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

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

Description
Highlights
Prices
Price start from :
$
4,300
Contact Us
calendar-img19 June 2025 - 26 Jun 2025
clock-img8 Days/7 Nights
route-imgLongyearbyen - Longyearbyen
m/v Ortelius
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - gallery 0
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - gallery 1
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - gallery 2
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - gallery 3
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special - gallery 4
This expedition focuses on the pack ice of north Spitsbergen and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife.
Description

Note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations.

The midnight sun is a phenomenon that happens during the Arctic summer, when the sun stays visible for a full 24 hours if the weather is good. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen is on June 21, when the sun is at its highest point above the northern horizon at midnight. The sun won't fully set again until late August, and even then, only for a few minutes. Join us to experience this amazing event during our cruise through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.

Largest town, biggest island

You arrive in Longyearbyen, the main town of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Take a walk around this former mining town, where the parish church and Svalbard Museum are interesting places to visit. Despite the stark landscape, over a hundred plant species have been found here. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might see the first minke whale of your expedition.

North Spitsbergen’s natural beauty, wildlife, and pack-ice

This cruise will take you into the pack ice and along the remote shores of rugged north Spitsbergen. Places we might visit include:

Raudfjord

On the north coast of Spitsbergen, this large fjord is filled with glaciers and might be visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline are home to many seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and possibly polar bears. We will try to land at Alicehamna or Buchanan Peninsula.

Monaco Glacier

Depending on the weather and sea ice, we could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar, and cruise near the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this steep glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.

The Seven Islands

The northernmost point of the cruise may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here we may reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. At Phipps Island, there is a walrus haul-out site, while Ross Island is the northernmost landmass in Spitsbergen. The vessel may sail deeper into the pack ice before heading west again.

Sailing in the pack ice

While we retrace our route west, keep an eye out for polar bears, ringed seals, and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. This is also the habitat of ivory gulls. About 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Spitsbergen, we’ll sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water rises from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of seeing minke whales.

Forlandsundet wildlife

Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, at Poolepynten. But if we cannot go there, we might sail to the mouth of Isfjorden, where we may see different species of rorqual whales. Our intended landing site is Alkhornet, where seabirds nest on the cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. Another possibility is the glacier front in Ymerbukta, where you can see various eider duck species.

There and back again

Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided.

Activities You might Participate
go-leftgo-right
Cabins and Pricing
Ship Information
Quadruple Porthole
More Details
Quadruple Porthole
2 upper / lower berths
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Hair Dryer
Hair Dryer
Deposit Box
Deposit Box
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Storage
Storage
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill person-fill person-fill
USD
17200
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sold out!
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill person-fill person-fill
USD
4300
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Sold out!
Triple Porthole
More Details
Triple Porthole
1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Desk
Desk
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill person-fill
USD
16050
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sold out!
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill person-fill
USD
5350
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Sold out!
Twin Porthole
More Details
Twin Porthole
2 lower berths
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Hair Dryer
Hair Dryer
Deposit Box
Deposit Box
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Storage
Storage
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
11900
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Request
Single Cabin
person-fillperson-white
USD
10115
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Request
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
5950
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Request
Twin Window
More Details
Twin Window
2 lower berths
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Hair Dryer
Hair Dryer
Deposit Box
Deposit Box
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Storage
Storage
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
12900
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Request
Single Cabin
person-fillperson-white
USD
10965
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Request
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
6450
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Request
Twin Deluxe
More Details
Twin Deluxe
2 lower berths
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Hair Dryer
Hair Dryer
Deposit Box
Deposit Box
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Storage
Storage
Refrigerator
Refrigator
Coffee & Tea Maker
Coffee & Tea Maker
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
13600
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Request
Single Cabin
person-fillperson-white
USD
11560
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Request
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
6800
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Request
Superior
More Details
Superior
1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed
Shower
Shower
Tv
Tv
Desk
Desk
Hair Dryer
Hair Dryer
Deposit Box
Deposit Box
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Storage
Storage
Refrigerator
Refrigator
Coffee & Tea Maker
Coffee & Tea Maker
Complete Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
15500
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Request
Sharing Cabin
person-fill person-fill
USD
7750
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Request

m/v Ortelius

The ice-strengthened Ortelius is fully equipped for polar exploration and can accommodate helicopter flights when necessary.

Specifications

Passengers: 108 passengers in 50 cabins
Staff & crew: Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
Length: 90.95 meters
Breadth: 17.20 meters
Draft: 5.4 meters
Ice class: UL1 (Equivalent to 1A)
Displacement: 4090 tonnes
Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed

Cabins Gallery

Show more

Ship Interior Gallery

Show more

Ship Exterior Gallery

Show more

Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. At that time his atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.

Perfect for Any Expedition

The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefore suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius can accommodate up to 108 passengers and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 24 highly experienced nautical crew members, 20 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.

Ortelius: a Vessel with Comfort and Character

Please be aware that a small number of cabins may have a partially obstructed view due to the size of the windows and the design requirements of the ship. For example, some windows may be partly obstructed in the lower half by a gangway. The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge. Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel ― along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.

Age & Nationality

Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their 80s, with the majority usually between 45 ― 65. Our expeditions attract independent travelers from around the globe who are characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. 

What to Wear

In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck ― which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside in a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.

How to Pay

Refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the hotel manager, paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (euro, or in some cases dollar). We cannot, however, accept checks. Though the prices and standard currency on board is in the euro, other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager, at prevailing rates.

Electric Current

The electrical supply aboard ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so some passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.

Gratuities

The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. Tipping is a personal matter, and the amount you wish to give is at your sole discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest 8 ― 10 euros per passenger per day. It is better for the crew if you give cash.

Non-Smoking Policy

We have a non-smoking policy inside all our vessels, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers.

Your Physical Condition

You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment.



Map
Route of North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special
Important
Included
Excluded

The average price for flights (round trip) to Longyearbyen

From Jakarta: $3,200
From Singapore: $2,800
From Kuala Lumpur: $2,900

Insurance Requirements:

  • Mandatory Insurance: All travelers must have insurance covering medical expenses, accidents, and repatriation/evacuation.
  • Recommended Insurance: It is strongly recommended to include cancellation insurance for added protection.

Drone Usage Policy:

  • Prohibited: The use of drones is strictly prohibited during the expedition.

Clothing and Gear Recommendations:

  • Water-resistant coat and Pants: Essential for protection against wet and windy conditions.
  • Layered Underwear: To ensure warmth and comfort in extreme weather.
  • Sunglasses: Necessary to protect against the strong UV rays and glare from the snow.
  • Gloves: Insulated and water-resistant gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
  • Additional Items: Consider packing a warm hat, thermal socks, and sturdy waterproof boots.
FAQ
Show All
ads from nexta

You May Also Like
go-leftgo-right

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 - 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 Basecamp - Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Basecamp - Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores

calendar26 Jun 2025 - 03 Jul 2025
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

calendar30 Jun 2025 - 09 Jul 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
Around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet

calendar14 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.650 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

calendar23 Aug 2025 - 05 Sep 2025
clock14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 7.450 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

calendar27 May 2026 - 05 Jun 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 3.050 per person
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring ,  Hike & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Hike & Sail

calendar29 May 2026 - 05 Jun 2026
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.950 per person
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Birding Special - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Birding Special

calendar05 Jun 2026 - 15 Jun 2026
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.600 per person
Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Akureyri

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

calendar05 Jun 2026 - 13 Jun 2026
clock9 Days / 8 Nights
From $ 2.750 per person
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Summer Solstice - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Aberdeen

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

calendar12 Jun 2026 - 21 Jun 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 3.050 per person
North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice - Free Kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Diving (supplemented) - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice - Free Kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Diving (supplemented)

calendar19 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.450 per person
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer

calendar25 Jun 2026 - 05 Jul 2026
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.600 per person
East Spitsbergen - Home of the Polar Bear, Including Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

East Spitsbergen - Home of the Polar Bear, Including Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores

calendar26 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026
clock8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.450 per person
North Spitsbergen - In Pursuit of the Bowhead Whale - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

North Spitsbergen - In Pursuit of the Bowhead Whale

calendar28 Jun 2026 - 07 Jul 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail

calendar12 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2026
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 9.350 per person
Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet

calendar17 Aug 2026 - 26 Aug 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
83 Degree Farthest North Spitsbergen Extreme - Nexta Expeditions
Arctic
Longyearbyen

83 Degree Farthest North Spitsbergen Extreme

calendar28 Aug 2026 - 06 Sep 2026
clock10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 5.900 per person
Blog
go-leftgo-right
Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen

I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
Six Must-See Svalbard Sites - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Six Must-See Svalbard Sites

It’s home to humanity’s last-ditch supply of crop seeds, the world’s northernmost settlement of over 1,000 people, and it is one of the best places on Earth to spot a polar bear.
The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain

As apex predators, polar bears reign supreme in the Arctic food chain. Only humans pose a threat to this massive and majestic species. But one look at these magnificent creatures explains why so many people embark on Arctic trips hoping to spot a polar bear in its natural habitat.
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.
8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic

The Arctic’s frozen landscape not only contains scenic gems, it also prompts fascinating advances in research. Here are some of the eight best.
Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen

Seabirds are the most prevalent type of bird in Spitsbergen. Experts have estimated that there are 164 bird species that have been found throughout Spitsbergen at various points during recent history, but only 30 of them are known to turn to the Svalbard Islands as their primary breeding spot.
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record

According to polar bear experts Rinie van Meurs and Dr. Ian Stirling, the new record for polar bear diving is an astounding three minutes and 10 seconds. Unless this particular polar bear has an unusually large lung capacity, we can now safely assume that these creatures have the ability to remain underwater for an extended period of time.
The Northern Lights dancing across the skies - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Northern Lights dancing across the skies

The Northern Lights typically manifest in a belt with a radius of 2,500 kilometers centered on the magnetic North Pole. This auroral zone spans northern Scandinavia, Iceland, the southern tip of Greenland, and continues over northern Canada, Alaska, and along the northern coast of Siberia.
Svalbard a Disneyland for geologists - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Svalbard a Disneyland for geologists

Svalbard is situated in the north-western corner of the Eurasian plate. Historically, Svalbard was part of a vast continent that included North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. At one point, both Northeast Greenland and Svalbard were submerged under the ocean before resurfacing.
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen

The Svalbard archipelago is located in the Arctic Ocean, roughly 660 km (410 miles) north of Norway's northernmost point. This region is a haven for geologists, boasting a rich geological history that spans from the Mesozoic era (65-245 million years ago) through the Cambrian era (570 million years ago) and back to the Archean era, over 3.5 billion years ago.
The Arctic’s Most Phenomenal Fjords - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Arctic’s Most Phenomenal Fjords

Fjords are often linked with Norway, but they are not exclusive to that region. They are a common feature of the Arctic and are major attractions in Greenland and Svalbard.
Svalbard’s Texas Bar - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Svalbard’s Texas Bar

Texas Bar is one of the historic areas we visit on certain Svalbard trips, and it always proves to be a cherished landing site among both our guides and guests. This might be surprising, however, given that its name can be a bit misleading.
The Mysteries of the Beluga Whale - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Mysteries of the Beluga Whale

Beluga whales, also known as white whales, sea canaries, and sometimes melonheads, are a rare but cherished sight during Arctic cruises, thanks to their striking appearance. Despite the rarity of beluga sightings, a good amount is known about these friendly-faced cetaceans.
15 Toothy Facts About the Atlantic Walrus - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

15 Toothy Facts About the Atlantic Walrus

The walrus is one of the most recognizable animals on the planet, and for good reason. Try sneaking into a cinema with those tusks!
The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Where the Polar Bears Roam - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Where the Polar Bears Roam

Going to the Arctic without clapping eyes on a wild polar bear can be reasonably compared to visiting Africa without seeing a giraffe or a zebra or, most analogously, a lion.
10 Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, offer some of the most breathtaking photographic opportunities in the Arctic. However, capturing this stunning phenomenon requires more than just luck. To take your best northern lights photos, it's helpful to understand some key aspects of aurora-specific photography.
The Pack Ice and Polar Bears of North Spitsbergen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Pack Ice and Polar Bears of North Spitsbergen

The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is renowned for being one of the prime locations to observe polar bears. The largest island in this region, Spitsbergen, not only offers sightings of these majestic Arctic creatures but also provides a unique opportunity to experience the phenomenon of pack ice.
Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts

When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.
Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear

Polar bears are to the Arctic what penguins are to Antarctica.