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About the R/V Kinfish
R/V Kinfish
Built in 1958, R/V Kinfish has been expertly transformed from a Norwegian research vessel into a refined small expedition ship, purpose-built for exploring the icy waters of the Spitsbergen archipelago. Her advanced navigation systems and ice-strengthened hull allow for safe, confident cruising, while her compact size enables access to narrow fjords, hidden coves and wildlife-rich areas far beyond the reach of larger vessels.
With just 12 guests on board, Kinfish offers a highly intimate and immersive Arctic experience, where flexibility, proximity to wildlife and time in nature take priority.
A Brief History
The story of Kinfish begins in 1958, when she was commissioned by the U.S. Ambassador to Norway and later donated to the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. During her early years, she assisted over 570 vessels and rescued dozens of lives, building a legacy of resilience and purpose in some of the world’s most challenging waters.
In 1985, she was repurposed as a hydrographic survey vessel supporting the oil and gas industry, before undergoing a significant upgrade in 1994 under Norwegian government ownership. During this time, she played a key role in mapping the Norwegian seabed, including pioneering work in the largely uncharted waters surrounding Svalbard.
Since 2018, under the ownership of Northern Expeditions, Kinfish has entered a new chapter as a specialist expedition vessel, combining her rich history with modern capability and comfort.
Why travel on the R/V Kinfish?
One of the most characterful and capable small ships in the Arctic, Kinfish blends heritage with performance, offering a uniquely flexible and immersive expedition experience.
- A beautifully designed small ship with genuine history and character
- Ice Class 1C with an ice-strengthened hull for confident polar navigation
- Advanced stabilisation system, rare for a vessel of this size, ensuring comfort at sea
- State-of-the-art bridge with live seabed mapping and open access for guests
- Multiple viewing decks offering 360° perspectives for wildlife spotting and photography
- Small, highly manoeuvrable vessel, able to reach remote and inaccessible areas
- Minimal engine vibration when stationary, ideal for wildlife observation and photography
Kinfish
A Look Inside
The Cabins
Six newly refurbished en-suite guest cabins offer a comfortable and practical retreat after time spent exploring. Each cabin features cosy bedding with proper duvets and crisp linen, along with a desk, shelving and under-bed storage, creating a space that is both functional and welcoming.
Facilities
On board, Kinfish offers a selection of bright and comfortable spaces designed for relaxation and connection. Two spacious lounges provide areas to unwind, while the dining area and bar create a sociable atmosphere at the heart of the ship.
The open bridge invites guests to engage with the crew and follow the journey in real time, while generous deck space across multiple levels ensures uninterrupted views of Svalbard’s dramatic landscapes. A dedicated mudroom, complete with an additional bathroom, allows guests to comfortably transition after shore excursions.
Dining
All meals are included throughout your time on board, with a focus on fresh, flavourful cuisine inspired by Nordic and European traditions.
Enjoy hearty breakfasts before heading out into the Arctic, warming lunches between excursions, and relaxed evening meals shared with fellow guests. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are always available, alongside a selection of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Ice Exploration & Glacier Encounters
Cruising through Svalbard’s ice-filled fjords, experience the Arctic at its most raw and dynamic. Navigate between towering glaciers and drifting pack ice, watching as vast ice fronts calve into the sea. Using Zodiacs, you’ll explore deep into glacial bays and along frozen coastlines, accessing areas where wildlife thrives and few travellers reach.
This core experience underpins our Svalbard journeys, from the in-depth exploration of our Ultimate Svalbard expedition to the combined perspectives of our Land & Sea itinerary, where time on the water is balanced with immersive experiences ashore.
Activities on R/V Kinfish
Wildlife Watching & Photography
Cruising aboard Kinfish, you’ll encounter the dramatic landscapes of Svalbard alongside its iconic wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic fox and reindeer. The ship’s small size allows access to remote locations, while multiple deck levels provide excellent vantage points for photography and observation.
Zodiac Cruising
There are two zodiacs on board, each carrying up to six passengers, and allowing closer access to some of the area’s best natural attractions - sail past icebergs and watch as huge chunks of ice calve off the face of mighty glaciers. The zodiacs are also perfect for small group onshore excursions, on shore you may come across Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and the impressive Arctic flora.
Ice Exploration & Glacier Encounters
Cruising through Svalbard’s ice-filled fjords, experience the Arctic at its most raw and dynamic. Navigate between towering glaciers and drifting pack ice, watching as vast ice fronts calve into the sea. Using Zodiacs, you’ll explore deep into glacial bays and along frozen coastlines, accessing areas where wildlife thrives and few travellers reach.
This core experience underpins our Svalbard journeys, from the in-depth exploration of our Ultimate Svalbard expedition to the combined perspectives of our Land & Sea itinerary, where time on the water is balanced with immersive experiences ashore.
Charter This Arctic Expedition Ship
As well as joining our Specialist-led trips, you can also charter the R/V Kinfish for exclusive use. By fully chartering an Arctic expedition ship, we can offer the flexibility to tailor a trip to suit your exact requirements, whether your focus is photography, wildlife, history, or simply seeing the best that the Arctic has to offer.
"The RV Kinfish delivers like no other vessel up there. With comfy cabins, multiple relaxing communal areas and some great viewing decks, the Kinfish really is a great little ship. A maximum of 12 clients makes any expedition aboard the Kinfish an intimate one, but with enough space to find your own corner if required. A huge bridge, open 24 hours a day, means there is plenty of room for everyone to be up there at the same time, either chatting to the Captain, spotting for bears, or watching the ship calve through the ice as you venture into the frozen realms of the north. With stabilisers (few other ships of this size have these!) and state-of-the-art positioning technology, the Kinfish provides both the flexibility for exploration and the versatility to access where few others can."