Svalbard Wildlife
At the height of summer when wildlife populations and activity are peaking on Svalbard, there are few other parts of the Arctic which offer the same combination of easy access and …
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5 reasons to visit Svalbard in Spring
- Witness Svalbard’s spectacular Spring landscapes of frozen fjords and snow-covered mountains, creating dramatic contrasts and pristine photographic scenes
- May marks the start of the season, which means fewer ships and visitors. It's a special time when you’ll have the area largely to yourself
- There are prime wildlife-spotting opportunities, including polar bears among the ice, reindeer and Arctic foxes on the tundra, and walruses and seals hauled out on ice floes
- Travelling at the tail end of the sea-ice season – cruising the ice edge, exploring frozen fjords and sailing into the pack ice – is a thrilling experience
- There's also a real sense of exploration travelling in May – being one of the first to visit, and when variable conditions add to the authenticity and adventure
Swoop says
I love May in Svalbard for the pristine quality of the scenery and the excitement as the archipelago reawakens after the long polar night.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Svalbard in Spring
Spot polar bears on the ice
Pack ice in Svalbard
Reindeer in Svalbard during springtime
A hut surrounded by snow
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White landscapes of Svalbard
Weaving among the ice by zodiac
Admire the snow from your Arctic ship
Walrus on the snow
A walrus on the ice, Svalbard
Our best Spring cruises to Svalbard
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 8 or 11 Days
- $4,200
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 10, 11 or 12 Days
- $8,451
Explore the fjords and ice of Svalbard keeping a close watch for polar bears onboard a choice of three truly exceptional small expedition ships. Spend time on deck, on land and in zodiacs with the hugely experienced guides learning about…
- 9 Days
- $6,990
Swoop says
Spring in Svalbard offers something few travellers get to experience: true Arctic stillness, dramatic light and snowy scenes. And because we’ve seen it all first-hand, we’ll help you choose the trip that gets you closest to the ice and wildlife – all without the guesswork.
Planning your Svalbard expedition
What are Spring conditions like in Svalbard?
May is a glorious time to visit Svalbard. From April 20th, you can experience the midnight sun bathing the icy wilderness in golden light 24 hours a day, with daytime temperatures rising to around 25°F (–4°C).
Many fjords are still sealed with sea ice, and the mountains hold onto their snow, giving the scenery a fresh, untouched quality. This blanket of white may limit longer hikes earlier in the month, but by the end of May it's melting fast, revealing more of the varied terrain.
If you're drawn to dramatic sea ice and snowy landscapes, Spring is the perfect season to experience Svalbard.
What wildlife might I see in Svalbard in Spring?
As Svalbard's frozen landscape slowly stirs to life, May is a dynamic time of year – but wildlife sightings still require patience and a little bit of luck.
Polar bear mating season is in full swing, with males engaged in dramatic courtship battles. Females may be seen travelling with last year’s cubs, while ringed seal pups – key to a bear’s Spring diet – are being born on the ice. Walrus are also pupping at this time, often spotted hauled out on the pack ice's edges.
Humpbacks are the most commonly seen whales in May, though minke and other baleen whales may also appear as they begin to follow the receding sea ice northward. Bird cliffs start to bustle with nesting activity later in the month, once the snow melts from their ledges.
Our most popular Svalbard cruises in May 2026
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 10, 11 or 12 Days
- $8,451
Travelling in luxury aboard an outstanding expedition ship, we love this trip for its unusual combination of Svalbard and Norway’s northern tip, plus its focus on top-notch service and cuisine. After a hassle-free charter flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
Explore the fjords and ice of Svalbard keeping a close watch for polar bears onboard a choice of three truly exceptional small expedition ships. Spend time on deck, on land and in zodiacs with the hugely experienced guides learning about…
- 9 Days
- $6,990
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 8 or 11 Days
- $4,200
Explore Svalbard in other seasons
Discover more about Svalbard
Svalbard Ships
In the absence of hotels and infrastructure once you depart Longyearbyen, an expedition ship offers the best means to explore Svalbard's ragged coastline, while acting as both your…
Discover MoreGetting to Svalbard
Svalbard is geographically closer to the North Pole than to Norway. Surprising then, that getting there is quite so straightforward, with regular flights from Norway to …
Discover MoreReady to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
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