Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birdwatching

Aboard MS Hondius the route starts in Akureyri and sails out through Eyjafjörður toward the Arctic Circle, with an early landing planned on Grímsey. The voyage then continues north toward isolated Jan Mayen, where a landing may include a visit to the weather station and an optional walk to the remains of a seventeenth century Dutch whaling station, subject to permissions. Further north the ship follows the productive boundary of the pack ice under the midnight sun, scanning for Greenland whales, seals, seabirds and possible polar bears, before turning toward the continental shelf of West Spitsbergen. Depending on conditions, areas such as Forlandsundet, St Johns Fjord or the Isfjord region including Alkhornet may be visited, offering opportunities to observe walrus, nesting birds, Arctic foxes and reindeer. The journey ends with disembarkation in Longyearbyen.

Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birdwatching: The itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Akureyri
In the late afternoon you embark in Akureyri, a harbour town with a long fishing history and often regarded as the capital of North Iceland. After check in and the first practical briefings on board, MS Hondius departs and heads north through Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The sheltered fjord scenery gradually gives way to more open water as the ship approaches the mouth of the fjord. Once you reach the open sea, attention turns to the water and horizon, as whale sightings are possible in this area. The evening is used to settle into the expedition routine while the ship continues on a northerly course.

Day 2: Grímsey on the Arctic Circle and an evening pass by Kolbeinsey
A landing is planned on Grímsey, a small island that straddles the Arctic Circle. The island has a welcoming fishing village and is known for active seabird colonies. Species commonly encountered include black legged kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, northern fulmars and Arctic terns, using cliffs and coastal slopes as breeding sites. Time ashore allows you to observe both the island’s settlement and the surrounding birdlife at close range. In the evening, as the ship continues north, you pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited islet. From this point onward daylight becomes continuous, changing both the atmosphere and the practical conditions for observation at sea.

All pictures of this partner

Day 3: Sailing north toward Jan Mayen with whale watching en route
MS Hondius continues north toward the isolated island of Jan Mayen. During the crossing the focus is on marine mammal observation, with chances to see humpback, fin, minke and blue whales, and possibly orcas. Watching is continuous from deck and bridge, and sightings can influence the day’s navigation. When animals are detected, the ship may adjust course to improve viewing opportunities while maintaining the character of a transit day. At the same time, the open ocean brings changing light and weather typical for these latitudes, which can affect visibility and sea state. The day is therefore shaped by navigation, lookout duties and the gradual approach to Jan Mayen.

Day 4: Jan Mayen, weather station visit and traces of historic whaling
Off Jan Mayen you encounter a stark volcanic island dominated by the snow covered summit of Beerenberg. From the slopes of this approximately 2,300 metre volcano, broken glacier ice can descend toward the coastline and into the cold sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, a visit to the weather station may be possible, offering insight into operations at this remote location. You may also have the option to walk to the remains of a seventeenth century Dutch whaling station, set within a landscape of dark volcanic rock and dense moss cover. The site is closely linked to the history of Dutch whaling in the North Atlantic and provides a tangible historical context. The exact plan depends on conditions and permissions, but the day remains centred on Jan Mayen and its immediate surroundings.

Day 5: Under the midnight sun along the sea ice edge
Under the midnight sun the ship continues north, now following the margin of drifting sea ice. Along the ice edge the expedition searches for Greenland whales, harp seals and polar bears, alongside a wide range of seabirds that use this productive boundary between ice and open water. The environment is dynamic, with ice distribution and structure changing continuously, which also affects where wildlife concentrates. After reaching roughly 79 degrees north, the ship changes direction and heads west toward the rocky margins of the continental shelf off West Spitsbergen. In this area there are good chances to see fin whales and, near glacier fronts in the wide Spitsbergen fjords, surfacing minke whales.

Day 6: West Spitsbergen, Forlandsundet or alternative fjord routes
Today the focus shifts to the Arctic landscapes of Spitsbergen. Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is an area known for scenic coastlines and wildlife, and walrus may be encountered here. Depending on conditions, the ship may instead sail into St Johns Fjord or head south toward the mouth of Isfjord. A possible landing is at Alkhornet, where steep cliffs are important nesting habitat for many bird species. Arctic foxes may patrol below the cliffs, searching for fallen eggs and chicks. On the surrounding slopes, reindeer graze on sparse vegetation, offering opportunities to observe typical land mammals of the region.

Day 7: Spitsbergen expedition day, flexible routing with emphasis on birdlife
The programme in West Spitsbergen remains dependent on weather, sea ice and safe landing opportunities. The day continues to prioritise coastal scenery, fjords and wildlife observation, especially seabirds at breeding sites and possible marine mammal sightings near fjord mouths and along the coast. Depending on the route, areas such as Forlandsundet or alternative fjord systems may be revisited, keeping the focus on walrus, birds and other Arctic species when conditions allow. Continuous daylight supports extended observation periods, while the region’s variability requires flexibility in planning. This is a typical expedition day where the exact sequence may change without shifting the overall emphasis on nature observation and navigation.

Day 8: Final full day toward Isfjord and Longyearbyen
On the last full day MS Hondius continues toward the Isfjord area and the waters near Longyearbyen. Depending on position and conditions, there may be additional observation time at sea or within more sheltered fjord sections before the approach to Spitsbergen’s administrative centre. The landscape remains defined by fjords, glacier fronts and snow covered peaks, while wildlife watching continues as part of the day’s routine. At the same time, preparations for disembarkation begin on board, and practical information for the following morning is organised. The day ends with the final night on board as the ship reaches the vicinity of Longyearbyen.

Day 9: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
You disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen. The package ends after breakfast on board. After leaving the ship you continue your onward travel independently.

Included Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birdwatching

 
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: each guest receives 1.5 GB of data per day, renewed every 24 hours
- Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition

Selected departures (21.06. - 29.06.2027) of this voyage take place during the solar eclipse, offering the rare opportunity to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon in a truly unique setting.
Show all dates