Arctic Circle sailing; Svalbard Expedition
- Vessel: Valiente
- Where: Svalbard, Norway
- Duration: 10 days
- Embark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard - 20 July 2023, 14:00
- Disembark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard - 29 July 2023, 14:00
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
- ALL-INCLUSIVE BOARD
- BUCKET LIST LOCATION
- POLAR BEARS!
- Sail area & highlights
- Gallery
- Life on board
- Sample menu
- Travel planning
- The boat
- FAQs
- What's included
- Boat schedule
YOUR SAILING AREA
Svalbard, Norway
Tucked in the heart of the Arctic circle is the fragile and breathtakingly beautiful archipelago of Svalbard. Explore the northwest coast of Spitsbergen; an area very rich in majestic fjords and mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and places that have a lot of history and culture to offer.
Along the northwestern coast, we will be far outside the areas normally available from Longyearbyen, and you will get to experience something new, so it doesn’t really matter if you have been to Svalbard many times before, or if this is your first time to the “land north of the northern wind”. Of the many fjords we sail through the most known are the Kongsfjord, Krossfjorden, Lilliehöökfjorden, Magdalenafjorden and Smeerenburgfjorden. Maybe we also get to the Liefdefjord on the north side. Of the countless glaciers, the Kongsbreen, Lillehöökbreen and Monacobreen are the largest.
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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. 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. New knowledge about climate change becomes part of this. 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.
In order to achieve the most exciting, up-to-date and professionally solid program we have on this expedition with us Ms. Miriam Jackson, who is a passionate communicator of knowledge and one of the few in Norway with a doctorate in glaciology. Miriam was one of the contributors to the latest IPCC report on “the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate” and she is also the Operational- and Research Leader for the Svartisen Glacier Laboratory. So, this is a lady with a lot of up-to-date knowledge we get to have with us, and we are looking forward to having her onboard on this trip again.
On this trip there are great opportunities to see whales, seals, a bustling birdlife and maybe even polar bears. On Svalbard there’s midnight sun until mid August, so it will be bright 24 hours a day. You will have a great encounter with the beautiful and uninhabited arctic landscape. Along the north west coast there is also good fishing that hopefully will make up some good meals along the way. With the sailboat as our mobile base, we get close to nature and wildlife in a careful way, and we are flexible in terms of weather conditions and where we anchor and go ashore.
Valiente
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff
Expedition boat Valiente is a 70 foot steel boat designed to withstand tough arctic conditions, but with comfort and high standards maintained along the way.
She sails very well with a simple rig and has a lot of space on deck for guests and crew. Valiente has ample space in the saloon and wheelhouse with 360degree views. Below decks there is a well equipped galley. The boat has five guest cabins, with the 3 doubles having an ensuite and shower.
Valiente is very well equipped for trips and expeditions including; RIB light boat, two folding kayaks, big tanks for both water and diesel, water-maker, generators, safety and rescue equipment and communication equipment.
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.
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!
- 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 not more than 12miles 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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Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
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Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes - please specify at time of enquiry
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What language is spoken onboard?
English/Norwegian
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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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How many toilet/showers does she have?
5
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Is there WIFI?
No
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Can I charge my phone/Camera?
12v charging under sail, 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator
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Are there life jackets provided?
Yes
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Are Waterproofs provided?
Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK 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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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 bedding included?
Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided
Gallery
imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageTravel 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.
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.