Around Spitsbergen, in the Icy Realm of the Polar Bear

Embark on a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen to explore the polar world. Discover towering glaciers, deep fjords, and iconic wildlife including polar bears, walruses, and whales in the remote Svalbard archipelago.


Svalbard
OEX © Josh Harrison

Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch site of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear.

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Starts: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Ends: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Language: English Speaking Voyage

Some outings have bilingual assistance in German
The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included


This voyage offers a complete circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, providing a total immersion in the High Arctic. Through Zodiac excursions, passengers will be able to get up close to massive glacier fronts such as the Monaco Glacier and navigate amongst icebergs in spectacular fjords such as Hornsund and Krossfjorden. The expedition reaches latitudes close to 80° north, exploring the Seven Islands, an area where sea ice and polar desert landscapes create the perfect setting for encounters with the region’s most iconic wildlife, from reindeer and arctic foxes to herds of walruses and the majestic polar bear.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, the itinerary takes in sites of great historical significance, such as Ny Ålesund, the world’s northernmost research settlement and a former base for polar explorers. The cliffs of Alkefjellet offer an unrivalled birdwatching spectacle, home to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots, whilst the remains of the whaling era in Bell Sund serve as a reminder of the region’s past. The experience is complemented by walks across the tundra, where you can observe Arctic flora and enjoy the serenity of one of the wildest and best-preserved environments on the planet.

Highlights:
Full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen exploring its most iconic fjords and glaciers.
Observation of polar bears, walruses, whales, and reindeer in their natural habitat.
Visit to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost scientific research center on Earth.
Massive bird watching opportunities at the famous Alkefjellet cliffs.
Exploration of polar desert landscapes and Arctic tundra through Zodiac landings.

Itinerary

© www.MarkusEichenberger.com
© OEX
© Arjen Drost-Oceanwide Expeditions

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

Day 2 - 9: Clockwise circumnavigation of West Spitsbergen
Glaciers, history, and Arctic wildlife
Heading north, you reach Krossfjorden and Ny Ålesund, a research center and former starting point for polar explorers. You sail to the massive Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjorden, an active feeding ground for kittiwakes and a hunting spot for polar bears. The journey reaches the Seven Islands at 80° north, just 870 km from the geographic North Pole.

You explore the Hinlopen Strait, home to seals and birds at the Alkefjellet cliffs. In the east, Edgeøya and Barentsøya are visited, where reindeer and walruses abound in polar deserts. The route continues to Hornsund, known as the "land of pointed mountains" with its 14 glaciers. Finally, Bell Sund is visited to explore historic whaling remains and observe lush tundra vegetation before heading back north.

Day 10: There and back again
Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Every adventure must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories of the Arctic's wildest landscapes and wildlife.

Itinerary

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

Day 2 - 9: Clockwise circumnavigation of West Spitsbergen
Glaciers, history, and Arctic wildlife
Heading north, you reach Krossfjorden and Ny Ålesund, a research center and former starting point for polar explorers. You sail to the massive Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjorden, an active feeding ground for kittiwakes and a hunting spot for polar bears. The journey reaches the Seven Islands at 80° north, just 870 km from the geographic North Pole.

You explore the Hinlopen Strait, home to seals and birds at the Alkefjellet cliffs. In the east, Edgeøya and Barentsøya are visited, where reindeer and walruses abound in polar deserts. The route continues to Hornsund, known as the "land of pointed mountains" with its 14 glaciers. Finally, Bell Sund is visited to explore historic whaling remains and observe lush tundra vegetation before heading back north.

Day 10: There and back again
Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Every adventure must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories of the Arctic's wildest landscapes and wildlife.


© www.MarkusEichenberger.com
© OEX
© Arjen Drost-Oceanwide Expeditions


INCLUSIONS

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Complimentary use of waterproof neoprene expedition muck boots and snowshoes.
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) to and from Longyearbyen.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity. All guests receive 1.5 GB of data usage per day, which resets every 24 hours.
Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition.

EXCLUSIONS

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).


Dates & Rates


Ship: Hondius | Date: 27 Jun 2026 - 06 Jul 2026 (3512)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
Twin Window
$9,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
Superior
$11,250
Junior Suite
$12,800
Grand Suite
$13,900
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 03 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026 (4019)
Quad Porthole
$6,000
$5,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
$6,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
$7,600
Twin Window
$9,350
$8,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
$9,050
Superior
$11,250
$10,250
Ship: Hondius | Date: 06 Jul 2026 - 15 Jul 2026 (3513)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,000
$5,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
$6,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
$7,600
Twin Window
$9,350
$8,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
$9,050
Superior
$11,250
$10,250
Junior Suite
$12,800
$11,800
Grand Suite
$13,900
$12,900
Ship: Plancius | Date: 07 Jul 2026 - 16 Jul 2026 (1123)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,000
$5,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
$6,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
$7,600
Twin Window
$9,350
$8,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
$9,050
Superior
$11,250
$10,250
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 12 Jul 2026 - 21 Jul 2026 (2354)
Quad Porthole
$6,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
Twin Window
$9,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
Superior
$11,250
Ship: Hondius | Date: 15 Jul 2026 - 24 Jul 2026 (3514)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
Twin Window
$9,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
Superior
$11,250
Junior Suite
$12,800
Grand Suite
$13,900
Ship: Plancius | Date: 16 Jul 2026 - 25 Jul 2026 (1122)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,000
$5,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
$6,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
$7,600
Twin Window
$9,350
$8,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
$9,050
Superior
$11,250
$10,250
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 21 Jul 2026 - 30 Jul 2026 (2355)
Quad Porthole
$6,000
Triple Porthole
$7,350
Twin Porthole
$8,600
Twin Window
$9,350
Twin Deluxe
$10,050
Superior
$11,250
Ship: Hondius | Date: 29 Jun 2027 - 08 Jul 2027 (2829)
Quadruple Porthole
$6,250
Triple Porthole
$7,800
Twin Porthole
$9,150
Twin Window
$9,900
Twin Deluxe
$10,750
Superior
$11,950
Junior Suite
$13,600
Grand Suite
$14,685

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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