Sailing Svalbard Expedition around Spitsbergen

The first evening we will spend getting to know one-another, familiarising with the boat and reviewing the plan for the week. We’ll set sail into the midnight sun for our first stop towards the northern settlement of Ny-Ålesund.

Day 2: Explore Ny-Ålesund

The following morning, we’ll look out for a walrus colony in the Forland Strait before continuing north to Kongsfjorden, home to Ny-Ålesund, a historic research town. Marvel at the stunning Kongsfjord scenery with three pyramidal mountains: Dana, Nora, and Svea.

Days 3 – 5: North’s Cultural Heritage

Sail to Smeerenburgfjord, named after 17th-century Dutch whalers. Discover preserved cultural relics in “Spekkbyen” (blubber town) before sailing to Virgohamna, rich in polar history. Journey east to the northern Spitsbergen fjords, stopping at Mushamna fishing station as we reach our northernmost point at 80 degrees north for a celebratory moment! 

Days 6 – 8: Southbound

We turn southward, passing through Freemansundet, known for polar bears. Explore Storfjorden’s inner parts, a stunning and less-visited area. Climb mountains along the east coast, with Keilhau mountain offering a challenging ascent before round Sørkapp before heading north up the west side towards Hornsund.

Days 9 – 12: Towards Civilisation

Sail and explore Hornsund along the west coast, before we head our bows toward Isfjorden and Longyearbyen. Enjoy the protection of Hornsund against harsh weather as we witness glaciers calving into the sea as four glaciers meet in the fjord. En-route to Longyearbyen, we’ll try and stop at the Russian mining town of Barentsburg.

All voyages for Valiente

Valiente

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff

She spends her summers sailing in Norway, Svalbard and offering expedition sailing adventures to Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen and the Faroe islands.

Deck plan

Life on board

Your ticket price will include the skipper and first mate (co-skipper), as well as a dedicated Svalbard guide with extensive experience from Svalbard. The crew-members will work as guides and polar bear guards when we are ashore in the terrain.

The Arctic is a vulnerable area under pressure from people and climate change. The crew and owners of Valiente are committed to taking care of the environment as much as possible and believe that small boats with few people and little pollution and waste, are considerably less harmful to the environment, climate and local wildlife, than larger boats and cruise ships.

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.

The skipper and first mate (co-skipper), and a dedicated Svalbard guide with extensive experience from Svalbard will be onboard for the duration of expedition trips. Along the way, sailing or on motor, we will include all participants in the sailing.

We will generally sail at all times of the day, and everyone onboard will be running watches of 4 hours on and 8 hours off. When we are at anchor we always rotate the shifts with an awake anchor guard and the rest can sleep.

Leave no trace

Having the lowest possible carbon footprint as possible is important to us. We sail as long as there’s wind, and we target to have a sustainable menu, procurement, and waste management. Although we have to use engine for moving forward when it is completely windless, our trips are among the most sustainable ways to experience Svalbard.

Sample Menu for Valiente

This is an example of what could be served while sailing with Valiente. There is not a dedicated cook on board Valiente. Guests all take it in turns on a rotation basis to cook for the boat. This is an enjoyable part of sailing with Valiente as you make firm friends and experience recipes from around the world!

Breakfast

• Eggs, bacon, beans and toast
• Pancakes with jam and spreads
• Oatmeal with various toppings
• Bread and spreads
• Yoghurt and/or milk with cereal

Lunch

• Cauliflower or onion Soup
• Fish soup (using fish we’ve caught from our lines!)
• Cream porridge with cured meats
• Tomato soup and omelette
• Pancakes

Dinner

• Fish or veggie burgers
• Pasta with smoked salmon
• Chilli con carne
• Tacos
• Vegetable lasagne
• Bali chicken stew
• Salmon with root vegetables and sour cream
• Pasta bolognese with salad
• Sautéed reindeer stew
• Self-caught cod with pea puree

Dessert

• Fruit salad with vanilla sauce and firkløver chocolate
• Cream buns
• Sweet biscuits or chocolate

We usually have fish burgers on the first evening, as this is a simple meal to make on the first night, and it has been a SeilNorge tradition to start the trip with fish burgers for many years. Sometimes we go out for dinner on land (each guest pays for themselves) on the final evening of the trip, if we are back in harbour in time. But this is up to the individual group of guests. Other times we might also go out for a dinner on land the day the trip has ended, if people are still in town!

Snacks

We provide a small amount of snacks for the trip, but we usually suggest that guests bring some of their own snacks as well, especially for trips on land (nuts, cookies, chocolate, chips, dried fruit, crackers, etc.). It is always fun when people bring a little something from their home country to share with the rest of the crew. Guests are also welcome to supplement with other food items if they have very specific wishes or needs that we are not able to cater to.

What’s included

• All inclusive (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!

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 not more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals and soft drinks are included. Guests work on a rotation basis to cook together onboard.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes - please specify at time of enquiry

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English/Norwegian

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  3x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin, 1 x quad bunk cabin

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  5

• Is there WIFI?

  No

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  12v charging under sail, 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK per trip, per person.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• 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.

• Is bedding included?

  Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided

Travel Planning

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

Svalbard, Norway

BY AIR:

Fly into Oslo or Tromsø to get a connecting flight to Svalbard. 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 for Svalbard is from London Heathrow via Oslo with airline SAS.

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, and the airport shuttle service stops at all hotels in the centre.

STAY IN SVALBARD:

There are plenty of places to stay in Svalbard. Try Gjesthuset 102, 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 bears. All hotels have contacts for local taxi firms, so please ask at reception to organise transport to the marina.