
Title: | East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice |
Dates: | |
Tripcode: | OTL05-24 |
Duration: | 8 nights |
Ship: | m/v Ortelius |
Embarkation: | Longyearbyen |
Disembarkation: | Longyearbyen |
Language: | English speaking voyage |
Important: | Kayaking and diving are optional activities. Experience with cold-water diving and dry-suit dives (at least 30) is a must! |
More about: | |
20%
Combination
Discount
16 Days Extended North & East Spitsbergen & Bear Island
Why take just one polar voyage when you can combine two into an activity-filled, wildlife-focused adventure? We’ve joined our East Spitsbergen cruise (emphasizing polar bears and pack ice) with our North Spitsbergen Basecamp cruise (multiple free activities) to make one epic tour of an incredible Arctic island.
Tripcode: | OTL04d24 |
Dates: | 25 Jun - 10 Jul, 2024 |
Ship: | m/v Ortelius |
Embarkation – Disembarkation: | Longyearbyen – Longyearbyen |
Duration: | 8 nights |
Price: | 6880 USD |
20% off from individual cruises | |
More info |

Cruises included:
North Spitsbergen, Basecamp, Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores
The best activity voyage in the Actic
East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
See Spitsbergen’s dramatic east coast and the majestic bird colonies of Bear Island
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
The east shores of Spitsbergen are a fantastic place to view gorgeously rugged landscapes and exotic Arctic wildlife, including minke whales, Arctic foxes, and polar bears. And speaking of bears, this exploratory cruise also visits Bear Island – a bird lover’s dream, where large colonies of Brünnich’s guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars breed on shoreline cliffs over spans of dazzling drift ice.
Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where we might spot the first minke whale of the voyage.
Day 2: Spectacular Hornsund
We start the day by quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area in southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. The mountain of Hornsundtind rises to 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), while the peak of Bautaen testifies to why early Dutch explorers gave this island the name Spitsbergen, meaning “pointed mountains.”
There are 14 magnificent glaciers in the area, and we have a fair chance of encountering seals and polar bears. The nearby cliffs of Sofiakammen are also home to thousands of pairs of nesting kittiwakes and little auks, and in the evening, we might see thousands of harp seals rutting on ice floes at Sørkapp.
Day 3: The seabird colonies of Bear Island
We arrive at the southeastern end of Bear Island, a great place for viewing large seabird colonies. The nearby nesting cliffs are part of an extensive nature reserve where large ships are not allowed to bring passengers on shore. Afterward we’ll sail northeast into Sorhamna, where we can get closer to the seabird cliffs. Chiefly Brünnichs guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars nest here.
Just north of this, in Kvalrossbukta, we will land and see the remains of a whaling station from early in the previous century. We might also make a landing in a shallow valley, such as Rendalen, and look for (at a safe distance) great skuas, large seabirds known to be fiercely territorial. As we continue north along the east side of Bear Island, we may still encounter dazzling shoals of drift ice.
Day 4: Rarely visited Hopen Island
On the way to Hopen, we may encounter sea ice with rutting harp seals. We land at the southern end of Hopen Island, at Koefoetodden, where you can see the remains of 17th-century whaling sites. Through nearby Bekkeskaret is an easy route to Kvasstoppen (190 meters, 620 feet) and the remains of a plane from World War II. Hopen Radio station is the most remote manned weather station in all of Svalbard.
Day 5: Kittiwakes, canyons, and south Edgeøya
Sailing along the western side of the Tusenöyane (where we’re not allowed to land in summer), you may see polar bears and walruses as we approach Risetreppen. This beautiful canyon features an accessible kittiwake colony. During our walk, we may encounter reindeer on the lush tundra.
Day 6: Pomor trappers at Russebukta
At Ardalstangen, we go on shore in an area with lakes and different species of waterfowl. Nearby in Habenichtbukta, we can look from some distance to a wintering site of 18th-century Pomor trappers, who often stayed for years in the same place. Later in the afternoon, we land at the south side of Russebukta, near a tundra with reindeer and great walking opportunities.
Day 7: Guillemot colony and south Spitsbergen
Today we aim to land at the mountain of Stellingfjellet, near the largest colony of Brünnich’s guillemots in Spitsbergen. Later in the day, we will make landings at the rarely visited coast of south Spitsbergen, at the bay of Isbukta.
Day 8: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
We continue our voyage in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife.
One possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you might even see one here. Alternately, we may land at Millarodden at north side of Bell Sund. Here we can see a walrus haul-out site and possibly make an excursion on the tundra of Ingeborgfjellet, with its thousands of little auks.
Day 9: There and back again
Our adventure comes to an end exactly where it started. Today you disembark in Longyearbyen, taking away memories that will accompany you wherever your next journey lies.
Highlights you might experience
m/v Ortelius
Fortified for both poles of the planet, the ice-strengthened Ortelius is thoroughly outfitted to provide you an up-close experience of the Arctic and Antarctic. Full ship info »
ACTIVITIES YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN


Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper / lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
18400 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
4600 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Triple Porthole
- 2 portholes
- 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
16500 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
5500 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Porthole
- 2 portholes
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
12800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
10880 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
6400 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Window
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
13800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
11730 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
6900 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Deluxe
- 3 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Small sofa
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
14600 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
12410 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
7300 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Superior
- 2 windows (minimum)
- 1 double bed
- 1 single (sofa) bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
16600 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
14110 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).