In 1596 two Dutch ships sailed towards the North Pole, hoping to find a shortcut to China and India. Instead they discovered the archipelago of Svalbard.
The Dutch, including the pilot Willem Barentsz, were incredibly impressed by the mountainous landscape and named the land Spitsbergen. On their way north, in the middle of Barents Sea, they also discovered a dramatic island with 400-meter vertical cliffs rising from the sea. As the story goes the island owes its name to the encounter and killing of a polar bear by Barentsz’ men.
This film gives you an idea of what a visit here can look like…
Visit Bear Island with PolarQuest!
In May 2017 we travel to this remote and fascinating island to enjoy the impressive sceneries and the rich bird life – here we find one of the largest seabird colonies in the North Atlantic. Bear Island is included in the following two itineraries:
The Norwegian fjords, Bear Island & Svalbard with M/S Stockholm
Do not miss the chance to join M/S Stockholm on a great adventure along some of Norway’s most scenic locations. Our stops on the Norwegian coast include the majestic Storfjord, the charming town of Ålesund and the picturesque fishing village of Nusfjord, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. We continue towards the seldom visited Bear Island, located in the middle of Barents Sea. The adventure culminates in one of the world’s most magnificent wildernesses – Svalbard.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.