Remote Svalbard sailing expedition

A sailing expedition that heads further out than most. Sail beyond the familiar routes to see Svalbard's largest glacier and explore the islands of Nordaustlandet and Edgoya, as well as remote Bear Island on this 21-day epic.
Longyearbyen Prins Karls Forland Virgohamna, Danskoya Nordaustlandet Austfonna Edgoya Hopen Bear Island Tromso
Price
5380 excluding flights
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Duration
21 Days
Countries
Arctic Cruises, Norway, Spitsbergen
Type
Small group
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Description of Remote Svalbard sailing expedition

Head into the wild and ice on this ambitious, remote Svalbard sailing expedition that goes far beyond the usual cruising routes to show you the most untouched islands in the archipelago. As you head out from Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, civilisation soon disappears and the untouched north calls.

Highlights on this trip include following in the footsteps of Arctic explorers at Danskoya, and exploring less-visited areas, like Nordaustlandet, where you can enjoy true wilderness sailing around the second largest island and see Austfonna, its massive ice gap and Europe's third largest glacier. You'll also spend time cruising around Edgoya and make stops at teh remote islands of Hopen and Bear Island.

Most voyages offer a gentle introduction to this stunning Arctic world – this one may not. It takes place in late August, a time which marks the Arctic’s early autumn: the midnight sun fades, nights grow longer, snow begins to fall, and temperatures dip below zero. Yet this is when sea ice reaches its annual minimum – the perfect time to push further.

Along the way, you'll venture ashore for demanding treks in search of traces of human heritage scattered across Spitsbergen’s remote shores – from historic expedition sites to abandoned trappers’ huts. Every landing is an encounter with raw wilderness. The team you're travelling with operate with deep respect for nature and the ever-changing Arctic conditions. Sailing here means humility: ice, wind, and weather dictate the course, but they also make for the adventure of a lifetime.

Price information

5380 excluding flights
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Travel guides

Wilderness
Learn why protecting these havens of biodiversity is so critically important and how your visit can encourage that.
Extreme adventure
Get ready to turn the dial all the way up to 11 on your holiday with our travel guide.

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.

Planet

Carbon reduction
Our Arctic voyage is designed with sustainability at its core. We travel primarily by the power of wind- sailing- and our own strength – trekking– minimizing reliance on engines and reducing carbon emissions. Accommodation is on board our yacht, where life is simple and resources are limited. This teaches us that true adventure requires very little: we conserve water, energy, and supplies because they are precious in the Arctic.

Provisioning happens in Longyearbyen, where we source local products and prepare meals together as a crew. This gives us the flexibility to choose vegetarian or vegan options whenever possible, though availability of fresh produce in the High Arctic can be challenging. Every aspect of this journey reflects a commitment to low-impact travel and respect for nature – proving that exploration and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Environment & Wildlife
Traveling on a small sailing yacht offers a unique advantage: for most of the journey, we move silently under sail, generating almost no noise pollution. When the engine is required, its low power means minimal disturbance to marine life. Our hulls are made of steel or aluminum rather than fiberglass, which prevents microplastic release into the water. These materials are durable, allowing the yachts to be used for decades, and when their life ends, they can be easily recycled rather than becoming waste.

We respect the Arctic’s wildlife – from walruses and orcas to polar bears – observing them from a safe distance without interfering in their natural behavior. We are guests in their habitat, and we act accordingly.

Accommodation is on board, where resources are limited. This encourages water and energy conservation and teaches that true adventure requires very little. We provision in Longyearbyen, sourcing local products and preparing meals together, with options for vegetarian or vegan diets whenever possible.
Our approach is simple: sail with humility, minimize impact, and foster awareness. Every decision reflects our commitment to nature-positive travel and preserving the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

People

Local Economy
Our expedition supports the local economy in practical, meaningful ways. We provision in Longyearbyen, sourcing food locally wherever possible instead of relying on large European supplies. Space on board is limited, so every choice matters – and this teaches us the value of simplicity and mindful consumption.
We also hire local guides for selected parts of the journey and use local services, such as renting safety equipment required in the Arctic. While the region’s economy is small and options are limited, these actions make a real difference. Beyond financial support, we share knowledge and foster awareness: guests learn how to travel lightly, conserve resources, and respect the fragile Arctic environment. This is not just a sailing trip – it’s an education in minimalism and sustainability.

Employment, Inclusivity and Diversity
Our skippers are primarily from Poland, as Longyearbyen does not face unemployment issues that our small-scale operations could address. However, we are proud to create opportunities for people from diverse social backgrounds. Anyone with the required official qualifications – sailing license, safety and navigation training, and radio operator certification – can work with us.

We employ women and older individuals, many of whom have changed career paths later in life to turn their passion for sailing into a profession. All crew members are paid fairly for their work.

Our trips are fully inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly. We also welcome participants with partial disabilities: limited mobility, hearing or vision loss, or cognitive challenges are not barriers to joining. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate wheelchair users due to space constraints on board, but we strive to make the experience accessible for as many people as possible.

This is more than a sailing expedition – it’s an opportunity to embrace diversity and show that adventure belongs to everyone.

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