Photograph The Polar Bears In Svalbard

The archipelago of Svalbard is located deep within the Arctic Circle and is home to healthy populations of Polar Bears, Walrus, and other charismatic wildlife. Svalbard is renowned for its accessibility to Polar Bears, which can be photographed roaming the edge of the pack ice, north of the archipelago, or on the beaches of its many islands. Arctic Exposure is organizing a Photography Ship-based Expedition to Svalbard in late August 2023. One of the main goals will be to find and photograph Polar Bears in their preferred habitat out on the pack ice. And at the end of August, the sun has started setting briefly after the endless light of the Arctic summer, which can provide us with soft and pleasing light.

On a similar expedition in 2022, we saw a total of 15 Polar Bears, both in the pack ice above 82°N and in several locations on land. Most of our Polar bear sightings were close to our ship or our Zodiacs and made for exciting photography opportunities. We were also blessed with fantastic sightings of Arctic Fox, Reindeer, Walrus, Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Harbor Seal, Harp Seal (large numbers in groups at the ice edge), as well as a few whale species: Beluga, Fin Whale, and Minke Whale. In addition, we also saw and photographed over 20 species of birds, including Arctic icons such as Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaeger, Sabine Gull, Ivory Gull, and a juvenile Ross’s Gull! For those interested in high-Arctic birds, there are few places as exciting as Svalbard.

 Svalbard is known in some western European languages as Spitsbergen, which means “pointed mountains.” Spitsbergen is the name of Svalbard’s largest island and is very fitting as it’s where some of the most impressive mountain ranges are to be found – mountains that have been carved and shaped by the advance and retreat of glaciers for millions of years. Svalbard’s glaciers have been losing much of their mass in recent decades, as glaciers elsewhere, but they are still very impressive. Europe’s second largest glacier, Austfonna, is at Nordaustlandet in Svalbard and its southern edge, named Bråsvellbreen, features several waterfalls that plunge into the ocean from a massive wall of ice. The combination of mountains, glaciers, rocks, and other geology features make Svalbard a very rewarding landscape photography location.

Expedition Guides

On our expedition, we’ll have two of our most experienced leaders. Skarphedinn Thrainsson, or Skarpi as he’s always called, he is the head guide and owner of Arctic Exposure. With him will be Daníel Bergmann, a renowned nature photographer with extensive experience guiding in Svalbard. Both of them have decades of photography experience. In addition, we’ll have an expedition leader, our captain, and crew to help navigate the waters and find the best locations to photograph Polar Bears and other wildlife.

Expedition Ship

During the expedition, our home away from home will be MS Virgo. It has recently been specially modified for this type of photography expedition and is arguably one of the finest small vessels operating in Svalbard. The Virgo has nine cabins, three twins, and six singles – all with private facilities, showers,s and toilets. 

The ship also has a great lounge area with large observation windows where one can relax and work on editing photographs between activities. The Virgo also has low decks, ideal for ship-based photography, and plenty of space.

Why This Expedition?

Ours will be a small group of a maximum of 12 participants and two guides, so you’ll have ample access to the guides during the expedition as well as crew services.

Included in the expedition are 10 nights onboard the ship, all meals, tea and coffee, daily excursions by zodiac, photography instructions, lectures, briefings, and shoreside interpretations. Magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife encounters. As well as great company and a safe and friendly way of travel.

The Svalbard experience is unlike any other. This is true expedition territory, and while every tour is different, it remains the most likely place on the planet to find and photograph the roaming king of the Arctic, the Polar Bear. Its home and habitat are changing fast, and the time to visit high-northern destinations is now.

For more information contact:

Skarpi, the head guide and owner at Arctic Exposure
info@arcticexposure.is
https://arcticexposure.is/tour/svalbard-polar-bear-sailing-expedition/
Cel:  +354 617 4550
Instagram: @arctic_exposure