Arctic Circumnavigation: Svalbard Sailing & Walking Expedition
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Circumnavigate the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway aboard tall ship Noorderlicht with 17 days of expedition sailing and wilderness.
Embark on a guided circumnavigation of Svalbard aboard tall ship Noorderlicht. Follow in the wake of 17th-century whalers, navigate vast ice fields, walk the edges of colossal glaciers and search for polar bears, walrus and beluga whales along some of the most remote coastline on earth.
With a registered guide on board and special permission to explore beyond Longyearbyen, Noorderlicht takes you further than any other form of travel can. This voyage is perfect for the adventure traveller ready to take on one of the world’s great sailing expeditions.
- 17-day Arctic circumnavigation
- Polar bears & Arctic wildlife
- Guided glacier walks ashore
- Whaling history & remote wilderness
- Sustainable travel
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Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
A Full Circumnavigation of Svalbard with Tall Ship Noorderlicht
Longyearbyen → Bellsund → Hornsund → EdgeØya → Negribreen → Alkefjellet → Nordaustlandet → Moffen → Smeerenburg → Kongsfjord → Poolepynten → Barentsburg → Longyearbyen
Over 17 days, Noorderlicht sails the full circumnavigation of Svalbard from the icy fjords of Hornsund in the south to 80 degrees north, taking in vast ice caps, dramatic glacier fronts, seabird cliffs and coastlines that have barely changed since the whalers of the 17th century. This is Svalbard at its most complete, wild, remote and deeply humbling. Noorderlicht has been granted special permission to sail and explore beyond Longyearbyen with a registered guide on board at all times, reaching anchorages and landscapes that no other form of travel can access.
Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
All itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions. As you board, the Captain will have updated forecasts and a clearer picture of what your expedition holds.
Day 1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen
Board Noorderlicht in Longyearbyen, the largest settlement on Spitsbergen. After a welcome and safety briefing from the Captain and crew, sit down to the first dinner on board as Noorderlicht sets course for Bellsund, where she anchors for the night.
Day 2: Historic Sights in Bellsund
Explore ashore at Calypsobyen, Varsolbukta and Ahlstrandhalvøya in Bamsebu, with a short walk to Kvitfiskstranda (‘white whale beach’) before heading south towards Hornsund or the South Cape of Spitsbergen.
Days 3–4: Around the South Cape and East Spitsbergen
Weather and ice permitting, Noorderlicht enters Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most inhospitable and icy fjords, with steep glacier fronts and a strong chance of encountering seals and beluga whales. Rounding the South Cape into Storfjorden, watch for groups of whales before heading north to EdgeØya, known for its large reindeer population and polar bears. A landing at Kapp Lee reveals wide tundra scattered with reindeer antlers, whale bones, Arctic foxes and colonies of kittiwakes.
Day 5: Negribreen Glacier and Heleysundet
Visit Negribreen, one of the largest glaciers in Spitsbergen, with the widest calving front on the main island. Blue icebergs signal very old ice as you approach. Noorderlicht then attempts to navigate the Heleysundet, a narrow channel notorious for strong currents, and anchors in a bay the crew have named Noorderlichtbukta. A walk along the cliffs of Straumslandet follows.
Day 6: The Bird Cliffs of Alkefjellet
One of the great natural spectacles of the Arctic with 60,000 short-billed guillemots breeding on the towering cliff face of Alkefjellet. Noorderlicht is small enough to cruise along the base of the cliff without a zodiac. Spend the rest of the day heading north through the Hinlopenstraat, a 150km strait separating Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, often packed with dense sea ice.
Day 7: Nordaustlandet
A morning walk in Faksevagen with views over the Gullfaksbreen glacier, then across the Hinlopen Strait to Nordaustlandet largely covered by the vast ice caps of Austfonna and Vestfonna. An evening visit to Kinnvika, a Swedish-Finnish research station abandoned in 1959, its ten empty wooden buildings left eerily, exactly as they were.
Days 8–9: 80 Degrees North
Noorderlicht crosses 80 degrees north, the most northerly point of the voyage. Cruise the waters around Moffen Island, a walrus and bird sanctuary, watching for walrus groups on the shore. Conditions permitting, land at Ytre Norskøya to visit the Zeeuwsche Uitkijck, a 1617 whaling lookout built by sailors from Zeeland, still visible on the island’s highest point.
Day 10: Whaling History at Smeerenburg
Head west to AmsterdamØya and Smeerenburg, where the former capital of Dutch Arctic whaling was between 1617 and 1646. Remains of blubber ovens, warehouses and tombs still dot the shoreline, offering a remarkable window into the industry that once drove European exploration of the Arctic.
Days 11–13: Magdalenafjord, Kongsfjord and Krossfjord
Head south to the Magdalenafjord, a blue-green bay ringed by rugged peaks and impressive glaciers. Continue to Kongsfjord and Krossfjord, where the face of the “14th July” glacier greets you, bearded seals rest on broken ice floes, and guillemots, kittiwakes and puffins nest in the surrounding cliffs. A landing on Blomstrandhalvøya reveals the remains of a marble mine at Ny London, with views of the iconic Tre Kroner peaks.
Day 14: Walruses at Poolepynten
An early start heading south through Forlandsundet, a strait historically feared by whalers for the shallow Forlandsrevet sandbank. Noorderlicht’s shallow draft makes her one of the few vessels able to navigate it. Land at Poolepynten for a walk with panoramic views across the mountains and glaciers of Spitsbergen, before continuing south to anchor in St. Johnsfjord.
Day 15: Barentsburg
Arriving in the afternoon at Barentsburg, Russia’s active coal mining settlement in Svalbard. Climb 140 wooden steps from the dock to reach the main street, where a life-size bust of Lenin stands among Soviet-era buildings, worker billboards and modernist architecture. Visit the world’s northernmost brewery and the Pomor Museum, and share a locally brewed beer with the crew in the evening.
Day 16: Back to Longyearbyen
A final morning landing at Colesbukta before Noorderlicht makes her way back to Longyearbyen for a final Captain’s dinner on board and an informal evening to share photos and stories from the week.
Day 17: Disembarkation
A hearty final breakfast, then disembark by 09:00.
Aboard Tall Ship Noorderlicht
Noorderlicht is a traditionally rigged tall ship with comfortable accommodation for up to 12 guests in private twin cabins. Her small size and shallow draft are what make this circumnavigation possible, allowing her to navigate channels, sandbanks and remote anchorages that larger vessels cannot reach. The galley and downstairs saloon sit at the heart of the ship, with a further seating area and bar in the deckhouse.
- Sleeping: Private twin cabins with bedding provided
- Food: Full board — hearty, home-cooked meals in the galley
- On deck: Take the helm and help plot the course on charts with the crew
- Atmosphere: Hands-on and expedition-minded, a small group with a shared sense of adventure
- Sustainability: Low-impact travel at her core, treading lightly in one of the world’s most fragile environments
With years of experience sailing in Arctic Svalbard, we’ve compiled a complete guide to everything you need to know before you visit – so if you’ve got any questions about what to pack or how to get there, take a look at our guide here.
Read more about what our team experienced while sailing and hiking in Svalbard with Noorderlicht…
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Night watches?
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.
Exploring the Arctic Circle and the wilderness of Svalbard with expedition vessel Noorderlicht is an experience of a lifetime. This breathtaking landscape is certainly best explored from the water, from the comfort of your own tall ship. With a small group of up to 12 guests, the atmosphere is much more intimate than on a small-ship cruise.
Getting Involved
Guests are invited to get involved with all aspects of sailing on Noorderlicht. Although the wind in Svalbard can be unpredictable, when the opportunities arise, it is all hands on deck to hoist the sails manually. Some time is inevitably spent under motor, and if there is a particular location to reach, the crew may decide to continue underway while guests sleep. Guests can also take the helm and help plot the course on charts with the crew.
Climbing the masts while anchored by a three-mile-wide glacier is undoubtedly a highlight, and guests can also climb out onto the bowsprit to help prepare the sails.
Sleeping and Relaxation
The interior of Noorderlicht is authentically decorated, giving it an informal, cosy, and nautical atmosphere. There are spacious cushioned seating and dining areas in the upper and lower deck saloons, providing enough space for 12 guests to enjoy meals, compare photos, or simply relax and read books. There is a small onboard library filled with informative literature about the wildlife, history, and geology of Svalbard. The upper saloon is also where the bar sits; the coffee pot is always on, and guests are welcome to use the bar as they wish, with an honesty tab.
The sleeping area is located on the lower deck, with 10 twin cabins. All cabins have bunk berths, plenty of built-in storage, a washbasin, a mirror and charging ports. All bedding and towels are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own. There are four communal toilets/showers throughout the ship, which are cleaned daily when guests are on shore landings. Each bathroom has dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for guests to use.
A typical day
Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee as you watch the mist rise over dramatic landscapes. Noorderlicht’s summer voyages in Svalbard all take place in the midnight sun, which means 24/7 daylight. Our ship’s cook serves a continental breakfast, followed usually by the first shore landing around 9 a.m. Shore landings are always dependent on the weather – if it’s too misty with poor visibility, the risk of a polar bear sneaking around is too significant to ignore! The plans are always flexible, and the guides will constantly update guests throughout the day.
After the first shore landing (always tailored to the needs and wishes of the group), it’ll be back aboard for a hearty lunch, usually as the boat travels to the next anchorage. The afternoons are usually a relaxed affair: reading, napping, chatting, and just observing the elemental beauty surrounding you.
Noorderlicht aims to do two shore landings a day. They are not mandatory, and if you wish to remain aboard, that’s fine, too! The second landing is usually in the late afternoon, before dinner.
Dining Aboard
If we have learned anything from our years of experience on sailing ships, it is the importance of good food aboard! Although the Arctic region imposes limitations on the availability and quality of food on board, our professional cook will prepare you excellent meals from the international kitchen three times a day.
Breakfast is served at 8 am, a continental breakfast with fresh bread, cooked eggs, meat and vegetables, cheeses, yoghurt, cereals, muesli and fresh fruit. The cook aims to serve lunch around 1 pm, although this will always be flexible depending on the time spent ashore. Coffee, teas and soft drinks are available from the honesty bar throughout the day, and everyone is responsible for keeping the coffee pot topped up and the kettle hot! Fresh fruit and biscuits are available throughout the day. Dinner is usually served at about 7.30 pm. The cook encourages any guests with dietary needs to pop into the galley and have a quick chat with him on the first day.
Your safety
Noorderlicht sails in Svalbard with a rotation crew: a Captain, first mate, cook, deckhand, and engineer. To meet the strict regulations for operating in Svalbard, she also has two registered guides on every voyage. This ensures the culture, environment, and, most importantly, the safety of our guests and crew are maintained. Our guides are authorised for Svalbard Guide Training (SGO) and many of our guides are educated as Arctic Nature Guides (ANG).
Noorderlicht
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Schooner
High above mainland Norway, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard sits. An icy wilderness that tall ship Noorderlicht has called home since 1994. Spending her summers exploring Northern Norway & Svalbard, she takes guests on whale watching holidays along the south-west coast and offers longer adventures circumnavigating the whole island. She also offers expedition voyages across the Barents Sea for those seeking a more exhilarating, hands-on adventure with plenty of sailing.
A traditionally rigged tall ship, guests are invited to get involved with all aspects of sailing, although the wind in Svalbard can be unpredictable, so some time is spent under motor. Guests can still take the helm and help plot the course on charts with the crew.
Low-impact, environmentally friendly travel goes hand in hand with Noorderlicht’s ethos. Her ability to explore this part of the world is the best way to enjoy the beautiful, unspoiled nature. From glacier walks, birdwatching, whales, polar bears, and abandoned mining stations, Noorderlicht’s voyages are perfect for those wanting to discover remote locations far from the tourist crowds.
You don’t need any sailing experience to join Noorderlicht’s adventures, but a good level of fitness is recommended so you can hike the hills comfortably for dramatic views and take the opportunity to explore a sleeping village at night in the midnight sun. There is a good balance aboard to rest and relax, read a book or chat with fellow travellers as you travel between landing spots.
With comfortable accommodation for up to 12 guests in private twin cabins, her size and draft allow her to reach some of the most remote areas of Svalbard, making her a great way to discover the hidden gems this breathtaking part of the world has to offer. The galley and downstairs seating area sit in the middle of the ship, with another seating area and bar in the deckhouse.
Deck plan
More about Noorderlicht
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Arctic Circumnavigation: Svalbard Sailing & Walking Expedition
Arctic Summer Sailing and Walking in Svalbard
Arctic Spring Sailing and Walking in Svalbard
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
