
Svalbard Polar Bear Explorer
Explore the stunning Spitsbergen Archipelago aboard the M/V Kinfish - intimate ship charters focusing on sightings of the amazing polar bear and other Arctic wildlife of Svalbard.
Find Out More HereA variety of whales exist surprisingly in the cold waters of Svalbard so keep your eyes out as they are all to see. Species include humpbacks – highly migratory whales that are renowned for their beautiful songs and intelligence, huge blue whales – feeding mainly on krill but still being the largest animal on the planet, fin whales - that are sleek and fast even though they are the world’s second largest animal, then there are the smallest minke whales and of course the beautiful belugas that hang out in pods of 20-25 individuals, all glossy and white and polar beautiful. Obviously sightings vary year on year, but this season we managed to observe alongside belugas for an hour or two, and even spent an couple of hours or two in a blue whale and humpback feeding frenzy.
These solitary creatures can be spotted relaxing on passing ice floes, they have white whiskers on their face which are supremely sensitive, helping them to find food in the ocean. Easy to recognise – for polar bears too! - , their body looks too big for its front flippers.
The northernmost herbivorous mammal in the world, the smallest of all reindeer is endemic to the region. Males grow their antlers between April and July before shedding their velvet in August, whilst the females’ antlers grow in June and maintain throughout the year. These are absolutely stunning creatures and a pleasure to get up close to and photograph in their natural habitat; if you are in luck you may even spot them in the town of Longyearbyen on arrival.