Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer

by Oceanwide Expeditions Blog

Most Arctic expedition cruises fall into two camps: those that sail during the autumn and winter and focus primarily on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (middle to late summer) and focus on everything else.

The early weeks of the Spitsbergen high season

Most Arctic expedition cruises fall into two camps: those that sail during the autumn and winter and focus primarily on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (middle to late summer) and focus on everything else.

0 photo

But if you’re not afraid of a slight temperature drop, there is a third option.

1 photo

By which we mean cruises that visit Spitsbergen from late spring through early summer, perhaps the most overlooked and underrated period in the Arctic travel calendar.

In terms of weather, activities, and animals, here’s why this is such a dynamite date range.

Weather: You can soak up the last of winter while enjoying the first of summer

It’s probably safe to assume that as a polar enthusiast you’re less enamored of balmy beaches and sweating daiquiris than glittering icebergs and sprawling glaciers.

If so, the early Spitsbergen season gives you these wintry elements in spades.

2 photo

Snow still clings to the mountains and patches of tundra, and pack ice lingers along many of the coastlines. Though the weather is warmer than the March and April low points of –10° C (14°F), you’ll still feel that you are very much in the Arctic.

But that’s at least partly why you came, right?

Activities: The core Spitsbergen excursions are well underway

Zodiac cruising and landings, shoreline and inland walks, and all other non-supplementary expedition activities are available during Spitsbergen’s late spring, early summer.

3 photo

And because winter has almost entirely given way to summer, as mentioned, you’ll be able to enjoy these activities in relatively fair Arctic temperatures. You’re also less likely to be blocked from entering any of the fjords, bays, or waterways of Spitsbergen.

4 photo

When you add this to the fact that Svalbard’s wildlife is now ready to see and be seen, this makes late spring through early summer an ideal time to visit.

Animals: You can see the full cast of Spitsbergen wildlife

Polar bears hunt the pack ice

5 photo

walruses doze on the shores,

6 photo

cliff-nesting birds tuck into breeding perches below peaks still gripped in winter ice.

7 photo

In terms of wildlife, the early weeks of Spitsbergen’s high season offer some of the best opportunities in the Arctic. Merely in terms of seabirds, you can see all the area’s marquee species: kittiwakes, little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots, black guillemots, and more.

8 photo

Arctic foxes are also combing the cliff bases for fallen chicks and eggs, reindeer are roaming and munching the tundra, 

9 photo

and multiple species of seal (bearded, ringed, etc.) may be seen, depending on where you sail.

10 photo

In other words, bring a camera and a lot of film (i.e., memory cards) when you visit Spitsbergen in the early season.

Summary of Spitsbergen’s stunning late spring, early summer

What New York is in the autumn, Spitsbergen is in the late spring and early summer. 

11 photo

At this wondrous time of year, you can sail yawning fjords and ice-scattered bays, walk rugged beaches and vast flowering inlands, view colossal glaciers and towering mountains and exotic polar species to be found nowhere else.

12 photo

But don’t worry if you’re not able to make an Arctic cruise precisely in that date range, because the best time to take a Spitsbergen trip is always as soon as possible.

Cruceros relacionados

Exploración al Norte de Spitsbergen - Diversos paisajes, hielo marino y vida salvaje - Solsticio de verano
Hasta US$3800 de descuento

Exploración al Norte de Spitsbergen - Diversos paisajes, hielo marino y vida salvaje - Solsticio de verano

16 jun. - 23 jun., 2025

Código del viaje: HDS03-25

Esta expedición se centra en la versatilidad de los impresionantes paisajes del norte de Spitsbergen, las vastas extensiones de hielo marino y las numerosas oportunidades de avistar ballenas, osos polares, aves marinas, morsas y otros animales salvajes....

Norte de Spitsbergen, verano ártico - Solsticio de verano

18 jun. - 28 jun., 2025

Código del viaje: RVR07-25

  • EN

El crucero al Norte de Spitsbergen navega a alguno de las más remotos sitios del norte de Europa. La expedición le dará la oportunidad de ver algunos restos históricos de balleneros, glaciares, una variedad de aves del ártico, incluido el mérgulo atlántico,...

Exploración a Spitsbergen Norte - Entrando en el hielo compacto - Solsticio de verano - Especial Osos Polares
Hasta US$2400 de descuento

Exploración a Spitsbergen Norte - Entrando en el hielo compacto - Solsticio de verano - Especial Osos Polares

19 jun. - 26 jun., 2025

Código del viaje: OTL04-25

Últimas literas Svalbard

Esta expedición se centra en el hielo compacto del norte de Spitsbergen y ofrece muchas oportunidades de avistar ballenas, osos polares, aves marinas, morsas y otros animales.

Norte de Spitsbergen 'Basecamp'- Limpieza de las costas, Kayak gratuito, raquetas de nieve / senderismo, taller de fotografía
Hasta US$3100 de descuento

Norte de Spitsbergen 'Basecamp'- Limpieza de las costas, Kayak gratuito, raquetas de nieve / senderismo, taller de fotografía

26 jun. - 3 jul., 2025

Código del viaje: OTL05-25

El crucero Norte Spitsbergen Basecamp le ofrece innumerables formas de explorar y disfrutar de esta región del Ártico. Esta expedición le permite caminar, caminar con raquetas de nieve, kayak y aprender a tomar fotografías perfectas de la flora y fauna...

Alrededor de Spitsbergen - En el reino de Polar Bear & Ice
Hasta US$2200 de descuento

Alrededor de Spitsbergen - En el reino de Polar Bear & Ice

30 jun. - 9 jul., 2025

Código del viaje: HDS05-25

  • EN

Haga un crucero alrededor de Spitsbergen y explore las aguas heladas del Atlántico Norte. Esta especial expedición le ofrecerá la chance de ver ballenas, renos, zorros árticos, morsas, focas, y la atracción estrella, el oso polar.

Loading