Stunning Spitsbergen: Polar Bear & Northern Lights Tours
Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard archipelago, is possibly Norway’s most spectacular destination. Halfway between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, this island lies within the ‘High Arctic’: temperatures never exceed 6ºC and the sun does not set for four months in summer. However, the North Atlantic Current regulates Spitsbergen’s temperatures, making it much warmer than areas of similar latitude in Canada or Russia, and allowing for different seasons.
Bear Tours and Glacier Walls
Spitsbergen has a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as six national parks for wildlife enthusiasts to explore. There are only four species of mammals, other than humans, that inhabit the island: the arctic fox, the southern vole, the Svalbard reindeer, and the top predator, the polar bear. Tours with dedicated wildlife specialists will give you the chance to experience the pride and joy of Spitsbergen up close and personal. Bear tours will not only give you the experience of seeing a polar bear up close enough to get your adrenaline pumping, but cruise ships will also take you along magnificent fjords and give you stunning views of the glacier walls.
Ghost towns of centuries past
If you also want to explore some man-made landmarks along with the thrill of bear tours, you can visit a couple of Spitsbergen ghost towns. These remote mining towns and early whaling stations are now abandoned, but they were the first settlements on the island in the 17th and 18th centuries. In fact, it was not until the end of the 19th century that several permanent communities were established.
Many other exciting activities
A trip to Spitsbergen will also give you the chance to go dog sledding, experience ice caving, join a snowmobile safari and of course witness the incredible Northern Lights at certain times of the year. Spitsbergen has plenty of comfortable and affordable accommodation, such as houses and hotels, should you decide to extend your wildlife viewing holiday to further explore the area.
When to go?
The best time of year to visit depends entirely on your personal preferences and what you need to pack for the trip. March is peak season for Spitsbergen: the daylight has a particular bluish hue that will captivate those who haven’t been that far north before, and the evenings are a perfect opportunity to try and see the Northern Lights.
However, if you wait until May, you will experience the shocking midnight sun – there will be light 24 hours a day, giving you the chance to take part in adventures that would be impossible if the island were shrouded in darkness. Spring also attracts the birds back to Spitsbergen, making the atmosphere much livelier.
During the autumn, Spitsbergen goes dark again at night, and you will have the opportunity to observe the northern lights and experience cooler weather. There’s a blues music festival on the island in October, and dedicated bear tours are a wonderful way to find the island’s most majestic wildlife on the prowl.
Finally, the polar nights arrive and the main towns of Spitsbergen are transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland. You can enjoy traditional Norwegian cuisine at local restaurants and take the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping.
Spitsbergen is a magnificent destination all year round and is an exceptional destination for wildlife viewing no matter what the season.