Isfjord Safari: Cultural & Historic Svalbard

This boat tour on Isfjorden runs in an open Polarcirkel boat and focuses on the cultural history of Svalbard. The route passes places with monuments left from Norwegian and Soviet mining. The guide chooses the direction on the fjord according to the weather.

Guests sail near the bird cliffs of Diabasodden or Fuglefjellet to watch seabirds. A whale or two may appear, and Hurtigruten Svalbard's page says belugas live in Isfjorden and Adventfjorden in the summer months. If time and weather allow, the group goes ashore at Hiorthamn, across the fjord from Longyearbyen, where coal was mined between 1917 and 1921. Mountains and buildings there hold mining history. A break on the boat includes something hot to drink.

The tour lasts three hours. Difficulty is rated 3 out of 5, and it suits people with average fitness. The age limit is 8 years. The period is August to September.

The guide collects guests at their hotel and drives them to the expedition centre. There they receive a flotation suit, life jacket and goggles, and then go to the harbour. After the trip the guide returns everyone to the hotel.