Today, you’ll venture into the pristine wilderness of northwestern Svalbard, beyond the reach of day-trippers, as you cruise along the western coast of Spitsbergen. Explorations focus on Magdalenefjorden, one of Svalbard’s most spectacular fjords, where snow-dusted peaks and windswept tundra meets deep fjords, beaches, and majestic glaciers. Here you’ll find the protected remains of Gravneset, a 17th-century whaling station and cemetery, while your expedition team looks for opportunities for shore landings or Zodiac cruises, conditions and wildlife permitting.
Magdalenefjorden is a haven for wildlife, with nesting kittiwakes, Arctic terns, skuas and guillemots on the cliffs, and geese patrolling the tundra. Watch for Arctic foxes around the bird colonies and for seals hauled out on ice, while walrus, polar bears, and whales may sometimes be spotted along the coastline.
Please note that polar bear sightings are always by chance and observed from a legal distance, as it’s strictly forbidden to search for, pursue, or disturb polar bears in Svalbard.