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Sail and Explore the Svalbard Archipelago

Itinerary
Guide(s)
Lionel Lemonchois, Brian Farquharson, Paul Degonda, Andres Scherrer, Boreal Adventure Sailing
Trip options

Booking for a group?
Reserve spots for 5 or more people, and get $57 off for each
Itinerary
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
7 day
Guide(s)
Lionel Lemonchois, Brian Farquharson, Paul Degonda, Andres Scherrer, Boreal Adventure Sailing
Reserve deposit (35%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0
  • Experience the Arctic wildlife to the fullest over 7 days of adventure. Take part in this tour of the Svalbard coast and spend your days animal watching, hiking and exploring the spectacular locations along the coast that are rich in history, cultural heritage, and wildlife. Reenergize each evening with a warm meal and get to know the group of outdoor enthusiasts that you share this experience with. If your mind is elsewhere at the mere thought of embarking on an Arctic exploration, this is the perfect adventure for you!

    • After you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to the sailboat where your adventure begins! Get settled, get to know the crew, and make yourself comfortable. Once you check your luggage, review the boat and listen to the safety briefing, you’ll set sail towards the remote frontiers of the Arctic.

      Sail through the archipelago for as many days as you want in the company of experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the area. After a hearty breakfast, grab your backpack and head to the spectacular locations along the coast! Your guide will maximize time spent onshore and, depending on the weather conditions, you might explore more than one landing spot on given days. After 4-8 hours of exploring the great outdoors, return to the boat for nourishing apres snacks and rest before joining your group for dinner and conversation. Each day is a new adventure!

    • The small Arctic town of Longyearbyen is the gateway to the High Arctic wilderness of Svalbard. Situated on the shores of Adventfjord and surrounded by snowy mountaintops and glaciers, it is only a three-hour flight from Oslo or a 90-minute flight from Tromsø.

      Colorful wooden houses at Longyearbyen in Svalbard
    • First stop is Isfjord, a system of multiple fjord branches and pyramid shaped mountains cascading to the cold Arctic waters. Choose from a number of fjords and anchorages and explore Grønfjord, Billefjord or Trygghamna. Some more interesting sights include Pyramiden, a perfectly preserved ghost USSR settlement, and Barentsburg, the only Russian settlement since the abandonment of Pyramiden. Explore Finnset, the site of a former Norwegian whaling station) or Alkhornet’s WWII observation center known for interesting geological formations.
      Arctic landscape in Spitzbergen -Svalbard. View across the Isfjord to the mountains on the other side of the Fjord.
    • Located on the Spitsbergen coast, the sound of Forlandsund is lined with mountains and glaciers approachable under summer weather conditions. As you sail, pick between a number of anchorages, including the old whaling station Farmhamna (great for anyone interested in geology), Eidembukta known for the rich birdlife, Fersvassbukta (walruses!) and Engelsbukta and its Comfortlessbreen glacier.

      Walrus resting on an ice flow in Franz Josef Land
    • These fjords dominated by peaks and glaciers overlooking the deep blue sea have numerous locations waiting to be explored. Anchor in Ny Alesund, a polar scientific research center and the site of the epic Amundsen’s zeppelin 1926 North Pole flight. Once you’ve seen everything, grab a beer in the world’s northernmost pub. Go for a nice walk and explore the flora of Peirsonhamna or enjoy the spectacular views of glaciers in Blomstrandhamna and Møllerfjord. With surprisingly numerous wildlife and varied coastal scenery, every explorer will find something for themselves.

      Yellow houses on yellow tundra grass with snowy mountains in the background, in Ny Alesund
    • As one of the seven national parks in Svalbard, Nordvest-Spitsbergen is home to Svalbard’s main historical monuments, whaling stations and burial grounds established as early as the 1600s. The area is rich in fauna, with vast bird colonies, reindeer, walruses, Arctic foxes and polar bears. If you’re up for more adventure, nearby islands such as Danes Island and Moffen are just around the corner. With your sailboat Varuna, you can pick one of the anchorages and discover the magic of Svalbard on foot.

      View of the Signehamna, a natural bay and harbor in Albert I Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway.
    • The North Coast is dominated by beautiful fjords that cut 35 nautical miles inland. Liefdefjord and Woodfjord are great spots to anchor and observe Svalbard fauna, as well as to visit hot springs and extinct volcano. Depending on weather and icepack, your guides will select the best anchorages. Some of the most popular options include Murchisonfjord (great for polar bear and walrus sighting) or the Sjuøyane group of islands.

      Norway wilderness
    • After twelve days of unforgettable travel through the cobalt blue seas and snow-covered Svalbard, you’ll reach the port in the morning and disembark before heading back home. 

      Tallship sailing the Svalbard Coast
    • What you get in this adventure: 

      • An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 7 or 10 days of sailing and exploration
      • 6- or 9-night ship rental with professional skipper and chef
      • Standard offshore lifejacket and lifeline
      • Shore landings and tours with the dinghy
      • Bedding and towels
      • Onboard food (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner), hot beverages and non-alcoholic beverages
      • Fuel and all port dues

      What’s not included:

      • Trekking or other outdoor activity gear
      • Air fares to and from Longyearbyen
      • Food and beverages on the day of arrival until boarding
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Voice and data communication using onboard equipment
      • Insurance (personal medical, travel, cancellation, etc)
    • Life on board is something truly special! You can expect a wonderful blend of adventure, camaraderie, and awe-inspiring beauty of Svalbard. There are two boats cruising the icy waters of this Norwegian archipelago, Varuna and Intrepido, both hosting up to 6 guests. A friendly crew and a chef will spoil you every day with a full breakfast, après ski snacks, and a three-course dinner using local specialties with carefully selected wines! Guest number is limited to 6, guaranteeing comfort, personalized attention from the crew, easy walk through the spacious saloon, and easy use of amenities.

      Chartering a boat means that you have additional flexibility and your guide can adapt the itinerary to your group. Your guides and skipper will handle the boat for you and recommend routes and places to visit and you will get the most immersive experience possible.

      The final price of the tour depends on the chosen dates, possible upgrades and add-ons. Invite your family and friends who also love boating and reduce the cost per person! Let us know which dates work best for you and we will give you an estimate of the prices and options for that period. Prior to payment, we will send you a charter agreement and corresponding invoice

    • In order to join the sail and explore tour in Svalbard, you need to be reasonably fit. This is a beginner-friendly adventure, but keep in mind that you’ll spend some time hiking and walking onshore. Due to Svalbard’s limited health system capacities, make sure that you’re in good health and able-bodied to travel in Svalbard. It can be a costly and timely affair to transport you to hospital if you become seriously ill.

    • Depending on the group wishes, we can plan shorter or longer hikes (up to 3-4 hours). If you wish to stay on board, you can enjoy the spectacular settings and local fauna from there.

    • Here’s what you’ll need to bring:

      Clothing list

      • Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
      • Long underwear top — synthetic or wool
      • Light fleece or wool sweater
      • Wind shell — nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket
      • Waterproof breathable jacket
      • Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic
      • Long underwear bottoms — synthetic or wool
      • Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
      • Waterproof breathable pants
      • Warm hat — wool or synthetic
      • Brimmed cap for sun protection
      • Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional)
      • Light gloves — wool, synthetic or leather
      • Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
      • Spare gloves or mitts
      • Quick-dry towel
      • Swimsuit

      Personal Equipment

      • Dry bag
      • Backpack (30-40 litres) 
      • Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions)
      • Goggles (orange lenses)
      • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
      • Head lamp with good batteries
      • Hairdryer
      • Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
      • Lunch bag or container
      • Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
      • Pocket knife — optional
      • Camera — optional, but recommended 
      • Binoculars — optional

      Hardcase luggage is not admitted on board. If you have any questions regarding the equipment list, feel free to contact us prior to booking.

    • Group size:

      • To ensure your comfort and safety, the max number of people in a group for this adventure is 6. You can join this adventure on your own or in bigger groups until all the spots are taken.
      • Prices are per person in double bed cabins (2 persons). A single cabin (1 person) may be requested with a price surcharge. The cost doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

      Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

      If you plan to arrive with anyone under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • A 35% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 65% of the amount is paid the latest 3 months (90 days) prior the departure. Fort short notice bookings 100% of the travel price is payable upon submission of the signed booking form.

      Any delay in paying a down payment and/or the balance of the price will be considered a cancellation by you after a short grace period and cancellation fees will be applied.

    • To get to Svalbard, most people fly into Longyearbyen, the largest city on the Norwegian archipelago where your adventure begins. There are daily flights to Longyearbyen from Oslo or Tromsø, but we encourage you to book early. Norwegian Air flies from Oslo, while SAS arrives from Stockholm.

      Your guide will transfer you from the airport to the sailboat. During the evening you will have a briefing with your guides and find out the rest of the details.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

      Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. 

      We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Iceland, please refer to  Visit Svalbard. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

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