Expeditions to Svalbard

If you're looking to escape the everyday rhythm of life, the islands of Svalbard offer a remote escape. 

Sometimes the desire to feel the immensity of the world is what drives us away from our day-to-day life and inspires us to explore the furthest reaches of the wild.

Halfway between Norway's Noth Cape and the North Pole, the islands of Svalbard rise dramatically from the Arctic Ocean. Views of rugged mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and lush greenery decorate this arctic region of Norway. Largely untouched by the human presence, Svalbard remains wild and offers expedition travelers mystery and discoveries.

Geography & Animal Life

These Arctic islands remain scarred by icy glaciers and jagged peaks. Still mostly covered in ice, sentinel peaks soar above deep fjords and sparkling bays, while summertime reveals sparse tundra vegetation and the arrival of Migratory birds. Birds nest in the peaking rock and reindeer graze the slopes. Predatory gulls and arctic foxes haunt the nests of migratory birds. Seals and Walruses emerge from the waters for the breeding season, while whales breach beyond the surf. The presence of mankind is few, including a few research outposts and expedition travelers aboard Kayaks and Zodiacs. Guests to Svalbard will experience raw natures and endless beauty.

Within Svalbard

Storstappen Island, Norway 

Rising 930ft out of the sea, this island is a part of a large nature reserve that supports hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds. This island serves as the summer residence to 400,000 pairs of puffins, hundreds of northern gannets, and many black-legged kittiwakes as well as other seabird species. The huge population of birds here attracts white-tailed eagles and the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the island are teeming with life.

Hornvika, Norway

Before the road to Nordkapp was completed in 1956, all travelers wishing to visit Nordkapp were brought ashore at Hornvika, and from there hiked up a steep climb to the North Cape Plateau. During pre-Christianity times, this area was a holy site for the Sámi people who gave gifts in the hope of receiving good luck. The iconic destination of Nordkapp has lured adventurous tourists for many years and Hornvika, and with its steep hike, has been visited and used by hundreds of people, explorers, dignitaries, and royalty alike. The hike is 300 meters (985 feet) up the steep mountainside to reach the plateau.

Skarsvåg, Norway 

Skarsvåg is a lovely, small village on the northern coast of the island of Mageroya in Norway. It is known as the world's northernmost fishing village, formed of about sixty houses. A little further northwest, North Cape marks the northernmost point on continental Europe. Nordkapp is considerably further north than Iceland and is at a similar latitude to the northernmost part of Alaska. The Sámi people of the European Arctic arrived in the region around 3,500 years ago and made a living fishing, farming, trapping, and reindeer husbandry.

Bjørnøya, Svalbard

Bjørnøya, or Bear Island as it is often called, is the southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago and lies halfway between Spitsbergen Island and the Norway mainland. With only a small Norwegian weather station on the north coast, the island is remote and rarely visited. It was declared a Nature Reserve in 2002.

Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Longyearbyen is the largest settlement in Svalbard and is its administrative center, as well as the world’s northernmost settlement.

Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and the ninth most populous municipality in the country. It surprises visitors with its sophisticated art scene, its contrasting modern and historical architecture, international cuisine, multicultural events, and festivals throughout the year. Tromsø is also ‘The City of Explorers’ and has seen several expeditions set off from its shores to probe the polar realm. Despite being situated 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, the sea doesn’t freeze here in winter, and there is no permafrost in the vicinity. Tromsø is noticeably milder than other towns at the same latitudes in other parts of the world.

Set Sail