North Svalbard Sailing Expedition

Day 1: Longyearbyen

After arriving in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s administrative centre, amble around this former mining town’s intriguing sights. You might like to visit the Svalbard Museum, which has an interesting collection on local history, the mining industry and polar exploration. 

In the early evening, you'll set sail out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. Into the evening, you'll set course for Trygghamna, seeing the remains of a 17th Century English whaling station and an 18th Century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visit tomorrow morning.

Days 2 to 10: Exploring Spitsbergen 

Your first full day of exploration begins with a hike from Trygghamna to Alkhornet, a dramatic seabird cliff where birds gather to stake out breeding spots. Keep an eye out below too – Arctic foxes are often spotted here, and if the snow isn’t too deep, you might see reindeer grazing on the rich vegetation.

From there, you’ll sail into Fuglefjorden, flanked by the stunning glaciers of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta. These areas are prime nesting grounds for great skuas, and there’s always a chance of spotting a polar bear. On the shores of Birgerbukta, you’ll find remnants of 17th Century Basque ovens once used for rendering whale blubber.

Next up is Ytre Norskoya, a small island doubling up as a Dutch whaling lookout for many years. You can still follow the historic paths to the summit, passing bustling bird cliffs along the way. Onshore, more 17th Century blubber ovens remain, along with the graves of about 200 Dutch whalers. Arctic skuas and common eiders nest among these eerie but fascinating relics.

Then it’s on to Raudfjorden, on the northern coast of Spitsbergen. It’s a brilliant place to take in the sweeping glaciers, with regular sightings of ringed and bearded seals, seabird colonies, and the occasional beluga whale or polar bear. At Alicehamna and Buchananhalvøya, you’ll also get fantastic views of the region’s geology.

If ice conditions allow, you might land on the north side of Graahuken, a wide-open tundra stretch, and walk to Hyttesletten. This plain is a favourite grazing spot for reindeer and a breeding ground for various waders. Nearby lakes often host red-throated divers and king eiders.

Depending on the sea ice, you might sail into Liefdefjorden to land at Texas Bar and cruise past the massive face of Monaco Glacier, which is just over 3 miles (5 km) long. Thousands of kittiwakes feed in the waters here, and polar bears often hunt along the glacier’s base. If the ice blocks access early in the season, your route may instead follow the west coast of Spitsbergen.

As you head south, you’ll visit Magdalenafjorden, known for its breathtaking glaciers. A stop at Gravneset reveals the remains of English whaling operations from the 1600s, and you’ll likely see sizeable colonies of little auks.

Continuing northward, you’ll reach Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden, where the plan is to explore Ny London, the remains of early 20th Century marble mining operations. Then there’s Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost settlement in the world. It’s also home to scientific research stations and the anchor mast of the airship Norge, which completed the first flight across the North Pole to Alaska in 1926. Krossfjorden offers striking views of glaciers and towering peaks, too. 

On the return leg south, you may land in Forlandsundet at Sarstangen, a known walrus haulout. Alternatively, you might explore the coast of Engelskbukta and take a scenic walk to Hornbaekbukta.  

Your final stop is Bohemanflya, a sweeping tundra landscape rich in birdlife (depending on the season) and known for its impressive coastal rock formations. In Gipsvika, you’ll go ashore near Templet, a dramatic mountain of eroded sedimentary rock dating back around 290 million years to the Upper Carboniferous period.

Day 11: Disembark

On your final day, you’ll leave the schooner in Longyearbyen as your adventure reaches its end.