Solar Eclipse Expedition From Svalbard to Greenland

Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, an expedition where you’ll connect deeply with the unspoiled beauty of Svalbard and Greenland and witness one of nature’s most powerful displays – the solar eclipse.

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

We arrive to the charming settlement Longyearbyen where we spend a night in hotel.

Day 2-4: Northwest Spitsbergen

We board M/S Quest in the afternoon venture into some of western Svalbard’s most impressive fjords, where massive glaciers spill into the sea. As we navigate these serene waters, we’ll keep a lookout for Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus, foxes and seabirds.

Day 5-6: Greenland Sea

Sailing southwest towards Greenland, we’ll scan for whales and enjoy insightful talks from our guides. Encountering the edge of the pack ice is a thrilling experience, offering dramatic views of Greenland’s icy frontier.

Day 7-13: Northeast Greenland

As we reach the wild coastline of Northeast Greenland, we enter a world entirely dependent on ice and weather. We aim to make daily Zodiac trips or landings at some of the region's many remarkable sites:

On Clavering Island is an authentic hunter’s hut, offering insight into the challenging lives of Arctic hunters. The tundra is home to the mighty musk ox, one of the few places in the world where you might encounter these impressive, woolly herbivores weighing up to 400 kilos.

In Kejser Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord, the solitude is profound, framed by imposing mountains and an otherworldly silence, with only a few scientists and Danish Sirius Patrol personnel nearby in remote Daneborg.

Blomsterbugten, “the Bay of Flowers,” and Ella Ø a paradise for hikers, surrounded by rugged cliffs, ice-choked waters, and striking icebergs, the bay reveals purple- and gold-streaked rock formations unique to the Arctic.

We delve deeper into the stunning Kong Oscar Fjord, seeking the perfect vantage point to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena—the total solar eclipse. This awe-inspiring event will begin at 3:34 PM and grace the skies for 2 minutes and 17 seconds of totality. Including the partial phases, the entire eclipse experience will span around two unforgettable hours.

This particular eclipse is a rare opportunity, as total solar eclipses in the Polar Regions are uncommon. It’s a thrilling feeling be among the few to experience the surreal combination of the Arctic’s dramatic landscapes and the fleeting magic of totality.

Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system, showcases Greenland in a spectacular way, with peaks rising 2000 meters from the sea, beutiful scenery, and historical remnants of the Thule culture. In Ittoqqortoormiit, a remote settlement with approximately 350 inhabitants, we gain a glimpse into life 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Day 14-15: Denmark Strait and Isafjordur

After an unforgettable exploration of Northeast Greenland, we cross the Denmark Strait to Iceland.

Day 16: Isafjordur

We disembark in Isafjordur in the morning, concluding our expedition and beginning our journey home or continuing on further adventures.

Please note: The above locations are examples of places we may visit. Our exact route will depend entirely on weather, ice conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The eclipse experience may also be affected by cloud cover and bad weather.

Important!

To ensure responsible tourism and protection of the environment, new regulations come into force in Svalbard on 1 January 2025. Read more about the regulations and PolarQuest's comments about these changes.

WHAT IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

A solar eclipse is a breathtaking celestial event where the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking sunlight and casting a shadow over the Earth. Witnessing a solar eclipse is an unforgettable experience, as the sky darkens in the middle of the day, temperatures drop, and on a clear day, stars become visible in a surreal, twilight-like atmosphere. For a moment, you’ll feel the incredible power and wonder of our universe and for many, it's a once-in-a-lifetime display that leaves a lasting impression.