Spitsbergen Explorer

Multiple Departures
Start: Longyearbyen
Finish: Longyearbyen

Bear and Zodiac

Day 1

Embarkation: Longyearbyen

This small community of 1,000 souls is the largest community in the Svalbard islands. Please arrive in the morning as embarkation is in the early afternoon.

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Fog and Glacier

Day 2

Around Svalbard

This expedition’s goal is to explore the largest island in the archipelago, Spitsbergen, but we may visit some lesser islands if conditions permit. We’ll be sailing in a clockwise direction, hoisting our Zodiacs over the side for cruising or shore explorations from time to time.

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Kopiera Svalbard

Day 3-4

14th of July Glacier

Lying on the west coast of Spitsbergen, this magnificent ice cliff with the unusual name will be explored by Zodiacs cruising in the waters at its base. We’ll also visit Ny Alesund an international Arctic research station with a population of about 80 scientists and support staff. Birders should have their binoculars handy as this is known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings.

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Er-itinerary-day4

Day 5-6

Smeerenburg

On the northwest coast of Spitsbergen is Smeerenburg, once known as Blubber Town. Dutch whalers established the community in the 17th century. Blubber ovens, whalebones, and other remains of the whaling industry are still visible.

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Er-itinerary-day6

Day 7-8

Moffen Island

The temperature drops as we sail northward, crossing 80N, 965km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Moffen Island is a walrus sanctuary that we plan to visit on this expedition. On previous visits we have spotted polar bear and Sabine Gulls, in addition to walrus!

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Kittiwakes

Day 9-10

Bourbonhamna

There are so many islands in Svalbard that certain areas are known as Seven Islands and Thousand Islands. As we explore, you can expect to hike through geological formations five hundred million to a billion years old. Our Expedition Team will relate engrossing tales of Arctic exploration. We’ll be on the alert for beluga whales near Bourbonhamna. The “white whales” are the only whales able to nod and turn their heads sideways.

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Vavilov Kayaks

Day 11

Longyearbyen

Disembarkation will be in Longyearbyen.

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