Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest

Start the adventure in Norway and travel to Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Experience the warmth of Nordic hospitality amid the stark Arctic landscape. Take in the crisp polar air, snowcapped peaks, and the famous polar bear warning sign marking the gateway to the wild. Board the Ocean Albatros anchored in the harbor and raise a toast as the voyage departs from civilization into the untamed Arctic wilderness.

Sail through the Arctic “night” past Prins Karls Forland toward the magnificent Kongsfjord, where towering glaciers and the striking Three Crowns mountains dominate the horizon. Explore Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on the planet, once a base for legendary explorers such as Amundsen and Nansen. Discover its fascinating history and ongoing role as a hub for groundbreaking polar research surrounded by awe-inspiring Arctic scenery.

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, ever-changing 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 the 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 you may visit include the geological marvels and walrus colonies at Andréetangen and Kapp Lee, or the vast bird colonies at Sundneset, before you 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, enter Forlandssundet, the strait which separates Prince Karls Forland from Spitsbergen. The 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, return southwards during the afternoon into Isfjorden, all the while on the lookout for wildlife and spectacular views as you return to civilization.

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

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