Svalbard in Spring - 9 day HX cruise
Overview
Experience one of the world's last great wildernesses on a 9-day all-inclusive Svalbard expedition cruise, including return flights from Oslo. Spring is one of the best times to visit this remote Arctic archipelago, when vast sea ice still blankets the fjords and provides exceptional opportunities to spot polar bears, including mothers with their cubs. With fewer ships in the region, quieter landings and the welcome return of daylight, you'll enjoy a more intimate and immersive Arctic experience amid breathtaking snow-covered landscapes and glowing sunsets.
HX has been exploring Svalbard since 1896, combining more than a century of polar expertise with cutting-edge technology to navigate deeper into the Arctic. Guided by an award-winning Expedition Team, you'll search for iconic wildlife including polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer and returning seabirds, while exploring dramatic frozen fjords, sculpted icebergs and pristine wilderness by small boat and on carefully managed shore landings. Every journey is designed to maximise wildlife encounters while ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection and respectful wildlife viewing.
Itinerary
Day 1
After a flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen. A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to explore this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast it’s time to experience Longyearbyen. The former coal mining settlement is small enough to explore on foot. Stroll down the main street lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and restaurants. You might even see a Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a deeper look at this isolated and remote region at the top of the world.
Day 3 - 4
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.
Day 5 - 6
Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape. From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Leader decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions. Discover the scenic Kongsfjord area, home to towering glaciers, thriving birdlife, majestic whales and centuries of Arctic history.
Day 7
If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable experience amid the floating ice.
Day 8
Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history.
Day 9
Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.