The High Arctic is best explored on an arctic cruise vessel from June to September, as the pack ice recedes. From the decks of huge ice breakers to luxury cruise ships to converted research ships, there’s a lot to explore in the waters of the high Arctic. The Arctic is a region of wild beauty and frozen landscapes inhabited not only by unique Arctic wildlife, but also, in Greenland, by hardy native people, who maintain traditional cultures at the same time as embracing modern enhancements in lifestyle and communication.

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Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

The most accessible part of the Arctic region and the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, a world of dazzling glaciers, ice-plateaux and snow-capped peaks. With its deep fjords, sweeping tundra and summer alpine meadows of wildflowers, the archipelago has a population of just 3,500 people in five settlements. Enjoy an Arctic cruise amongst the islands and discover huge Arctic seabird colonies. Little auks and Brunnich’s guillemot along with more familiar species such as puffins. Long-tailed and other skuas patrol the tundra and fjords looking for chicks and lemmings whilst the pure white ivory gull nests in small colonies. Animal life abounds too including eindeer, Arctic fox, walrus, seals, whales and polar bears and delicate flowers carpet the land in spring. 

Spitsbergen is arguably the finest region in the Arctic to observe Polar Bears, whales plus other rich birdlife and wildlife at close quarters – a must for wildlife photographers! For keen birders early season is more favourable.

Greenland

Greenland is the largest island in the world. It stretches from 60º to 83º north latitude and Kap Farvel, its southern tip, is located at almost the same latitude as the Shetland Islands. The extreme north of Greenland is the northernmost point of land on Earth. Greenland is also dominated by the second largest ice-sheet in the world, covering more than 80% of its surface area. Although huge in size, it is inhabited by less than 60,000 people.The coastline of Greenland is varied and spectacular. Heavily indented with numerous fjords, it consists of high mountains, 2000 metre (6500 feet) high cliffs and innumerable glaciers. The large glaciers produce the huge, cathedral-like icebergs that are abundant in Greenland's Arctic waters. The largest fjord is Scoresby Sund at more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) long.The Inuit are the indigenous people of Greenland and are traditionally subsistence hunters, living primarily from whales, walrus, reindeer, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals.

Russian Far East

If you want to experience the Arctic further from the beaten track, especially if you are in search of rare birds and other spectacular wildlife, Wildfoot Travel offers you unrivalled opportunities with a Russian Far East cruise, on small ship cruise expeditions in the Kuril Islands, around the Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka including the Commander Islands, Chukotka and through the Bering Straits into the Arctic.

Russia is a huge country, covering nine time zones and in the north-east, they have a saying “God is a long way up there, but Moscow is even further away” that is true in so many respects. The Russian Far East is unique, the culture, the climate, the history, the wildlife; it is a world away from the Russia of the West, the Urals or the Steppes.

Canadian Arctic

The realm of the polar bear, the ultimate Arctic predator. Gyrfalcons and snowy owls hunt whilst the seas contain the Arctic whales – narwhals, belugas, and the endangered northern right whale (bowhead). Geese and ducks nest across these chilly lands; reindeer graze on the sparse vegetation and the other Arctic gulls, the exquisite Sabine’s and the diminutive Ross’s, can also be seen.

Arctic Wildlife

The following are just a few of the animals and birds that can be seen in the Arctic:

• Bears. Polar bears in Svalbard and Canada, Grizzly or Brown in Canada and Alaska
• Whales. Northern Right (Bowhead), Humpback, Beluga, Orca, Narwhal
• Walrus
• Seals
• Arctic Fox
• Musk Ox
• Caribou (Reindeer)
• Birds. Many species can be seen including rare birds such as Sabine’s Gull, Ross’s Gull, Gyrfalcon, Peregrine Falcon, Puffin, Auklet, Snowy Owl.

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Activities, Adventure & Excursions

Although an arctic cruise is an exhilarated experience in itself, the more adventurous of you may want to enjoy the Arctic in a more personal and 'up-close' manner. If you fall into this category, then we offer the following Arctic excursions:

• Kayaking in the Arctic
• Scuba Diving in the Arctic
• Arctic Shore Excursions
• Arctic Photography Excursions
• Arctic Group Excursions
• Arctic land Based Activities

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Arctic Cruises

As on of the UK's foremost Arctic cruise specialists, our vast experience in the cruise and expedition market enables us to provide you with the information you require before you set off on your Arctic adventure. Read our 'Essential Information' section which offers a complete guide to create the perfect Arctic cruise. If you want to know about what you can expect during A 'Typical' Day On Board And Arctic Cruise', please read our 'Life on Board' section.
Essential Info Life on board Luxury

From the UK, most Arctic expeditions are to and around Svalbard. Earlier in the season, trips are limited to specific areas of the coast due to the density of the ice pack. However, by mid season, it is usually possible to circumnavigate Spitsbergen on longer itineraries.

Greenland is the next most popular destination and here the emphasis is on native culture, as well as scenery and wildlife.

The High Arctic is best explored from June to September, as the pack ice recedes. From the decks of huge ice breakers to luxury cruise ships to converted research ships, there’s a lot to explore. The Arctic is a region of wild beauty and frozen landscapes inhabited not only by unique wildlife, but also, in Greenland, by hardy native peoples, who maintain traditional cultures at the same time as embracing modern enhancements in lifestyle and communication.

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• The Arctic contains all of the area of Earth located above latitude 66º 33 North.
• The Arctic is primarily a thick flow of ice over the Arctic Ocean.
• The Arctic includes Greenland, which is largely covered by a 1 mile thick slab of ice.
• Greenland received its name from the Vikings who were trying to attract settlers. Most of the Viking settlers died.

• More fish live along the edges of the Arctic Ocean than anywhere else on Earth.
• The average winter temperature in the Arctic is minus 34ºC.
• During summer, the temperature can climb to over 20ºC.
• The Arctic is the only place polar bears live.
• Unlike Antarctica, people live in the Arctic Circle.