Highlights
- Walrus colonies and walruses in the water (for security reasons, diving with walruses is only permitted in areas where we see only female / young animals)
- Bearded seals, harbor seals, harp seals and other seals (diving with seals is usually possible)
- Many polar bears in the north and east
- Good chances of spotting beluga whales, humpbacks and minke whales
- Occasionally it is possible to see a blue whale, bowhead whale, or narwhals
- Clifftop bird colonies bustling with nesting seabirds
- Polar foxes, reindeer (a special species, very small in stature), ptarmigan, king eider, ivory seagull and other bird species
- Magnificent landscape and glaciers
- Bright days and nights thanks to the midnight sun
- Unique high arctic underwater world
Tour price/Services
Price per person
from 6,850 Euro
Tour price INCLUDES the following services:
- All harbour fees and taxes
- All overnight accommodation on board (10 nights)
- Full board for the duration of the ship journey
- Unlimited diving - dependent on the tour schedule
- Double-valve tanks and weights
- All shore and land excursions during the journey
- English-speaking support
- Travel planning assistance
Tour price EXCLUDES the following services:
- Getting here/flights (incl. possible overnight stopovers)
- Transfers (e.g. airport - hotel)
- Overnight at a hotel in Longyearbyen
- Dinner and beverages at the hotel or restaurant
- Single cabin (available at additional cost, factor 1.8 of the tour price)
- Alcoholic beverages on board
- Any additional activities
- Dive gear
- Insurance
- Gratitudes
Getting here
The arrival is made by airplane from the home airport, usually via Oslo, and from there directly to Longyearbyen. Overnight stays are rarely required.
Weather-related delays and cancellation of flights are rare in the summer. Flights are generally reasonably priced, and transporting sporting equipment and excess baggage is easily arranged.
We are pleased to provide more information of current flight schedules and prices upon request.
Tour schedule
Day 1: Arrival at Longyearbyen from departure airport. Settling into onboard accommodation and tour preparations (such as loading provisions and checking technical equipment. Individual city sightseeing tour is possible). Dinner at restaurant.
Day 2: The Ulla Arctica lifts anchor and sets course towards Isfjord and the fjord estuary later on. Once leaving the harbor there is already a chance to encounter a pod of belugas (white whales) that can number up to several hundred. Sea encounters with seals and walruses are also possible. Northern fulmars and other seabirds will accompany us most of the time. If the weather allows we drop anchor at night near a walrus colony.
Day 3:After breakfast we will visit the walrus colony. It is permitted to approach but not to disturb the animals. Curious walruses often approach us in the water and can be filmed and photographed with a polecam in the beach zone, or maybe even from the ship. Diving is also possible in this area where the visibility often is quite good.
We lift anchor and continue our journey towards Kongsfjord. Here, for example, you can dive in an interesting grotto. There are scenic glaciers around and we might visit bird cliffs where polar foxes try to catch nesting birds.
Days 4 to 7: We continue on our journey north. We will be on a special lookout for polar bears and we might be able to get close enough to take pictures. The exact overnight location depends on weather conditions and possible drift ice. Diving is possible at many different places. We might spot different species of seals, whales, birds and there are reindeers and foxes to see.
Day 8: After breakfast, we set course toward the South and visit a seal lagoon with playful seals. Possibly, we can also snorkel and dive with bearded seals. It is also possible to get another close look at walruses. Dinner.
Day 9: Sailing day. We sail back to the Isfjord. There are good opportunities to spot whales in the fjord's estuary. Today, we can dive at various interesting locations and will sail past colonies with tens of thousands of seabirds. For our last night of the expedition we might visit the Russian settlement Barentsburg and visit the only restaurant there. You will be surprised about the good food and the local craft beer they make here!
Day 10: Last day at sea. A land excursion might be possible in the morning. Afterwards, we return to the harbor of Longyearbyen where we get off the ship and move into a hotel room for the last night of this trip. In the evening, the tour will finish with a city sightseeing tour including a visit to a restaurant and bar(s).
Day 11: Departure. Transfer to airport of Longyearbyen and return flight to home airport. End of tour.
Diving
We provide steel tanks with DIN double valves (200 bar) and a volume of 10 or 12 liters as well as lead weights in various sizes for the dives.
Dives either start from the ship (there is a ladder to access the water) or from a dinghy. We only use dry suits for diving, and we recommend the use of two separate regulators. Cause safety is really important when diving such remote areas the depth limit is 25 meters (82 feet). Oxygen equipment in case of diving emergencies is available on board.
The water temperature roughly ranges between 4 and 7°C (39-45°F). Average visibility ranges between 5 and 15 meters (16-50 feet).
Photographers and film makers will find a wide range of small (macro) creatures. You will also see corals, anemones, kelp and sponges. We might get a chance to snorkel with seals and whales and see diving birds.
Weather
The arctic summer is short and intense. During this period, the sun is always high in the sky. This allows us to plan long and active tour days.
The weather can influence the tour schedule considerably. In case of strong winds and storm the boat might not be able to leave the fjord. The air temperature generally ranges from +3 to +8°C (37-46°F). Rain or snow is possible.
Even in summer, there can be a lot of snow on land, and it might be necessary to cross fields of snow during land excursions.
Tour members who suffer from seasickness are advised to bring relevant medication such as pills or chewing gum. Life jackets are available on board. All tour members must bring their own warm and weather-resistant clothing and shoes. Please transport all sensitive equipment such as cameras in water-resistant and shock-resistant bags or cases. All participants are responsible for their equipment for the entire duration of the journey!
COVID-19 travel information
The worldwide COVID-19 situation is changing constantly, some countries are opening up for tourism again while others may remain closed for months. Of course, this makes a booking a bit different. In case your trip has been effected, we will inform you. The impact of COVID-19 is a concern to everyone in the travel industry, including us and our local partners. We are working hard to avoid negative effects for your journey as good as possible.
The Covid-19 protection measures are different per destination. Approximately 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will have a good idea whether a trip will be cancelled or not.
Then we will contact you from the moment we have more information.
What happens if my trip with Northern Explorers gets cancelled?
In case we need to cancel your trip due to COVID-19 measures, you can rebook your trip to the next year. Your deposit will be transferred to the trip, and we will send you a new invoice reflecting your new dates. We will inform you about the options to cancel or change your booking.
What happens if the journey can't take place due to corona measures?
If the trip can’t take place due to corona measures, there are two options:
- 1. The travel date will be postponed to a date in 2022.
- 2. The trip will be cancelled by us and you will receive a voucher to use for booking a new trip.
If you cancel the trip yourself, our normal cancellation policy applies. Please note that additional products (e.g. flights, hotels and other excursions) are excluded from above conditions.
How does Northern Explorers handle preventive and hygiene measures during the trip?
The safety and well-being of our guests and crew continues to be our top priority. We are in regular exchange with our partners regarding regular updates about the specific measures that will be taken to ensure your health and safety.
Do you have a risk-free booking policy?
All existing and new bookings for our 2021 season, will be free to rebook to 2022 season at no costs in case Northern Explorers need to cancel the trips due to the corona virus measures.
What procedures have you put in place for snorkelling activities?
To ensure your health and safety during our snorkelling activities, we recommend to bring your own snorkelling set for use during the trip. All guests keep the same rental equipment (e.g. dry suit) during their entire stay.
Do I need travel insurance?
We always strongly recommend complete insurance coverage (travel cancellation insurance, diving accident insurance, international health insurance, possibly also baggage insurance and camera equipment insurance) also in case of a COVID-19 infection (medical expenses, evacuation, and other expenses).
