Arctic Cruises
Expeditionary cruising is a very practical way to discover the Arctic, allowing you to comfortably explore often untouched areas of wilderness you can’t otherwise reach from …
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Six reasons to experience the Midnight Sun
- Imagine a day with no end as the sun endlessly circles the horizon without setting, transforming your perception of time in one of nature's rarest spectacles
- Enjoy endless opportunities for exploration with no rush to beat the sunset, giving you more time for zodiac cruises, hikes and unforgettable wildlife encounters
- Witness landscapes bathed in golden light as glaciers, mountains and icebergs glow around the clock, creating extraordinary conditions for photography
- Discover the surprising flora of the tundra as they respond to the endless sun’s summer rays after a long, dark and dormant winter
- Make the most of every expedition day as the unconstricted hours of daylight allow your expedition team to make the most of every opportunity
- Create memories that last a lifetime by standing beneath the midnight sun, one of the Arctic's most iconic natural phenomena, and an experience few people ever witness
Swoop says
You hear about it, but you never truly believe it until you’re there, standing under the bright sun at 3am. You don’t notice until you look at your watch, and then it stops you in your tracks.
Karl ONeill Arctic Sales Specialist
Popular voyages experiencing the Midnight Sun
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Experience the Arctic’s legendary wildlife aboard an intimate micro expedition ship, amidst a pristine backdrop of calving glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. With an unmatched sense of ‘expedition’ and a deeper connection to nature, you build your own adventure, searching for…
- 10 Days
- $17,500
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…
- 11 Days
- $10,371
Maximise wildlife sightings with the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen island. Search for walrus, arctic fox, whales and of course the ‘King of The Arctic'. Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and visit abandoned trapping stations and experience glaciers up close all…
- 11 Days
- $18,695
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…
- 11 Days
- $6,000
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board on a comfortable expedition ship and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling on a smaller ship allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special guest…
- 12 Days
- $11,590
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 flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend seven…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
This might be a short trip but it packs a huge amount in. Sail among the ice of Disko Bay and spot humpbacks hunting herring; trek to the look out over Jakobshavn Glacier; explore the settlements of Sisimiut and Itilleq…
- 8 Days
- $8,836
Embark on this epic fly and cruise 11- or 12-day expedition into the wildest, least visited corner of Greenland, which combines the labyrinthine Scoresbysund fjord system with the vast Northeast Greenland National Park. By day, navigate spectacular fjords and pass…
- 11-12 Days
- $21,995
Midnight Sun: FAQs
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Where does the Midnight Sun appear?
Anywhere inside the Arctic Circle.
This intangible line marks the latitude (66.34°N) beyond which the sun never sets for at least one night a year. The further north you go, the longer the period of Midnight Sun.
At somewhere like Svalbard, at 78°N, the midnight sun lasts all summer, and on the solstice it stays almost directly overhead.
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When can I experience the Midnight Sun?
In the summer months, typically June and July, but further north including Svalbard, May and August too.
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How is the Midnight Sun phenomena caused?
The Midnight Sun occurs because of the planet's axial tilt. As the Earth rotates, the regions inside the polar circle remain angled toward the sun, preventing it from going below the horizon.
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Does the sun move in the sky?
Yes, you'll still see the sun moving in the sky, but instead of setting, it will sink towards the horizon around midnight, then move along it before rising again. When the sun is at a low angle, it creates a special 'golden hour' light.
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Will this affect my sleep?
Potentially, yes, but there are lots of ways to prevent that from happening and being an issue.
Firstly, all ships that travel to the High Arctic are well aware of the midnight sun and will provide blackout blinds. If you want to be extra-sure, it's not unusual for travellers to bring and wear their own eye-masks to bed.
Secondly, just make sure you stick to your regular sleep schedule. Set an alarm for when it's time to switch off, as the light doesn’t give you any of the usual visual clues.
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Can you still see the Northern Lights?
The short answer is 'no'. During the Arctic summer it will be much too bright all night to see the Northern Lights, which require dark, clear skies to have a chance of seeing them in northerly latitudes.
So experiencing both the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights at the same time is impossible – it can only be one or the other.
Swoop says
Under the Midnight Sun, Svalbard becomes a land without darkness. With 24 hours of daylight, the landscape takes on an almost otherworldly quality, giving you more time to explore, photograph and experience the Arctic in all its summer glory.
What our customers think of the Arctic
Swoops dedication and care to achieve a high value, high quality experience is exceptional. Staff are extremely knowledgeable about the ship, and the itinerary of the expedition and are able to offer the best advice to maximize the travel experience. Read the full review
Travelled: June 2018
Rob & Bonnie Lesnick - United States Of America
The science behind the Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun is caused by the Earth's natural ‘tilt’. The world doesn’t spin vertically like a top, but leans to one side by 23.5°.
That means for half of the year, the northern hemisphere gets more light than the southern and vice-versa – these are our seasons.
As the world rotates (our days) the tilt means that the further north you are in the summer, the longer the days are.
Importantly for travellers to the Arctic, when you get above 66.5°N the sun never sets at all.
The history of the Midnight Sun
So why does the Earth tilt? Our best guess at the moment is called the 'Theia Impact Hypothesis'. It sounds complicated, but don’t worry, it isn’t. The theory suggests that a long time before life existed on our planet, approx 4.5 billion years ago, the earth stood upright and orbited the sun without its moon.
Another planet named Theia, crossed orbits with our Earth and the two collided, nearly destroying our world. This massive hit caused the earth to wobble and lean, before eventually settling again, almost. The world still wobbles between 22° and 24.5° but that takes about 40,000 years.
Interestingly, the debris from the impact, bits of both Earth and Theia are thought to have coalesced to form our moon.
Explore more about the Arctic
What to expect on an Arctic cruise
Choosing to visit the Arctic is the easy part, but what can you expect to do and see once you arrive? From daily zodiac safaris, guided shore landings, insightful lectures and …
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Guide to Arctic Wildlife
The Arctic is one of the most diverse wildlife habitats on Earth, harbouring a vast array of animals adapted to the extreme cold. Polar bears and walrus can be spotted on the sea …
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Arctic Ship Guide
We partner with selected ice-strengthened Arctic expedition vessels from small yachts and nimble little ships with convivial atmospheres, to larger Russian research boats and …
Discover MoreReady to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
