Svalbard august

Route 

There is no fixed itinerary. Rolf Stange, with his extensive experience in Spitsbergen, will work with the captain to decide the plan flexibly, depending on the ice, wind, and weather conditions. The focus of this trip is on the nature experience, not on reaching specific places. Ultimately, we will decide based on the situation and the weather to ensure we spend as much time as possible in the most beautiful areas accessible to us under favorable weather conditions. However, we will most likely land in the following fjords:

• Isfjord: The largest fjord of Spitsbergen, it combines nearly the entire landscape and biological diversity of the entire archipelago in its many branches. Longyearbyen, where the trip begins and ends, is located here.
  
  
• St. Jonsfjord: A peaceful, beautiful fjord north of Isfjord. Short hikes offer great views of the subtly colorful landscape.
  
  
• Forlandsund: The shallow waters allow the Meander, as one of the few ships, to pass through the very shallow Forlandsund between Prins Karls Forland and the main island of Spitsbergen. In this area, we hope to observe walruses at the anchorage.
  
  
• Kongsfjord: The scenic panorama of Kongsfjord has long captivated whalers. Today, Ny-Ålesund, converted into a research settlement, is located here, featuring the airship mast from which Amundsen and Nobile launched their famous Arctic expeditions. It also holds the northernmost post office in the world.
  
  
• Krossfjord: This sea arm is highly branched, so we could easily spend days here. The picturesque fjord has served as a backdrop for historical events, from whaling to a German weather station during World War II, all set against the backdrop of large glaciers and rugged mountains. Krossfjord also offers some exciting spots to observe Arctic wildlife.
  
  
• Raudfjord: The west side of this fjord is characterized by Alpine Arctic landscapes with steep mountain slopes and glaciers. Steep cliffs host seabird colonies, and in early June, parts of the fjord are likely still covered with solid ice, often with seals lounging on it.
  
  
• Woodfjord: This long sea arm runs along Andrée Land, known for its rounded mountain shapes and colorful rocky slopes. Woodfjord has two branches, the Bockfjord and the Liefdefjord.
  
  
• Wijdefjord: This fjord stands out on the map due to its straight, long shape. On the west side lies Andrée Land, and on the east side rises the heavily glaciated high plateau of Ny-Friesland. The interior of Wijdefjord is dominated by the Mittag-Leffler Glacier. The Wijdefjord was the site of the tragic failed Schröder-Stranz expedition in 1912/13. Although it’s rarely visited, it offers beautiful landscapes and landing opportunities.
  
  
• Hinlopen Strait: This strait separates the main island of Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet, the second-largest island of the archipelago. The landscapes on both sides of this sea channel are characterized by vast, expansive areas with enormous ice caps. Large seabird colonies thrive here, and the area offers good chances for spotting other wildlife. The sparse vegetation in many areas earns the region its ecological title of “Polar Desert.”
  
  
• Nordaustlandet: The second-largest island in the archipelago is mostly glaciated and features the longest glacier edge in the entire northern hemisphere.
  
  
• Heleysund: The narrow strait between Barentsøya and Spitsbergen experiences impressive, strong tidal currents, making it only passable under favorable conditions. Alternatively, we may pass through the Freemansund between Barentsøya and Edgeøya.
  
  
• Barentsøya and Edgeøya: Located in the southeast of the archipelago, these islands feature expansive plateau mountain landscapes. Less glaciated than Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya and Edgeøya have wide, seemingly lush tundra areas with large reindeer populations, while other places are marked by mighty cliff coasts, making them inaccessible.
  
  
• Northern Storfjord: Situated between Spitsbergen and the southeastern islands of Barentsøya and Edgeøya, this fjord features Negribreen, one of the largest glaciers in Spitsbergen. On the wild east coast of Spitsbergen, there are several bays and coasts we may explore.
  
  
• Sørkapp (South Cape): A prominent and exposed area with unprotected waters. We expect to make distance on this stretch, likely resulting in a full day of sailing.
  
  
• Hornsund: No wonder this area is considered a scenic highlight, as it’s surrounded by several large glaciers and some very remarkable mountains.
  
  
• Bellsund: This area offers a scenic variety, from vast tundra areas to a series of characteristic small islands and land projections, all shaped by unique and striking geology, and culminating in beautiful mountains. Along the shore, remnants of the “Gold Rush era” from the early 20th century can be found, as small mines sprouted up here like mushrooms in other places.

We hope to show you as much of the Arctic wildlife as possible: Arctic foxes, walruses, birds, whales, and of course, polar bears. Our crew will do everything possible to visit the best wildlife observation spots, but of course, we cannot guarantee sightings. We will not be conducting a “polar bear safari,” but thrilling encounters can happen around every corner!