
Spitsbergen In Depth: Big Islands, Big Adventure
Discover Spitsbergen in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard aboard the Ocean Adventurer Arctic and Antarctic Cruises
From: USD 10,292
Spitsbergen In Depth: Big Islands, Big Adventure
14 Days
4 Reviews
A 14-day expedition cruise
4 Reviews
The Trip Highlights
Witness iconic Arctic wildlife
Explore Spitsbergen like few travelers do
Observe a polar bear!
Breathtaking views at the birdwatching utopias 14th of July Glacier and Alkefjellet
Your Polartours 'Plus' Experience
Hike up a sparkling glacier
Experience the chill of a polar plunge
Your trip is 100% carbon offset
Learn from Polar experts
Become a Spitsbergen expert with this in-depth exploration expedition cruise in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. The Arctic will enchant you with its breathtaking scenery, snow-capped peaks and immense icebergs. Climb a sparkling glacier, experience the cold of a polar plunge and make the most of your trip aboard your Zodiac as you venture to some of the most remote islands on the planet. If conditions permit, your captain will attempt a complete circumnavigation of the archipelago, including a visit to the remote and uninhabited Arctic desert of Nordaustlandet.
Your ship: Ocean Adventurer
The Ocean Adventurer is a comfortable vessel with spacious cabins. All cabins have private bathroom facilities and exterior views. This vessel is designed to carry travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world. Ocean Adventurer was built in 1976 and underwent extensive upgrades in 2017. This multi-million dollar investment included renovations to the interior of the ship, significant technical upgrades, and the addition of a new cabin category, the Owner’s Suites. The refurbishment included new bathrooms in every cabin and upgrades to the lounge, dining room, gym, and suites.
Amenities
Fitness Center
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Gift Shop
Medical Services
Library
Open Bridge Policy
Food & Drinks
There is one dining room located on the Upper Deck. While mealtimes may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three delicious meals a day.
Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet-style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing the chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs. Working in a small kitchen, the chefs are able to monitor and control the quality of food being served, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition.
An assortment of freshly baked cookies and/or pastries are offered each afternoon. There is also a selection of hot and cold snacks available in the lounge during cocktail hour, expedition activities permitting.



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Adventure Options
Adventure Options during your cruise
Day 1 • Arrive in Oslo, Norway, and start your adventure!



Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel.
Day 2 • Fly to Longyearbyen, and embark you new home
Day 3-5 • Explore the North of Spitsbergen



A trip along the northwestern coast of Svalbard is always worth with the wildlife, the scenery, and the history. As far back as the 1600s his part of Svalbard was a huge center for whaling, including "Blubber Town" - with the main target being the oil-rich bowhead whale, the Arctic's only full-time resident baleen whale species.
The "town" of New Ålesund is on the shore of King's Bay ("Kongsfjorden") and well worth a visit. With a summer population of 120 and a hardy winter population of about 35, this is the most northerly permanent civilian settlement in the world. Originally the coal mining town of King's Bay, it played a key role in the history of arctic exploitation and exploration, especially flight.
Today it is at the center of Arctic and atmospheric research, and is one of the most northerly communities in the World. Don't miss the chance to send a postcard from the world's most northerly Post Office.
Day 6-8 • Sail to the North East



If you can venture this far north and east, you're very much in the high arctic. Closed to exploration for parts of the season due to the density of the pack ice, that often lingers here, the northern and north east areas of the Svalbard archipelago are some of the least visited.
Here the terrain gives way to the so-called "polar desert" - permanent ice caps cover much of the land, and where it does melt, very little vegetation grows on a landscape that has been hewn by ice over millions of years.
Despite the lack of cover, this part of Svalbard is well-worth exploring if you can, as there is plenty of remarkable wildlife. Arctic ducks and geese nest here, and some of the biggest concentrations of walrus in the arctic gather on the shores. Polar bears and ringed seals are also common sights, as are minke and beluga whales.
The group of islands known as Sjuøyane are the most northerly in Svalbard and always a good location for Polar Bears.
Later in the season ships often head up to the pack ice edge from the north coast of Spitsbergen.
Day 9-10 • Sail south and explore the South East



The southeastern part of the Svalbard archipelago is "warmed" by the gulf stream. Although this doesn't make much difference to the air temperature, it does mean that the area is free of sea ice for much of the season. This region is made up of the south-east coast of Spitsbergen and the islands of Barentsøya ("Barents Island") and Edgeøya ("Edge Island").
A key highlight of this part of the Spitsbergen coast is the astonishing Negribreen Glacier. This has the longest glacial front of any other on Svalbard with over 10 miles (16km) of ice meeting the sea. It's a stunning sight from the water.
Barentsøya and Edgeøya form part of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. Popular with polar bears, innumerable bird species, and grazing reindeer, these islands provide some of the wildlife highlights of your visit to Svalbard. Although now uninhabited, the islands have some fascinating sites of human history, including the remains of huts used by Norwegian polar bear hunters, and sites used by some of the ancient peoples who made visits here.
The SW side of Edgeøya has some very good tundra with numerous pools and lakes that attracts various birds.
Day 11-13 • Explore the South West of Spitsbergen before heading back towards Longyearbyen



Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Peninsula, and the only one to have a permanent population.
The southwestern part of Spitsbergen benefits from facing the warmer waters that the Gulf Stream carries into this part of the Greenland Sea. This means that the shores and waters here remain ice-free for much of the year except the coldest winter months. The one area that tends to retain 'fast ice' the longest (sea ice attached to the land) happens to be the most southerly fjord, Hornsund.
As well as a warmer arctic climate than many other places on the same latitude, Spitsbergen benefits from long months of the arctic "midnight sun", when the sun doesn't set at all between the 20th of April and the 22nd of August.
The combination of long daylight hours and a warmer climate means that Spitsbergen is a haven for birdlife with the chance to sail into the heart of this part of the island surrounded by glaciers, offering stunning and rugged vistas, with some amazing geology. There is tendency to try for landings in Bellsund, and combine landings and ship cruising and Zodiac cruises in Hornsund, with some impressive glacial fronts.
Day 14 • Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Oslo
Reviews

John
We were upgraded to the Owners Suite so we were over the moon about that. Food and service were excellent. (Copied from Swoop Antarctica)

Stephanie
Food was AMAZING!! I am glad I have 9 months until my wedding. (Copied from Swoop Antarctica)

Steve Kelemen
Comfortable accomodations with good service and solid food. (Copied from Swoop Antarctica)