North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife - Summer Solstice

Explore the versatility of Spitsbergen's landscapes under the midnight sun. An expedition focused on spotting polar bears, whales, and walruses among vast spans of sea ice and bird-filled cliffs during the summer solstice.


Svalbard
@ OEX

Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights.
Starts: Longyearbyen, Norway
Ends: Longyearbyen, Norway
Language: English speaking voyage

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
Optional


This expedition provides the best opportunity to get active while spotting exotic Arctic wildlife in the Svalbard archipelago. The voyage focuses on the stunning versatility of North Spitsbergen’s landscapes, combining breathtaking visuals of massive glaciers with vast spans of sea ice. Throughout the journey, passengers will have numerous chances to spot Arctic icons such as polar bears, whales, walruses, and Arctic foxes, while also enjoying shoreline hikes and adventurous Zodiac landings.

A core element of this itinerary is experiencing the summer solstice, a fascinating phenomenon where the sun remains visible for a full 24 hours. We will sail toward the remote north, potentially reaching the Seven Islands just 870 km from the geographic North Pole. From observing thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots at the Alkefjellet bird cliffs to searching for bowhead whales along the edge of the continental shelf, every day is designed to immerse the traveler in the pristine beauty and wild dynamics of the polar ecosystem.

Highlights:
Sailing through the sea ice of North Spitsbergen with high chances of polar bear sightings.
Celebrating the summer solstice under the 24-hour midnight sun phenomenon.
Visit to the spectacular Monaco Glacier and the bustling bird cliffs of Alkefjellet.
Potential to reach 80° North in the Seven Islands, close to the North Pole.
Spotting diverse wildlife including walruses, Svalbard reindeer, and fin whales.

Itinerary

@ OEX
@ OEX
© Rinie van Meurs-Oceanwide Expeditions

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town and its museum before sailing out in the early evening through Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale.

Day 2-7: North Spitsbergen’s natural beauty, wildlife, and pack-ice
Exploring the Northern Wilderness
We sail into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines. We will visit Raudfjord, an expansive fjord with glaciers and seabird colonies where ringed seals often haul out. Depending on ice conditions, we aim for Liefdefjorden to cruise near the 5-kilometer-long face of Monaco Glacier, a popular feeding spot for kittiwakes and hunting ground for polar bears.

We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals and blue whales. At Alkefjellet, we view the cliffs with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. We may reach the Seven Islands (Chermsideøya or Phippsøya), hitting 80° North. Retracing our route west, we sail the edge of the continental shelf looking for fin and bowhead whales. Finally, we may visit Forlandsundet or Alkhornet to see hauling walruses and Arctic foxes scavenging below nesting cliffs.

Day 8: There and back again
Return to Longyearbyen
The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning. Bus transportation to the airport will be provided for your flight home, ending the great adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
Touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town and its museum before sailing out in the early evening through Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale.

Day 2-7: North Spitsbergen’s natural beauty, wildlife, and pack-ice
Exploring the Northern Wilderness
We sail into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines. We will visit Raudfjord, an expansive fjord with glaciers and seabird colonies where ringed seals often haul out. Depending on ice conditions, we aim for Liefdefjorden to cruise near the 5-kilometer-long face of Monaco Glacier, a popular feeding spot for kittiwakes and hunting ground for polar bears.

We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals and blue whales. At Alkefjellet, we view the cliffs with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. We may reach the Seven Islands (Chermsideøya or Phippsøya), hitting 80° North. Retracing our route west, we sail the edge of the continental shelf looking for fin and bowhead whales. Finally, we may visit Forlandsundet or Alkhornet to see hauling walruses and Arctic foxes scavenging below nesting cliffs.

Day 8: There and back again
Return to Longyearbyen
The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning. Bus transportation to the airport will be provided for your flight home, ending the great adventure.


@ OEX
@ OEX
© Rinie van Meurs-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.
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: 20 Jun 2026 - 27 Jun 2026 (3056)
Quadruple Porthole
$4,500
Triple Porthole
$5,650
Twin Porthole
$6,250
Twin Window
$6,800
Twin Deluxe
$7,200
Superior
$8,150
Junior Suite
$9,350
Grand Suite
$10,100
Ship: Plancius | Date: 21 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2026 (3057)
Quadruple Porthole
$4,500
Triple Porthole
$5,650
Twin Porthole
$6,250
Twin Window
$6,800
Twin Deluxe
$7,200
Superior
$8,150
Ship: Hondius | Date: 15 Jun 2027 - 22 Jun 2027 (2827)
Quadruple Porthole
$4,800
Triple Porthole
$5,950
Twin Porthole
$6,650
Twin Window
$7,200
Twin Deluxe
$7,700
Superior
$8,700
Junior Suite
$9,900
Grand Suite
$10,750

* 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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