Pack ice & Polar bear in midnight sun

Travelling through the untamed wilderness of Svalbard on a small expedition ship is about being constantly prepared for the unpredictable. No one on board knows exactly what's around the corner or what's around the corner the next day, as the route is determined by weather, ice and animal encounters. Read about one of the days on our voyage with M/S Quest on 24 - 31 May!

We have sailed south to the pack ice in Hinloopen. During the clear, light polar night our tough little ship got stuck in the ice when currents and wind suddenly closed our path south. But after a few hours of wiggling about, Sea Endurance, have squeezed out of the icetrap and we have to turn north towards less dense ice. From small ice flows Walruses and Bearded seals follow our journey. In the morning we take advantage of our position in the ice and launch the Zodiacs. We have an amazing experience in the ice and even manage to land on a little ice flow to truly experience the habitat of the Polar bears and the seals.

During the afternoon we leave the ice and make a landing in Faksevågen. We hike up the mountain and meet a pair of Ptarmigans. The Ptarmigans don't take notice about us but continues courting as if they were alone! What an amazing experience! Almost as surprised as us are the group of Svalbard reindeer that observe us and the Ptarmigans from a little distance on the mountain slope. We return to the ship after a long outing and enjoy a magnificent dinner.

But, in the Arctic the day never ends! We have crossed the Hinlopen to Murchinsonfjorden and there in the fantastic Arctic midnight sun a Polar bear walks along the edge of the fast ice. The evening and night is amazingly clear and sunny. Our bear stays with us for several hours. Perhaps its mind is on the ringed seal cub that is resting on the ice a couple of kilometers away! What a terrific day!