SPITSBERGEN with Oceanwide Expeditions
Summer in the High Arctic is frantic! All of nature is making the most of 24-hour daylight during the 2 months that count as ‘summer’ before the ice and snow return.
There are no roads in Spitsbergen so the best way to explore during the summer is by boat. These voyages are run by our friends, Oceanwide Expeditions. We like them because their voyages are truly wildlife-focused and place great emphasis on spending time as possible ashore. In Spitsbergen, under the Midnight Sun, you have excellent chances of seeing walrus, reindeer, whales, seals, thousands of birds and polar bears.
These ‘small ship’ expedition voyages (max 110 passengers) are led by an exceptional team of guides and have won multiple awards. They are more comfortable than our sailing expeditions but are definitely not luxury ’cruises’ and some offer guests the chance to camp, kayak, snow-shoe and hike.
Polar People guide Jim Mayer is very excited to be guiding on 7 of Oceanwide’s expeditions this summer and he’d love you to join him:
Scotland to Spitsbergen (PLA04) 9th – 18th June 2012. This voyage sails via Fair Isle, Shetland and Jan Mayen to Spitsbergen. Not many people ever manage to reach Jan Mayen Island so Sarah and Jim Mayer are both thrilled to be guiding on this voyage and hope you can join them! 9 night voyage, €1500 (approx £1315*).
North Spitsbergen (PLA05) 18th – 25th June 2012. Sailing from Longyearbyen up the wonderful west coast of Spitsbergen, aiming for 80 degrees North! This voyage includes hikes ashore with snow shoes and there is also a kayaking option. Sarah and Jim Mayer are both guiding on this voyage. 7 night voyage. €2800 (approx £2450*).
Spitsbergen Basecamp Voyage (PLA06) 25th June – 4th July 2012. This voyage explores Spitsbergens west coast on more detail. Opportunities to try snow-shoeing, kayaking and join in the Leica ‘photo academie’ are all included in the price. 9 night voyage. €3550 (approx £3110*). Diving option for experienced divers.
Around Spitsbergen (PLA07) 4th – 13th July 2012. Ice permitting, this voyage will circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen and visit the remote east coast. 9 night voyage. €3550 (approx £3110*). Plus diving option for experienced divers.
Around Spitsbergen & Kvitoya (PLA11)9th – 19th August 2012.Circumnavigating the island of Spitsbergen and including a rare visit to the island of Kvitoya. 10 night voyage. €3900 (approx £3410*). Plus optional kayaking.
North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special (PLA12) 19th – 26th August 2012. A voyage to explore the west coast of Spitsbergen with a particular focus on looking for polar bears. 7 night voyage. €2800 (approx £2450*).
From Spitsbergen to Northeast Greenland (PLA 13) 26th August – 7th September 2012. Tracing the edge of the sea ice from Spitsbergen to Greenland – WOW! 12 night voyage. €4450 (approx £3895). Plus optional kayaking and ‘Leica academie’ photo workshops.
“Exceptional guide service from Jim Mayer - knowledgeable, enthusiastic, professional and engaging” - guest comment from Oceanwide Antarctic voyage March 2011
- Have a look at Oceanwide Expedition’s website for full details of all these voyages (and more).
- Come back to us to BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY and claim your Polar People Discount: 10% OFF ALL Oceanwide voyages.
* The approximate prices that we have quoted in £ sterling are to give you a rough idea of the price. When you book your holiday, we will give you an accurate price on that day.
If you are looking for a more adventurous expedition with hands-on sailing and proper long hikes, you might enjoy Sailing & Hiking in Spitsbergen with Olivier.
Artistic adventurers might prefer the specific art focus and measured pace of Spitsbergen Art Safari 2012.
To enquire about any of these holidays, please get in touch:
On your holiday in Spitsbergen (known as Svalbard by the Norwegians) you could spot: arctic foxes, arctic hares, walrus, svalbard reindeer, polar bears, bearded seals, common seals, beluga whales, fin whales, dolphins, porpoises, ivory gulls, fulmars, arctic skuas, artic terns, barnacle geese, little auks, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and many more – we can’t promise but we’ll do our best!
