Most Arctic expedition cruises can be categorized into two main types: those that operate during the autumn and winter, focusing on the northern lights, and those that sail during the high season (mid to late summer), concentrating on a broader range of experiences.
However, if you're open to a slight drop in temperature, there's a third option worth considering.
This option involves cruises to Spitsbergen from late spring through early summer, a period that is often overlooked but offers unique advantages in the Arctic travel calendar.
Here's why this time frame is exceptional in terms of weather, activities, and wildlife.
Weather: Experience the Transition from Winter to Summer
If you're a polar enthusiast who prefers glittering icebergs and sprawling glaciers over balmy beaches, the early Spitsbergen season is perfect for you.
During this time, snow still clings to the mountains and patches of tundra, and pack ice lingers along many coastlines. Although the weather is warmer than the March and April lows of –10° C (14°F), you'll still feel the Arctic's presence.
But isn't that part of the allure?
Activities: Core Spitsbergen Excursions in Full Swing
Zodiac cruising, landings, shoreline and inland walks, and other non-supplementary expedition activities are all available during Spitsbergen’s late spring and early summer.
As winter transitions to summer, you can enjoy these activities in relatively mild Arctic temperatures. You're also less likely to encounter blockages in the fjords, bays, or waterways of Spitsbergen.
With Svalbard’s wildlife becoming more active, late spring through early summer is an ideal time to visit.
Wildlife: A Full Spectrum of Spitsbergen Fauna
Polar bears hunt on the pack ice,
walruses lounge on the shores,
and cliff-nesting birds settle into breeding perches below peaks still gripped in winter ice.
Early in Spitsbergen’s high season, you have some of the best opportunities to observe Arctic wildlife. Seabirds like kittiwakes, little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots, and black guillemots are all present.
Arctic foxes search for fallen chicks and eggs at the cliff bases, reindeer graze on the tundra,
and various species of seals (bearded, ringed, etc.) can be spotted, depending on your route.
In other words, bring a camera and plenty of memory cards when you visit Spitsbergen in the early season.
Summary of Spitsbergen’s Stunning Late Spring, Early Summer
What New York is in the autumn, Spitsbergen is in the late spring and early summer.
During this magical time of year, you can sail through expansive fjords and ice-scattered bays, walk along rugged beaches and vast flowering inlands, and view colossal glaciers, towering mountains, and unique polar species.
But don't worry if you can't make it precisely during this period; the best time to take a Spitsbergen trip is always as soon as possible.
![Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail](/assets/img/main_image/Compressed/51594431c5b54ff5e4480ca2fbf3e9abfea4588d.webp)
![Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding](/assets/img/main_image/Compressed/e9bd3aed1e9cb6460edb0a50cd1db0df49211994.webp)
![North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife](/assets/img/main_image/Compressed/01e69e313c8a43860c744b64ec11b4128a5c0cf5.webp)
![North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer](/assets/img/main_image/Compressed/ea0f1e071340bcde570438da05c07afe64996a10.webp)
![North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife](/assets/img/main_image/Compressed/a4b7fc9c4d18acd59b4cbb2d73c7e747b1971037.webp)
Related Trips
Blog
![go-left](/assets/assets_icon/left_icon.svg)
![Orcas (aka Killer Whales) of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/be7a9c53a18346aceb358bcc55690136f5b2f36b.webp)
Orcas (aka Killer Whales) of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic
![Graham Land: A landscape dominated by volcanoes - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/941d7e90a92d4ac490fd4e1b7a3daa2e1343d773.webp)
Graham Land: A landscape dominated by volcanoes
![Diving in Antarctica: The Ultimate Underwater Experience - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/6bb4e525aae763188d3f7b0d91d34d6084303d7e.webp)
Diving in Antarctica: The Ultimate Underwater Experience
![The Giant Petrels of King George Island - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/4e89e15c400dde879119e3f977f73c10ce58862f.webp)
The Giant Petrels of King George Island
![Amphibian, reptiles and herbivore mammals in the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/8566862625e0ee0a5ab9ebe3dfce70f0002206f0.webp)
Amphibian, reptiles and herbivore mammals in the Arctic
![Cruising Solo: The Benefits of Single-Passenger Polar Travel - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/bdd3c35e4ed478050681ab68c5e3277268f7b4be.webp)
Cruising Solo: The Benefits of Single-Passenger Polar Travel
![Explore Antarctica Without Leaving Your Couch - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/84d05ae575ae30473b2016cfd345b4b6e4a59b9b.webp)
Explore Antarctica Without Leaving Your Couch
![10 Tried-and-True Bird Photography Tips - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/6ed867b33d3b34ff5e422e19c49365e505e44bfe.webp)
10 Tried-and-True Bird Photography Tips
![The Ancient Fossil Forests of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/89916217ad1dad23e131f3257c678e49efcbcc97.webp)
The Ancient Fossil Forests of Antarctica
![17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/e908324f67afc37198a498877d31ff004a7c6bb2.webp)
17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands
![Danger Beneath the Water: 10 Facts About Leopard Seals - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/f292865f864c0d727fbc4189140f78de907efb68.webp)
Danger Beneath the Water: 10 Facts About Leopard Seals
![11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/905106c4a3c58f5a3de14b7314a345b2928af45b.webp)
11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic
![Ancient Arctic Exploration - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/a0a8398a4c1ff8eacfbebf67ca14c7767ea1a748.webp)
Ancient Arctic Exploration
![10 Weather-Fueled Facts about Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/47224d17cbf5d156851cd8f38013ef9ffe549ed8.webp)
10 Weather-Fueled Facts about Antarctica
![The Eight Great Penguin Species of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/media601803b41dbe4713881297.webp)
The Eight Great Penguin Species of Antarctica
![Northeast Greenland National Park - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/media600eef7e34f12956679612.webp)
Northeast Greenland National Park
![Penguins, Albatrosses, Petrels: The Winged Wildlife of South Georgia - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/f323872a0a2aa3620362bf82f1afe2e19e9cf646.webp)
Penguins, Albatrosses, Petrels: The Winged Wildlife of South Georgia
![“The polar bear will still be there” - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/b13b052dbcd366dff4853616332e66ba95b79b36.webp)
“The polar bear will still be there”
![Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/786d0bbf012655c0a5aefdca8d3568a67f17a723.webp)
Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs
![Greenland: East vs. West - Nexta Expeditions](/assets/img/blog_main_img/compressed/b8f73cccb2e6a367476a507dfaf5a5309d883ad5.webp)