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August 17, 2019

Wildlife Adventure in Svalbard and the Polar Region

Polar Small Ship Cruising Traveler Stories Wildlife & Natural History

One of our staff heads north in search of reindeer, polar bears, and walrus.

Whether you are exploring a polar region for the first time or have already conquered the Antarctic, the archipelago of Svalbard offers untouched Arctic wilderness, unique wildlife, and a fascinating history of trappers, whalers, and explorers. On the Arctic Wildlife Safari, we came across fascinating landscapes and creatures.

A row of colorful wooden houses at the base of snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky in Svalbard, offering a stunning backdrop for your wildlife adventure in this polar region.

A quick three-hour flight brought me from Oslo to Longyearbyen, where I spent the day exploring the local shops, museums, art gallery, and northernmost brewery. This mining town is the gateway to Svalbard and was the perfect place to rest and recharge before embarking on the Sea Spirit for my expedition cruise.

An iceberg surrounded by floating ice chunks in a misty, overcast sea invites a thrilling wildlife adventure in the polar region of Svalbard.
A group of people in red jackets sit on an inflatable boat on a body of water with a mountainous, snow-covered landscape and glacier in the background. This Svalbard wildlife adventure showcases the stunning beauty of the polar region.

Our first morning greeted us with incredible views and icebergs. We took our first Zodiac cruise through a sea of magnificent blue icebergs and made our way toward the Negribreen Glacier where we got to experience our first of many calving events.

A group of people is kayaking in a red kayak on calm water in the Polar Region, with a foggy, snow-capped mountain island in the background and rocky shoreline in the foreground—a true Svalbard wildlife adventure.

Throughout our trip we had some great land excursions and hikes that took us through snow, mud, and rocky terrain but always rewarded us with breathtaking views. Some travelers had the opportunity to kayak and take in Svalbard from a different perspective.

In Svalbard's sparse polar region, a reindeer with large, velvety antlers grazes on grass—a perfect snapshot of a wildlife adventure.
A white mountain goat stands on a grassy slope with snow patches, against a backdrop of rocky, snow-covered peaks, embodying the essence of a wildlife adventure in the majestic Polar Region.
On a Wildlife Adventure in the Polar Region of Svalbard, two seals rest on a small rock in a body of water with a snowy shoreline in the background.
Seagulls rest on a floating ice formation near a snow-capped mountain by a calm body of water in the Polar Region. One bird is in flight against the blue sky, capturing the essence of a Svalbard wildlife adventure.
On a wildlife adventure in the Svalbard polar region, three polar bears, including a small cub, walk across a rocky, barren landscape near a body of water.

Thanks to the help and expertise of our fantastic expedition team, we had incredible wildlife encounters: reindeer were abundant, seals were playful, and the seabirds seemed to surround us throughout our journey. We even had a few polar bear sightings from our Zodiacs!

A group of walruses rests on a beach in Svalbard, with snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background—a true wildlife adventure.
A graffiti mural of a bear, reminiscent of Svalbard's wildlife adventure, filled with colorful tags, scribbles, and spray-painted designs on a white tiled wall.

The walrus encounters were by far my favorite. They are so playful and swift in the water, but once they come on land, they move at a slow and somewhat awkward pace. I had so much fun watching and photographing these unique animals.

We had the opportunity to visit Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town and launch pad for North Pole air expeditions. We had incredible weather and stunning views during our tour of this Arctic research town.

A person standing on rocky terrain with snowy mountains and a glacier in the background under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the essence of a Wildlife Adventure in Svalbard.

One of most incredible things about an expedition in the Arctic is the chance to experience the unpredictable weather. One morning we woke to clear blue skies and in the same afternoon we were taking a Zodiac cruise in the snow and walking on the ice—true Arctic weather!

My expedition cruise in Svalbard was a truly incredible experience. I was blown away by the stunning landscape and ever changing layers of texture of color and would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a unique adventure!

—Text and photos by WT staff Denise Santos, Arctic Wildlife Safari.

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