Jan Mayen and Svalbard Cruises

Expeditions & Tours

ALL ABOUT JAN MAYEN AND SVALBARD CRUISES

Arctic / Jan Mayen and Svalbard

Jan Mayen and Svalbard

All about Svalbard and Jan Mayen cruises

Enter polar bear land and discover the beautiful gems of the Arctic. Visit Longyearbyen and see a speck of civilization in this vast polar wilderness. Experience the small volcanic island of Jan Mayen with its picturesque vistas, Arctic fauna and iconic wildlife. Cruise aboard a small 114-passenger expedition ship and discover remote places of the archipelago, take Zodiac excursions to get a close-up view of wildlife and landscapes, engage in nature photography. For our active expeditioners, we offer sea kayaking. Start this epic adventure either in Reykjavík (Iceland), Longyearbyen (Svalbard) or via the British Isles embarking in Edinburgh (Scotland).

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Why travel with Poseidon Expeditions?

Poseidon Expeditions is one of the leading operators of polar expeditions in the cruise industry. Since 1999, we’ve offered voyages that combine the spirit of adventure with a generous measure of onboard comfort and well-being, along with educational enrichment.

Why travel with us?

M/V Sea Spirit – Tiny but Mighty
M/V Sea Spirit – Tiny but Mighty
With a maximum capacity of just 114 passengers, we usually operate with 100 guests off the ship. It maximizes our travelers' time ashore because there is no need for splitting passengers into groups for landing rotations as required on larger ships.
A real polar expedition
A real polar expedition
Experience active exploration of the polar regions through a variety of activities. Weather permitting, we schedule up to 3 excursions per day and offer optional kayaking and, in Antarctica, camping. Enrich your polar knowledge in interactive way through Poseidon’s edutainment program.
25 years of polar cruising
25 years of polar cruising
Polar cruising is our passion and expertise and over the past 24 years, we’ve gained tremendous experience building a strong team of enthusiastic polar professionals who are all experts in their field. Each cruise is a thoughtfully crafted expedition voyage.
EXPLORE OUR CRUISES

Jan Mayen and Svalbard Destinations

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British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard map route
British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard
British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard
Crossing the Arctic Circle
PRICE FROM
US$ 6 577
DURATION
13
ACTIVITIES
Photography
2025 27 may
2026 27 may

HIGHLIGHTS

Jan Mayen and Svalbard_Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen

It’s one of the few truly remote places on Earth and only accessible by boat. This volcanic island boasts incredible vistas of the northernmost active volcano in the world. We’ll set foot on Jan Mayen’s volcanic beaches, visit a functioning Norwegian weather station and historic remains from the heydays of the whaling industry.

Jan Mayen and Svalbard_Svalbard Archipelago
Svalbard Archipelago

The Svalbard Archipelago, located in the Arctic Ocean, offers stunning polar landscapes and abundant wildlife, including polar bears and Arctic foxes. Its unique location also provides a rare opportunity to explore glaciers and experience untouched wilderness. Adventurers can learn about the region's history.

Jan Mayen and Svalbard_Wildlife watching
Wildlife watching

Svalbard and Jan Mayen are home to a diverse array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes and various species of whales and seals. With experienced guides on board, passengers can observe these animals in their natural habitats, ensuring a safe encounter for humans and wildlife.

Departures

itinerary dates days activities special offers rates from
British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard
Crossing the Arctic Circle
 27 May - 08 Jun 2025 13  days Photography

30% OFF BLACK FRIDAY

 from US$ 6 577 per person
British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard
Crossing the Arctic Circle
 27 May - 08 Jun 2026 13  days Photography

Early Bird Discount

UP TO 15%

 from US$ 7 016 per person

About Jan Mayen and Svalbard

Itinerary

Activities

Shore landings and hikes

As comfortable as your expedition ship, the Sea Spirit, is, the real action is out there! Whenever possible we’ll schedule landings on the most beautiful beaches or near historic sites, and our nature and wildlife guides will take you on hikes to discover the gems of these places. Take your cameras and binoculars! Don’t miss the best photo-ops and ask our nature guides any questions about local wildlife and plants. We’ll also properly prep you for the outings: you’ll receive rubber boots for the duration of the cruise for shore excursions and our signature Poseidon Expedition parka (which is yours to keep!).

greenland

Zodiac cruising

Get a close-up view from aboard our small inflatable Zodiac boats. These are perfect to reach remote bays and beaches and to spot iconic wildlife.

Kayaking

Check your cruise for a kayak symbol! If you’re lucky to get a spot in our kayak club, you’ll get a very unique experience. Explore at your own pace and paddle the ocean in your stable kayak. Immerse yourself in pristine polar nature and enjoy the tranquility of paddling in some of the most remote places on Earth. While this experience comes at an extra cost, we highly recommend it for expeditioners who are looking for a more active component to their cruise. It’s the experience of a lifetime and will make for unforgettable memories!

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Lectures and workshops

Days at sea needn’t be boring. Join our onboard lectures and citizen science projects; learn about history, geography, marine biology and wildlife from a team of professionals. Participate in research projects and become part of a global team aiming to preserve the beautiful polar worlds.

Photography

Take your best shot and bring home memories that last a lifetime. All of our cruises offer the best photo-ops of the polar worlds and our professional onboard photographers will be glad to show you their tips and tricks to get that perfect and frame-worthy picture.

The Polar Plunge

Pack your bathing suits! Thrill seekers can join the polar plunge and dive into the cold Arctic waters for an extra exhilarating experience.

Plan your tour

How get to Spitsbergen and Jan Mayen

Depending on the cruise you chose, you’ll be looking at airfare to the departure ports of Edinburgh (Scotland), Longyearbyen (Svalbard), Reykjavík (Iceland) or, in some cases, Oslo (Norway) for those cruises that have the Oslo-Longyearbyen airfare included in your cruise package. Major airlines offer various (in some cases, cheap) options to reach these ports. We recommend you book in advance but not before your spot on the cruise is confirmed.

destination-preview-jan-mayen-svalbard-2

Visa control

While tourists do not require a visa to travel to Svalbard, depending on your country of origin and passport, a Schengen visa may be needed to reach Svalbard via mainland Norway. Likewise, we advise to check if you require visas to enter Iceland and the UK/Scotland if your cruise departs from these ports. Please contact your local consulates ahead of time to find out the procedure and costs. Please let us know if need any assistance, we’ll be glad to help.

Cruise ships

Our 114-passenger expedition ship, the Sea Spirit, is perfectly suited for polar cruises. It features a restaurant, bar, gym, polar library, lecture rooms, comfortable cabins of various categories and a Jacuzzi on deck.

When should I go on a Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island cruise?

We time our Svalbard cruises mostly around May, June, July and August, as it’s perfect to enjoy summer in the Arctic. During the polar day we’ll have plenty of daylight to explore. On cruises later in the season (late August) travelers have the chance to see the northern lights.

When should I go on a Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island cruise?

We time our Svalbard cruises mostly around May, June, July and August, as it’s perfect to enjoy summer in the Arctic. During the polar day we’ll have plenty of daylight to explore. On cruises later in the season (late August) travelers have the chance to see the northern lights.

Facts about Jan Mayen and Svalbard

Jan Mayen

  1. Area: 373km2 (144 square miles)
  2. Location: 600km (370 miles) northeast of Iceland and around 1,135km (705 miles) southwest of Svalbard
  3. Population: uninhabited (apart from non-permanent research personnel)
  4. Geography/geology: Volcanic island with highest point at Beerenberg (the world’s northernmost stratovolcano with an elevation of 2,277m/7,470 ft)
  5. Large breeding site for seabirds such as northern fulmars, little auks, thick-billed guillemots and black guillemots.
  6. Belongs to Norway

Svalbard

  1. Area: 61,045km2 (23,570 square miles) with 9 main islands: Spitsbergen (largest island), North East Land (Nordaustlandet), Edge Island, Barents Island, Prins Karls Foreland, Kvit Island, Kong Karls Land, Bjørn (Bear) Island and Hopen
  2. Population: 2,650 (in 2021)
  3. Population: uninhabited (apart from non-permanent research personnel)
  4. Geography/geology: The archipelago features numerous mountains and fjords and approximately 60% of it is covered in glaciers. The highest peak is Newtontoppen with an elevation of 1,713m (5,620 ft)
  5. Large breeding site for seabirds such as northern fulmars, little auks, thick-billed guillemots and black guillemots.
  6. Under sovereignty of Norway but with restrictions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Our Jan Mayen tours are scheduled for May, June, July and August when the temperatures are around 0°C (average range: 3°C / -1°C).

To stay warm on your vacation we recommend dressing in layers: a warm base-layer (wool, merino-wool or polyester), fleece or wool pullovers and pants and a wind- and waterproof outer layer. Don’t forget at hat, gloves and scarf and (of course) your Poseidon Expedition parka that you’ll receive upon boarding!

Yes, and given the remoteness of the island, the best way is to visit by ship. Depending on weather conditions, we will land on Jan Mayen, explore the volcanic beaches and see local wildlife.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen belong to the kingdom of Norway, whereas Svalbard is not part of the Immigration Act of Norway. This is why foreigners do not need a visa to visit or work in Svalbard (as per December 2022).

The official language in Svalbard is Norwegian, but almost everyone on the archipelago speaks English. Jan Mayen is uninhabited and only research personnel resides non-permanently on the island.

To complete your holidays with aurora borealis sightings, we recommend booking one of the cruise tours later in the season. August and September are perfect to see northern lights in the Arctic on your Svalbard and Jan Mayen tour.

Our team of experts are ready to help you

Contact us today and we'll help you plan your perfect vacation!

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