NORTH SPITSBERGEN -
Into the pack ice!
Celebrate the Summer Solstice in the land of Polar Bears under the Midnight Sun
on board the M/V Ortelius
June 14-24, 2027

Experience the high Arctic summer solstice with an expedition that visits some of the top sites of North Spitsbergen. Explore amazing glaciers, fascinating historical sites, bountiful seabird colonies, and sprawling fjord systems. There is a good chance of spotting whales, seals, and possibly even polar bears.

The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer, when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen falls on 21 June. The term solstice (Latin solstitium) means “sun-stopping” and describes the point on the horizon at which the sun appears to rise and set, stopping and reversing directions after this day.

On the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east but rather north of east, then later sets to the north of west, making the sun visible for a longer period of time. It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again, and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this fascinating phenomenon during this voyage through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard!

As well as the usual landings, this expedition will head into the pack ice, searching for the animals and birds that live on the moving ice at quite some distance from the coast of Spitsbergen Our voyage through the pack ice may be a multi-day affair, depending on the position of the ice and local sea and weather conditions. Regardless of how long we spend in the ice, these days at sea will be a highlight of the trip. Note that while the ship navigates the pack ice, we will not make any shore landings or excursions from the ship.

However, wildlife encounters are the main draw here, with good chances to encounter many species that thrive in this icy habitat. After our time on the ice, we will retrace our route west. About 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Spitsbergen, we will sail along the edge of the continental shelf.

Other places we might visit include the following:

Raudfjord: On the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can enjoy this expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. We will try to land at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya.

Monaco Glacier: Depending on the weather and sea ice, we could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this precipitous glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.

The Seven Islands: The northernmost point of the voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here we may reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. At Phippsøya there is a walrus haul-out site, while Rossøya is the northernmost landmass in Spitsbergen. The vessel may sail deeper into the pack ice when wheeling around west again.