SVALBARD CIRCUMNAVIGATION
AND KVITØYA

The unique Arctic ecosystem of Svalbard is almost entirely protected in a network of nature reserves and national parks. Our voyage takes us around Svalbard where a significant part of the land surface is reserved as special protected areas: six nature reserves, three national parks, geological reserve and bird sanctuaries. Each has its own claim to Svalbard’s magnificent natural history.

Whether by land or sea, we’ll encounter a wealth of wildlife — including polar bear, walrus, Arctic fox, reindeer, and a variety of whales and seals — in one of the High Arctic’s most pristine environments. We will also encounter a surprising variety of hardy plant life and striking geological formations throughout the archipelago.

The monumental shifting of ancient ice ages built up the planes and low hills of Kvitøya. The rarely visited island is not always accessible to expedition ships, but it may provide yet another opportunity to observe polar bears in their natural habitat. While exploring Kvitøya, you can see its main attraction – walrus rookeries. The noisy cries of these massive animals drown out everything around, and you will have the opportunity to observe their life as few others will ever witness them.

This rocky island, far from civilization and almost completely covered by ice, became the final resting place of the balloon expedition of the Swedish polar explorer Salomon August Andrée.

Svalbard boasts one of the Arctic’s highest concentrations of polar bears. They are the world’s largest land carnivores and have become a symbol of the imperiled Arctic wilderness. This is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears hunting in their preferred habitat.

During our sojourn we hope to come across this majestic creature employing various strategies to catch seals. These wide-ranging and opportunistic Arctic nomads can be found at many places and times during our voyage.