P5. Spitsbergen Tour I 6-18 June 2017
P6. Spitsbergen Tour II 20 June-July 2, 2017
The tour of the Anne-Margaretha:
The layout of the days is global! Our timing depends on the weather and ice conditions at Svalbard (Spitsbergen). It may be that the program will change according to conditions. We make as many landings as possible, but the crew decides whether something is safe. Safety comes first!
Day 1:
Arrival on board in Longyearbyen / Svalbard; we familiarize everyone to the ship; We keep a safety orientation and update guests with the latest information. Depending on the weather, the wind and the ice conditions, the program will be determined for the next few days.
When everyone is on board at 12.00, with favorable wind we will leave for Tryghamna, where we drop anchor.
Day 2:
We head to the bird cliff Alkhornet, at the beginning of the Tryghamna. Here breed thousands of kittiwakes. Then we continue towards Eidembukta, a paradise for geologists, photographers and others (!) Often we see the first reindeer and maybe our first bear tracks…!
Day 3:
We sail through the Forlandsundet farther to the north and pass Poolepynten, a spot to see walruses on land. The water is deep, so we can approach them quite close. With luck we’ll see minke and beluga whales.
The end of this Sund is narrow and shallow, and our route will depend on the ice conditions.
We’ll sail the Kongsfjorden with its mighty glacier at the end, and may visit Ny Ålesund which boasts the northernmost post office in the world (!). (Entrance fee NOK. 100, not included in the fare.)
This village is inhabited mainly by scientists conducting research on the Arctic. It was also the starting point of former North Pole expeditions led by Amundsen and Nobile. The birds here, including various species of ducks and geese are exceptionally tame. You also have the opportunity here to encounter deer and foxes.
Day 4:
We go on and continue the journey to the Krossfjord, where we will admire the 14th of July Glacier. Then we sail to the Lilliehöökfjord. In the distance you can admire an immense glacier!We’ll go ashore with the zodiacs and, if the snow has melted, will enjoy impressive plant and animal life here. With a little luck we see an arctic fox scurrying along.
Day 5:
We will continue going further north. We will soon arrive near the 80th parallel (!). Compared to Antarctica where traveled “only” down to the 65th parallel. All of this thanks to the warm Gulf Stream which flows along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
We head to one of the most photographed fjords of Svalbard: the Magdalena Fjord. After a tour of the glacier walls, we find a sheltered anchorage at Trinity Harbour, where there are tombs of (often Dutch) whalers from days gone by! We go ashore here and walk to the glacier “around the corner”. With luck we will also see walruses.
Day 6-8:
We leave the Magdalena Fjord today and head for the Liefdefjord through Smeerenburg and Sallyhamna, a sheltered anchorage. On this part of the trip the chance to see polar bears increases,
In Love Fjord is Mushamna, a beloved, secluded cove to drop anchor. If the ice allows, we will see the impressive Monaco Glacier and many other beautiful places! We’ll take the time to admire everything.
Day 9:
We will anchor at a bird island, which is rarely visited and if it works (wind?, polar bears?) We will go ashore.
Day 10-12:
We leave this northern part of Spitsbergen and head south, sailing through the Fuglefjord, Smeerenburg in the direction of Isfjorden, where we anchor for the last time at Trygghamna.
Day 13:
Longyearbyen. Everyone departs from the Anne-Margaretha. Traveling in Svalbard is an experience you will never forget!
Data Spitsbergen Travel I: 6-18 June 2017
On board: June 6 at 12:00 pm
Off board: 18 June before 12.00 pm
Data Spitsbergen Travel II: 20 June- July 2, 2017
On board: 20 June at 12:00
Off board: July 2 before 12:00
Number of days: 13
Price: € 3,600 p.p. in a two-person cabin
Climate: The warm Gulf Stream has a big influence on the climate of the west coast of Spitsbergen. Since the temperature is rather mild we will see varied flora and fauna. In the summer the temp. will be around + 6° C. The east coast is influenced by the northerly polar winds and it’s much colder. Because of the low atmospheric humidity the temp. usually feels less cold.
Flora and fauna: On the tundras and cliffs we will see all kind of mosses and flowers. The cliffs are also a favorite breeding ground for sea birds like puffins and glaucous gulls, etc
The tundras are the natural habitat for polar foxes and reindeer. Along the coastline we will meet walruses and seals. The most well known arctic animal is of course the polar bear. Normally they stay on/near the ice pack, but in past years polar bears have been seen near Longyearbyen, our harbour where the Anne-Margaretha starts and ends. That’s why all excursions will include armed guides!
The trips are in June / July, the period when we will see a lot of breeding birds and flowers.
What to take with you?
We are sailing in the summer, but it’s near the Northpole and the summer temperatures will be between – 6 and + 6 degrees Celcius. If there’s wind it can be chilly.
Recommended packing list
Besides the normal things, take with you:
Warm, waterproof clothes
- Rubber boots (needed by landings). Take not to tight boots, so you can wear 2 pair of socks in it. Boots with a shaft of at least 28 cm high and soft non-slippery soles will be fine
– Warm, waterproof cloves/shawl/cap - (enough) clothes for cold weather (hardly possibility to wash clothes..!) We recommend thermal underwear (polypropylene or wool), fleece or wool sweaters
- Warm socks (synthetic blend or wool)
- Sunglasses
- Light shoes for in the ship
- Possible CD’s/or USB with music
- Possible a cord for glasses (!)
- Towels
- Sleeping bag and sheet (you also can rent the bed-clothes for € 15 for the whole trip. Please let us know before) Pillow with pillow case is on your bed.
- If necessary medicines
- Passport, or ID card (evt. Visa)
- Day-rucksack for landings/hikes
- (Copy of) your medical and travel insurance
- Camera with enough memory (You will make more pictures than you prob. did ever before!)
- Binoculars
Please use a strong weekend bag or Duffle bag ( No suitcases! We don’t have space)
Be sure that your lugagge is well labeled with your name and destination (Sailing Vessel Anne-Margaretha, Longyearbyen and phone number of the ship ( you’ll get in time) outside and also a paper inside with all your details!
We have place for charging batteries (in every cabin).
On the ship we have all safety equipment ( also life jackets for adults)
See for more impressions our photo album: A compilation of our travels through Spitsbergen