Cruises to Svalbard
North Spitsbergen, Early Spring, Easter Special
Embark on a voyage to an Arctic wildlife haven
NOO14-20. At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: snow-covered mountains, snow-swept shores, temperatures around –10° C (14°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears...
North Spitsbergen, Early Arctic Spring
Embark on a voyage to an Arctic wildlife haven
NOO15-20. At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: snow-covered mountains, snow-swept shores, temperatures around –10° C (14°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears...
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
Climb snow covered alpine mountains and ski downhill
RVR17-20. This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered ski techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involves ski climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700—850 meters (2,300—2,800 feet) and downhill skiing from those p...
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
Climb snow covered alpine mountains and ski downhill
RVR18-20. This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered ski techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involves ski climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700—850 meters (2,300—2,800 feet) and downhill skiing from those p...
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring - Hike & Sail
Explore the shores and seas of an amazing Arctic island
RVR19-20. At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: snow-covered mountains, snow-swept shores, temperatures around –4° C (25°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears,...
Svalbard cruise video
Svalbard photo
Svalbard story
Sights and Sounds of Spitsbergen Aboard the New Hondius
Looking out over the pack ice after reaching 80 degrees north, this was the moment when I really felt like I was in the Arctic.
Svalbard blog
Spotlight on s/v Noorderlicht
Noorderlicht is one of two historic schooners we operate in the Arctic, and is the only ship in our fleet not technically owned by Oceanwide...
Svalbard experiences
See the highlights you may experience::
Svalbard wildlife
See the impressive array of wildlife you may encounter::
Map of Svalbard
Svalbard cruise reviews
Overall rating based on 220 votes
excellent trip that met our expectations in terms of magical landscapes, interesting naturalistic observations and perfect organization (outings and stewardship). Wonderful cruise that leaves us with great memories...
Read full review >>
Scenery is one thing. And for me the chief reason to visit Svalbard and Greenland. Others may focus more on wildlife. On this cruise the unexpected highlight was the great interaction between the passengers and...
Vom Beginn der Reise (Begrüßung), über die Ausflüge mit den Zodiacs - ein spitzklasse GuidesTeam. Die Guides haben sich bei den Touren und auch Nachbesprechungen viel Zeit genommen. Auch...
Wir hatten große Erwartungen an diese Reise, die alle bei weitem übertroffen wurden. Ein hervorragendes Expeditionsschiff, das durchaus komfortabel war. Die tolle Crew und die Guides, die durch ihr...
Read full review >>Svalbard FAQ
Where do we go on Spitsbergen?
The sailing range of this expedition is limited to the north-west coast of the Spitsbergen archipelago. As we want to make several longer hikes we do not want too spend much time travelling around with the ship. We like to spend as much time ashore as...
Read more >>What is the best time to travel to Spitsbergen?
This depends on what you want to experience at Spitsbergen. In case you want to experience the Polar night or the Aurora Borealis, November to February is the best time to travel to Spitsbergen. Do you want to see the midnight sun and enjoy boat trips,...
Read more >>When is the winter season in Spitsbergen?
The sun sets for the last time in Spitsbergen in mid-September and rises above the horizon again in mid-February. The winter landscape and temperatures prevail until May.
Read more >>What is the temperature and weather like in Svalbard?
The weather in Spitsbergen differs per area and location. Although snow can occur throughout the year in Svalbard, the North Atlantic Current helps provide Svalbard with warmer temperatures than many other areas within similar latitudes. However,...
Read more >>Where can I see Polar bears during the Spitsbergen voyage?
As Polar bears are animals which can travel many kilometres in a day, it is impossible to say where and when you can spot Polar bears. Your best chance to observe Polar bears are found in the areas around sea ice. The chance to see Polar bears in Svalbard...
Read more >>What wildlife can I see in Spitsbergen?
Your cruise to Spitsbergen will come with an enormous amount of opportunity to spot wildlife. Polar bears are obviously the main attraction regarding wildlife. There are six national parks throughout Spitsbergen, and Svalbard alone is known to contain,...
Read more >>
About Svalbard
Svalbard weather
Svalbard is located in the high Arctic and shares the Arctic’s designation as a technical desert when it comes to annual precipitation (or lack thereof). Particularly the eastern part of Svalbard sees relatively little precipitation annually. The west coast sees more precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Depending on when you take your Svalbard cruise you can expect temperatures to average anywhere from -14°C in the winter to 6°C in the summer.
Facts about Svalbard
- The name “Svalbard” is an old name (going back to at least the 1100s) meaning “cold coasts.”
- Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s only true town, was founded by an American in 1906. It has a little over 2000 inhabitants.
- Almost 65% of Svalbard is a protected nature reserve or a national park.
- Svalbard is the archipelago (chain of islands) off the north coast of Norway.
- Svalbard has the world’s third biggest ice sheet, coming behind only Antarctica and Greenland.
- Svalbard is made up of 4 main islands, and almost 150 smaller islands.
- Nobody gets buried on Svalbard. Because of the cold in the ground bodies generally fail to decompose, meaning that the graveyards would quickly get overrun. Therefore bodies are shipped to mainland Norway and buried there.
Travel to Svalbard
Travel to Svalbard and experience one of the Earth’s northernmost human inhabitations. Your Svalbard expedition cruise will take you to a beautifully stark landscape of glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains. During your Svalbard holiday you’ll explore the preserved and protected history of the region, watch high Arctic wildlife on both land and at sea. Come during the late autumn/early winter months and your Svalbard cruise will be capped off by the great wonder of the Polar skies, the Northern Lights. For the polar bear enthusiasts special polar bear itineraries are arranged to offer the best polar bear experiences.
Polar bear video by Vedat Mihmat
