Captains Favourite | Hybrid Catamaran Tour

This is a boat tour from Longyearbyen on board MS Bard, a hybrid electric catamaran. The tour has no set route or destination. The captain chooses where to sail on the day, using the wind, the waves and recent wildlife sightings to decide. Trips therefore differ from one departure to the next.

Along the coast, guests may see reindeer, seals and whales, and with some luck polar bears. The boat also passes cultural monuments and historical sites, and guides are on board. What the scenery looks like depends on the month. In May the sun does not set, snow still covers the mountains and sea ice can lie across parts of the fjords. From June the land shifts from muted tones to greens and yellows. By October the polar night is close.

The tour lasts four hours. The operator rates the difficulty 1 out of 5 and describes it as suitable for everyone, with an age limit of 0 years. The season runs from May to October.

The engine and propellers are built to keep noise and vibration low, which lets the boat get nearer to nature and disturbs animals less. The vessel has a modern Norwegian design with several outdoor decks and large panoramic windows inside. Lounges are placed both outdoors and indoors, and there is room for everyone to take in the view without crowding. A cafe and bar inside the lounge offers snacks and drinks.