SPITSBERGEN (Svalbard)
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice.
21 June – 28 June 2026 (7 days)
Your best opportunity to see polar bears!
VOYAGE OVERVIEW
Discover the raw beauty of northern Spitsbergen during the summer solstice — 24 hours of daylight, Arctic pack ice, and the opportunity to spot polar bears, walruses, seabirds, whales, and more.
Set sail aboard the sturdy m/v Plancius from 21 to 28 June 2026, departing from and returning to Longyearbyen. Over this 7-night journey, explore the stark, ever-changing terrain, venture into balanced sea-ice landscapes, enjoy adventurous landings and shoreline hikes, and witness exceptional Arctic wildlife in their natural habitat.
Highlights
This expedition focuses on the versatility of north Spitsbergen’s visually stunning landscapes, vast spans of sea ice, and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife. Enjoy the fantastically beautiful landscapes, adventurous landings, and shoreline hikes. For additional activities, check the tour description.
Solstice
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer, when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen falls on 21 June, when the sun reaches its highest altitude of the year above the northern horizon at midnight. It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again, and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this fascinating phenomenon during our voyage through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.
Is This Journey for You?
Intimate expedition ship focused on nature immersion
Zodiac landings and cruises: we truly explore, not just sail by
Operated in line with AECO sustainability guidelines — this is not a mass-market cruise
Possibility to arrange post-expedition travel in Svalbard and your return journey
Itinerary
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You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
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This voyage will take you into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines of rugged north Spitsbergen. Places we might visit include the following:
Raudfjord
On the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can enjoy this expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. We will try to land at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya.
Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather and sea ice, we could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this precipitous glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
Highlights of Hinlopen
We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance, there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjord in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here we may see reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses. We can take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.
The Seven Islands
The northernmost point of the voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet at Chermsideøya or Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands. Here we may reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again.
Sailing the continental shelf
While retracing our route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, we sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.
Forlandsundet, St. Johns Fjord, or Alkhornet
Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet at Sarstangen or Poolepynten. Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
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Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided.
The Ship
Ship information
The ice-strengthened vessel Plancius is ideal for polar expedition cruises in the Arctic. Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy. In 2004 it was purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. Plancius is a Dutch flagged completely rebuilt and converted 116 -passenger vessel. She complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations classed by Lloyd’s Register in London.
- Comfortable and nicely decorated, but not luxurious. It is made for explorers;
- Spacious yet small ship character, comfort & modern technology;
- Small ship operation: 116 passengers in 53 cabins, with private bathroom and facilities;
- Including a pleasant lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (full panoramic view).
Plancius offers an exploratory educational travel program in the polar regions spending as much time ashore as possible. Click here for more information about the ship.
NEED HELP WITH PHOTOGRAPHY ?
Join me on this adventure, and let’s capture the beauty of one of the wildest and purest places on Earth together.
For those who are interested, I can reveal my secrets for taking beautiful photos. As we explore this incredible environment, I’ll help you see every detail of the beauty around you. I’ll guide you through various (technical) aspects of photography, tailored to your skill level, so you can better understand your camera and settings. I am also happy to give you feedback on the photos you take on this expedition. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, this journey will inspire and elevate your photography skills. Let’s make unforgettable memories—one shot at a time!
If photography isn’t your passion, that’s perfectly fine! Let’s share in the wonder of this incredible place together!
THE PERFECT DESTINATION
© Christian Clauwers, Antarctica.
Yes, this picture could be yours. Join me on this epic quest in the Arctic!
CABINS & PRICES
Cabin prices: brief price overview (per person)
Quadruple cabin with porthole: € 4.100,-
Triple cabin with porthole: € 5.100,- SOLD OUT
Twin cabin with porthole: € 5.650,- SOLD OUT
Twin cabin with window: € 6.150,- SOLD OUT
Twin deluxe cabin: € 6.500,- SOLD OUT
Superior cabin with window: € 12,580 (single) or € 14,800 (double) SOLD OUT
Quadruple with Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
€ 4.100,- per person
Quadruple Porthole
Cabin size 12 m²
1 porthole
2 upper & lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
Safe deposit box
This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Twin Porthole
Twin porthole
€ 5.650,- per person
Twin Porthole:
Cabin size 12 m²
1 porthole
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Twin Window
Twin window
€ 6.150,- per person
Twin Window:
Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
1 window
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Twin Deluxe
Twin window
€ 6.500,- per person
Twin Deluxe:
Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
1 window
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Superior room
Superior cabin
€ 12,580 (single) or € 14,800 (double)
Superior:
Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
2 windows
1 double bed
1 sofa bed
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Included in this voyage
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) to and from Longyearbyen.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded from this voyage
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BOOKING,
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW :
See you in Svalbard!
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