Spitsbergen map & highlights
Spitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago which sits just over halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Longer expedition cruises may sail to Spitsbergen via the remote Bear Island, though it’s more common to fly into Longyearbyen and embark there. Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen is only possible in height of summer when pack ice has dispersed, though most trips do away with itineraries and leaving the route to be governed by waves, weather and wildlife. You can also go on a land based trip on Spitsbergen, although roads only exist in the few scattered towns, with miles of (often snow-clad) tundra in between. Huskies and snowmobiles are the way to travel during the white seasons; no roads required.
Our Spitsbergen Vacations
North Spitsbergen cruise, in search of Polar Bears
Expert Led, Polar Bears, Whales, Birdlife, photography
From
€3380
8 days
ex flights
Arctic icebreaker cruise, Spitsbergen
Wildlife-focused, expert-led small ship Arctic cruises
From
£2150 to £9200
10 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, Spitsbergen
Experience sailing in the fjords
From
€3620 to €5290
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen wildlife cruises
Encounters with glaciers, polar bears and icebergs.
From
£2799 to £5899
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen short break
Boat safari and wilderness experiences at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 9990
3 days
ex flights
Luxury Arctic cruise Spitsbergen & Franz Josef Land
A unique expedition to rarely visited Franz Josef Land
From
£7995
15 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen summer vacation, glaciers of Isfjorden
Arctic summer vacation - the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard
From
£2570 to £2680
7 days
inc UK flights
Lofoten Islands and Svalbard northern lights safari
Take in the Arctic beauty on this exhilarating adventure
From
£4995
8 days
ex flights
Svalbard and Northern Lights vacation
Northern lights activities included hotel at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 7500
4 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen cruise, 6 days
A 6 day 'taster voyage' to explore Spitsbergen's highlights
From
£1669 to £1909
6 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen sailing vacation
Expedition sailing & exploring in wild, remote Spitsbergen.
From
£2980
19 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen luxury cruises
Experience this Arctic wildlife paradise in ultimate luxury!
From
€7010 to €8860
8 days
ex flights
Arctic expedition cruise, circumnavigation of Spitsbergen
Discover incredible wildlife and glaciers on this Arctic Voyage
From
US $7495 to US $17395
13 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen Arctic Cruise
An exciting wildlife cruise around the Svalbard archipelago
From
£5264 to £5765
12 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
From
£4149
11 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen to Franz Josefland cruise
bowhead whales polar bears walrus birdlife & kayaking
From
£6680 to £11790
14 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen sailing expedition
5-day sailing expedition on Svalbard
From
NKr 25900
5 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen activity vacation
Blue ice glacier walk, kayaking, hiking at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 18990
5 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise adventure vacation
Sail from Spitsbergen to Greenland on an arctic adventure
From
US $6449
15 days
ex flights
1. Glaciers
2. Dog sledding
3. Isfjord Radio
4. Longyearbyen
5. Nordenskiöld Glacier
6. Northern fjords
7. Ny Ålesund
8. Polar bears
9. Reindeer
10. Snowmobiling
11. Walruses
12. Whales
13. Wildlife photography
2. Dog sledding
3. Isfjord Radio
4. Longyearbyen
5. Nordenskiöld Glacier
6. Northern fjords
7. Ny Ålesund
8. Polar bears
9. Reindeer
10. Snowmobiling
11. Walruses
12. Whales
13. Wildlife photography
Glaciers
1. Glaciers
Massive glaciers have shaped the entire island – modern ice rivers slice through the landscape, while the fjords and U-shaped valleys are evidence of the glaciers of the past. Hiking on a glacier is tough but requires no technical skill, so challenge yourself – and look out for fossils in the surrounding rock. You may also have the chance to spot calving glaciers from Spitsbergen small ship cruises.
Dog sledding
2. Dog sledding
Not for the faint hearted, explore the winter wilderness with those who know it best: working husky dogs. Looking after your own team, this is serious expedition territory, staying in Arctic tents for a couple of nights and then at west coast lodge for another couple. From the mad barking before ‘take off’ to the sublime silence when they are released to happily drive you through wilderness, there is nothing like it.
Isfjord Radio
3. Isfjord Radio
Once a remote radio outpost, now a hotel enveloped by dramatic Arctic landscapes. Combine fantastic landscapes with fine food at this unique place to stay, and also enjoy a polar dip, accompanied by armed guides looking out for polar bears. Not that you will be hanging around – the sauna will be waiting for you at all times! With no road connections, access it by boat in summer and by snowmobile in winter.
Longyearbyen
4. Longyearbyen
Founded at the turn of the 20th century as a mining town, today the capital of Svalbard is the archipelago’s most populous town with just over 2,000 residents, including an unusually large number or artists who are inspired by the northern wilderness. The museum reveals the island’s history of hunting, whaling and mining. Several tours depart from here, including dog sledding, snow shoeing and glacier treks.
Nordenskiöld Glacier
5. Nordenskiöld Glacier
This is the northernmost point that is accessible by motorised vehicle; stunning natural beauty doesn’t always come easily. But stunning it is, visible from remote, off grid lodge accommodation with views straight out to this blue icy spectacle. Go glacier walking, with training given on site, or sea kayak around it and also take on some snowshoeing or cross country skiing around nearby fjords and snowy valleys.
Northern fjords
6. Northern fjords
Ice breaker expedition ships can take you up to these northern fjords, such as the glacier dominated Raudfjord, or Liefdefjorden where you can visit the tundra island of Andøya. This remote spot is home to eiders, pink-footed geese and kittiwakes feasting in icy waters around Monaco Glacier. These northern fjords are also the terrain of the king of Arctic wildlife: the polar bear.
Ny Ålesund
7. Ny Ålesund
Accessible on small ship cruises around northern Spitsbergen, this small research hamlet was once a mining town. Mining activity came to a tragic end after an accident in 1962; the great draws here today are reindeer, ringed seals, glaciers, polar bears, walruses and beluga whales. Ny Ålesund is also famous for being the starting point for several North Pole expeditions.
Polar bears
8. Polar bears
Spitsbergen’s most famous inhabitant is the isbjørn – or ‘ice bear’. Around 3,000 of them inhabit the island’s glaciers, ice floes, tundra and mountain slopes. Look out for them hunting ringed seals; they are most concentrated along the northern and eastern shores. Even when you can’t see them their presence can be felt; it’s illegal to walk without a rifle, and homes are left open should someone need to find shelter rapidly.
Reindeer
9. Reindeer
Not all reindeer are domesticated. The endemic and completely wild Svalbard reindeer is found across Spitsbergen, with thick, snowy hued winter coats that turn brown in summer – just one of their many adaptations to this harsh environment. Due to the scarcity of food, the reindeer gather in very small groups, unlike the huge herds of Lapland. Look out for wobbly legged calves in June and July.
Snowmobiling
10. Snowmobiling
Land based trips across Spitsbergen nearly always include some serious snowmobiling. This is not just a spin in the park, however. You need a full driver’s licence, and will get training to cope with the frozen, mountainous terrain. You will also need protective winter gear, which will be provided by tour operators. Snowmobiles will give you access to otherwise inaccessible winter wilderness terrain.
Walruses
11. Walruses
The walrus is likely to be the most surprising encounter on Spitsbergen. Few visitors expect them to be quite so enormous: up to 3.5m long with huge tusks which they use to haul their huge wrinkled bodies up onto ice floes, and to fight. They are now seen across Svalbard in large colonies, having been protected since 1952, when their numbers dwindled to just a few hundred following centuries of hunting.
Whales
12. Whales
Having bounced back after centuries of being hunted for their valuable blubber, whales are now abundant around Svalbard. Species include minke, pilot and blue whales – as well as the ghostly white beluga. Extremely rare narwhals can occasionally be seen off the northeast coast, while much more active orcas are frequent visitors. You may even be lucky enough to kayak alongside them.
Wildlife photography
13. Wildlife photography
There are a few trips to Spitsbergen where you are accompanied by wildlife photography experts, such as Mark Carwardine. These really are trips of a lifetime, and you don’t need to be an expert photographer to enjoy them either. If you want to travel with world renowned wildlife experts, and get superb photographic advice at the same time, seek out these one off trips. Read more here.
Our top Spitsbergen Vacation
North Spitsbergen cruise, in search of Polar Bears
Expert Led, Polar Bears, Whales, Birdlife, photography
From
€3380
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun
2020: 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun
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.
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…
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...
Taking a small ship cruise around Spitsbergen is the most popular way to go, and another world from giant cruise liners taking over Longyearbyen. Read on to cruise, not bruise...
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...
protection
Photo credits: Anette Holmberg [Spitsburg from above: Kitty Terwolbeck]
[Glacier: Kitty Terwolbeck]
[Dog sledding: Jon K. Bernhardsen]
[Isfjord Radio: Lyn Hill]
[Longyearbyen: Christopher Michel]
[Nordenskiold Glacier: Prillen]
[Northen Fjords: Gunvor Røkke]
[Reindeer - Ny Alesund: Christoper Michel]
[Polar bear with kill: Juan-Vidal Díaz]
[Reindeer: Kitty Terwolbeck]
[Snowmobiling: Bernt Rostad]
[Walruses: claumoho]
[Whale: Guillaume Baviere]
[Wildlife photography trip: Guillaume Baviere]
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