PolarQuest

Story

PolarQuest begins its journey in 1999, founded by two experienced polar guides with a passion for sharing the world's most breathtaking wilderness through small-ship expedition cruises. For more than 25 years, PolarQuest has guided adventurous travelers through the Arctic and Antarctica while remaining committed to the same core values of small groups, passionate guides, and unforgettable wildlife and nature experiences. Every expedition emphasizes flexibility, closer contact with nature, and more time exploring ashore, allowing you to experience the Polar Regions in a more authentic and meaningful way. Small expedition vessels carrying as few as 12 guests in the Arctic and no more than 78 in Antarctica create intimate encounters with remarkable wildlife and pristine landscapes. Skilled expedition guides, efficient Zodiac excursions, and carefully adapted itineraries based on weather, ice, and wildlife ensure every voyage is unique. Sustainability remains at the heart of every expedition, with emissions measured and supported through climate projects that reduce environmental impact. As a founding member of the Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators (AECO) in 2003, PolarQuest continues to promote safe, environmentally responsible tourism that protects the fragile Arctic environment. As part of the Unlimited Travel Group, PolarQuest continues to inspire travelers through expert guidance, exceptional service, and a lasting passion for the Polar Regions.

Mission

PolarQuest inspires you to discover the Arctic and Antarctica through small-ship expeditions that bring you closer to nature, wildlife, and the extraordinary beauty of the polar world. Every journey combines experienced guides, flexible itineraries, immersive Zodiac excursions, and personalized service to create unforgettable adventures while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism. Through environmental stewardship and a deep respect for the Polar Regions, PolarQuest helps you experience these remarkable destinations while contributing to their long-term protection.

Vision

PolarQuest envisions a future where every polar expedition creates lifelong ambassadors for the Arctic and Antarctica through meaningful exploration, environmental awareness, and authentic wildlife encounters. By combining expert leadership, sustainable practices, small-group experiences, and a passion for discovery, PolarQuest continues to help you explore Earth's most remote wilderness while preserving its natural wonders for future generations.

Sustainability on board

• AECO & IAATO - PolarQuest is one of the eight companies that founded the Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators (AECO) in 2003, to regulate tourism in Svalbard and promote sustainable, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the area. The organization strives to conduct expeditions with the utmost respect for nature and wildlife. One part is carefully developed guidelines that all members are to follow during cruises and landings. Today, AECO is a respected representative of the cruise industry and an invaluable support to operators who wish to conduct responsible tourism in the Arctic.
• SVALBARD ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND - For each passenger travelling with us to Svalbard PolarQuest pays NOK 150 to the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund. The fund’s resources will be uses to initiate and stimulate good projects and initiatives with the purpose of looking after the lofty environmental goals for Svalbard. Since the fee was introduced in 2007, PolarQuest has contributed with more than two million Swedish Krona.
• DATA FOR RESEARCH - For over a decade, PolarQuest has contributed data on all marine mammals observed during our expeditions. The information is sent to the Norwegian Polar Institute and used as a basis for their research.
• CLEAN UP SVALBARD - Northbound sea currents are transporting an increased amount of garbage from all over the world to the pristine and vulnerable Arctic. It is upsetting to see the polluted coastlines, but unfortunately it has become a quite common sight. Even worse, it is a growing problem for the wildlife, who risks getting caught in fishing nets or eat plastics. Micro plastics seems to become a bigger threat to our eco system than we ever could have imagined. PolarQuest and our travellers have always collected garbage during our expeditions and today we do so through the project Clean Up Svalbard. Through the years we have collected tons, but our aim is to become even better.

Ambassadors for the Polar Regions
Sustainability is at the heart of everything PolarQuest does. We travel in small groups and strive to have minimal impact on the environment. Travelling on a small expedition ship also offers a relaxed atmosphere, greater focus on the destination and more time ashore. During a trip we experience breath-taking nature, glaciers, pack-ice, icebergs and a fascinating wildlife. We observe in awe! But not only the beauty of nature stirs up emotions. Garbage from all parts of the world travel with sea currents and end up along the beaches of Svalbard. It surprises and angers the visitors of the pristine Arctic.

Our aim is that our travellers get a new understanding of the eco system and the challenges the we are facing as our planet is getting warmer. Once back home, we hope that our travellers become worthy ambassadors of the Polar Regions and spread the word of these vulnerable areas. A deeper awareness hopefully leads to a broader interest for nature conservation and inspires to lifestyle changes. After all, it is how we think and act in our everyday responsibilities that have the biggest impact.

Travel with Awareness
The mean temperature is rising and the glaciers are melting. Micro plastics and chemicals are polluting our seas and the world needs to make an instant change. PolarQuest has the privilege to visit the parts of the world that are most exposed to climate change – the Arctic and Antarctic. A journey through these spectacular wildernesses evokes a lot of feelings and creates memories for life. Help us to preserve it for generations to come!

Tourism holds a great responsibility when it comes to education and making observations and is one of few businesses that gains on preserving the areas we visit. It is a necessity for our survival. We as trip operators, can observe both changes in the environment as well as other industries and how they act.

We travel in small groups and strive to have minimal impact on the environment. Our ships in Svalbard take 12 or 50 passengers and if you ask us, small expedition ships are the most sustainable way to explore the wildlife and nature of Svalbard. Imagine, viewing a walrus in a group of 10–50 passengers, or to do so in a group of 250–500 passengers!

Investing in the Environment
As operators of expedition cruises, we cannot avoid emitting greenhouse gases. Until renewable fuels are available in our line of business, we have chosen to carbon offset our emissions and invest in projects with positive effects on nature, to be transparent with our emissions and to do our best to reduce our emissions continuously. PolarQuest has, in cooperation with South Pole, measured all our emissions from flights, over-land transports, expedition cruises, meals and hotel nights as well as our office’s climate impact.

The projects that PolarQuest invests in have been developed by South Pole. 

Giving Back
Are you doing research within sustainable development? Or do you work with sustainability in other ways? If so, you are welcome to apply for a place on one of our Arctic trips. Every year PolarQuest offers a free berth to someone who’s work contributes to a sustainable planet.