Polar bear tours in Svalbard
Polar bear tours in Svalbard: An introduction
There are many reasons to visit Svalbard.
It is one the greatest wildlife destinations on the planet and famous for its polar bear population, which outstrips the number of resident human beings on the archipelago. However, there are plenty of other reasons to visit.
Whilst there are no official polar bear tours or safaris in Svalbard, it’s possible to sight polar bears in the wild during our Expedition Micro Cruises or photography expeditions in Svalbard.
And it isn’t just Svalbard.
We regularly spot polar bears during our Expedition Micro Cruises and photography expeditions to Scoresbysund and the Northeast Greenland National Park in Greenland.
What is the best way to see a polar bear in the wild?
With its stunning, glaciated Arctic landscapes, Svalbard is one of the most beautiful places on earth to see polar bears!
Our expeditions, tailored to just 12 guests, give you the opportunity to see a huge range of magnificent creatures, from walruses to Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, humpback whales, and polar bears, in their natural habitat from the safety of a small ship.
Whilst we can never guarantee a sighting, East Greenland is another of our favourite places to explore, where we often spot polar bears in Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system on the planet.
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
Svalbard Summer Solstice Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Our longest photo tour sails when the midnight sun is at its zenith, providing 24-hour photo opportunities in the company of your pro photographer guide.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Svalbard Circumnavigation Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
The big one. As the sea opens up under the midnight sun, take the unique opportunity to circumnavigate Svalbard, Europe’s last great wilderness.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Conscious expeditions
Our small-group expeditions are carefully designed to have a minimal impact on Svalbard and all its wildlife. All of our encounters with polar bears (and all wildlife) follow strict Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) guidelines to ensure we don’t cause a disturbance to wildlife. See our blog article on the 2025 Svalbard regulations below.
“In a world where humanity has imposed boundaries and ownership upon nature, Svalbard stands as a sanctuary disconnected by such constraints. It remains one of the last truly wild places on our planet. Watching her roam free in her natural habitat, her home, I felt a profound sense of liberation – in my eyes, this is how it should be.”
— Sophie Dingwall
Factors to consider if you want to witness a polar bear in the wild
Timing is key when it comes to polar bear sightings.
Our expeditions run from April – September, with the highest chance of seeing polar bears coming in the summer, from May onwards.
This is because the ice has melted enough for ships to pass, making it easier to access the coast where polar bears hunt on the ice and in the sea. It’s also the season of 24-hour daylight, which definitely helps visibility!
Weather and sea conditions are not something we can guarantee, but in calm conditions, our small vessels are perfect for getting right up to the edge of the sea ice (the ideal hunting site for polar bears).
Also, the length of your trip is as important as the timing. There is a better chance of spotting polar bears on longer trips, so factor that into your planning.
While polar bears may steal the spotlight, Svalbard is also home to walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, and an abundance of bird species. All of which are sure to add an extra wow factor to your expedition and photographs. Check out our guide to the animals of Svalbard below.
Polar bears in Svalbard
Often known as the ‘King of the Arctic‘, the polar bear is the largest bear species in the world!
There are approximately 3,000 living on Svalbard and in the Barents Sea region.
Did you know, adult polar bears grow to between 180–260 cm in length? Males can weigh between 300–700 kilos, while females weigh half the size, between 150–300 kilos. But their weight varies drastically depending on the seasons, particularly with female polar bears that can double their weight between spring and late summer.
We love that polar bears can roam freely on Svalbard, but they spend much of their time on the sea ice, hunting ringed seals, bearded seals, harp seals. Their diet also includes seabirds, swiped bird eggs, and even the corpses of dead whales.
Unlike other marine mammals like walruses, polar bears are solitary, apart from mothers who spend about two years with their young and male-female pairs during mating season. During particularly rough weather, polar bears hide out in temporary dens for days and even weeks at a time.
Where in Svalbard is the best place to encounter polar bears?
There is a low density of bears in the west of Svalbard (Spitsbergen). However, higher numbers can be found along the east coast and in the fjords to the north. Polar bears tend to hunt north of Spitsbergen glacier fronts in spring, where there are plenty of ringed seal lairs.
Out on the sea ice in the north of the archipelago is one of the best places to encounter polar bears hunting for seals in a frozen Arctic setting. When conditions allow, our micro expedition ships push further into the sea ice than larger vessels, increasing our chances of seeing bears in their icy element.
Another top location for spotting polar bears in the wild is East Greenland, where our Expedition Micro Cruises and photography expeditions explore Scoresbysund and the Northeast Greenland National Park.
Read our informative article on the subject below.
Why are there no official polar bear tours in Svalbard?
Polar bears are a vulnerable species and have been protected by international law since 1973. Because of their protected and vulnerable status, there are no polar bear safaris on Svalbard.
However, they can be spotted across the archipelago, and the only way to see them safely and responsibly is by joining expeditions with trained guides.
Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
A frozen fairytale of iceberg-strewn fjords, snowy peaks, and puzzle-piece sea ice – as animals take their first steps following winter.
- 12 guests
- — days
Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise Lite
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Our compact early-season adventure packs in all the highlights of Svalbard in just a short space of time – with no fear of missing out.
- 12 guests
- — 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
Svalbard Summer Micro Cruise Lite
78°22’N, 15°65’E
Witness Svalbard alive with wildlife on this specially curated Expedition Micro Cruise, exploring the archipelago's summer highlights in a shorter time.
- 12 guests
- — days
Svalbard Circumnavigation Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E
The big one. As the sea opens up under the midnight sun, take the unique opportunity to circumnavigate Svalbard, Europe’s last great wilderness.
- 12 guests
- 12 days
Visitors are warned not to leave settlements without a guide because polar bears roam freely across the archipelago. During the winter, they can travel hundreds of miles. But, they spend most of the summer following the sea ice in the north-east of Svalbard (Spitsbergen).
They don’t just travel great distances on land; polar bears are excellent swimmers – paddling with their front paws for over 50 miles (80 km)! You might see one close to the fjords and bays where they have a good chance of catching prey.
It’s important to remember that polar bears can be extremely dangerous, and they are wild animals. Attacks are rare, with very few recorded since the 1970s, but they do occasionally wander onto settlements like Longyearbyen, which is why there are essential safety measures in place for tourists and locals.
Polar bears and sustainability
It’s well known that the polar bears’ habitat is under threat due to climate change. However, important work is being done to protect them, and Svalbard is a primary place for these efforts.
Projects working to conserve them aren’t new either. In 1973, all countries that are home to wild polar bears, including Norway, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and the US, signed ‘The International Agreement for the Conservation of Polar Bears and Their Habitat’ to end the decline in polar bear populations and protect the cultural hunting traditions of indigenous peoples.
More recently, in 2001 the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act was passed, which prohibits baiting, disturbing, and encounters that may impose harm to the local polar bear population. This act also restricts or prohibits travel to high-density bear areas, which is safer for polar bears and humans, and stops over-tourism.
AECO guidelines for 2025 include minimum distances for viewing polar bears in the wild in Svalbard. These are set at 300 metres between July 1st and 28th February, and 500 metres between March 1st and June 30th.
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