Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, is a unique port in the Svalbard archipelago, rich in history and breathtaking Arctic landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like reindeer stew and exploring the stunning fjords of Raudfjord and Liefdefjorden. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the midnight sun illuminates the stunning scenery.

Krossfjord is a remote High Arctic fjord on Spitsbergen's northwest coast, where massive tidewater glaciers calve into dark waters and polar bears roam the ice edge. Must-dos include Zodiac cruises along the Lilliehöökbreen glacier face, watching seabird colonies on towering cliffs, and scanning for polar bears and belugas. The expedition season runs June–September, with July–August offering the best wildlife and 24-hour Arctic daylight.

Raudfjord in Svalbard and Jan Mayen offers dramatic Nordic landscapes where fjords, glaciers, and pristine wilderness create scenes of remarkable natural grandeur. The essential experience is immersion in the outdoor environment—hiking, wildlife watching, and savoring the region's exceptional seafood in settings of extraordinary beauty. Best visited June through August, when the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light for nearly twenty-four hours. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Liefdefjorden is a spectacular Arctic fjord in Svalbard dominated by the five-kilometer-wide Monaco Glacier, surrounded by tundra wildflowers and abundant wildlife including polar bears and Arctic foxes. Must-dos include Zodiac cruising along the glacier face and watching icebergs calve into mirror-still waters. Visit between June and August for midnight sun and peak wildlife activity.

Hinlopen Strait in Svalbard and Jan Mayen offers dramatic Nordic landscapes where fjords, glaciers, and pristine wilderness create scenes of remarkable natural grandeur. The essential experience is immersion in the outdoor environment—hiking, wildlife watching, and savoring the region's exceptional seafood in settings of extraordinary beauty. Best visited June through August, when the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light for nearly twenty-four hours. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Freemansundet, the narrow strait between Barentsøya and Edgeøya in Svalbard, concentrates Arctic wildlife in extraordinary density — polar bears patrolling the shoreline, walrus hauled out on gravel spits, and seabird colonies numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Must-dos include Zodiac wildlife cruises along the island shores and transiting the strait itself from the ship's deck. June through August provides the expedition cruise window, with late July to August typically offering the most ice-free passage.

Hornsund is a glacier-carved fjord at the southern tip of Svalbard's Spitsbergen island, where fourteen tidewater glaciers, polar bears, and vast seabird colonies create one of the Arctic's most dramatic expedition destinations. Must-dos include zodiac cruises alongside calving glaciers, polar bear sightings along the shoreline, and visiting the Polish research station. July and August offer the warmest temperatures and best ice conditions, with midnight sun providing endless Arctic daylight.

Bellsund is a spectacular fjord system on Spitsbergen's western coast in Svalbard, where calving glaciers, Arctic wildlife, and centuries-old whaling history converge. Visitors encounter beluga whales, polar bears, and vast tundra carpeted in Arctic wildflowers during the midnight sun season from June through August.

Longyearbyen, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, is a unique port in the Svalbard archipelago, rich in history and breathtaking Arctic landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like reindeer stew and exploring the stunning fjords of Raudfjord and Liefdefjorden. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the midnight sun illuminates the stunning scenery.