Arctic Fjord Safari

The Arctic Fjord Safari is a boat tour on Isfjorden, the largest fjord on Svalbard, starting and ending in Longyearbyen. The captain and guide choose the route on the day itself, based on the weather, light and wind. The tour is rated 2 out of 5 for difficulty.

Guests travel in an enclosed speedboat called Kvitbjørn, which is 14.9 metres long, has comfortable seats and carries 12 passengers. The boat moves slowly and quietly in sheltered bays, near glaciers and whenever wildlife appears, to keep disturbance low. Guests may meet wildlife along the way. They see mountains in every direction, with a wide range of geological eras preserved in the rock, plus old trapper cabins and abandoned ports. The group stays aboard the whole time but spends a good part of it on the aft deck. Hot drinks and freshly baked buns are served before the boat heads back to Longyearbyen.

The tour lasts four hours. The age limit is 8 years. It runs from August to October. A guide collects guests at their hotel and drives them to the harbour in Longyearbyen.