Sailing trip to Svalbard: With the sailboat to the polar bears

Explore the most beautiful places of Svalbard, marvel at majestic fjords, and search for polar bears: All of this is possible on this unforgettable sailing trip. Not only will you experience a truly special sailing adventure in the Arctic, but also the breathtakingly beautiful nature of this remote location. You might be there during the time of the midnight sun, or you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the first Northern Lights. Wherever your journey takes you here, Svalbard will enchant you with impressive landscapes, charming flora, and rich wildlife. Keep an eye out for countless seabird species and walruses - there is plenty to discover.

Sailing trip to Svalbard: With the sailboat to the polar bears

Day 1: Arrival and start of the sailing tour
Upon your arrival in Longyearbyen, this journey begins with a transfer to the sailboat. You will be warmly welcomed by the crew and settle into your cabin. After a safety briefing on board, you will depart from the harbor and set off on your first tour to reach the planned anchorage. As you wind down with dinner, you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and guide in a relaxed setting.

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Day 2 - 9: Sail & Explore Svalbard
Each day starts with a hearty breakfast and a discussion of the adventures that await. The goal is to spend as much time as possible exploring and experiencing Svalbard on land each day. One to two landings are planned per day, with the exact route depending on weather and ice conditions. Here are some places that can be explored:
Isfjord: Starting with Longyearbyen, the first destination is Isfjord, a system of multiple fjord branches and mountains reaching down to the water, where you have the opportunity to anchor at fjords and anchorages like Grønfjord, Billefjord, Trygghamna. You can visit places like Barentsburg (the only Russian settlement since the closure of Pyramiden), Finnset (site of a former Norwegian whaling station), Pyramiden (an abandoned Soviet settlement, perfectly preserved), or Alkhornet's WWII observation center as well as interesting geological formations.
Prins Karls Forland - Forlandsund: Known locally as "Forlandet," it is lined with mountains and glaciers. There are many anchorage options and landings to choose from, including Farmhamna (with interesting geology, an old whaling station), Eidembukta (rich in birdlife), Brucebukta, and Fersvassbukta (common sighting of walruses), Engelsbukta (with the Comfortlessbreen glacier).
Kongsfjord, Krossfjord, and Magdalenenfjord: Northeast of Forlandsund, Kongsfjord and Krossfjord offer an impressive landscape dominated by peaks and glaciers running into the sea. Here, numerous anchorage options await, such as NY Alesund, Peirsonhamna, Blomstrandhamna, Møllerfjord, and Signehamna.
Northwest Spitsbergen and Islands: Covered by the Nordwest-Spitsbergen National Park, this area is rich in fauna and hosts various historical sites and natural wonders.
North Coast and Crossing to Nordaustland: The north coast features large, beautiful fjords and rich wildlife observation opportunities, leading to an expedition to Nordaustland.
The sailboat offers you the highest level of flexibility and comfort simultaneously. You will journey to the most remote places, inaccessible by car and rarely seen by few. Each day concludes with a delicious dinner.

Day 10: Departure
You will arrive in Longyearbyen in the morning. After a final breakfast with fellow travelers and crew, you will disembark in Longyearbyen and be transferred to the airport or hotel, bidding farewell to your travel companions and crew.

The Sailboat
Your sailboat for the week is the Varuna, a state-of-the-art sailboat from Garcia Shipyard, a 22-meter (73-foot) aluminum sloop designed for unlimited range passages. As a centerboarder with shallow draught (4.7m - 1.3m), it can reach the most protected anchorages, making it a versatile and comfortable yacht. The aluminum construction - with a hull thickness of 10mm - and the highest standard deck fittings, rigging, and sails allow you to venture into the most remote areas. Maintained to the highest safety standards and equipped above the Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) Category 1 standards of World Sailing (formerly ISAF). Equipment selection and maintenance services are overseen by world-class skipper and owner Lionel Lemonchois.
The number of guests is limited to 6, ensuring comfort, personalized attention from the crew, and unrestricted use of amenities. A small group allows flexibility and smooth processes during embarkation and disembarkation, maximizing time spent on land.
The four double cabins are cozy with bespoke wooden interiors, warm and welcoming, each with en-suite bathroom and shower. Individual heating, lighting, and power supply. The boat has been modified with a spacious deck saloon offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The inner hull is thermally insulated, providing excellent protection against humidity and external temperatures, and reducing energy consumption. Two independent and redundant heating systems ensure stable interior temperatures with individual cabin controls, as well as heated air for drying clothing and gear in dedicated lockers. The first mate and chef spoil you with a full breakfast, après-ski snacks, and a 3-course dinner featuring local specialties.
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