Spring in Svalbard is characterized by a beautiful combination of snow, ice, and Midnight Sun. A fascinating contrast unfolds with the arrival of spring as majestic polar landscapes are illuminated by continuous daylight. Sea ice is at or near its annual maximum, drawing the ship north. If experiencing Arctic sea ice is on your bucket list, this is the perfect time to visit. Your Expedition Team and Bridge Officers consult the latest ice charts daily, as sea ice is incredibly dynamic and can drift dozens of kilometers in a day. The route depends on where sea ice offers the best opportunities for exploration and wildlife encounters. Sea ice serves as the primary hunting, resting, and traveling platform for iconic Arctic species, and spring offers the best chance to see it all. As you navigate the ice edge or even through it, spend time on deck with binoculars at the ready. Somewhere in the maze of marooned icebergs and pressure ridges, wildlife may appear, perhaps even polar bears drawn to the ice edge by the presence of seals, a primary food source. Watch for clues, shapes, and shadows that signal something special. While polar bears may be the main goal, you also spot walruses, Arctic foxes, and ivory gulls in addition to ringed and bearded seals. On shore, spring landscapes remain blanketed in snow, with many bays still filled with ice, crucial habitat for Arctic wildlife. This scenery embodies the word “pristine.” On sunny days, snowcapped ridges against cobalt skies are electric in their beauty. On cloudy days, the Arctic’s muted palette of whites, greys, and blues creates moody, powerful vistas. Photography tip: try switching your camera to black-and-white mode, as textures become dramatic and light behaves differently. Alongside drifting sea ice, you see icebergs and bergy bits, fragments of glacial ice originating deep in mountain valleys. Spring in the Arctic is also a time of awakening. As you travel, witness this seasonal transformation firsthand. Some slopes, beaches, and valleys melt faster than others, revealing bare ground untouched for months. Grasses and mosses emerge, seizing every opportunity to photosynthesize in the returning sunlight. Meltwater trickles grow into fast-flowing runoff, adding sound and motion to the awakening landscape. Yet spring remains cold. These areas may go through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, especially farther north and east. In Svalbard, this mesmerizing transition is vivid and inspiring, reminding you of the powerful rhythms of Arctic life. Spring also welcomes migratory birds and whales. Cliffsides become busy with seabirds such as little auks, guillemots, and kittiwakes returning to breed. Each day brings new arrivals. Nest-building, courting, and bird calls fill the air in a sensory-rich spectacle. When you encounter these colonies, pause. Put down your camera and simply observe the vibrant pulse of life, imagining the abundance of food required to feed so many birds and the chicks that will soon arrive. Whales also appear. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, some large migrators, such as blue whales, begin arriving in coastal waters by late spring. Others, like belugas, live year-round and may be spotted threading through sea ice. Each encounter, however brief, reminds you of the interconnectedness of Arctic ecosystems. With seven full expedition days in Svalbard, you explore a wide range of locations. The order of your route is shaped by daily sea ice conditions. Potential destinations include the spectacular fjord systems of Hornsund, Bellsund, Isfjorden, Krossfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Woodfjorden, Sorgfjorden, and others. These fjords feature dramatic mountains rising directly from the sea, folding into endless layers. Glaciers spill from the highlands, many reaching the water’s edge where they calve into the sea. Throughout Svalbard, you look for thriving seabird colonies and make regular landings along coasts and within fjords. Some outings take place on exposed rocky terrain, but most involve walking on snow. When conditions are safe and suitable, you may even set foot on the sea ice itself, an unforgettable moment that truly feels like walking on water.
