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Oceanwide Expeditions nominated for three awards at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards

Oceanwide Expeditions nominated for three awards at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards

Your vote will help us achieve further recognition for our fantastic expedition cruise itineraries and polar adventures!

PLA08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

PLA08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

This morning's destination was a unique and rarely visited place: Rossøya, the northernmost island in the archipelago of Sjuøyane (Seven Islands). This is also Norway's northernmost point, only 1024 km from the North Pole. It felt strangely mild for being at 80°N.

An Antarctic voyage unlike any other: the unbelievable exploits of the James Caird

An Antarctic voyage unlike any other: the unbelievable exploits of the James Caird

In April 1916, aided by south-westerly winds, a small, 22.5-foot wooden boat, the James Caird, set out from the desolate shores of Elephant Island manned by six men.

HDS08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

HDS08-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

We spent the afternoon surrounded by amazing icebergs of different shapes, sizes, and colors.

PLA07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

PLA07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

Along our hikes we learned about the past hunting history and about belugas. We observed reindeer along the way, a couple of harbor seals hauled out on rocks, some eider ducks and two red-throated divers flew over us.

HDS07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of polar bear & ice

HDS07-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of polar bear & ice

We drove through to Negribreen to the sound of brash ice popping and crackling as it released gases during its slow melting.

OTL06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

OTL06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

Incredible hues of blue, with ice everywhere in the water due to the frequent calvings, walruses lying on some of them, the weather and sights simply invited people to stay on deck, enjoy, have a cup of tea and try to take in the enormity of what they saw.

Short hikes, medium hikes, and long hikes - what's the difference?

Short hikes, medium hikes, and long hikes - what's the difference?

Our range of hiking activities is not just carefully planned, but also inclusive of different levels of physical fitness and hiking experience.

PLA06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

PLA06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

We all rushed out on deck to see a bear climbing a very steep slope. It was clearly visible against the dark rocks, and we all enjoyed watching it until it lay down in a snow patch and went to sleep. That was bear number seven of the trip!

HDS06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

HDS06-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

We reached a little islet with hundreds of walruses where we had the opportunity to see some calves nursing. We stayed in silence at a safe distance, embracing the noises, games, fights and cuddling moments between these gorgeous smelly animals

OTL05-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, in the realm of Polar Bear & Ice, Cleaning the Shores, Including Long Hikes

OTL05-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, in the realm of Polar Bear & Ice, Cleaning the Shores, Including Long Hikes

We received permission from Bjørnøya’s weather station to make a visit. Visiting the station was fantastic, we found whale bones, old machinery that was used a long time ago and of course there was also a small post office.

PLA05-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

PLA05-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

A mother with a younger cub appeared, highlighting to us how hard it can be to spot a polar bear in what appears to be flat ground.

The Flight of the Örnen: Andrée's 1897 Arctic Balloon Expedition

The Flight of the Örnen: Andrée's 1897 Arctic Balloon Expedition

Andrée's balloon, the Örnen, would carry equipment for scientific observation and photographic studies.

HDS05-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

HDS05-24, trip log, Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of polar bear & ice

The walrus colony had many females and calves, which is quite special to see!

OTL04-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen, Basecamp, Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores

OTL04-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen, Basecamp, Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores

While we were watching the bear sleeping on a snow patch, we suddenly saw another bear walking along the shore!

PLA04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes

PLA04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes

In the beginning everybody was free to walk around the blubber ovens, afterwards everybody was divided into groups.

OTL03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, sea ice & Wildlife - Birding, Summer Solstice

OTL03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, sea ice & Wildlife - Birding, Summer Solstice

It was a truly phenomenal encounter with the creature we had all journeyed to the high Arctic hoping to see. The experience moved some people to tears and left pretty much everyone speechless.

HDS04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes

HDS04-24, trip log, East Spitsbergen, Home of the polar bear - Summer Solstice, Including Long Hikes

We awoke in Recherchefjorden. Reindeer grazed on the slopes of the cliffs.

PLA03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

PLA03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

In the open pack ice in the vicinity of the Seven Islands, a female polar bear with cub was spotted.

HDS03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar bears, bowhead whales & more

HDS03-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar bears, bowhead whales & more

Walruses are super social creatures, huddling together in large groups.

PLA02-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

PLA02-24, trip log, North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

We continue enjoying our ship cruise along the ice edge and then all of a sudden, the moment we have all been quietly hoping for… A polar bear has been spotted in the distance.

PLA01-24, trip log, Arctic Ocean - Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen

PLA01-24, trip log, Arctic Ocean - Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen

Sheep and Shetland ponies grazed the cliff tops as we wandered along Foula’s incredible coastline.

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