Frequently asked questions

All seasons have their charms, here is a brief summary.

May and June offer beautiful winter landscapes and a wonderful purity. It's still spring in the Arctic and the bird mountains are full of life. Landings are often fewer and shorter, but Zodiac cruises along ice and snow-covered mountains are magical.

Summer is from late June to early August. The ice around the islands loosens its grip, making it possible to travel further east in the archipelago. Whales can often be seen in the water, and on land more and more areas become snow-free, allowing more and longer hikes. The colours of the Arctic flowers are breathtaking.

Autumn arrives in Svalbard at the end of August. The sun moves closer to the horizon and the light becomes mild and soft, making for great photography. The tundra begins to change to autumn colours. After mid-August, many bird species prepare for migration. But this is just a guide, and every year in the Arctic can be different. Please also see our webinar on Svalbard with more information about this.

To the webinar!

A summer holiday in the Arctic means many hours of light therapy, as the midnight sun prevails from mid-April to the end of August. Temperatures in Svalbard during the summer months vary from a few degrees below zero to a few degrees above. Average temperatures in Longyearbyen are: May -5 C, June +2 C, July +4 C, August +3 C and September -1 C. However, temperatures can drop slightly in the more eastern parts of the archipelago, and due to winds and a lot of ice, the experienced temperatures are lower than the thermometer reads. The weather in Svalbard can change quickly and visitors are often treated to a variety of sun, clouds, fog and possibly some precipitation in the form of snow or rain.

There are just over 20 different species of mammals that live on the land, ice and sea around Svalbard. Most of these are whales. Other mammals include walrus, polar bear, various species of seal, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.

Svalbard has a rich bird life, especially seabirds, which nest in large colonies throughout the archipelago. More than 200 bird species have been observed in Svalbard and its waters, but only a few dozen species breed. Four species make up 95 per cent of the bird life: Brünnich's Guillemot, Northern fulmar, little auk and the lack-legged kittiwake. Their huge populations reflect the richness and productivity of the sea. Nowhere else is there such a rich bird life so far north. Some other bird species you have a chance of seeing are: Barnacle goose, Brent goose, common eider, king eider, purple sandpiper, grey phalarope, Red-throated Diver, snow bunting and rock ptarmigan.

We require everyone travelling with us to have adequate travel insurance. We recommend that you check with your insurance company to ensure that you are covered for any helicopter evacuation, hospitalisation and repatriation. We also strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance to cover the full cost of your trip. Again, check with your insurance company to see what cover you have.

You can find your travel information by logging into My Bookings via our website. Log in with your booking number and the four-digit password found on your booking confirmation.

In My Bookings you will find payment information and a personal information form. There is also a tab called Before the trip where you will find the equipment list, ship information and more.

To get the most out of the trip you should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac, have good balance and be able to walk freely. During a voyage on M/S Quest (50 passengers), expedition participants are often split into two different groups on land, based on interest and general fitness. Typically, one group will take a longer walk at a faster pace, while the other group will take a shorter walk at a more leisurely pace, staying on the beach or cruising in the Zodiacs. If you have a medical condition that requires ongoing care or medication, we will ask you to complete a medical form and have it signed by your doctor.

If you are visually or hearing impaired or have limited mobility, you will need an accompanying person to assist you. Both the expedition leader and the captain have the right to refuse your participation if they feel there is a risk to your safety or the safety of others.

Longyearbyen has several types of accommodation scattered in and around the village, and we work closely with a couple of the hotels that are centrally located. Contact us for more information.

PolarQuest offers group flights for travellers on the M/S Quest, for our smaller ships we can help you with flight suggestions.

All our trips start with a hotel night. You can therefore arrive at any time you wish on the day you check in at the hotel. The following day, the group will meet for lunch and in the afternoon you will board the ship.

Answers coming soon!

Answers coming soon