Arctic sailing voyages, Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen, with its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, is a High Arctic archipelago, only 600 miles from the North Pole. It is a true wilderness: difficult to reach and hostile to explore.

Spitsbergen is amongst the most interesting and exciting of all Arctic destinations, and is home to around 2,000 polar bears as well as walruses, reindeer, arctic fox and huge Arctic seabird colonies. Long daylight hours and ice-free shores facilitate the exploration of the unspoilt natural beauty of this area.

Guided by natural history experts, we use well equipped zodiacs to navigate deep inside dramatic fjords and hike across spectacular tundra, dotted with an array of wild flowers, birds and wildlife.

A voyage on the waters of the Arctic seas is not one you merely take to reach your destination, but one to savour in itself, giving time and space to remove urban cobwebs and revitalise the mind.

From the outset the seascape is both rich and expansive, where one may marvel at the spectacle of dolphin acrobatics at the bow, view tail flukes on the horizon or witness polar bears floating by on the ice below.

We provide the opportunity to explore this remote wilderness by sailing yacht carrying small groups of between 20-45 travellers, providing an intimate and stimulating atmosphere of like minded people.

All these trips include a program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.

Please note: We also offer Icebreaker Arctic voyages, please see here. North Spitsbergen sailing voyage with snow-shoeing
This early season pioneering sailing expedition takes advantage of the volumes of snow and ice still covering the high arctic, allowing trekking on land by snow shoes.

These North Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages provide access to some spectacular glacier scenery. This includes the 14th July Glacier where we take to the Zodiacs to explore where its towering front meets the sea. This glacier is close to some of Spitsbergen’s richest flowering vegetation which is nourished by the guano of huge bird colonies. There are breeding sites here of Brünnich’s Guillemots, Little Auks and Puffins.

Dates: Please enquire  Price: From £1760 (12 days) Longyearbyen – Longyearbyen including full board, twin sharing non private cabins.

Sailing expedition - North Spitsbergen
The eastern limits of the Atlantic Gulf Stream run up the western seaboard of Scandinavia as high as western side of Spitsbergen, just 600 miles from the North Pole. As summer arrives in this area, the ice flows recede so that by the end of May we can gain access by sea to some of the most prolific parts of this Arctic Archipelago.

These North Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages provide access to some spectacular glacier scenery. This includes the 14th July Glacier where we take to the Zodiacs to explore where its towering front meets the sea. This glacier is close to some of Spitsbergen’s richest flowering vegetation which is nourished by the guano of huge bird colonies. There are breeding sites here of Brünnich’s Guillemots, Little Auks and Puffins.

Dates: 2008: 22 Jun, 2009: 10 Jun Price: From £1760 (12 days) Longyearbyen – Longyearbyen including full board, twin sharing non private cabins. Please note, there is a £100 price increase for 2009 departures.

Sailing expedition around Spitsbergen
Our Natural History Sailing Voyages around Spitsbergen provide our longest explorations of this polar archipelago, with its mountains, fjords, ice flows and wildlife. With time on our hands, we can expect excellent opportunities to see the best of the Arctic wildlife including polar bears, walrus, reindeer, bearded and harbour seals and an abundance of seabirds.

We are running this voyage at the end of August when we can expect the ice flows to have receded to their maximum, allowing the best access to all corners of the archipelago. On the western coasts of the island group, where the waters and vegetation are influenced by the Gulf Stream, we tend to find the most prolific birdlife. The eastern islands feel little effect of these warmer waters so here we can enjoy a sense of the High Arctic, even in midsummer.

Dates: 2008: 28 Aug. Price: From £2360 (16 days) Longyearbyen – Longyearbyen including full board, twin sharing non private cabins.

South Spitsbergen sailing voyage
Our late summer South Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages provide the opportunity to experience some stunning scenery and wildlife, and experience the great Arctic freeze as it begins to spread from the north. By late September, ice flows are likely to have cut off access by sea to the northern sections of Spitsbergen. As long summer days give way to more regular night and day rythms, the chances of seeing Northern Lights increase substantially.

The focus of our wildlife exploration are mammals such as polar bears, walruses, seals and whales of which we always hope to see beluga. We can also hope to see arctic foxes and reindeer, in particular around the steep cliffs of Alkhornet

Dates: 2008: 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct. Price: From £1195 (8 days) Longyearbyen – Longyearbyen including full board, twin sharing non private cabins.