Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen
SPITSBERGEN
Explore the Arctic North on a yacht and experience the wilderness and unique wildlife in a rugged and untouched setting. Among the snowy peaks, gleaming blue glaciers, vast ice fields and impressive icebergs, you will be one of only a few humans to enter this landscape. The itinerary below is an example of an eight-day yacht charter for Svalbard.
DAY 1 / Longyearbyen
After a short flight from mainland Norway, you will board the yacht in Longyearbyen and meet your crew. Located on the west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Longyearbyen is the capital of Svalbard and the Northernmost settlement with a permanent population over 1,000. Stroll around town and keep an eye out for Polar bears, which can occasionally be seen in the area. After that, you’ll be setting sail and start the adventure of a lifetime!
DAY 2 / Ny-Ålesund
Cruising away from Longyearbyen, your first port of call is Ny-Ålesund; the world’s northernmost settlement, situated at 79 degrees north. Originally a mining settlement, nowadays it serves as a scientist base and an Arctic laboratory. Ny-Ålesund is also known as the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions to the North Pole. Today, Ny Ålesund relies on two vital industries – science and tourism. Firstly, the area has become an important source of both Arctic and worldwide environmental research. In terms of tourism, Ny Ålesund boasts the world’s most northern active post office. The museum holds exhibits from both its coal mining past as well as the more recent scientific endeavors.
DAY 3 / Smeerenburg
Smeerenburg is located on Amsterdamøya Island and was a Danish and Dutch whaling station in the early 1600s. Smeerenburg translates to ‘Blubber Town’ , since it’s main industry was boiling whale blubber into oil. Nowadays, it serves as the habitat of a large population of nesting Arctic terns. The island of Amsterdamøya is surrounded by fjords, glacier fronts and rugged mountains, Remains of its days as a whaling station are the large, cement-like remains of blubber from ovens where the blubber was boiled.
DAY 4 / Moffen Island
Moffen is a small island positioned, north of the mouth of Wijdefjorden. It is located on the northern coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Moffen is part of Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park. Most of the island is gravel and sand, without solid bedrock. It is very likely you’ll see large walrus colonies and the very rare Sabine’s gull. Grab a hot chocolate or steaming soup on board afterwards!
DAY 5 / Alkefjellet
Today, the yacht will head towards the famous bird cliffs of Alkefjellet. Tens of thousands Brünnich’s guillemots’ nest on impressive basaltic pillars, which rise vertically from the waters of Hinlopenstretet, between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. Alkefjellet may not be Spitsbergen’s biggest bird cliff, but at 100 meters plus in height, it is certainly among the most spectacular ones and accessible from the sea side.
DAY 6 / Kvitøya
Kvitøya (English: “White Island”) is almost completely covered by Kvitøyjøkulen, an ice cap with an area of 705 square kilometers (272 sq mi), It is shaped like a classical, hourglass-shaped dome, which has given it its name. Kvitøya is a part of the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. The island is home to a healthy polar bear population, has great walrus sightings as well as several bird populations, such as red-throated divers and Arctic terns.
DAY 7 / Diskobukta bay on Edgeøya
At anchor in the bay of Diskobukta, your Arctic cruise will offer you a great opportunity to explore the pristine and quiet beauty of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. It is home to immense colonies of black-legged kittiwakes, as well as land-based Arctic foxes, reindeer, walruses, and polar bears. The canyon leading to the bay was formed by a stream that gushes out to the ocean. At the mouth of the stream is an impressive waterfall, tucked inside a cave. Outside of the canyon are abandoned whale hunting cabins from the late 19th century. Additionally, giant whale bones that were once covered by water have over time been exposed, ready to be investigated by curious adventurers like yourself!
DAY 8 / Isbukta
On the last day of your adventure, you will get a view of the tidewater glaciers in Isbukta Bay. Isbukta is a tranquil bay, situated far south on the east coast of Spitsbergen, in Sørkapp Land. It is home to an abundant wildlife such as the Sabine’s gull, skua and bearded seals. The glacier Vasil’evbreen spills into the bay from the North and Sørkappfonna spills into the bay from the South. You will then head back to Longyearbyen and disembark. You are guaranteed to leave this breathtaking region with memories that will last a lifetime!
