Arctic Circle Sailing Expedition: Svalbard at the Polar Edge
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- Vessel: Valiente
- Where: Svalbard, Norway
- Duration: 10 days
- Embark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard - 2 July 2024, 14:00
- Disembark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard - 11 July 2024, 14:00
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Explore the fascinating fjords and glaciers of the fragile Arctic archipelago of Svalbard with expedition yacht Valiente.
Join expedition vessel Valiente in the heart of the Arctic Circle as she takes guests on an adventure sailing holiday to explore the fascinating fragile archipelago of Svalbard.
On this expedition, you will have the opportunity to see and experience Svalbard in a way that few have done before. The main focus of this trip will be the fjords and glaciers, and by bringing with us a knowledgeable glaciologist onboard, we can offer exciting and up-to-date knowledge of the glaciers in the past, present and future, and the effect of climate change on the ice.
- SKIPPERED SAILING
- PRIVATE CABINS
- Full BOARD
- BUCKET LIST LOCATION
- POLAR BEARS!
- Hands-on Experience
- Sustainable Travel
- Sail area & highlights
- Gallery
- Life on board
- Kit list
- Sample menu
- Travel planning
- The boat
- FAQs
- What's included
- Boat schedule
YOUR SAILING AREA
Svalbard, Norway
High in the Arctic circle sits the the world’s most northernmost town, sitting halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Svalbard is one of Europe’s last great wildernesses, often referred to as the “land of the midnight sun” when from mid-May to late September, the archipelago sits in 24hour daylight.
With more polar bears than people, this epic terrain is not for the faint hearted but perfect for the adventure traveller. Ice covered fjords, colossal glaciers and soaring mountains really hit home how wild, rugged and fragile this beautiful landscape is. Discovering Svalbard under sail is by far the best and most sustainable way to see the very best of this Arctic archipelago. Svalbard has strict tourism policies in place with travellers unable to leave the main town of Longyearbyen without a registered guide. Valiente has been given special permission to sail and explore this magical landscape with a registered guide onboard meaning guests are in safe hands at all times.
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The main focus of this voyage is to dive deep into the fjords and glaciers that make up this fragile landscape reaching the northernmost island of Sjuøyane. Explore with a mixture of expedition sailing, hikes through the fjords and glacier walks with crampons, ice axes and rope. Learn about the formation of the fjords, the movements of the glaciers, the inner life of the ice, and not least the glaciers’s’ challenges and future in a time of warming and changing climate. Few other places on earth is climate change as evident as in Svalbard. A warmer climate affects both the permafrost, glaciers and sea ice, and the whole ecosystem is under pressure.
Our itinerary will be entirely dependant on the wind and weather, to ensure guest safety, a good experience and to be our travel as sustainable as possible. The itinerary below is only to be used as a guide of what to expect.
The first evening we will spend getting to know one-another, familiarizing with the boat and reviewing the plan for the week. Make the most of the midnight sun as we set sail for Alkehornet, a mountain across Isfjord, and navigate through Prins Karls Forland’s inner waters at night.
Day 2: Explore the World’s Northernmost Settlement
With luck, we may spot a walrus colony in Forlandsundet early morning. Further north, we reach Kongsfjorden, home to Ny-Ålesund, a research town. Capture the beauty of Kongsfjorden, with three pyramid-shaped mountains: Dana, Nora, and Svea.
Day 3: Cultural Treasures in the Northwest
We’ll continue sailing north to the northwest corner of Spitsbergen, sailing into Smeerenburgfjord, named after 17th-century Dutch whalers. Discover well-preserved cultural remnants from “Blubber town” before heading to Virgohamna.
Days 4-5: Towards the Ice Edge and Rossøya
Set a course for Rossøya, Svalbard’s northernmost island and Norway’s northernmost point, and begin your search for ice. Follow the ice edge eastwards and watch for bears, seals, and whales. When we reach the northernmost point, celebrate with cold champagne and a daring polar plunge!
Days 6-7: Exploring Sjuøyane and Heading South
Explore the far north around Sjuøyane and, if time allows, visit nearby islands. Perhaps go ashore on a hike for spectacular views of Nord-Austlandet’s grand glaciers and the archipelago. Eventually, we’ll set our course south, passing Verlegenhuken, Spitsbergen’s northernmost point, and possibly stopping at the trapper station in Mushamna.
Days 8-9: Returning to Civilization
As we head back toward Isfjorden, we’ll adjust landings and shore visits based on time and distance. Revisit some intriguing sites along the northwest coast. Near Isfjord’s entrance, pass Isfjord Radio, a converted radio station turned into a welcoming hotel. If time permits, explore the unique Russian mining town of Barentsburg, with a potential shore visit and dinner ashore.
All voyages for Valiente
Valiente
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff
Expedition yacht Valiente has been designed to withstand tough icy conditions so it’s little wonder she makes a great boat for Arctic sailing adventures.
From exploring the fjords on the West coast of Norway, to crossing the Arctic circle to Svalbard or Barents Sea sailing to Greenland, Valiente offers a unique, safe and comfortable way to explore sailing territories far off the beaten track.
EXPEDITION SAILING
Joining Valiente will see you become part of the crew, taking part in all aspects of sailing. From the day to day running of the boat, to cooking up meals with your fellow guests, the crew of Valiente will be on hand to guide you in this bucket list experience.
Read more about what life is like on board here
Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. With her steel hull made to withstand icy waters, below decks is a welcome contrast. Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat so you’ll be wonderfully cosy! The saloon and well-equipped galley are set mid ships with 360° windows at deck level with plenty of storage space.
Below Decks
All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks but cabins are not allocated until all guests are on board so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and right facilities for their needs!
The Arctic sailing grounds are a vulnerable area increasingly under pressure from climate change. The owners of Valiente are committed to taking care of the environment as much as possible and believe that small boats with less people, are considerably less harmful to the environment and local wildlife, than larger cruise ships.
Deck plan
More about ValienteLife on Board Valiente
You don’t need any experience to join Valiente’s expedition sailing holidays, just a love for the natural world and a real sense of adventure.
Getting Involved
Sailing with Valiente is a real hands-on, humbling experience as you work with the crew and fellow guests to navigate the Arctic wilderness together. Get stuck into all aspects of life on board, from taking the helm, setting & trimming the sails, basic sail theory and domestic duties.
The skipper and first mate, (plus a dedicated guide for Svalbard sailing voyages) will be onboard for the duration of Valiente’s sailing holidays. Along the way, preferably by sailing but sometimes under motor, we will include all guests in the sailing experience.
The physical sailing of Valiente is relatively straightforward so she’s a great boat to learn on if you haven’t sailed before. Her simple rig has three sails; the main, genoa and jib, all working off a winch system. The wheelhouse is set at deck level, with a modern navigation system. You can take the helm, working with the skipper to watch your course. The crew that sail in these waters are wildly skilled, resourceful and calm and they are always on hand to guide guests.
The boat works on a relaxed watch system, usually 4 hours on and 8 hours off. This gives guests a real chance to have some focussed sailing time but equally have the time to just be. To sit, watch the world go by, to relax, nap, read a book in your cabin, play cards in the saloon or just simply sit at the bows, watching, reflecting as the world glides by. If Valiente spends time on anchor, the watch system will run overnight, but with all guests and crew participating, you wouldn’t be on watch on consecutive nights.
There is always a thorough safety briefing and introduction once guests have settled onboard, followed by a “man overboard” procedure (don’t worry – this is a fender not a real person!) and a fire safety drill.
Below Decks
Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat, (there’s even heated towel rails in all bathroom and a heater in the wheelhouse) so she is wonderfully cosy! The spacious saloon and galley are set mid ships with 360° windows at deck level – perfect for cooking with a view. The galley is really well equipped with an induction hob, two domestic ovens, two fridge drawers and plenty of storage space.
All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. Cabins are not allocated until all guests are booked and on board so that every is matched with the right size bed and right facilities for their needs! A small bath towel is provided per person but you’ll need to bring an extra hand towel or swim towel if you wish.
There are full size domestic showers with plenty of hot water although as with all sailing experiences, guests are asked to be respectful with their water consumption. It may not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day we are either in a harbour with fresh water or we sail through a place where we can borrow showers or enjoy a sauna. A morning swim in the sea is free and is available all year round!
Naomi from the VentureSail team sailed with Valiente in Norway – you can read her blog here for an insight into her experience!
Eating Aboard
Aside from setting the sails and taking the helm, the next most important aspect of Arctic sailing on Valiente is definitely the food! Once you’ve boarded the boat, a crew member will split all guests into pairs, who are then divided over a rota for breakfast, lunch and dinner duties. With an average of 10 people on board, you’ll normally end up doing one of each service over a week’s voyage.
If you’re not much of a cook, fear not! There will be a menu plan for the whole voyage already planned out with all the provisions on board. The menu plan is entirely flexible depending on the plan for the day, maybe you catch a fish or maybe the more confident cooks will want to experiment a little! Alongside the menu plan, there is a correlating recipe book, especially made with ingredients, quantities and cooking methods to match the meal plan.
Cooking on board is an integral part of how a sailing ship operates. A hearty feed after a sailing adventure, a chance to bring everyone together, for confidence to grow and cultural culinary tips to be shared.
Things to note
Sailing vs Shore time
Night-watches?
Kit List
Valiente has limited space for possessions, so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. There is no storage for rigid cases so please bring your items in a soft bag or rucksack. We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers.
1) Dress in layers. In polar regions, it is advised to use the 3-layer principle: a base layer, a warm mid layer, and a water-repellent outer layer.
2) Don’t overdress. If it is too warm you start sweating which can cool you down too much.
3) Use natural materials such as wool. Avoid cotton. Synthetic fabrics designed for cold weather are also good.
4) Be careful with down, when it gets wet it loses all its insulation value. Primaloft or polar fleece are good options.
5) Wear loose layers. Insulation is pockets of hot air, so if you dress without room for those air pockets to fill with warm air it can be cold. Only the base layer can be a snug fit, but make sure it is not hindering your blood flow. Avoid super tight shoes and socks.
6) Keep hands and feet dry. You usually lose a lot of heat via your extremities (hand and feet). Mittens are always warmer than gloves. Make sure there is a waterproof outer layer.
7) Wear a hat! A lot of lost body heat can come from your head. By making sure that your head is warm you will also notice a difference for the rest of your body.
Don’t forget the wind! Wind chill can make 0 degrees feel like -20. So make sure your outer layer is both wind and waterproof.
FOOTWEAR
- Rubber boots (VERY IMPORTANT) We request that you bring a pair of knee-high rubber boots. These boots will be used in virtually all shore landings. Pull-on rubber and completely waterproof boots of at least midcalf height with a strong, ridged non-skid sole is ESSENTIAL for landings. We often walk in water and on icy, slippery surfaces, so even standard snow boots, hiking boots, and low rubber boots are unsatisfactory.
- Sturdy hiking boots are optional. Most hikes/landings will be done with rubber boots. Occasionally, people switch to hiking boots.
- Comfortable shoes are useful to wear around the ship.
CLOTHES
- T-shirts to wear inside the vessel, as temperatures are comfortably warm
- Warm pants or even ski pants, which can be worn over long underwear. Thick ski pants can be too warm for long hikes but are great on deck.
- Waterproof trousers, such as Gore-Tex, to be worn over regular pants.
- Thermal underwear of wool, silk or polypropylene
- Sweaters or polar fleece jacket of medium weight.
- Turtlenecks work well as extra layer.
- Mittens and gloves (and more than one pair), such as thin wool or polypropylene gloves that can be worn underneath your mittens
- Woollen hat and scarf to protect your ears and neck
- Warm socks that are tall and sturdy, layered over a thinner pair of silk, polypropylene, or wool socks. We prefer wool since it does not contain any odour.
- Waterproof/windproof jacket (waterproof above all) with an attached hood that can be worn over your underlayers with reasonable comfort
ACCESSORIES
- Waterproof (or resistant) backpack with shoulder straps for keeping your hands free and your camera (and other gear) dry
- Earplugs, in case you share your cabin with a snorer or the engine is on
- Sunglasses of good quality, as the glare from the water and surrounding snow/ice can be severe even when the sky is overcast
- Binoculars for viewing all the beautiful landscapes and wildlife
- Camera with plenty of memory cards or film
- Head-lamp for spring or autumn trips aboard Valiente
What’s included
- Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. soft/hot drinks)
- All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
- Full crew plus tuition
- Marina and fuel fees
- All tender trips to and fro the boat
- Lifejacket
- Fishing equipment
- Use of the on board small sailing dinghy for extra practice!
- Survival Suit and Search & Rescue insurance for everyone on board
What’s not included
- Alcohol
- Wetsuits
- Waterproofs > Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK per trip, per person
- Swim towel
- Any flights
- Transit hotels
- Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
- Travel insurance
- Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
- Crew tips
- Personal expenses
- Any meals ashore
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 12 miles offshore.
FAQ
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Are all meals included?
Yes, all meals and soft drinks are included. Guests work on a rotation basis to cook together onboard.
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Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes - please specify at time of enquiry.
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Are there any added extras?
There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol that can be settled at the end of the voyage.
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What are the sleeping arrangements?
3x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin, 1 x quad bunk cabin.
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Is there a porthole in my cabin?
Yes, all cabins have portholes and deck hatches.
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How many toilet/showers does she have?
The three double cabins have en-suites and the twin cabins share a bathroom.
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Are bedding and towels included?
Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided.
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Is there a hairdryer on board?
No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!
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Will I be able to wash my clothes?
No, Valiente does not have laundry on board.
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Is there heating on board?
Yes!
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Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
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What language is spoken onboard?
English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.
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Is there WIFI?
No! It's time to disconnect from the modern conforms and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan.
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Can I charge my phone/Camera?
12v charging available 24/7 in every cabin and 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator.
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What is the currency on board?
Norwegian Krone.
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Are there life jackets provided?
Yes, every bunk is numbered with an allocated life jacket.
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How do I get on and off the boat?
Valiente is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up the boats step ladder over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady. There is also a swim ladder on the stern of the boat.
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Are waterproofs provided?
Guests can rent oilskins from Valiente for 650NOK per trip, per person.
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Do I need sailing experience?
No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.
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Does the boat have any water toys?
Valiente has folding kayaks and hand fishing lines.
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Will I be sea sick?
Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.
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Is there an age limit?
Minimum age 14, between 14-18 need to be accompanied by parent/guardian.
Gallery
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From: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
To: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.
GETTING THERE
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
AIR
There are several flights a day into Longyearbyen Airport from Oslo and Tromsø in Norway. Your easiest route from the UK to Longyearbyen (LYR) Airport, Svalbard is from London Heathrow via Oslo.
The airport shuttle service stops at all hotels in the centre.
Taxis and buses meet each incoming /outgoing flight, even the ones in the middle of the night and will stop at the marina on request.
STAY
There are lots of places to stay. Try: Gjesthuset 102 ; a former coal miners barracks. Basecamp Hotel, Hotell Polfareren, Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg or Funken Lodge.
**Please note that you need a guide to travel anywhere outside the town of Longyearbyen due to the risk from polar bear.**