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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Swoop says
From towering icebergs to polar bears roaming the pack ice, here are my top tips, gathered over years of expedition experience in the Arctic, to help you make the most of photography on your Arctic adventure.
Karl ONeill Arctic Sales Specialist
Popular trips for photography in the Arctic
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
The big ice and small towns of West Greenland provide a stunning start to this trip before you sail across the Davis Straight to Baffin Island and enter the Northwest Passage. Blend history, scenery and wildlife; pay your respects at…
- 17 Days
- $13,297
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
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
- $9,761
Winter in Hudson Bay is cold but also very dry and that means clear skies and at this latitude that is perfect for spotting the northern lights from a variety comfortable, heated viewing platforms. Day time activities include dog sledding…
- 7 Days
- $8,795
Sailing in August or September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements. Late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of…
- 10 Days
- $6,250
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
This polar bear photo safari provides the best possible opportunity and environment in which to capture images of the world’s largest living land carnivore. Three full days out on the tundra, near guaranteed sightings and the chance to observe these…
- 7 Days
- $10,995
There are few wilder, more remote places on the planet than East Greenland. Travelling by a small, very comfortable custom-built expedition ship, this voyage aims to showcase the best of Greenland’s eye-popping scenery, vast ice and exotic wildlife. Walk the…
- 12 Days
- $19,769
Reach the top of the world in serious comfort onboard a state-of-the-art luxury, hybrid-powered icebreaker. Travel north through icebound waters and join the exclusive list of intrepid explorers who have visited the geographical North…
- 13 Days
- $38,089
Karl's Arctic photography tips
Pack the right lenses for the Arctic
The Arctic is a place full of contrasts: sweeping landscapes and distant wildlife.
- Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing vast glaciers, dramatic fjords and endless sea ice.
- Telephoto lenses allow you to photograph wildlife such as polar bears, seals and seabirds from a safe distance.
Whilst the ideal setup might be two camera bodies, one with a long telephoto and the other with a wide angle, the reality is that this can become very clumsy on a zodiac or really heavy on a longer hike.
The better plan is to carry your camera with a telephoto and when the need arises, whip out your phone for the wider shots. The cameras on smartphones now are so advanced that this method is being used by the majority of onboard photography professionals on expedition voyages.
Polar bear feeding on a walrus carcass
Should I bring a tripod?
Inukshuk and Northern Lights
For expedition cruises my honest answer is no. If you carry a big telephoto prime lens and its just impractical to handhold, then a monopod is a reasonable compromise, but both are fairly impractical on these trips.
Tripods on ships introduce vibrations and movement that your body naturally counters, and on land you’re going to be on the move for the most part.
For land-based trips, especially outings focused on the Northern Lights, then that’s a different story. Stability is key for the lights and tripods are essential.
Master the bright Arctic light
Snow and ice reflect enormous amounts of light, which can confuse your camera’s automatic settings. Try to get comfortable using manual or semi-manual settings before you arrive.
Even with manual settings ice and snow can easily blow out and overexpose an image, losing all the texture and blue tones in the ice. Aim to underexpose in camera then boost the light in the edit.
The same goes for whales; underexpose because when they do something dramatic like a massive breach, it’s going to make a big white splash. There wont be any warning before a whale jumps so the best way to underexpose in this case is to increase your shutter speed… just in case.
A breaching humpback whale
Show scale in your photos
The Arctic landscape is vast and dramatic, but photos don’t always convey its true scale. Include something recognisable in the frame:
- Your expedition ship or a zodiac
- A fellow traveller or wildlife in the foreground
These elements provide perspective and help viewers understand just how immense the Arctic environment really is.
It's tempting when there’s wildlife around, especially polar bears, to zoom right in and try to fill the frame and if you can, why not? But remember to zoom right out too and show a bit of context. Where is this animal? Where is it going? Why? Tell a story.
Polar bear climbing on steep snow
Be ready for wildlife moments
Wildlife encounters can happen quickly and unpredictably. To capture those unforgettable moments:
- Keep your camera out and ready, check your exposure at every landing or the start of every zodiac cruise
- Use a fast shutter speed for birds and moving animals, remember to slightly under expose if you’re on the water
- Observe closely and anticipate behaviour, get to know the animals so you can predict their next move. The whale arches its back? Get ready for the tail!
- Most of all, be patient and enjoy the process. If it gets stressful, stop. You’re in an amazing place, enjoy it!
Atlantic puffin resting on cliffs
What our customers think of the Arctic
Beyond my expectations, and I would recommend unreservedly. Read the full review
Travelled: November 2018
Val Chiswell - United Kingdom
Zodiac cruises were great fun. Some amazing wildlife sights with the seabird colonies probably the most dramatic. Getting up close to the glaciers was another highlight. Landings for shore excursions gave us a close-up view of the bleak tundra and the plant life. Read the full review
Travelled: July 2018
Steve & Tina O'Shea - United Kingdom
We were really lucky with sightings; saw polar bears on four occasions, blue whales twice, lots of fin whales and about 70 beluga whales in an hour on one day, as well as a couple of lovely white arctic foxes and a few walruses.
Travelled: August 2017
Declan - UK
Protect your camera from the elements
The Arctic environment can be harsh on photography gear, but a few simple precautions can help.
Use a rain cover or dry bag to protect your camera from spray during zodiac cruises. The passengers on my zodiac would always tell me that their brand new USD $5000 lens was waterproof so they don’t need to worry about it.
Check the manual, its weatherproof, and they hate salt water!
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. I spent six years photographing whales in Iceland using a plastic bag and a rubber band as a splash cover and it was fine.
Carry spare batteries and keep them warm in a pocket, as cold temperatures drain them quickly. Bring a small cloth to wipe snow or sea spray from your lens, ideally keep it in a ziplock bag to stop it getting salty on the zodiacs.
Some people us UV filters to protect lenses. It’s a good idea. I hate the idea of spending thousands on an amazing bit of glass only to put a $50 piece in front of it. Use a lens hood instead.
Icebergs grounded at Hall Bredning at sunset
Keep your hands warm (and functional)
Photographing wildlife often means spending long periods outside in cold wind and snow. Combine thin gloves for dexterity and hand-warmers for warmth
Big mitts are great for warmth but the second you take them off to change your settings the benefit is lost. Even putting them back on again, it takes ages to warm back up
Don’t rely on touch screens. Change you cameras settings so that everything you need can be accessed on buttons and dials. Even gloves that say they’re touch screen compatible are often unreliable and could be the difference between getting the shot of a lifetime and missing completely.
A traveller taking pictures from deck
Know your camera before you travel
The Arctic isn’t the place to learn your camera for the first time. Before your expedition:
- Practice changing settings quickly
- Familiarise yourself with your lenses
- Experiment with different shooting modes
When a whale surfaces or a polar bear appears on the horizon, you’ll be ready to capture the shot instead of searching through menus.
There are endless opportunities for photography
Don't forget to look up from the lens
It’s easy to spend your whole expedition behind a camera, eagerly searching for the perfect shot, but remember to take a moment to simply experience the Arctic.
Put the camera down occasionally and take in the incredible landscapes, wildlife and silence of the polar wilderness.
Those are the memories that will stay with you long after the photos are taken.
Bearded seal sleeping on ice in Fjortende Julibukta, Svalbard
Capture your own Arctic adventure
Every Arctic voyage offers a unique photographic experience – from drifting among towering icebergs in Greenland to watching polar bears roam the pack ice in Svalbard.
With the right preparation and a little patience, you’ll return home with photographs that truly capture the spirit of the polar regions through which you have travelled.
A zodiac landing on Scoresbysund
Swoop says
As well as thinking about your choice of camera for your Arctic voyage, you should definitely consider taking a decent pair of binoculars. Please take a look at our guide to binoculars for more information.
Plan your trip to the Arctic
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 …
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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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Arctic cruise costs explained
Considering a voyage to the Arctic? Since these are truly bucket-list adventures, it's vital to have a clear grasp of the total costs involved. Allow Swoop’s deep polar knowledge…
Discover MorePhotography in the Arctic: FAQs
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How long will I have for photography during a landing?
Landings are the main focus on these voyages so plenty of time will be allowed at each place. Each excursion typically lasts for two to three hours, depending on location.
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Can I fly my drone in on an Arctic cruise?
No. Recreational drone photography is not permitted in the Arctic while on an expedition cruise.
This ban applies whether you are in port, on the ship, on a zodiac excursion, or on a shore landing.
The ban is in place in order to protect wildlife that can be disturbed by the noise and to protect safety.
The freezing temperatures in the Arctic can quickly drain drone batteries which increases the risk of a crash, or a lost drone.
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Can I use my GoPro camera in the Arctic?
Yes, GoPro cameras are incredibly versatile: as well as a cool time-lapse feature, they are able to film underwater, so capturing some underwater footage from your zodiac is a real possibility.
It’s a good idea to invest in some accessories, like the selfie stick and clamps, and take some time experimenting with the various camera functions before embarking on your trip as it can take some learning.
You don’t want to be spending time pushing the wrong button when that humpback is staring into the lens.
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Will my smartphone be enough for Arctic photography?
Yes, a number of smartphones are available with seriously good cameras. Many smartphones can film in 4k resolution, and some are now capable of shooting in 8k too.
The advantages of smartphones are clear: they are light and easy to carry and use, they recharge quickly and will even log metadata such as the exact time and location of your shots.
A decent smartphone can also be a useful backup if your more professional-level camera equipment malfunctions during your trip.
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Should I bring drybags for my camera equipment?
Dry bags are not essential, but can be useful. Often you’ll be in a zodiac with water splashing over you and you’ll want something lightweight to keep your camera dry.
Most dry bags are made from PVC tarpaulin or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and have a secure roll-top with a buckle. They often have removable padded internal dividers to help organise your kit.
One benefit is that they trap air when sealed, so will float if accidentally dropped into the water.
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