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Svalbard Travel Articles

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Svalbard Travel Articles

Glaciers and beautiful arctic tundra.

The Best Time to Visit Svalbard and Spitsbergen

The best time to visit Svalbard and Spitzbergen is between June and September as it is high season for cruises, the wildlife is active, the ice flows have melted, and the days are long.
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Viking Fjord sailing through the Arctic

Why Svalbard's Smallest Expedition Ships Offer Its Best Experience

Discover why a small-ship Svalbard cruise offers greater flexibility, longer shore landings, and closer wildlife encounters than larger vessels. Compare Svalbard tours and explore the Arctic with just 12 guests aboard.
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Travelers taking photos in Arctic while riding in a zodiac.

Traveling with an Arctic Photography Guide: What It Actually Changes

Discover how expert photography guidance, small-ship access, and Arctic conditions help travelers capture stronger images.
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A close-up photo of a walrus.

Svalbard's Wildlife: Further Beyond the Polar Bear Than You'd Expect

Most travelers associate Svalbard with polar bears, but the archipelago supports a surprisingly rich Arctic ecosystem. Learn about Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, whales, and vast seabird colonies while exploring how seasonal conditions, pack ice, and conservation regulations shape unforgettable wildlife encounters.
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Henry's Trip to the Arctic

Traveling to the Arctic With Kids

Planning a family trip to Svalbard? Discover what it’s like traveling to the Arctic with kids, from slower hikes to wildlife encounters and ship life. This guide explores how an Arctic family vacation creates meaningful moments, builds stronger bonds, and turns an Arctic expedition for families into a shared adventure.
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Penguins and our Antarctica ship!

Choosing the Right Svalbard Expedition Ship

Not all Arctic cruises feel the same. Discover how three distinct expedition ships in Svalbard differ in comfort, pace, amenities, and time ashore. Whether you prefer modern design, refined luxury, or hands-on exploration, this guide helps you choose the experience that fits your travel style.
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Walking through vast arctic landscapes.

The Best Time to Visit Svalbard and Spitsbergen

Between June and September is the best time to visit Svalbard and Spitsbergen as it is high season for cruises, the wildlife is active, the ice flows have melted, and the days are long.
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Glass-still waters around Spitsbergen

Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands

Discover where Svalbard is, who lives there, and fascinating facts about Svalbard’s culture, history, people and wildlife in this remote Arctic archipelago.
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All Svalbard Stories

Svalbard Travel Stories

Zen zodiac ride at Monacobreen Glacier in Svalbard

Sister Adventure in the Arctic

We spent a week in pure luxury with Ponant Expeditions as we explored the frozen north!
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Svalbard: Polar Bear Adventure

In early June, I ventured to the High Arctic with Quark Expeditions aboard the Ocean Explorer, exploring the dramatic wilderness of Svalbard. Cruising through ice-choked fjords under the midnight sun, we were treated to unforgettable polar bear sightings, hunting from fast ice. It was a true Arctic safari, filled with awe, wildlife, and the raw …
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Reindeer overlooking ice landing towards snow mountains in Svalbard.

Early Season Svalbard

Follow along my journey to the Svalbard Archipelago in the Norwegian Arctic, also known as the "gateway to the North Pole," and a wildlife paradise aboard the new expedition ship, the Ultramarine with Quark Expeditions. A weeklong voyage that highlighted the incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes and incredible history of the Arctic in Spring. …
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Excursions at Isbjornhamna

A Very Cold Week in June

It's one of those magical destinations I never really thought I would visit: THE ARCTIC (with a bonus stop over in Iceland!) Our time aboard the Ocean Endeavor was nothing short but awesome! We learned about the land and the wildlife, such as polar bears, walruses and birds. We had a very good time!
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Glass-still waters around Spitsbergen
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TrustScore 4.9 | 1047 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
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Based on 1047 reviews on
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1 week ago
Shannon was always quick to reply to my questions and her honest answers helped us identify the right trip for us. Off to a great start!
Lisa Jibson
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3 weeks ago
Erin is absolutely THE BEST. She is so knowledgeable and easy to work with. She listens to what we want and taylors her information to suit our needs. She is prompt in replying to my e-mails.
Carla
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1 month ago
great travel company. We called for a last minute trip to Svalbard. Kevin gave great advice and worked fast, and emailed promptly. He even got us some last minute discounts. Highly recommend! We also traveled through Adventure Life on another Arctic cruise, and they supported us through some trying circumstances.
Karen G
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1 month ago
It was a great experience arranging our Svalbard wildlife cruise (Around Spitzbergen - in the reals of polar bear and ice, on MV Plancius) with Adventure Life. They are very reliable with information and trustworthy with payment handling. We organised this trip one year ahead and we were kept up to date all the way. Our dedicated travel advisor, Chloe made our travel experience extra convenient and super easy. Very happy with Adventure Life's service and support. Would recommend them 100% to everybody.❤️
Aindrila Chakrabarti
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2 months ago
Wonderful and very Memorable trip! Both me and my wife enjoyed the incredible scenery, excursion and good company or people we met. Some confusion on Svalbard arrangements but they were eventually resolved. More than happy to recommend to others
Raj Kamdar

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