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West Spitsbergen Explorer

From £5672

Excluding Flights

8-11 Nights

May-Aug

Overview

From spectacular vistas of icebergs and glaciers to the region’s plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights. Focusing primarily on Spitsbergen’s scenic west and northern coastlines, this comprehensive expedition covers less distance in order to maximise time on land.

Regular shore excursions offer the chance to uncover the natural and human history of the island, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife as you go! You may spot polar bears, reindeer, walrus and seabirds in their thousands. Enormous glaciers and fields of Arctic wildflowers provide a spectacular backdrop to each day’s adventures. You will have the opportunity to explore this dramatic landscape not only by ship, but also on foot and via Zodiac.

Itinerary

All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
The below sample itinerary is based on the 10-day voyage on the Ocean Explorer. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, i.e. alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.

Arrive in Finland’s capital, where an overnight stay is included. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Helsinki’s picturesque harbour, Art Nouveau architecture and thriving café culture at leisure.

In the morning you will transfer to the airport to board your charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. There may be time to explore the town before embarkation. As the ship sets sail, enjoy views of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.

During your voyage, the expedition team will take advantage of local ice and weather conditions to explore the highlights of Spitsbergen’s west coast, focusing on a search for wildlife. Wildlife viewing opportunities are enhanced by exploring as many remote areas as possible. Spotting polar bears, Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and land or sea birds can be difficult, but well worth the effort. Conditions permitting, you will be able to explore near sea ice, through fjords that lead to glaciers and icebergs, and discover bird nesting colonies, all from the platform of the ship. Alternatively, you can hop in a Zodiac to explore more closely, or be head ashore to visit historical sites and experience the tundra.

Your adventure ends back in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen, where you board the charter flight to Helsinki. 

Special Interest Departures

Join a leading photography expert on a West Spitsbergen Explorer voyage with a twist:

MS Quest – 12 May 2025 – Doug Allan

One of the world’s best known and respected cameramen, Doug Allan is also an award-wining Polar photographer whose love affair with ice has lasted for over forty years.

During his career, he has been on over 20 expeditions to Svalbard to film its wildlife. Doug’s filming credits feature many well known TV series, including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Operation Iceberg and Forces of Nature. His photographic awards include eight Emmys and five BAFTAs. He has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and has three Honorary Doctorates in recognition of his camerawork, as well as two Polar Medals.

Doug will share his experiences and stories as you explore the island of Spitsbergen on this 9 day voyage aboard the MS Quest.

Prices

What's Included

  • Shipboard accommodation

  • All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board

  • Tea & coffee available around the clock

  • All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings

  • Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers

  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £5672 Excluding Flights

8-11 Nights

May-Aug

The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all. Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you. 

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Doug
4

World Cups attended

1

Cage dive with sharks

2025 departures & price guide

Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. They do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type. 

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience