Also known as Kongs Fjord or King’s Bay, Kongsfjorden is an inlet (a narrow and usually small bay) with the Kronebreen and Kongsvegen found at the head of the fjord. Kongsfjorden’s southern shore is home to one of the only four permanent settlements found on Spitsbergen, the former coal-mining town of Ny-Ålesund.
Kongsfjorden history
Back in 1610 the bay was found by British explorer (and British whaling-industry pioneer) Jonas Poole who was on the lookout for fresh sealing and whaling sites. His name for the site, Deer Sound, would later be replaced by the name Koninks Bay by explorers around 1710, and this name would be kept by William Scoresby (another British Arctic explorer) who named it King’s Bay in 1820.
Exploring Kongsfjorden today
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Kongsfjorden is a birdwatcher’s treasure. Thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, puffins, geese, skua, red-throated divers, black and Brünnich’s guillemots, and more call the cliffs home during the breeding season.
Down on the ground and in the sea Arctic cruise passengers have a good chance of spotting out bearded seals, ringed seals, and small herds of reindeer. Whales are also known to frequent the surrounding waters.
History-buffs are able to visit a number of protected historical sites including hunter and trapper cabins dating back to the early 1900s. Evidence of past Russian Pomor (hunters) camps and graveyards also still litter the grounds.
Kongsfjorden cruises
If you’re interested in checking out the quiet beauty of Kongsfjorden join us for one of our Spitsbergen cruises.