Small ship cruises in Spitsbergen
The average small ship cruise around Spitsbergen, the main island in the Svalbard archipelago, lasts around eight days – although options of between five and 15 days are available. The vessels vary in style, from a converted expedition ship that can take you further afield into icy waters, to an elegant 100-year-old schooner. They could have anything from 50-200 passengers on board. The first thing that you need to shed from your mind, however, is any concept of floating mega hotels, black tie and after dinner cabarets. The class acts here are the wildlife and the outfits are outdoor protective ones so that you can partake in activities. These include Zodiac rides into the fjords and sea kayaking in the inlets alongside whales and walruses. Experienced – and intrepid – divers can book a specialist scuba trip, and be amazed and the amount of life in the icy waters. Some cruises spend more time ashore than others, giving you time to trek up mountains, enter ice caves, trek across glaciers or, in winter, try snow shoeing or sledging – pulled by your own pack of huskies. Find out more about whether an expedition cruise is right for you.
Our Spitsbergen Vacations
Arctic icebreaker cruise, Spitsbergen
Wildlife-focused, expert-led small ship Arctic cruises
From
£2830 to £8795
8 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, North Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen tall-ship wildlife and natural history sailing
From
€2790
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen cruise, 6 days
A 6 day 'taster voyage' to explore Spitsbergen's highlights
From
£1300 to £3000
6 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen Arctic Cruise
An exciting wildlife cruise around the Svalbard archipelago
From
£5813
12 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, around Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen tall-ship wildlife and natural history sailing
From
€5640
15 days
ex flights
Svalbard wildlife cruise
Search for polar bears on this small-group cruise
From
£3150 to £11900
8 days
ex flights
Small ship cruises around Spitsbergen will often have a naturalist expert on board, as wildlife in these superb natural habitats is what it’s all about. It’s rare to visit a place where wildlife reigns, but Spitsbergen is still very much at the mercy of Mother Nature’s weird and wonderful creatures. Keeping an eye out for polar bears is a fundamental part of any Spitsbergen wildlife vacation – whether for your photo album, or for your own safety – but your cruise could be re-routed to bob along beside a blue whale, or you could be called from your cabin in the middle of the night to coo at fluffy Arctic foxes hunting on the ice.
As they only venture out during the Arctic summer months of May to August, the days are never ending, so you have plenty of chances to see whales, dolphins, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic fox, seals and walruses. There are also plenty of sea birds during this time including the Svalbard rock ptarmigan, the common eider, black guillemot and fulmars. Lectures, a fully stocked library and informal chats about wildlife and conservation are all par for the course on these trips. Read more in our Arctic wildlife cruises guide.
Our top Spitsbergen Vacation
Arctic icebreaker cruise, Spitsbergen
Wildlife-focused, expert-led small ship Arctic cruises
From
£2830 to £8795
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 3 May, 8 May, 10 May, 18 May, 27 May, 30 May, 1 Jun, 4 Jun, 6 Jun, 7 Jun, 8 Jun, 10 Jun, 13 Jun, 14 Jun, 15 Jun, 17 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 22 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 4 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 13 Jul, 15 Jul, 20 Jul, 22 Jul, 23 Jul, 24 Jul, 25 Jul, 29 Jul, 31 Jul, 2 Aug, 4 Aug, 7 Aug, 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 28 Aug
2023: 3 May, 8 May, 10 May, 18 May, 27 May, 30 May, 1 Jun, 4 Jun, 6 Jun, 7 Jun, 8 Jun, 10 Jun, 13 Jun, 14 Jun, 15 Jun, 17 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 22 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 4 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 13 Jul, 15 Jul, 20 Jul, 22 Jul, 23 Jul, 24 Jul, 25 Jul, 29 Jul, 31 Jul, 2 Aug, 4 Aug, 7 Aug, 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 11 Aug, 12 Aug, 14 Aug, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 28 Aug
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Spitsbergen or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Going onto dry land
People get all excited about going out on the Zodiacs and go a bit camera crazy. Resist the urge and just breathe it all in. You will have a much more emotional connection that way.![]()
Some small ship cruises spend more time ashore than others, giving you time to hike up mountains, enter ice caves, trek across glaciers or, on higher ground, try snow shoeing or sledging – pulled by your own pack of huskies. This gives you a chance to explore landscapes that are out of sight of boats, and vice versa, and really get a feel for the sublime wilderness of Spitsbergen. There is always with an armed guide on hand, of course as polar bears rule the land as well as the waters here.
Photography paradise
Paul Goldstein, expert wildlife photography guide with our leading Spitsbergen supplier, Exodus Travels:
"The more spiritual and patient you are the better your photographs will be. Patience isn’t a virtue; it’s a must with wildlife."
Landscape and wildlife photographers will be torn between wanting to click all the time in Spitsbergen and just putting their cameras down and gasping in awe. Some Spitsbergen wildlife cruises have expert photographers on board as well as naturalists to guide you through the wonders. Some even have celebrated ones such as Mark Carwardine. Read our tour operator interview for more details on this special trip.
More about Spitsbergen
The best time to visit Spitsbergen is when the sun reappears and the pack ice begins to melt, letting ships pass. Read on for more details…
Our Spitsbergen travel guide takes a look at the extreme nature of the Svalbard archipelago - the next stop is the North Pole. With many glories in between…
Our Spitsbergen map and highlights are not only about great wildlife watching opportunities around Spitsbergen, but also some amazing winter wilderness activities….
Land based trips on Spitsbergen take place all year round. Whether you are going for the Aurora, adventure or awesome trekking, Spitsbergen is always sublime...
People who have been to Spitsbergen are always keen to share their tips. We have some great ones here, so do read on…
From giant cruise liners to culture, wildlife watching to polar bear safety, we have plenty of issues to discuss when it comes to Spitsbergen. Do read on...
