Discovering the Far North
Between the Greenland Sea and the Barents Sea lies the Svalbard archipelago. Spitzberg, an island with a surface area of almost 40,000 km², is one of the islands that make up this Norwegian territory at the gateway to the Far North. Spitzberg means "pointed mountains" in Norwegian. This name perfectly reflects the island's relief, where the landscape is made up of level peaks 1717 meters above sea level. At first glance, Spitzberg looks like a vast, immaculate territory that appears to have never been trodden by man. Yet on closer inspection, you'll discover that this seemingly hostile and inhospitable land is actually inhabited. Longyearbyen, the island's largest city, is even a major settlement. A cruise to Spitzberg is a promise of adventure. Along the way, you'll come close to majestic fjords, polar bears and spectacular sights such as the midnight sun and the northern lights. If you're a thrill-seeker, King's Bay and the Five Glaciers are ideal for kayaking and canoeing, under the watchful eye of a licensed guide. And if you prefer to stay dry, this region of Spitzberg is a veritable birding hotspot, where you can admire a wide variety of birds.
An adventure in the heart of the Arctic
A Spitzberg cruise takes place aboard expedition ships and icebreakers that cut their way through the pack ice to reveal enchanting landscapes where polar animals such as bears and seals have found refuge. The cruise often starts in Longyearbyen, the island's largest town. From here, you'll visit the Russian village of Barentsburg, where you can enjoy a folkloric performance or visit the Pomor Museum. Your Spitzberg adventure continues towards the Monaco Glacier. Along the way, you can observe the eider ducks that come to nest on these islets during the state. If you're lucky, you may cross paths with a polar bear in search of eggs.
If you think a Spitzberg cruise is all about exploring nature, you'd be wrong. It can also be a cultural voyage. All you have to do is stop off in Magdalen Bay to see for yourself. The region, with its long history of exploration, is home to a rich cultural heritage, such as the cemetery of 130 graves dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, or the remains found at Gravneset. The village of Ny-Ålesund is another stop on a Spitzberg cruise. This scientific town, where researchers from different countries work together, is home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a cold storage facility for the world's food seeds. Other noteworthy infrastructures include the Charles Rabot and Jean Corbel French base, which is worth a visit during a stopover in Ålesund.
Your adventure at sea in Spitzberg is full of surprises. Hot springs are hard to find in the far north, yet the Nordvest-Spitzberg park is home to two hot springs that delight visitors to the island. A cruise to Spitzbergalso takes you to majestic fjords and alpine peaks. You'll call at Isfjord, home to the most important fjords in the Svalbard archipelago. Companies often organize excursions that take you as close as possible to these great U-shaped valleys, carved out of the glaciers ten thousand years ago. Another excursion takes you to Kongsfjord, home to two noteworthy glaciers, Kronebreen and Kongsvegen.
When to go to Spitzberg ?
Like all the countries of the Far North, Spitzberg has two distinct seasons: summer, from February to July, and winter, from August to January. Summer temperatures vary considerably. Depending on the time of year you choose to cruise Spitzberg, you can enjoy temperatures as low as -30°C or as high as 27°C. If you want to admire the midnight sun, then it's best to cruise Spitzbergin summer, when the days are much longer than usual. From August onwards, winter sets in on Spitzberg. The north wind blows across the island, bringing clouds that quickly hide the sun. Although the star of the day is more discreet and the days are shorter than in summer, the island is not lacking in charm. Full moons give the glacial landscape a completely different, spectacular and bewitching aspect, making your cruise just as unforgettable as if you'd taken it in summer.