North Spitsbergen by Tallship
View Trip Notes
Explore beautiful fjords and glacier fronts. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of sailing in the high arctic. 50 Degrees North offers unique, small-group expedition voyages to the Arctic that allow you to enjoy the natural wildlife and scenery of some of the world’s most spectacular and pristine shorelines.
This adventure of a life time includes highlights such as possible polar bear sightings, zodiac landings and walking on Svalbard.
Start in Longyearbyen, set sail for Alkhornet
Sail towards Forlandsundet
Visit Ny Ålesund
Zodiac around 14th July Glacier
Visit Magdelenafjord
Visit Ytre Norskøya
Cruise Raudfjord
Land on Reindyrfla
Visit the remains of Smeerenburg whaling station.
Visit the coast at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen
Continue sailing towards Longyearbyen
Finish Longyearbyen
Countries visited
Places visited
- Longyearbyen
- Ny Ålesund
- Raudfjord
- Fuglehuken
- Magdalenafjord
- Spits 2000 bergen
Transportation
The Noorderlicht was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner. In 1991 she was re-rigged and refitted thoroughly. The Noorderlicht now has 20 berths, and a well-balanced two-masted schooner rig capable of sailing the seven seas. The qualified captains have great experience of the oceans, and together with the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable adventure. The Noorderlicht has no ice class, but has a strengthened bow.
Included In Price
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.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Meals Included
This tour includes 31 meals; 10 breakfasts 10 lunches 11 dinners
Not Included In Price
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; 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; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 120 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.
| Start | End | Twin share pp | |
| 21 Jun 2013 | 2 Jul 2013 | AU$ 4490 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 12 days. | |||
| 30 May 2014 | 10 Jun 2014 | AU$ 4500 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 12 days. | |||
| 10 Jun 2014 | 21 Jun 2014 | AU$ 4500 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 12 days. | |||
| 21 Jun 2014 | 2 Jul 2014 | AU$ 4500 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 12 days. | |||
| 2 Jul 2014 | 13 Jul 2014 | AU$ 4500 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 12 days. | |||
| 13 Jul 2014 | 28 Jul 2014 | AU$ 5950 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 16 days. | |||
| 28 Jul 2014 | 12 Aug 2014 | AU$ 5950 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 16 days. | |||
| 12 Aug 2014 | 27 Aug 2014 | AU$ 5950 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 16 days. | |||
| 27 Aug 2014 | 11 Sep 2014 | AU$ 5950 | |
| Price in US Dollars. 16 days. | |||
Day 1: Start in Longyearbyen, set sail for Alkhornet
After arriving in Longyearbyen, the 'capital' (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with Arctic Foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Tryghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x DinnersDay 2: Sail towards Forlandsundet
2000 We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting we will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here we can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich's Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby we may be able to visit a haul-out of Harbour Seals and Walruses.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 3: Visit Ny Ålesund
Today we will visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). The local bird life has adapted itself to the human presence and is exceptionally tame. Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Common Eiders, Arctic Terns and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The Reindeers here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 4: Zodiac around 14th July Glacier
In the morning we sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th July Glacier where we cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier we will visit an accessible breeding site for Brünnich's Guillemots, Auks and Puffins. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 5: Visit Magdelenafjord
Sailing northwards we visit the Magdalenafjord, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier fronts. During a shore visit we will view the remains of 17th century English whaling activities. We can also visit some big seabird colonies particularly noteworthy for their Little Auks.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 6: Visit Ytre Norskøya
Today we will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skuas and Common Eiders breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 7: Cruise Raudfjord
Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seals, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Belugas. Jermaktangen, at the fjord's eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 8: Land on Reindyrfla
If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrfla, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for Reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area's lakes offer good chances of spotting Red-throated Divers and King Eiders.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 9: Visit the remains of Smeerenburg whaling station.
Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen, and, if we obtain permission, Danskøya where many historical remains are to be found of the 19th century expedition by the Swedish explorer Andree, who tried to reach the North Pole in a balloon.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 10: Visit the coast at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen
On our way south, we will try to make a landing on the coast of the Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen or Poolepynten, where Walruses are often hauled out. From there we head straight for Longyearbyen, but if time allows we could call at Colesbukta, from where good walkers may walk to Longyearbyen in six hours.
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 11: Continue sailing towards Longyearbyen
Continue sailing towards Longyearbyen
Accommodation
m/v NoorderlichtMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 12: Finish Longyearbyen
Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo