Why should tourists explore Spitsbergen Island?

Spitsbergen Island borders the Arctic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea. Spitsbergen has an area of ​​39,044 km2, where many polar bears, whales, walruses... live and attracts many tourists to explore.

Polar bear watching

The Svalbard Islands in general and Spitsbergen Island in particular are considered the capital of polar bears. In fact, the number of polar bears here is more than the number of people living there (about 3,000 compared to about 2,100 residents). It would be great if tourists could explore this place on an icebreaker, watching polar bears in prime locations, remote spots such as Phippsoya and Isbukta. To have an enjoyable and safe experience, it is important that tourists choose the right expedition company. A company with a team of highly skilled navigators that tourists can choose is Quark Expeditions, headquartered in the US.

Beautiful scenery

Coming to Spitsbergen, visitors will admire the beautiful scenery with mountains and winding glaciers. If visitors are photography enthusiasts, the icebergs, towering cliffs, deserted rocky shores and seabirds in Spitsbergen will inspire them to create wonderful works. Visitors can see those magnificent scenes on TV through programs such as Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth... but when visiting Spitsbergen, the scene is many times more magnificent.

Seabirds

Often when exploring Spitsbergen or the Arctic, visitors often think of polar bears. However, when coming to this majestic place, you will quickly realize that there are many other wild animals worth learning about, including birds. The breeding activity of cliff birds is most active around the end of June with many species and numbers up to millions. In addition, some species of geese, gulls, eider ducks, arctic terns and crocodiles also breed in Spitsbergen. Watching seabirds on the deck of a boat or walking along the coast led by professional guides are unforgettable experiences for visitors to Spitsbergen.

Whales and walruses

Along with polar bears and seabirds, whales and walruses are also attractive objects that attract tourists on expeditions along the coast of Spitsbergen. It is wonderful to see whales surfing, enjoying the wind under the sun or at midnight. You can also spot bearded seals lying on the ice for a lifetime photo opportunity.

Arctic Fox and Reindeer

Adding to the animal lineup in Spitsbergen are the Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer. Svalbard reindeer are often seen wandering around the town of Longyearbyen among the 10,000 people who live on the archipelago.

Arctic foxes, on the other hand, are cunning and generally avoid people. However, the naturalist guides on expedition ships to Spitsbergen have the experience and knack to spot them. In the summer, Arctic foxes are often lured to the cliffs where birds nest and lay eggs to hunt. That is when tourists can see Arctic foxes.

A sense of discovery

On your exploration journey to Spitsbergen, you should learn about the history of this island. Dutch navigator Willem Barentsz discovered the Svalbard archipelago in 1596. In 1926, Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the North Pole in a hot air balloon. He started this expedition from Ny-Alesund, a former mining area in the northwest of Spitsbergen and now an Arctic research station. The places you will experience in Spitsbergen are very special, not everyone has the opportunity to visit. For that reason, the feeling of coming to Spitsbergen is very different from other places you have been to. It is a great feeling of exploration and discovery!

Watching the Midnight Sun

After four months of darkness, the sun returns to Svalbard in April. And during this period (which lasts until June), the sun never sets. Visitors to Spitsbergen during this time will be treated to the midnight sun. They will have more time to see and photograph the wildlife in Spitsbergen. Birds come to nest, whales feed closer to shore as the ice melts. The whole landscape of Spitsbergen is lit up with shades of purple, white and yellow with Arctic flowers. It will take your breath away!

The Phong