Travel beyond areas of usual human habitation and you will find yourself in some of the wildest and most intoxicating landscapes. Although snow and ice reign in the kingdom of the Polar bear, there is an abundance of wildlife both on land and in the surrounding Arctic waters.
8 recommended locations.Please contact us for further suggestions.
The Canadian Arctic is a mesmerising expanse of icy wonder where wildlife thrives amidst breathtaking scenery. Polar bears roam the landscape, while whales glide through the crystal-like waters. Caribou and musk oxen navigate the stark terrain alongside resilient Inuit communities.
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Experience the raw beauty of Greenland, an Arctic wonderland home to vast, ice sheets, rugged mountains and gigantic glittering icebergs. Musk oxen and reindeer roam the Arctic tundra while numerous seal species explore the deep fjords, and graceful birds soar overhead.
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Where: Greenland
Ideal for viewing: musk ox, reindeer, harp seal, hooded seal, black guillemot
Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest. Although the park is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, there are large ice-free areas of green mountains with beautiful wild flowers, long fjords, precipitous cliffs and hot springs. Off shore, huge icebergs in fantastic shapes float on the deep blue sea.
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The enchanting wilderness of Scoresby Sund in eastern Greenland offers towering glaciers, ancient fjords, and spectacular scenery. This vast and deep fjord system is a pristine ecosystem teeming with life. Impressive musk oxen roam the untamed wilderness, and the skies are alive with seabirds.
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Where: East Greenland
Ideal for viewing: musk ox, humpback whale, fin whale, ringed seal
High above the Arctic Circle lies the remarkable archipelago known in Norwegian as Svalbard. Spitsbergen, the main island, means 'jagged peaks' and befits this remarkable land with its spectacular coastline, littered with glaciers flowing into the sea, and high cliffs with endless opportunities for viewing wildlife.
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Discover the untouched beauty of Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago home to dramatic glaciers, deep fjords, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Among spectacular landscapes, steep cliffs teem with an abundance of bird life, walrus bask in the sun, and polar bears roam the shores.
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Tromso lies nearly 70 degrees north and is northern Norway’s largest city, located between the craggy peaks of the Lyngen Alps. There is a vibrant city centre, surrounded by spectacular fjords and majestic mountains, and one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights is in Tromso.
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Remote Wrangel Island with its desolate, primitive landscapes has an abundance of Arctic wildlife: polar bears, musk oxen, and birdlife such as Steller’s sea eagle, and the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper. Located north of the Bering Strait, the cold waters are home to grey whales.
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The Arctic is one of earth’s last pristine regions. With Greenland and Baffin Islands, the frozen Arctic Ocean is an expanse of fjords, jagged peaks, glaciers and icebergs. This is the realm of the polar bear, and is home spectacular wildlife that have adapted to the extreme conditions.
15 recommended trips.Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Join us on this specialist photography voyage, navigating the remarkable fjords of northern Norway, in search of orcas, humpbacks and the magical northern lights. This Arctic expedition provides a unique opportunity to discover these cetaceans from a small ship, led by a professional wildlife photographer.
Find out more about Fjords, Orcas & Aurora Photography Expedition
Sail through a wonderland of mountain and glacial scenery and enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters in this polar bear and birding paradise. Highlights include an exhilarating ride along the spectacular 14th of July Glacier, where large numbers of kittiwakes and Brunnichs guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs.
Find out more about Around Spitsbergen
Discover Norway’s Arctic fjords on an unforgettable wildlife adventure. Watch orca and humpback whales as they navigate icy waters and take the plunge and swim alongside them! With breathtaking scenery and the chance to witness the northern lights, this expedition is truly extraordinary.
Find out more about Swimming with Whales in Norway
A dedicated photo expedition, this voyage explores spectacular Svalbard early in the season. Making the most of the magical snow-laden landscapes, search for the region’s iconic wildlife, including beluga whale, Arctic fox, reindeer and polar bear. This is the ultimate wildlife photography voyage in the Arctic.
Find out more about Svalbard Photo Expedition
Sailing north from Reykjavik, this voyage explores Greenland and its surrounding waters, home to an impressive array of wildlife – you will undoubtedly be accompanied by fulmars, kittiwakes and rafts of guillemots. The autumn scenery is dramatic, with vivid colours by day and the spectacular northern lights by night.
Find out more about East Greenland
Explore the remarkable Svalbard archipelago on this 7-night voyage. Travelling in spring provides a unique opportunity to witness this pristine, untouched landscape with icy coastlines, snow-peaked mountains and spectacular glaciers. Wildlife opportunities include polar bears, Arctic fox and walrus.
Find out more about Svalbard Wildlife Expedition
During July and August, Svalbard bursts into life. Seabird colonies thrive, cliffs echo with the cries of thousands of nesting birds, and Arctic fox cubs emerge on the tundra. Walrus haul out on ice floes and beluga glide through the fjords. Experience this and more aboard Explorer, an intimate luxury yacht.
Find out more about Birds, Wildlife & Wilderness of Svalbard
On this small-ship exploration of Svalbard, you can enjoy the best of this magical region and discover iconic Arctic wildlife. Travel at a slower pace, linger longer in quiet bays and enjoy wildlife encounters with a variety of species, including pinnipeds, cetaceans, numerous seabirds and the magnificent polar bear.
Find out more about Svalbard in Depth
Sailing amid awe-inspiring scenery of fjords and glaciers, this comprehensive itinerary starts in Spitsbergen, home to the world's highest population of polar bears. Continuing across the Greenland Sea, orcas and dolphins follow in your wake, and there are chances to see walrus, Arctic hare and musk ox.
Find out more about Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland
Join this voyage of a lifetime as you sail from Scotland to Svalbard, calling at Fair Isle and Jan Mayen en route. During the journey you visit prime sites across the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, visiting remote, wildlife-rich islands and dramatic coastlines. In Svalbard, explore fjords and search for iconic Arctic wildlife.
Find out more about North Atlantic Adventure
Discover the pristine wilderness of Canada’s Arctic aboard the Ultramarine. With twin-engine helicopters, soar above remote landscapes and explore Canada's remote Arctic from high above, a perspective few have ever experienced. Encounter iconic wildlife such as polar bear, musk oxen and beluga whale.
Find out more about Canada’s Arctic Discovery
This one week voyage provides an intoxicating mix of astonishing landscapes, stunning coastline and spectacular wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, whales, Arctic foxes and huge colonies of seabirds. The long daylight hours offer maximum time to appreciate this breath-taking land of ice to the full.
Find out more about North Spitsbergen
Traverse the Norwegian coastline, explore the remote island of Jan Mayen, and witness Greenland's vast fjords on this epic Arctic voyage. Along the way, encounter dramatic shores, fascinating Arctic wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and with luck the mesmerising glow of the aurora borealis.
Find out more about Northern Lights & Wildlife Odyssey
Embark on an intimate Greenland expedition through the pristine landscapes of Scoresby Sund, with Zodiac cruises and shore landings revealing colossal icebergs and diverse Arctic wildlife. Immerse yourself in East Greenland's untamed wilderness on this small-ship wildlife cruise.
Find out more about Greenland Odyssey
The winding channels of the legendary Northwest Passage have enchanted explorers for centuries. This epic expedition provides a unique opportunity to explore this fabled sea route and discover iconic wildlife species, such as musk oxen, Arctic fox, polar bear, and a variety of cetaceans.
Find out more about In the Footsteps of Explorers: Northwest Passage Voyage
Price
(exc. flights): 16 days
from £19,895
Trip type:
Voyage
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When to go
There are two seasons in the Arctic, but summer (not winter), falling between the spring and autumn equinoxes, when daylight virtually round the clock, is the best for visiting.
Seasons
Summer
Apr to Sep: Truly the land of the midnight sun – the further north, the longer the light
Winter
Oct to Apr: The sun disappears for months at a time, and the icy cold returns
Wildlife events
May to Sep: Arrival of the Arctic summer
Jul: Beluga whales in estuaries around Churchill
Sep to Feb: Northern Lights visible
Oct to Nov: Polar bears wait for pack ice to form
Wildlife cruise vessels
When travelling to an extreme destination like the Arctic we want to ensure you travel safely and in a good level of comfort. You may choose your trip based on your preferred vessel or vice-versa: either way you can be assured that our vessels and crew will endeavour to make it a trip to remember.
16 recommended wildlife cruise vessels.Please contact us for further suggestions.
Explorer is a small, ice-strengthened vessel offering comfort, character, and an intimate group experience. Her size and agility allow easy access to remote, polar regions often inaccessible to larger ships, making her ideally suited for adventurous travellers seeking in-depth exploration.
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The Greg Mortimer introduces an exciting new generation of ship for cruising in the Polar regions. Purpose-built for expedition cruising with a uniquely designed ice-strengthened hull to provide a more comfortable voyage, this small ship can venture into remote areas that larger vessels cannot reach.
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With decades of experience in polar expedition cruising, this vessel is purpose built for enjoying polar wildlife highlights. Every aspect of this innovative ship has been considered to make your polar voyage an incredible experience, from beautiful, comfortable rooms, to the excursions and everything between.
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MS Sjøveien is the perfect polar cruise vessel for exploring the Arctic wilderness in the summer months. With a fantastic level of comfort in its varied cabins and even a hot tub, there is no better way to enjoy a polar expedition in some of the world’s remotest corners.
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The MS Stockholm is often considered to be one of the finest examples of small, ice-strengthened expedition vessels. It is the perfect platform for small groups to enjoy the wildest corners of the Arctic, escaping the crowds and allowing for intimate encounters with the region’s wildlife.
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The Ocean Adventurer is an ice-strengthened ship and is one of the most comfortable expedition vessels to navigate the polar seas. An aspect of this ship which sets it apart from other expedition ships is the substantial outdoor space – spread over four decks - for observing wildlife.
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The Ocean Albatros is a state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed for exploring the polar regions in comfort and style. With its innovative X-BOW design, this modern ship offers enhanced stability for smoother sailing. Fully equipped to navigate remote icy waters, she can accommodate up to 175 passengers.
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The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant, and purpose-built for polar exploration. It features spacious and luxurious cabins, ample outdoor viewing areas, and the latest sustainability technology. The ship offers a luxurious and comfortable sailing experience, allowing you to intimately connect with the polar wilderness.
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The ice-strengthened Ortelius is an excellent vessel for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. With the highest ice-class notation, it offers possibilities to travel to remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.
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The Plancius accommodates a maximum of 108 passengers in cabins ranging from triple to superior, all with outside view and private facilities. She offers a range of itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic, and the large open deck spaces offer excellent opportunities to watch wildlife.
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The Rembrandt van Rijn is a three-masted passenger sailing schooner, well suited for expedition cruising among small islands in the Arctic. She has an experienced crew of 12 with two Zodiac inflatables used for shore landings and wildlife viewing in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
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Described as ‘a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet’, the brand new, purpose-built Sylvia Earle combines the latest in cutting-edge technology with maximum comfort for polar exploration, and was named after the world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer.
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Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters plus 20 quick-release Zodiac boats, Ultramarine offers passengers the next level in polar exploration. The opportunity to view frozen landscapes from above and to take impromptu wildlife viewing excursions speedily and efficiently, set it apart from other polar vessels.
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Vikingfjord is a small expedition ship, blending comfort and sustainability. The ship features eight spacious cabins, a large open plan observation lounge, and a new energy efficient engine. It's the perfect option for those seeking a more intimate wildlife cruise, sleeping a maximum of 12 guests.
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This small expedition ship offers comfort, style, and an intimate onboard experience. With dedicated single cabins and inviting communal spaces, she’s perfect for adventurous travellers. Her nimble design allows close encounters with nature, while modern amenities ensure a relaxed and memorable journey.
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The M/V Janssonius exceeds all requirements set out in the Polar Code for ice-strengthened cruise ships, making her arguably one of the most advanced vessels on which to explore the polar regions. The latest sustainable technology also ranks her alongside the most environmentally friendly ships in the world.
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