Arctic cruises
Explore the High North on an Arctic Expedition Micro Cruise
Introduction to Arctic cruises
Just you, a small crew, and the world at its wildest.
Adventure north on an Arctic Expedition Micro Cruise with Secret Atlas, exploring the pristine lands that crown our planet – Svalbard, Greenland, the North Pole, Baffin Island, and the Canadian Arctic.
Our small ship Arctic cruises offer something far beyond your typical Arctic cruise. Your expedition-style ship goes deep into the landscape, scoping out unforgettable wildlife encounters. With the smallest group sizes available, be transformed in the wonder of the natural world.
No crowds, no queuing. Out here, less is more. Welcome to the Arctic.
Where’s the best place to visit on an Arctic Cruise?
Why Secret Atlas?
Because we’re explorers, delivering expeditions for explorers like you.
We’re fuelled by the long-lost spirit of adventure, guided by environmental and cultural responsibility, and committed to creating transformative travel experiences.
We’re pioneers of the Expedition Micro Cruise, offering the smallest group sizes at both poles. That means a flexible itinerary. It means more time exploring and photographing. It means a deeper connection with your team and the natural world.
We understand that, out here, less is more. Less waiting to board Zodiacs, more time ashore. Less strict itineraries, more adventure. Less crowd, more immersion.
That’s why we’re not just small. We’re micro.
Because we’re explorers, delivering expeditions for explorers like you.
We’re fuelled by the long-lost spirit of adventure, guided by environmental and cultural responsibility, and committed to creating transformative travel experiences.
We’re pioneers of the Expedition Micro Cruise, offering the smallest group sizes at both poles. That means a flexible itinerary. It means more time exploring and photographing. It means a deeper connection with your team and the natural world.
We understand that, out here, less is more. Less waiting to board Zodiacs, more time ashore. Less strict itineraries, more adventure. Less crowd, more immersion.
That’s why we’re not just small. We’re micro.
Looking to explore the world with friends, family, or colleagues?
Plan a private charter with us.
Our guide to Arctic Cruises
Why do a small ship Arctic cruise?
The Arctic is a vast wilderness and there are very few roads in Svalbard and Greenland, making ship-based exploration the best way to encounter the Arctic. Exploring on an Arctic cruise allows you to visit places far away from civilisation and encounter the wildlife that calls the Arctic its home.
At Secret Atlas, we run genuine small ship Arctic expeditions. Unlike larger vessels carrying hundreds of passengers, our voyages are personal and unique in their approach. Travelling with a small group of guests means more time exploring the Arctic tundra, more flexibility, less time waiting to board Zodiacs, and more time ashore.
Our small expedition vessels will get you closer to nature and more immersed in the landscape than larger ships, offering you a more transformative experience with absolutely no crowds or queuing.
We call our pioneering concept the Expedition Micro Cruise. It’s how we see the world.
Your ship
Large commercial cruise ships in the Arctic can take up to 5,000 guests. The downside with these cruises is that they don’t offer an expedition element and are limited to calling at a handful of ports.
Expedition cruise ships in the Arctic vary from 200 guests all the way down to 12 guests, which is what we specialise in at Secret Atlas.
The smaller the cruise ship the better the experience for you. We always recommend taking the smallest ship size possible for your Arctic cruise. This will ensure you experience no waiting time to join your shore excursions and a greater deal of flexibility.
When is the best time to visit the Arctic on a cruise?
Most Arctic cruises take place during the northern summer months between May and September, when temperatures are at their mildest and there is less sea ice. The exact month of travel depends on what you would like to see.
Early season Svalbard expeditions are ideal for photography as the land is still covered in picture-perfect snow and there is plenty of ice in the sea.
The summer months of June, July, and August are the best for wildlife, and September offers superlative light as epic sunrises and sunsets return after the midnight sun of summer. Between late October and mid-March, sea ice and lack of light prevents cruises from operating.
Our favourite Arctic cruises
Svalbard Spring Photo Tour
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Landscape photographers adore Svalbard in the early season, when puzzle-piece sea ice and snow-enrobed shorelines glow under pastel sunrises and sunsets.
- 12 guests
- 8 — 10 days
Svalbard Summer Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Set sail in summer, when Svalbard blooms with life, the best time to spot wildlife in Europe’s last great wilderness.
- 12 guests
- 10 days
Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise
76°50'N, 29°99'W
The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Capture the heavens bursting with light above the monumental icebergs and high-drama landscape of Scoresbysund.
- 12 guests
- 8 days
Greenland
In Greenland the summer months between May and September offer the best weather for Arctic cruise experiences.
Scoresbysund in East Greenland is only accessible at the end of July until the end of September due to the sea ice which blocks the entrance for most of the year. Northeast Greenland National Park is similarly only open from July until September each year.
Arctic Norway
In Arctic Norway it is possible to cruise all year round. Choose the summer to experience the midnight sun and the Lofoten Islands; and choose small ship Arctic expeditions in the winter months between November and February for northern lights chasing and whale watching.
Canadian Arctic and Baffin Island
In the Canadian Arctic and Baffin Island, summer offers the most active time for wildlife, peaking between June and August. This is also when the temperatures are milder and sea ice least obstructive. Outside of this time, there are fewer visitors and more snow – perfect for Arctic photography. But be prepared for bitter temperatures.
Arctic cruise top tips
Choose the smallest ship size possible. This will ensure you have maximum time exploring and the minimum time waiting to go ashore and explore by Zodiac. At Secret Atlas we specialise in small ship Arctic cruises with as few as 12 guests.
To see more, choose a longer cruise. Longer itineraries allow you to see more of the place you came to visit and increase the amount of wildlife sightings you are likely to enjoy.
Come with an open mind. Every Arctic expedition cruise offers a unique experience – the landing sites, wildlife encounters, and shore landings will be different on every voyage.
When is the best time to see the midnight sun on an Arctic cruise?
In Svalbard the midnight sun is visible between April 19th and August 23rd, which is the season that most Svalbard cruises take place. During the month of September visitors are treated to long sunrises and sunsets as the sun dips beneath the horizon for the first time in five months.
In Greenland the midnight sun is visible above the Arctic Circle between early June and mid-July. This is ideal for expedition cruises exploring Scoresbysund on the east coast and the Northeast Greenland National Park, which are both located above the Arctic Circle.
In Arctic Norway, the Tromso region experiences the midnight sun between 18th May and the 25th July. This is a great time for exploring the Lofoten Islands on an Arctic cruise.
The best time for the midnight sun in the Canadian Arctic hovers around the June 21st solstice, beginning in early June and ending in late July.
Looking to explore the world with friends, family, or colleagues?
Plan a private charter with us.
Can I see the northern lights on an Arctic cruise?
Yes, you can but only during the months when it gets dark enough. It is not possible to see the northern lights and the midnight sun at the same time.
For the best chance of seeing the northern lights on an Arctic cruise, we recommend September and October cruises of East Greenland. The Scoresbysund fjord system and Northeast Greenland National Park are stunning natural amphitheatres in which to witness the spectacular show put on by the heavens.
In Arctic Norway, between the months of November and February, the northern lights are frequently sighted in the region surrounding Tromso.
It is also possible to see the northern lights in Svalbard from autumn onwards, beginning in late September.
What wildlife can I see on an Arctic cruise?
The Arctic is home to an abundance of wildlife that we regularly encounter on our Arctic cruises.
In Svalbard we regularly spot polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, Svalbard Reindeer, beluga whales, and a large variety of bird species, including puffins, Arctic terns, and skuas. To find out more about the wildlife you can encounter on a small ship Arctic cruise in Svalbard, check out our guide below.
In Greenland it is possible to see polar bears in the east, although it is rarer to see them here than in Svalbard. In Greenland it is possible to see muskoxen, humpback whales, walruses, seals, and Greenlandic reindeer. To see all the animals you can encounter on an Arctic cruise in Greenland, please see our handy guide.
Explorer’s Handbook
Everything you need to know to help you plan your polar expedition, from destination guides to weather insights and what to pack…
Best Time To Visit Svalbard
Best Time To Visit Svalbard
Best Time to Visit Greenland
Best Time to Visit Greenland
A Guide to Arctic Wildlife Watching
A Guide to Arctic Wildlife Watching
What to Pack for the Arctic
What to Pack for the Arctic
10 Places in Svalbard You Can Visit
10 Places in Svalbard You Can Visit
Arctic cruise FAQs
Where is the Arctic located?
The Arctic is situated in the northern hemisphere and starts at approximately 66.6° north at what is called “the Arctic circle”.
The North Pole is the furthest point north on Earth and is located roughly 6,215 miles from the equator. The Arctic Ocean covers 5.4 million square miles of sea, so there are lots of places to explore on an Arctic cruise.
Which countries are in the Arctic?
Parts of eight countries sit within the Arctic: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the United States.
How much does an Arctic cruise cost?
expedition cruises in the Arctic cost more than regular cruises is that the ships are smaller and carry far fewer guests than typical cruise ships, the guide to guest ratio is better, and the equipment to guest ratio is better.
At Secret Atlas our Arctic Expedition Micro Cruises take as few as 12 guests. That means we have one guide and one Zodiac for each six guests.
Where do Arctic cruises depart from?
Whilst it is possible to cruise to the Arctic from Europe, the disadvantage of this is that there is a lot of sea time and less time on the expedition itself. We recommend joining an Arctic cruise at the place you wish to explore to maximise your time on the expedition.
Our Arctic cruises depart from Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Tromso in Arctic Norway, and from Constable Point in East Greenland.
Arctic Cruises vs Antarctic Cruises
One of the main differences between Arctic and Antarctic cruises is that the wildlife sightings are unique in each polar region. In the Arctic it is possible to encounter polar bears, walruses, reindeer, and Arctic foxes.
In the Antarctic you will not see polar bears, but you will encounter different species of penguins, as well as southern fur seals, albatrosses, and elephant seals.
The summer months in the Arctic are between May and September whilst the Antarctic summer is between November and February.
The weather in the High Arctic is often calm during the summer months due to the high pressure system. The weather in the Antarctic is often more variable due to the weather systems moving through the Southern Ocean.
The Arctic is easier to reach than Antarctica which is more remote. To reach Antarctica you either have to cruise across the Drake Passage from South America or the Ross Sea from New Zealand or take a charter flight to King George Island. The Arctic on the other hand is served by domestic airlines and it is possible to fly to Tromso, Svalbard, and Greenland on scheduled flights.
What is the temperature on an Arctic cruise?
Often guests imagine the Arctic is much colder than it actually is. During the summer months in Svalbard and Greenland, temperatures on our Arctic cruises are above freezing. In July and August the average high is around 7 degrees.
During the winter months in Arctic Norway, the average temperature is around freezing. For guests used to Northern European winters this will be nothing unusual. Not to mention our vessels have super warm cabins and often a sauna to warm up in after a day of exploring.
What is the best Arctic cruise for seeing polar bears?
One of the best destinations to encounter polar bears on an Arctic cruise is in Svalbard. Across Svalbard and the Barents Sea region, there are over 3,000 polar bears. During the summer months it is possible to see polar bears on the shores and ice flows of Svalbard. For the best chances of encountering polar bears in their natural habitat, we recommend a longer voyage.
Important conservation regulations mean that all tour operators must keep their distance from polar bears in Svalbard. We recommend bringing binoculars, a camera with a good telephoto lens (300mm minimum), and be prepared to admire these regal creatures from a respectful distance, framed by the landscape they call home.
To find out more about encountering polar bears on your Arctic expedition, please see our guide on the topic below.
What should I pack for an Arctic cruise?
There are many essential items to take with you on an Arctic cruise. For starters:
Warm clothing
Hat and gloves
A waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
Personal items such as toiletries (there will likely be very few shops where you are exploring)
Medicine (with extras in case of delay)
Hiking boots
Binoculars (often wildlife is sighted from a distance)
A camera with a long lens for wildlife photography. Remember to bring spare batteries and memory cards.
For a comprehensive packing list along with a clothing guide for the different seasons, please see our article below.
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