Arctic Cruises 2021

April 

The snow continues to gradually melt as the days become warmer and longer. The expeditions kick off for the year, at a relaxed pace as the area remains quieter. Treks across the region will see you walk in the footsteps of walrus and their cubs who have made their return to Svalbard.

May

As the memory of the winter polar night stretches far into the distance, the high Arctic begins to experience 24-hour daylight. The wildlife watching season officially begins as migratory seabirds flock to the region with the warmer air; witness Brunch's Guillemot creating an 'arring' symphony as they gather on the area's cliffs in their thousands. The giant polar bear population that Svalbard is famed for are also on the move; enjoy sightings as they begin hunting on land and by coastal waters.

July

The peak of summer, July is the warmest month and subsequently offers much scope to explore by cruise. As the birds nest in the cliffs of Svalbard, predators like gyrfalcon and the Arctic fox try their luck for fallen chicks and eggs along the foot of the cliffs. The sea ice retreat encourages whales and dolphins to roam closer the fjords, and circumnavigations of the Canadian High Artic, the Northwest Passage and Spitsbergen are also possible by the middle of the month.

August

This is a great time to witness the feeding frenzy among the millions of birds that have summered in the archipelago. Travel further north, and bearded, hooded and harp seals may grace you with their presence. Soak up the year's final days of the non-stop shining of the sun, the Midnight Sun phenomenon, and admire the striking contrast of the dry brown-red ground and white snow-capped mountains.

October

Almost all of the summer wildlife has made the journey to warmer climes and expeditions have ended for the year. The returning ice pushes the ships south and land based travel takes over for the hardy souls who like the cold. Fewer tourists means you're more likely to be able to meet some locals, and if you're fortunate, see the first Northern Lights. Polar bears migrate through Churchill during the month, presenting the opportunity to see these huge, beautiful creatures from a close, but safe, distance.

November

The snowmobile engines well and truly warm up as the outside temperature drops and snowfall paints the landscape white once more. In mid-November, daylight disappears entirely and wildlife activity is limited to polar bears hunting where the ice is forming at Hudson Bay. This is a mesmerising time to experience both the vivid night skies and life for locals during the long winter - restaurants and shops remain busy and winter activities pick up again.