Tempelfjorden and Tunabreen Glacier Safari, Hurtigruten Svalbard

This boat tour goes from Longyearbyen to the front of the Tunabreen glacier in Tempelfjorden. The route runs through fjords and past Villa Fredheim, the former home and hunting base of the trapper Hilmar Nøis, so the trip includes some local history.

The boat leaves the harbour, rounds the headland Revneset north of Longyearbyen and turns east. It stops at the bird cliff Diabas, where guests get near the birds that nest there. The boat reaches Tempelfjorden after roughly an hour. At Tunabreen, which is one of the Svalbard glaciers in surge, ice may break off and fall into the sea. After heavy calving within the previous 24 hours, much ice floats in front of the glacier, and popping sounds can be heard as old air bubbles in the ice burst. Guests stay on board throughout, with plenty of time on the aft deck.

The tour lasts four hours. The vessel is the enclosed speedboat Kvitbjørn, 14.9 metres long, with seating for up to 12 passengers. Hot drinks and freshly baked buns are served before the boat heads back to Longyearbyen.

The minimum age is 8 years. The difficulty level is 2 out of 5, described as suitable for most people. The tour runs from May to October. A guide collects guests from their hotel and brings them to the harbour in Longyearbyen.