Realm of the Polar Bear in Depth

Your journey begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, where after arriving independently you will be transferred to the port for afternoon embarkation. Settle in to your new surroundings and prepare for adventure as your crew prepare the ship for departure in the evening.

Our itinerary over these days is dependent on ice, sea and weather conditions and will be determined on a day by day basis - this is true expedition sailing. Exploring as many remote areas as possible we will visit ice-covered fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers and spend time sailing through the ice in search of polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of the stops, we hope to see Arctic fox and Svalbard's unique reindeer, as well as visiting historical sites and learning about the area's distinctive tundra.

Ice conditions sometimes allow us to sail through Hinlopen Strait towards the east coast of Spitsbergen, then through Freemansundet towards the south. However this is not always the case and on many departures we decide to explore alternative routes to maximise our time in this remote destination. Early season voyages often provide the greatest opportunity to see large ice floes in the Arctic pack ice, which usually means excellent wildlife viewing. Later in the season we can cover more territory, which may allow us to explore the entire archipelago. This can lead us to the less explored regions of Nordaustlandet and Kvitoya, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings.

All the time, we are on the lookout for wildlife and with near 24 hour daylight, there are lots of opportunities, so be prepared to be called at any time for close up polar bear or whale sightings. We will also see lots of birds, including hopefully, the rare and lovely ivory gull, plus little auks, guillemots, puffins and more. Each day will be spent exploring by Zodiac or on foot experiencing once-in-a-lifetime encounters and scenic opportunities.

On the morning of day 11 your ship will have arrived back in Longyearbyen where sadly it is time to disembark and bid farewell to your new-found friends. A transfer will be provided to the airport for those with homeward flights or to a downtown location for those wishing to stay on in Longyearbyen to experience more of this unique town and the many Arctic adventures that it holds. For more information on land-based Arctic adventures available in Longyearbyen please talk to one of the Wildfoot team who will be happy to point you in the right direction.