Svalbard in Spring
The Return of the Sun
Spring offers some of the best chances to see polar bears on sea ice along frozen fjords, including young polar bear cubs together with their mother.
HX has explored Svalbard since 1896 and our Expedition Team combines decades of insight with technological innovation to navigate deeper.
Our team is trained through a specialist safeguarding programme recognised by the Princess Royal Training Awards for safe and respectful polar bear encounters.
Journey into the stillness of spring landscapes, with fewer ships, quieter landings, and the thrilling return of sunshine and dramatic sunsets.
Prime for Polar Bears
Spring is a good time to spot polar bears in Svalbard as the sea ice provides the hunting grounds they need. Our Expedition Team monitors real-time ice drift, wildlife movement, and weather patterns to make the most of every opportunity, whether spotting pawprints or scanning the horizon for signs. With stable conditions, we may even venture past 80° North — a rare latitude that few travellers reach.
Wildlife on the Move
As temperatures rise and daylight returns, wildlife begins its seasonal shift. Polar bears track along sea ice margins in search of seals, their primary prey. Arctic foxes emerge from dens to scavenge and hunt, while Svalbard reindeer start grazing on lichen and early growth. Seabirds like fulmars and guillemots begin to reclaim nesting sites, signalling the start of the Arctic breeding cycle.
A Landscape Transformed
Spring in Svalbard offers brilliant snowfields, sculpted icebergs, and the soft glow of low Arctic sun. With us, you'll explore by small boat or land ashore in places few ever reach. Every activity is led by HX’s expert Expedition Team in line with AECO guidelines and regulations from the Norwegian government, ensuring that this beautiful region remains protected for generations to come.
Key Expedition Details
Itinerary
Your adventure at a glance. Daily highlights, included activities, and optional extras to make it unforgettable.
From Oslo to the town at the top of the world
After a flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen.
A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to explore this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.
If you'd like to spend two extra days exploring Longyearbyen and its surroundings before your voyage, see this voyage option. It includes the same sailing itinerary but with additional Arctic land adventures.
Explore this colourful frontier town
After breakfast it’s time to experience Longyearbyen.
The former coal mining settlement is small enough to explore on foot. Stroll down the main street lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and restaurants. You might even see a Svalbard reindeer saunter by.
Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a deeper look at this isolated and remote region at the top of the world.
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.
Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund – a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.
Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day.
Explore pristine snowscapes under the Midnight Sun
Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape.
We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. And as we progress further into June, we may see whales returning to the region for summer and birdlife such as Little Auks, Arctic Terns, skuas, Eider Ducks and Barnacle Geese.
From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Leader decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.
Experience the opportunity of sailing to the edge of the polar ice cap
If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge.
The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable experience amid the floating ice.
The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If so, we’ll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast.
Experience science, serenity and epic scenery.
Today, you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighboring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now, the town is a hub for global science and climate research, and you can still see remnants of its history.
You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure. We’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small boats (RIBs), go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers.
A last day on top of the world
Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo.
You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.
If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, why not spend some more time in the Arctic and join our optional Post-Program?
Attempt
- - - Attempted route, ice conditions dependent
Our Attempts are voyages where we challenge the elements in true expedition style. As we explore these remote and captivating areas in a safe way, our adventure will ultimately be guided by nature. If weather, sea or ice conditions do not allow our planned navigation, our experienced crew will deliver an adapted itinerary. Flexibility and our deep knowledge of the area combine to give you an amazing exploration experience.
What else is included?
Our Svalbard ships
Get a taste of what life is like on board the ships that sail on this itinerary
