Spitsbergen Alkefjellet Magic - Nexta Expeditions
Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic

Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic

If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.

Standing over 100 meters tall, they were far more imposing than we had imagined. Some of the rock towers jutted out like fingers. In other areas, Alkefjellet – the mountain of the guillemots – resembled a medieval castle. It felt like stepping into a movie scene.

blog-image

Fighting Brünnich’s guillemot at Alkefjellet

Alkefjellet may not be Spitsbergen’s largest bird cliff, but it is certainly among the most spectacular and easily accessible from the sea. As we slowly glided past the steep rock walls teeming with birds, we watched in awe: guillemots constantly taking off from the ledges, returning, splashing in the water, diving, and re-emerging. Some droppings landed on our zodiac and guano-proof clothing; we didn't mind too much as it is said to bring luck.

Two guillemots were fiercely fighting, slapping each other with their wings and trying to use their sharp beaks as weapons. They were so engrossed in their conflict that they drifted right alongside the zodiac. They even continued their battle underwater! When the fight ended after a few minutes, one bird was bleeding, and the other looked quite disheveled as well.

blog-image

A magic Alkefjellet morning

By the time we reached the glacier at the northern end of the colony, we had seen and listened to thousands of birds, felt very tiny in our sturdy rubber boat towered by the rock (and bird) masses, found one of the greenish eggshells shattered on a ledge, and observed two Arctic foxes patrolling the foot of the cliff. They moved across steep tundra and snow fields, nose down, ears alert, searching for a scent or a sound.

As we finally turned around, the sun broke through, reflecting on the water while the mist still clung to the steep walls. It was as eerie as it could possibly get – a stunning finale to a magical Alkefjellet morning.

Best Deals

Related Trips

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail

calendar08 May 2025 - 15 May 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.750 per person
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Aberdeen

Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding

calendar31 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 2.900 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

calendar03 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

calendar08 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

calendar09 Jun 2025 - 16 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more

calendar10 Jun 2025 - 17 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special

calendar12 Jun 2025 - 19 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice

calendar16 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice

calendar18 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special

calendar19 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

calendar23 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

calendar24 Jun 2025 - 01 Jul 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

Circumnavigating Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

Many of our expedition cruises focus on specific areas of the Arctic or Antarctica, delving deep into local wildlife and other natural highlights. However, some programs aim to provide a broader survey, visiting a variety of sites to offer guests a wider perspective.
What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen? - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen?

We’ve previously discussed our north Spitsbergen journeys and Spitsbergen circumnavigations, but the eastern parts of this incredible island have not received the attention they deserve. Despite the name, our east Spitsbergen voyages explore much more than just the eastern side of Spitsbergen.
What to pack for your Atlantic Odyssey voyage? - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

What to pack for your Atlantic Odyssey voyage?

When packing, avoid burdening yourself with excessive clothing or gear. Opt for casual, practical attire that can be layered. Consider including the following:
The Small Mammals of the Arctic and Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Small Mammals of the Arctic and Antarctica

As Lillian Gish says in Night of the Hunter, “It’s a hard world for little things.”
Albatross, penguin and krill research in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Albatross, penguin and krill research in Antarctica

In the Antarctic region, extensive research is being conducted by national Antarctic programmes from countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan. These studies aim to understand species in the air, on the ground, and in the sea, and how these species are interconnected without variables such as human impacts and climate change.
“The polar bear will still be there” - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

“The polar bear will still be there”

For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
The Eight Albatrosses of Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Eight Albatrosses of Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic

Our guests are typically wildlife enthusiasts, with a particular interest in bird life. While many bird lovers focus on the penguins we encounter, there's a smaller yet equally passionate group that favors the more airborne seabirds. Among this birdwatching subset, the albatross is a species that garners (and deserves) significant attention.
Why a Polar Diving Cruise Should be Your Next Great Decision - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Why a Polar Diving Cruise Should be Your Next Great Decision

Not so very long ago, all you had to do to qualify as a thrill-seeker was hop a ship to the polar regions and make it back with all your fingers – or your life, if you weren’t picky.
Puffins: Clown Birds of the Atlantic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Puffins: Clown Birds of the Atlantic

Puffins are part of a family of 22 seabird species known as auks, which are pigeon-sized birds that thrive on a diet of small fish and crustaceans.
The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies

Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments on Earth, home to whales, penguins, seals, and birds, providing nature lovers with a treasure trove of wildlife memories to take back home.
17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands

Maybe you’ve already marveled at the colossal penguin colonies of South Georgia, sailed among the plunging seals of the Antarctic Peninsula, and watched whales in the Weddell Sea lunge among titanic tabular icebergs.
Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea - Antarctica

The Adélie penguin population in the Ross Sea has reached its highest numbers in 30 years, with up to a million breeding pairs during the summer. This accounts for about 38 percent of the entire Antarctic Adélie population.
Deep Sea Dwellers: 10 Facts about The Antarctic Giant Isopod - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Deep Sea Dwellers: 10 Facts about The Antarctic Giant Isopod

On average, the Giant Antarctic Isopod grows to 9cm (3.5in.) in length. This may not seem very large, but factors including low light levels, freezing cold water, and a lack of oxygen prevent these isopods from growing very large. Other species of isopods, including the Giant Isopod, have been known to grow up to 40 cm (16 inches) in length!
Antarctic Icon: 44 Facts About the Emperor Penguin - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctic Icon: 44 Facts About the Emperor Penguin

What polar bears are for the Arctic, emperor penguins are for Antarctica. These flightless aquatic birds are probably the most recognizable animals in the southern polar regions and certainly among the most popular wildlife attractions for our passengers.
What to Expect When Crossing the Drake Passage - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

What to Expect When Crossing the Drake Passage

Positioned between the southern tail of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula's north-sweeping arm is a lively little waterway known as the Drake Passage.
Two for the Snow: Polar Cruises for Couples - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Two for the Snow: Polar Cruises for Couples

Do you know the old saying, “Cold hands, warm heart”? In our opinion, that bodes well for couples who visit the polar regions.
True South: A New Flag for a Global Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

True South: A New Flag for a Global Antarctica

When Evan Townsend signed up to spend the winter of 2018 working at an Antarctic research station, he had no reason to expect he would end the season by designing a new flag for the continent. He had even less reason to expect the support it would receive.
Amazing Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Amazing Greenland

If you ever get the chance to take a trip to Greenland, you will be amazed by its coastlines, fjords, ice-covered peaks, and great expanse of snow-covered land. You will also notice that Greenland is a rugged area with a rich diversity of life, making it a dream location for scientists as well.
Birds of the North: 29 Arctic Birds and Seabirds - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Birds of the North: 29 Arctic Birds and Seabirds

The Arctic is home to some of the world’s most majestic mammals, both on land and sea. However, the bird life in this region is equally remarkable, showcasing numerous exotic species that are highly prized by bird enthusiasts worldwide.
11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic

1. Weddell seals – These seals are known for their calm demeanor and spend most of their lives beneath the Antarctic ice. Although they need to come up for air, they can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes. Weddell seals can dive to depths of 610 meters (2,000 feet) in search of food. These vocal animals usually have one pup annually and can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) and weigh 544 kg (1,200 lbs).