Svalbard Northwest is, in our eyes, the most exciting and spectacular part of Spitsbergen. This is not just any sightseeing cruise where you sit and watch the landscape quietly pass by.
This adventure is an exploration of the glaciers, fjords and mountains that Svalbard Northwest have in abundance. In addition, we will enjoy the rich wildlife and dive into the area’s history and culture. This is one of our more active expeditions in Svalbard, where we go on mountain hikes ashore and really immerse ourselves in the desolate arctic landscape!
Expedition among rocks, mountains, ice and fjords
The area we visit on this expedition is where the Svalbard archipelago got its first name from the Dutch explorers; Spitsbergen – the land of pointy peaks. And the landscape here is incredibly spectacular, desolate and vast. With rock, mountain, ice and snow as main ingredients.
This experience is a deep dive into the subject of fjords and glaciers – and we will do it on several levels. We will sail around and go for hikes in the fjords, and we will try to get up to and onto different glaciers with crampons, axes and ropes. We will learn about the formation of the fjords, the movements of the glaciers, the lifecycle of the ice. Not least about the challenges and future of the glaciers in a time of an increasingly warmer, 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 entire ecosystem is under pressure.
History, culture and wildlife
In northwest Svalbard Northwest, explorers from east and west have tried their hand at hunting, trapping and mineral extraction over the centuries since the archipelago was discovered in 1596. We pass by remains of this activity on our route through the many fjords here. Such as Kongsfjorden, Krossfjorden and Magdalenafjorden, along with the countless glaciers we pass such as Kongsbreen, Lillehöökbreen and Monacobreen.
In these areas, whalers and trappers have had ample access to game in the past. And there are still today good chances of seeing whales, seals and a bustling birdlife, perhaps even polar bears. Although the populations of most of the wildlife here have been dramatically reduced in the last couple of hundred years, as in the rest of the world. With the sailboat as our mobile base, we get close to nature and wildlife. And with a small group, we have great flexibility in relation to weather, wind and where we anchor and explore ashore.
Be part of the crew on board
SeilNorge will provide skipper, co-skipper and a dedicated Svalbard guide on board. The guide and remaining crew on board take responsibility for being polar bear watch on land. While sailing or motoring, we include everyone in all tasks on board. From standing behind the helm and hoisting sails, to cooking, cleaning and planning the sailing legs. We mostly sail around the clock and divide everyone into watch teams. Where we rotate with 4 hours on and 8 hours off. In addition, we add a few shorter shifts each afternoon, so that the night shifts also rotate between the watch teams throughout the expedition. When we are at anchor we always rotate the shifts with one awake anchor watch, while the rest can sleep.
This expedition is primarily a great voyage of discovery, but also an excellent opportunity to learn about sailing and navigation. Not least about using the boat as our base for discoveries and experiences on land. We are all adventurers – and we explore together. Are you ready for a summer polar adventure with participants from all over the world in Svalbard?
Our Expedition Boats
Valiente
We don’t use just any sailboat for these trips! We have our 70-foot expedition boat, Valiente. She’s an extremely sturdy and comfortable steel boat designed for sailing in Arctic waters. The boat is well-equipped with spacious outdoor areas, a wheelhouse and a salon with 360-degree views. You can read more about Valiente here.
Goxsheim
Goxsheim is the newest family member in the fleet. She is a true expedition vessel with lots of pioneering spirit and soul, and also lots of rope to pull! Goxsheim is a traditional two mast wooden sailing yacht, built with solid craftsmanship and rooted in long boat building traditions. Stepping on board is an experience itself — the smell of wood, the creak of the hull, and the cozy atmosphere. Your can read more about Goxsheim here.
Welcome aboard for an exclusive journey to places and areas few others get to experience!
Environment & Sustainability
The Arctic is a vulnerable area under pressure from people and the climate. In SeilNorge we are committed to taking care of the environment to the greatest extent possible. We believe that small boats with few people and little pollution and waste are significantly less harmful to the environment, climate and local wildlife than larger vessels and cruise ships. Along the way at the places we visit, we try to clean up rubbish. We only take memories and pictures home, and avoid leaving any traces behind.
Keeping the lowest possible carbon footprint is important to us. We sail as long as there is wind, and we work purposely with food, purchasing and waste management. Even if we have to use our engine for propulsion when there is no wind, our trips are among the most sustainable ways to experience the Arctic.