Description
Pricing based on departure date 18 May 2025
Selected departure dates avilable from May to September 2025
THE SVALBARD EXPERIENCE
The islands of Svalbard rise dramatically from the Arctic Ocean halfway between Norway’s North Cape and the North Pole. They give eloquent evidence of nature’s slow but ceaseless industry, scored and corrugated by glaciers that still cover 60 percent of their mass. Stony, sentinel peaks soar above deeply carved fjords and sparkling bays. In summer, the sparse tundra vegetation erupts under the endless encouragement of the Midnight Sun. Migratory birds in their millions arrive from more southerly realms, to nest and breed and nurture their young on steep striated cliffs, shingle beaches and tundra meadows. Elaborately antlered reindeer graze the slopes. Arctic foxes and predatory gulls haunt the nursery edges, alert for opportunity. Seals and walruses haul out to join the breeding season, and patient polar bears patrol the rocky shorelines and floating ice, while whales roll and breach offshore, feeding on the sea’s summer abundance. Here and there, bleached testaments to past human endeavors endure: whalebones and weathered try pots from medieval whaling stations; the wind-sanded timbers of an expedition’s launching site; a hut where someone whiled away a long-ago, dark winter. Riding in Zodiacs and paddling kayaks, observing from the decks and trekking on the islands themselves, we will experience and explore this isolated, unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful place, as it revels in the endless days of its short, exuberant summer.
Reykjavík, established by Viking settler Ingólfur Arnarson around 870 C.E, is the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland. The census of 1703 recorded that Reykjavík had 69 residents and consisted of a farm and a church. The impressive statue of Leif Erikson, in the center of town, reminds all of Iceland’s Viking heritage. Its name translates to ‘smoky bay’, due to the geothermal nature of the surrounding area. Today about 200.000 people live in the Icelandic capital, roughly 60% of the country’s population. It has evolved into a sophisticated city. The northernmost national capital in the world is also one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest on Earth.
Just a handful of people live year-round on Flatey, the largest of the 40 or so Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) scattered about Breidafjordur Bay in northwestern Iceland. The island is actually tiny — just over a mile long and half-mile wide — and quite flat, hence its name. A former monastery, established here in 1172, became a center of learning during the Middle Ages; its monks created the Book of Flatey, considered the finest of the Icelandic saga manuscripts and one of the country’s most important artifacts. A copy rests in Flatey’s library — the world’s smallest — located in the island’s only settlement, which locals call the “old village.”
Akureyri is the second largest urban area in Iceland with a population of around 18,000. Nicknamed ‘The Capital of the North,’ it is situated at the head of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland, only 62 miles (100 km) from the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by snow-streaked mountains, the Akureyri hills flourish in summer with a profusion of arctic wildflowers. Mt. Kerling is the highest peak visible from town, at 5,064’ (1,538 m). Often cloudy, with a mild climate, Akureyri has much less precipitation than its southern counterpart Reykjavik. It is a cultured city, with a university, numerous galleries, museums, art exhibitions, and live theater performances.
Remote and isolated, Jan Mayen is dominated by 2,277 meter (7,470’) high Beerenberg Volcano and its large ice cap. The island has two parts: larger northeast Nord-Jan and smaller southwest Sør-Jan, linked by a 2.5 kilometer (1.6 mile) wide isthmus. The League of Nations gave jurisdiction of Jan Mayen to the Kingdom of Norway in 1921. Except for being used as a meteorological, radio and navigation aid for shipping in the Atlantic, the island has remained untouched, its only inhabitants are 18 military personnel. In 2010 Jan Mayen was declared a nature reserve for the protection of its wildlife and is recognized as one of the most important breeding sites for over 250,000 seabirds in the North Atlantic. It supports large colonies of northern fulmars, little auks and thick-billed guillemots. Polar bears found here are genetically distinguishable from those found elsewhere. Although ‘officially’ discovered by the Dutch whaling captain Fopp Gerritsz in 1614, it may have been sighted by exploring Irish monks as early as A.D. 400.
Svalbard is a remote, vast and wild place, largely untouched by the human presence. In visiting this destination, our plans and itinerary are not set, as we allow the weather, conditions and wildlife to dictate each day. Should a polar bear appear on the horizon we might stop the ship or the Zodiacs in order to get a better look at it. Should ice choke the waters in front of us, we might slow down and explore the edge of this ice while admiring its colors and forms while searching for wildlife, or else turn and choose another destination. Should storms lash against the site we want to visit, we may opt to find a more protected bay and explore a different spot. Whatever we do Svalbard holds many beauties and mysteries and exciting discoveries are always available for those whose eyes and hearts are open.
Some of the highlights in visiting Svalbard include:
Tundra landscapes – Hike across stark, seemingly barren landscapes with Expedition Staff who will show you the delightful small plants and flowers that thrive in this hostile environment. Admire rock formations and landscapes created by frost and water over time. There is always a chance to encounter arctic foxes, reindeer and interesting bird species while exploring out on the tundra.
Polar bears – This iconic species, the King of the Arctic, is a magical creature to encounter. Whether seen as a tiny white speck in the distance, or ambling slowly along a shoreline, a glimpse of this special species is always awe-inspiring. We will never pursue polar bears or allow our encounters to have any adverse impacts on them, so we manage our activities carefully. Always on shore our walks are carefully monitored by our Bear Guards who work to maintain the safety of both visitors as well as the bears.
Historic remains – Although the history of human endeavors in Svalbard is minimal, some historic huts and remains from whaling eras linger on shore to remind us of the hardy souls who ventures before us into this hostile land and scraped a living from the resources they found here. Trappers huts stand as lonely sentinels in this vast landscape and provide visitors with the opportunity to contemplate a life of hardship and beautiful isolation for those who inhabited them in the past.
Zodiac cruises – To admire icebergs and glacier fronts a Zodiac cruise often provides the best vantage. The blue color of the ice is mesmerizing and the shapes the ice forms is captivating. While in the Zodiacs there is always the chance to encounter fascinating marine life such as beluga whales, humpback whales or elusive seals and walrus.
Optional Expeditions will take place where possible. Join your Kayak Team to paddle in the high Arctic along the shores of any of our expedition stops around the Svalbard archipelago. Depending on where we go you can anticipate huge open vistas, big terrain, glaciers, variety of wildlife and overall impressive arctic scenery. You will explore the rugged topography and coastline of this spectacular & magical area from a unique water level perspective.
Longyearbyen, the seat of the Governor of Svalbard, is located in a narrow valley along the shores of Adventfjorden a small tributary of Isfjord, the largest fjord system in Svalbard. It extends 100 kilometers (60 miles) into the island of Spitsbergen. Nine large tidewater glaciers, with a combined ice-front of 21 kilometers (13 miles), as well as dozens hanging glaciers drain into the fjord.
Your Ship: Seabourn Venture
To reach some of the most coveted, remote destinations in the world, Seabourn Venture will be constructed with the hardware and technology necessary to operate capably while delivering a guest experience filled with luxury comforts that leaves travelers wanting for nothing.
Seabourn Venture's submarines are a high-profile amenity of its expedition capabilities. Itineraries where submarines may be deployed are indicated by an icon, however their use is limited by conditions of currents and visibility, cannot be guaranteed, and are at the Captain’s discretion.
