An expedition on board M/S Quest at the end of July. An adventure filled with exciting landings, Zodiac cruises and surreal encounters with the wildlife and nature of Svalbard. After leaving Longyearbyen we steered north.
Our first stops were in Krossfjorden, at Lilliehöökbreen, named after the Swede Gustaf Bertil Lilliehöök (1836–1899)
M/S Quest left Longyearbyen and headed north. Our expeditions first stop was in Krossfjorden, at Lilliehöökbreen, named after the Swedish Gustaf Bertil Lilliehöök (1836 – 1899). And short after we stopped at Signehamna where we got an interesting history lesson about the German weather stations that were located here during the Second World War. As M/S Quest headed north, towards the pack ice, we saw both whales and white-beaked dolphins. Who would have thought that our ship would be surrounded by jumping dolphins that close to the pack ice boarder? Then Kjeld, our Captain, steered south, towards Hinlopen. We past the Murchinson Fjord and the old Swedish research station, Kinnvika. The expedition continued and our days passed way too quick. The days were filled with Zodiac cruises and shore landings as we made our way south along the east coast of Spitsbergen. Along the way we got to see lots of birds, walruses and also some polar bears in good distance. After a lecture on how plastic and litter affect wildlife, the group took on the task of collecting plastic and other litter at each landing.
As we approached the southern parts of Spitsbergen, even more whales were seen, some were very close. At one point it was like the water was boiling from all the spray. Unfortunately, our trip was coming to an end. During the cruise we had seen a lot, but so far only a few of us had seen the Arctic Fox, and that at a great distance. But in Ekmanfjorden, on our last landing, we went to visit the Hemsilfossen waterfall, and all of the sudden a curious arctic fox came up to the group to investigate what was disturbing its afternoon rest. It was an amazing encounter.
Back in Longyearbyen again, not only a lot of very happy expeditioners left Quest, but also, several big bags of trash, plastic and washed-up fishing nets were lifted ashore.
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.
