into the ice: sail & capture arctic wildlife
in the wilds of svalbard
Set sail on this boat-based polar bear photography tour in Svalbard, where the Arctic’s icy wilderness provides stunning backdrops for capturing these majestic predators. Navigate through the drifting sea ice and along rugged coastlines, photographing polar bears in their natural habitat. Along the way, encounter walruses, Arctic foxes, and seabirds while experiencing the raw beauty of the High Arctic. With expert guides ensuring the best angles and ethical wildlife viewing, this tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to document the world’s most iconic Arctic wildlife up close.
Svalbard arctic wildlife
Dates: May 5-13, 2026
Location: svalbard, norway
Price: $16599 USD*
Fitness Level: LEVEL THREE - MODERATE EXPLORER
Group Size: 10 participants + 2 group leader; Minimum 9 to go
*Price per person, based on double occupancy accommodations. Single supplement available for an additional fee, please inquire.
Tour Highlights:
Arctic Wildlife Encounters: Photograph iconic species like polar bears, walrus, arctic foxes, reindeer, and a variety of seabirds in their natural habitat.
Boat-Based Exploration & Zodiac Ice Cruises: Cruise aboard a comfortable expedition vessel, giving you access to remote fjords, glaciers, and ice-choked waters inaccessible by land. Get closer to wildlife and landscapes with zodiac excursions that allow for unique angles and close encounters.
Dramatic Arctic Landscapes: Capture towering glaciers, icebergs, rugged coastlines, and the raw, untouched beauty of the High Arctic. Benefit from the ethereal glow of the Midnight Sun, being five weeks from the longest day of the year, for extended shooting hours.
The Destination: West or east coast of Svalbard and towards northeast or southeast depending of local ice situation and weather situation. The destination will at any time depend on the possibilities of seeing and photographing wildlife around Svalbard. Landscapes like glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, rivers and valleys will also be of interest, together with icebergs and floating ice. The purpose of the expedition will mainly be to focus on finding mammals and interesting bird life. Polar Bears, walruses, bearded seals, big whales, arctic foxes, reindeers and several bird species like ivory gulls, northern fulmar and arctic terns, among others. We will visit the fjord systems, especially in early season when there still is fjord-ice covering some of them. It will always be high focus on giving the participants the best of wildlife situations and scenic landscapes. Arctic Wildlife Tours, our operator, shall during the period of charter do their utmost to look after the customers interests. However, safe navigation under heavy ice conditions shall always be determined by the captain onboard the vessel. Svalbard nature is unpredictable and sometimes weather and other circumstances will lead to changed plans for safety reasons. We need to obey to the prevailing environmental laws. AWT will do their utmost for delivering a high quality trip to the customers. From 2025 we expect to try to spend more time in the drift ice.
What’s Included:
Guided expedition onboard the ship around Svalbard
All meals onboard the vessel
Drinks like coffee and tea
Search & Rescue insurances covering evacuation in case emergency situations
Guarantees to the Svalbard authorities (Sysselmesteren)
Polar bear security/safety in zodiacs and on land
Permits and requirements from the authorities
Fuel
Tips/gratuities for local guides and staff
What’s Not Included:
Flights to/from Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Sodas, beer, alcoholic beverages and liquor onboard the ship
Accommodation before/after the expedition
All meals/drinks and other costs before/after the expedition
Personal warranties in connection with personal travel and medical insurances
Ny-Ålesund or Pyramiden harbor fees (Ca NOK 5000 pr harbor)
Local transportation in Longyearbyen
Photography/Personal Gear
This tour begins and ends at Longyearbyen International Airport. Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.
All images courtesy of Arctic Wildlife Tours
Daily itinerary
Day 0 (pre-trip) - May 4
Plan to arrive in Longyearbyen at least one day ahead of time, to be ready to set sail on Day 1, May 5th. This hotel is not included in the overall price of the tour.
Day 1: Embarkation in longyearbyen
Having already arrived in Longyearbyen, board your expedition vessel at the specified time. After a safety briefing and gear setup, set sail into the Arctic wilderness. Begin scanning the horizon for your first sightings of seabirds, whales, or even a polar bear. Overnight onboard.
Day 2-8: arctic expedition cruising
Spend the next seven days exploring the rugged beauty and rich wildlife of the Svalbard archipelago. The exact route will be based on ice conditions and wildlife movements, ensuring the best photographic opportunities possible. Potential highlights include:
Polar bears hunting along the ice edge or roaming snow-covered shores.
Walrus haul-outs resting on sea ice or coastal beaches.
Towering glaciers like Monacobreen and stunning fjords such as Liefdefjorden.
Zodiac cruises to get up close to ice formations, bird cliffs, and drifting icebergs.
Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, and nesting seabirds in dramatic settings.
Golden Arctic light for long shooting hours—especially in the evenings.
Each day features expert-led photography guidance, wildlife scouting, and flexible schedules to maximize golden moments.
Day 9: disembarkation in longyearbyen
Arrive back in Longyearbyen. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home—or enjoy a few extra hours in town depending on your departure schedule.
Tour LeaderS: SCOTT & JACKIE STONE
Scott and Jackie Stone have spent their lives dedicated to the outdoors we love and sharing it with others. Brought together through their conservation beliefs, they have been married since July 3, 2023, and together running Alaska Bear Camps and Scott Stone Photography as well concentrating on sharing their adventures with other passionate people. They devote their lives to the brown bears and other bear species around the globe striving to educate and share their love of the planet and conservation with like minded people.
Through their love of nature and our planet they joined with co-founders Traci Sepkovic and Dee Webb to offer trips around the globe to teach and share photography tours based on conservation, education and most importantly, giving back to the local communities we visit in pursuit of seeing all the amazing places and wildlife across the planet.
Scott and Jackie love all forms of photography including wildlife, landscape, astro, aurora, and macro; their cameras are their compass.
Instagram: @sstone_images, @akreelgirl
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