Boat Trips
Sail across icy fjords and spot Arctic wildlife up close.
Boat trips are one of the best ways to explore Svalbard during the summer months. The Arctic landscape looks completely different from the waters- dramatic mountains, blue glaciers, and wide fjords stretching as far as you can see. Many tours take you close to bird cliffs, walrus colonies, or even whale feeding areas. You might also see historic sites or settlements from the boat. Most trips include warm drinks and experienced guides who share interesting facts about local wildlife, history, and geology along the way.
The sea can be calm and peaceful, but it’s always exciting- every trip brings something new. Boat tours are available from mid-April to October, and they’re a perfect activity for anyone who loves nature, photography, or simply wants to experience the Arctic from a different point of view.
OBS! We still strongly discourage our guests, customers, and bookers to visit the Russian settlements, Pyramiden and Barenstburg, or to book or purchase any activities and services that have to do with the Russian state-owned company Trust Arcticugol. The encouragement to cease/stop purchasing these services is due to the ongoing inhuman invasion of Ukraine by Russia. For more information, see the media release from Svalbard Tourism Council and Visit Svalbard.
Choose and book:
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Atlantic Puffin Safari
Head out by open speedboat to the Diabas bird cliff to look for the Atlantic puffin, the Arctic’s own little parrot. A fun and refreshing summer boat trip.
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Bird Cliffs Fjord Safari
An exciting open RIB boat trip combining bird watching, spectacular nature and local history. We visit the busy bird cliffs along Isfjorden and pass Barentsburg on the way.
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Bird Spotting Excursion, followed by Arctic BBQ
A speedboat trip focused on Svalbard’s summer birds, with time ashore to watch them up close. The day ends with a tasty Arctic barbecue in truly beautiful surroundings.
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Captain’s Favourites
A relaxed boat trip in Isfjorden on MS Bard, where the captain picks the route after wind and weather. Every trip is different, with nature and wildlife in focus.
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Catch of the Day
A relaxed evening boat trip in a warm, enclosed boat on Isfjorden. The route changes daily for the best weather and wildlife, and the day ends with a meal.
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Fjord Safari to Elveneset with Hike
Majestic mountains, waterfalls and sea spray. Ride a RIB boat across Isfjorden to Elveneset, then hike to the Hyperitt waterfall for a close look at Svalbard’s summer landscape.
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Fjord Safari to Nordenskiöld Glacier
Sail across Isfjorden to the mighty Nordenskiöld Glacier, visiting busy seabird nesting areas on the way. A full day of raw Arctic nature, with Pyramiden in view across Billefjorden.
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Glacier and Walrus Safari
Explore the fjords around Longyearbyen by modern RIB boat, with glacier fronts, dramatic scenery and a good chance of seeing walruses. An exciting half day on the water.
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Glacier Safari
Explore Isfjorden by boat among active glaciers and towering mountains. A summer safari full of close nature experiences, with chances to see seals, seabirds and other Arctic wildlife.
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Midnight sun boat expedition – Dinner in front of a glacier
A boat trip to a glacier front under the midnight sun, scouting for wildlife on the way. Enjoy a warm dinner in front of the ice in true Arctic surroundings.
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Ny-Ålesund: The Northernmost Town
A full day by boat to Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost town in the world. Walk through its rich polar history, from coal mining to Amundsen’s famous 1926 airship expedition.
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17:00-23:00 | 6 hours | JULY
One of Nature’s Great Events – Bird Jumping
Every late July, guillemot chicks leap from the cliffs of Alkhornet in Trygghamna. Join a boat and hike trip to witness this rare and dramatic Arctic wildlife event.
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RIB Safari Along the Ice Edge
Follow the old explorers by RIB boat across Isfjorden to the northwest of Spitsbergen. Expect rich wildlife, glaciers and blue ice formations under the bright spring midnight sun.
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Speedboat to Billefjorden and Nordenskiöld Glacier
A speedboat adventure in northern Isfjorden to Billefjorden and the huge Nordenskiöld Glacier, passing dramatic mountains and the abandoned town of Pyramiden on the way. Wildlife is often spotted.
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Sunset Dinner Cruise
When the midnight sun leaves in late August, the evenings bring magical golden sunsets. Enjoy them on board MS Bard with a delicious dinner and wide fjord views.
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Tempelfjorden and Tunabreen Glacier Safari
Ride the enclosed speedboat Kvitbjørn through beautiful fjords and majestic landscapes to the mighty glacier front of Tunabreen in Tempelfjorden. A great half day out on the water.
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To the northernmost Isfjord glaciers & haunted house
A full day by boat to the northernmost glaciers of Isfjorden. Scout for wildlife, hike to a waterfall and visit Svenskhuset, the famous haunted house, with Snowfox Travel.
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Walrus Safari – Two tons of Happiness
Ride a warm, enclosed RIB boat to a famous walrus colony and go ashore to watch these huge, social animals up close, with glaciers and Arctic wildlife all around you.
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Walrus Safari in Summer Landscape
Head out by RIB boat to Borebukta, where walruses rest on the ice, swim near the glacier and relax on shore. Expect mighty glacier fronts and dramatic fjord scenery.
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Wildlife and Glacier Cruise
Cruise on the quiet hybrid-electric catamaran MS Bard through magnificent landscapes to Billefjorden and the huge glacier front of Nordenskiöldbreen, with plenty of wildlife spotting along the way.
