A guide to Arctic travel

Standing as an ice mass that stretches up to 14 million square miles at peak winter, the Arctic is one of the last wildernesses left on Earth. The Frozen Planet series inspired …
Commit to making that dreamed-of Arctic adventure happen in 2022; contact us to further discuss the when, where and how of your adventure.
March
Experience the enthralling transition of the Arctic seasons by travelling to the continent in March, when the return of the sun and light is beginning to be felt. Stunning photography is on the cards with long shadows, 'blue light', and the ongoing activity of the Northern Lights, while some faster-paced aspects of your itinerary may involve dog-sledding or snowmobiling.
Photo by Dave Weisman
April
The great thaw takes place, enabling the first expedition opportunities of the year. Have your hiking shoes and skis to hand, ready to explore the land of walrus (and their cubs!). With the sun still low in the sky, you can expect incredible sunsets.
May
See in the start of 24-hour daylight and travel under the wings of flocks of seabirds headed back to the Arctic. Whales draw nearer to the shore in search of food, while polar bears are increasingly visible, particularly in Svalbard where the mighty creatures are beginning to hunt and breed.
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…
In search of a whistle stop arctic experience? This is the shortest Svalbard voyage available. Walk the tundra, experience calving glaciers and reach 80 degrees north, while keeping a close eye out for Svalbard’s mega fauna - polar bears, walrus…
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and with 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 come…
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard onboard 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 megafauna…
This early season Svalbard voyage is a ‘classic’ providing ample time for near guaranteed polar bear sightings, alongside encounters with the region’s other plentiful wildlife and exploring its dramatic scenery. Phippsoya, 14th of July glacier and Hinlopen Strait are all…
Let the midnight sun guide the way as you sail north to Phippsoya, just 540 miles from the geographical North Pole. En route you'll experience calving glaciers, teeming colonies of seabirds, walrus and whales, while keeping a sharp eye out…
Bearded seal offshore from Spitsbergen
June
Visiting the Arctic in June you'll undoubtedly experience a true frenzy of wildlife activity. Company is likely to include different species of whales, all returning to milder local waters, unbelievable numbers of sea-birds, nesting and laying eggs, and the iconic mammal of the Arctic – the polar bear – roaming on the land and ice.
Famous bird cliffs at Alkefjellet
July
With the continuing melt of the sea Ice, ships plan their course through the Hinlopen Strait and the Northwest Passage, and to the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland's west coast. If reaching the Geographic North Pole is a particular tug on your heart, July just might be the time to take on the challenge.
August
Still very much the height of the summer season, exploration opportunities remain excitingly broad. Seek out sightings of the high population of polar bears on the west coast of Spitsbergen, now fully accessible, or journey into the world's largest fjord system – the enigmatic Scoresby Sound. You'll also witness huge colonies of seabirds flying south, as they commence their journeys to winter dwellings.
For anyone keen to experience Svalbard’s rich Arctic wildlife and spectacular scenery while travelling comfortably, this is a good option. Travelling in the company of naturalists on board a modern state-of-the-art ship, equal attention is given to your experience both…
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and with 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 come…
Beginning in Scotland and finishing in Svalbard, deep inside the High Arctic, experience the changing habitats as you push into the Land of the White Bear. At every step of the way the richness of the local history and wildlife…
Let the midnight sun guide the way as you sail north to Phippsoya, just 540 miles from the geographical North Pole. En route you'll experience calving glaciers, teeming colonies of seabirds, walrus and whales, while keeping a sharp eye out…
This well balanced and well priced expedition is a fantastic introduction to the Arctic. You will take in many of the major sites of Spitsbergen Island, in a recently refurbished vessel, with huge amounts of deck space from where you…
Designed with photographers in mind, this extended 13 day voyage maximises photo opportunities. Travelling in early summer when ice is still prevalent, a fully flexible itinerary provides the best possible chances of capturing the white bear and other arctic wildlife…
Sail to Svalbard aboard a sleek, elegant and all-inclusive expedition vessel in serious comfort. Not to be confused with a cruise, this is definitely an expedition with daily landings and a serious emphasis on wildlife sightings and experiencing the real…
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…
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard onboard 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 megafauna…
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…
This early season Svalbard voyage is a ‘classic’ providing ample time for near guaranteed polar bear sightings, alongside encounters with the region’s other plentiful wildlife and exploring its dramatic scenery. Phippsoya, 14th of July glacier and Hinlopen Strait are all…
In search of a whistle stop arctic experience? This is the shortest Svalbard voyage available. Walk the tundra, experience calving glaciers and reach 80 degrees north, while keeping a close eye out for Svalbard’s mega fauna - polar bears, walrus…
Sailing on board the luxurious Silver Cloud you will explore Svalbard keeping your eyes peeled for polar bears before heading south to the beautiful Jan Mayen Islands. You’ll then have time exploring Iceland’s dramatic coast.…
Explore the mystical shores of Iceland spotting puffins as you go. Then you head north to Svalbard, the land of the ice bear, this trip even takes in Jan Mayen Island making it one serious…
One of very few voyages to explore Southern Greenland in depth, expect big ice, Viking history, dramatic scenery and humpback whale sightings. Then journey on to the west coast, delving into Greenlandic culture in the capital city, and visiting the…
Scouting Svalbard’s ice floes for wildlife by zodiac and on foot, cruising the magnificent 14th of July glacier and reaching the world’s most northerly settlement at Ny Ålesund are just some of this 10-day voyage’s many highlights. There's also the…
Travelling at the height of summer this 14-day trip is the longest of any Svalbard cruise - providing the best possible conditions for wildlife encounters. This circumnavigation of Spitsbergen includes huge glaciers, bird cliffs and ice choked channels. There's even…
Reach the top of the world in serious comfort onboard a state of the art luxury, hybrid-powered ice breaker. The route which includes Svalbard and East Greenland maximises the wildlife, scenery, big ice and culture of this fascinating…
For the ultimate Arctic experience this unparalleled 23/25 day voyage is hard to beat. Created by splicing together two popular voyages, it delivers extended time circumnavigating Svalbard while maximising wildlife sightings, with exploration of East Greenland’s deep fjords and towering…
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen onboard a choice of three small ships and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling in such small groups allows you more time to explore and some late season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special…
Beginning in Svalbard before sailing west across the Greenland Sea and exploring Greenland’s long eastern coastline to finish in Iceland, this is an audacious Arctic journey of startling diversity and contrast. Spectacular landscapes, towering glaciers and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters will…
Visits to Canadian and Greenlandic communities Inuit history and culture are at the core of this journey, among those stops both Kinngait, the centre of Inuit Art and Nuuk, Greenland's capital are included. There's plenty of wildlife opportunities too with…
At 81 degrees north Franz Joseph Land’s 191 glaciated islands are as far from the tourist track as it gets, as such visitors are very few. Expect challenging ice, a flexible itinerary and wildlife sightings. This is expedition cruising at…
Explore Svalbard and sail north to find the pack ice where bears spend the summer months hunting. Cruise the ice edge before heading south along the east coast of Greenland where Scoresbysund awaits, whales swim among the ice and small…
This comprehensive westbound voyage stands out for its compelling combination of West Greenland, in-depth exploration of the east coast of Baffin Island and the historic Northwest Passage. Jaw dropping scenery, towering icebergs, thrilling wildlife encounters, Inuit community visits and fascinating…
An all consuming introduction to the Arctic, with a strong focus on wildlife, this trip is hard to beat. Search for bears, narwhal, beluga, walrus and musk ox, marvel at Greenland's ‘big ice’ and learn about the early explorers as…
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 Jakoshavn Glacier; explore the settlements of Sisimiut and Itilleq…
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…
Introductions to the High Arctic don’t come much better. Traverse the High Arctic between wildlife-rich Svalbard, via East Greenland’s towering icebergs and autumnal tundra then onto Iceland. Aurora sightings are possible at any point. The longer trip also includes Jan…
This comprehensive Arctic triumvirate encompassing Svalbard, East Greenland and Iceland offers the best of the Arctic: some of the best wildlife viewing with spectacular scenery, unspoiled fjords, gigantic icebergs and Inuit communities. You may also be lucky enough to see…
Beginning deep inside the High Arctic and finishing in subarctic Iceland, we like this voyage for its diversity, sense of journey and extended time exploring East Greenland. Zodiac cruising amongst towering icebergs, glimpsing the Northern Light and tracking musk oxen…
September
Those eager to discover Greenland are well-advised to travel during September, during which time you can admire the striking colours of blooming wildflowers as well as the increased visibility of the Northern Lights. Across the region, polar bears are looking for appropriate dens for the winter, while the re-introduction of darker night skies makes for incredible vistas as the sun casts its red evening light.
The Arctic trees surrounded by the lights
October
Outside of the main tourist months, the chance to seek out up-close encounters with polar bears may draw you to Churchill where you can marvel at their wonder while witnessing their mass migration. As the sea ice grows thicker, and the temperatures fall, the dazzling performances of the Northern Lights become more frequent. The lack of other cruises allows you to experience the rich traditional culture the Arctic has to offer.
November
A trip to the Arctic in November is sure to inspire your appreciation for the hardiness of its residents in a profound way. You'll witness their adaptation to life in the winter, as well as the strong focus on celebrating the Northern Lights as the winter settles in. Like October, polar bears sightings in Churchill are very promising, as groups hunt along the edge of the ice forming on Hudson Bay.
An odyssey from Anadyr to Murmansk - retrace the route of legendary explorer Nordenskiöld across the top of Russia. Navigate narrow fjords, search for unique wildlife, glimpse into the past and experience the warmth of Arctic hospitality in local villages…
Sail from Reykjavik to the East Greenland coast and follow the route of Eric the Red as you sail around the southern coast exploring fjords, small towns and viking remains with specialist guides. The journey will take you all the…
Enter the Northwest Passage through Hudson Bay onboard a luxury, hybrid-powered icebreaker. Explore by helicopter and zodiac as you travel the full length of this fabled route all the way to Nome, Alaska. Spot bears on the ice floe, narwhal…
Sailing in September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements, while late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of three…
Traversing west to east this voyage takes you to iconic sites such as Cambridge Bay, Lancaster and Smith Sounds and Ellesmere Island, before exploring the fjords and towns of West Greenland. Bears, narwhal, musk ox, beluga and northern lights are…
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
In two weeks and over 2,200 nautical miles, sail from west Greenland to Newfoundland along Canada’s dramatic Labrador coast. Along the way explore four pristine Canadian National Parks. Prepare to be wowed by the variety with everything from Inuit culture…
Experience one of the most immersive wildlife experiences on earth and stay out on the tundra among the bears for 3 or 4 nights in a mobile hotel provides unparalleled opportunities for prolonged observation of polar bears at close quarters…
Encounter the King of The Arctic up close, with an exceptionally high chance of sightings in October and November. Small groups explore the tundra in exclusive vehicles with a specialist guide when the bear migration reaches its peak. You will…
Imagine waking up on the tundra in a mobile hotel with the very real chance of there being a bear outside your window! This trip offers the best of both worlds with two nights on the tundra and two in…
Standing as an ice mass that stretches up to 14 million square miles at peak winter, the Arctic is one of the last wildernesses left on Earth. The Frozen Planet series inspired …
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 …
Making the correct choice of ship is key. With firsthand experience of all of the ships we offer, let Swoop help guide you to exactly the right one.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Our team of experts are ready to help you with any questions about a trip to the Arctic. Call us now to start your journey.
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