Experience the dramatic landscape of Svalbard on a charter with West Nautical – marvel at the Northern Lights, wondrous wildlife and snow-capped scenery.

The capital of Svalbard, Longyearbyen was originally a coal mining town. It is now a small, modern town known for its warm people, wonderful surroundings and of course for its spectacular views of the Northern Lights.

Make a stop at the Svalbard Museum, it documents the region’s fascinating natural and cultural history. Keep a look out for Polar bears can which can occasionally be seen in the area.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 88NM

An old research town founded in 1917, Ny-Ålesund is the most northern town in the world. It started life as a mining town but is now home to research institutes from ten countries and is widely known as the ‘gateway to the Arctic’.

Step ashore and explore this cosy little town. Make a stop at the mast where explorer Roald Amundsen attached his Airship while he waited to set off for the North Pole. You will also find the world’s northernmost post office here, where you can stamp your passport and send postcards! Don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs from the northernmost shop in the world.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 55NM

An historical whaling site first occupied in 1614, Smeerenburg translates to ‘Blubber Town’ and was used as the whaling operations centre for the north. In its heyday it had over 200 men living in the town, boiling whale blubber into oil.

Situated on the island of Amsterdamøya, surrounded by fjords, tall glacier fronts and steep, rugged mountains, the most obvious sign of its days as a whaling station are the large cement-like remains of blubber from ovens where the blubber was boiled.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 50NM

Moffen Island is a wildlife sanctuary and home to hundreds of walrus where they have managed to re-establish themselves after being hunted to near extinction.

There are often large numbers of walrus hauled out on the southern tip of the island making it a popular place to stop. It is protected between the 15th May and 15th September.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 60NM

Roughly translated as Bird Mountain, Alkefjellet is home to 100,000 pairs of Brunnich’s guillemots that nest amongst the towering basalt cliff faces.

When you visit during the summertime the cliffs will be dotted with the fluffy guillemot chicks. The location has been the subject of many wildlife documentaries, photoshoots and films and is truly a sight to behold.

Look out for Glaucaous gulls and Arctic foxes who may be hunting nearby.

A remote archipelago of mountainous islands, which includes Phippsoya, these islands offer fascinating human history and wildlife viewing.

Sjuøyane were first marked on a map by the Dutchman Hendrick Doncker (1663) and Pieter Goos (1666).

KVITOYA

The most remote island in Svalbard and a fantastic spot for walrus and polar bears. It is the most eastern part of the kingdom of Norway and only 62 kilometres from Russia.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 204NM

Anchoring in the bay of Diskobukta will allow you the opportunity to explore the pristine and tranquil Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve.

It is the nesting site of black-legged kittiwakes, a great chance to see arctic fox, reindeer, walrus and polar bears – you will even get the chance to see ancient bowhead whale bones.

DISTANCE TO TRAVEL: 92NM

Your final stop will be Isbukta which translates to “Ice Bay”, located on the eastern shore of Spitsburgen. It is home to many species of wildlife such as Sabine’s gull, skua and bearded seals, it’s also another polar bear hot spot.

The glacier Vasil’evbreen spills into the bay from the North and Sørkappfonna spills into the bay from the South.

 | Hanse Explorer
Hanse Explorer - Fassmer
Fassmer
  • 47.76 m
  • 2006 / 2021
  • 12
Hanse Explorer -
 | Nansen Explorer
Nansen Explorer - Kotka
Kotka
  • 71.6 m
  • 1983 / 2021
  • 7
  • 12
Nansen Explorer -
 | Circa Marine Grey Wolf
Grey Wolf - Circa Marine
Circa Marine
  • 26.19 m
  • 2017
  • 3
  • 7
Grey Wolf -