Full-day Kayak: from Shore to Shore

This is a full-day kayak tour on Adventfjorden. The group paddles double kayaks across the fjord to the opposite shore. A direct crossing is about 3 km, though the guide adjusts the route to the weather and to what the group can manage. Mountains of up to 1000 m surround the water, and a black guillemot may be seen diving nearby. At the boathouse, guests receive their gear and a guide teaches the basic paddling techniques. If conditions allow, the group goes ashore for a short walk with a view of Longyearbyen. The area has remnants of coal production at Hiorthhamn, left by earlier settlers. After a break, everyone paddles back across the fjord. Time in the kayak is four to 4.5 hours, and the whole tour lasts seven hours. Groups have two to six guests.

The tour includes a guide with safety equipment, a double kayak with paddle, and personal gear: dry suit, neoprene shoes, life vest and paddle mitts. A hot lunch, coffee, tea and biscuits are also included. Guests bring wool base layers, wool socks and a warm sweater or thin Primaloft jacket to wear under the dry suit, plus a hat, a neck warmer, optional gloves for the break, a water bottle and a waterproof bag for phone or camera.

The minimum age is 14. Guests need good physical condition, since the paddling is demanding on arms and shoulders, and must be able to swim. No kayaking experience is needed. Limits are dry suit size XXL, height 195 cm and cockpit circumference 130 cm. Guests must be able to communicate in English. Pick-up from accommodation is at 09:00, with return at 16:00.