Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this “express” Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros – one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the Arctic pack ice.
Embark on an incredible journey as you traverse through icy waters and landscapes in six short days. Get ready to explore and discover the unique ecology of this mountain-clad and glaciated island – and get close to a vast array of majestic Arctic creatures. Spot the charismatic walrus, their long tusks and whiskers, and the ever-resilient Arctic birds. The crowning glory, of course, will be sightings of the beloved polar bear.
Treat yourself to a grand experience on this Ocean Albatros’ Arctic adventure cruise – onboard one of the few ships that are built to traverse through pack ice and polar seas. Get ready to share waters with whales, walruses, polar bears, and an abundance of birds while also witnessing the astonishing beauty of Svalbard at the peak of summer. With our fleet of zodiacs, you can explore the majestic glacial landscapes, get closer to the wildlife, and embark on fascinating landings on the shore.
Arrival at Longyearbyen, capital of Svalbard – possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town in the world.
After our initial onboarding and a celebratory toast from our Expedition Leader, you will be provided with all essential information regarding the voyage, the daily routine of the ship, and important safety protocols. We are all then required to partake in a safety drill, before our captain steers us away from Advent Fjord, and into the unknowns of our Arctic adventure.
On entering North West Svalbard, declared a national park in 1973, we begin the day with a cruise through Danskergattet, in search of seals at Virgohamna. Then, we travel from Danskøya to Amsterdamøya, to visit Smeerenburg, the famous 17th century whaling settlement. It is said that during the peak of blubber production, over two-hundred men were living (and unfortunately dying) there.
This northwestern area of Spitsbergen contains many points of interest that we can visit, should the weather be accommodating – among them, Ytre Norskøya, a lookout post used by whalers in the past.
In the morning, we glide by the iconic Alkefjellet with fingers crossed for clear skies to observe the vertiginous cliffs. Swarmed by an enormous population of Brünichs guillemots, almost every surface is cloaked with the avian species. In the summer, their frenzied courting is an awe-inspiring sight, both on the cliff face and in the waters below.
The polar desert of Torrelnesset also holds numerous walruses lounging on its shoreline, as they feed on the clams and molluscs found in the shallow waters of Svalbard.
During the night, we will venture to the Wood Fjord and its side arm, the Liefde Fjord. Our mission is to travel slowly alongside the sweeping glacier face of Monacobreen, giving us a rare perspective of the tremendous force of glacial activity and its varying iceberg creations. This glacier was dubbed after Albert I of Monaco, who heavily backed Svalbard’s research pursuits. This expanse was heavily traveled by trappers in the past, some even living here over winter and constructing cabins. A particularly renowned cabin, referred to as Texas Bar, is thought to be named after the US state of Texas and erected in 1927. Our plan is to take a tour around this area and enjoy the amazing scenery.
We enter the beautiful Kongs Fjord, renowned for its former mining settlement and captivating beauty. Our first destination is Ny Ålesund – a scientific research centre situated even further north than Longyearbyen, though it can be argued whether this constitutes an actual town. Our Captain will do their best to bring the boat close to the shore, allowing us to explore the area on foot.
Our next destination is the abandoned marble mining settlement of Ny London. It experienced a brief but eventful existence, beginning in a flurry of mining activity reminiscent of the Klondike Gold Rush before being crippled by wars and financial losses just nine years later. We can still see the remains of workshops, locomotives, and cranes that tell the story of the ambitious yet failed enterprise.
Finally, we will return southbound to the entrance of the Isfjord and onwards to Longyearbyen, hopefully with one last glimpse of the amazing wildlife and unparalleled landscapes of Svalbard.
By the morning, our vessel will arrive back at the place where it started, Longyearbyen. After a goodbye to the team and crew and after breakfast, people will begin disembarking the boat. Travel to the airport is provided.
This expedition includes:
This expedition excludes
