June 5th-June 17th  2025

Newly expanded to 13 Days!!!

Arrival Destination:

Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Max. Group Size:

10 People (only 7 spaces available)

Price Per Person: $10,675.00

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About the Tour

Newly expanded to 13 days! This gives you more time to explore the archipelago without pressure to fulfill your dream!

A special experience for photographers in Svalbard.

 I have been working in Svalbard since 2013 on expedition ships and have been running my own tours here since 2022.

I will only be taking 10 guests, that leaves each guest plenty of room to move about. The yacht is 42 meters long and 10 meters wide, which gives you much deck space to explore while we are en route between landings.

This is an expedition tour, which means, there is not a set itinerary, we will go where we think the best photographic opportunities are at that time. We might head up to the ice pack or make landings along the way.

When we do landings, we will be accompanied by 2 expert guides, as we are in polar bear country. Some of you might want to do a hike while others may prefer to stick closer to the shore and photograph. This can be done but in 2 groups, one hiking, and one beach. The main fitness is getting in and out of a the zodiac and walking along shore.

NEW RULES IN SVALBARD FOR 2025

The official rules of Svalbard 2025 are now out. Nobody is happy with the 500 m rule of polar bears. I contacted a couple of tour operators to see what they were doing. They said this is necessary because they just watched four 12 passenger yachts have six drones over the top of a polar bear that was eating a carcass. I agree with them that this is totally unacceptable and there should be consequences. Seems we are all going to pay them.
       The one thing that doesn’t stand out in the rules but is there, once we are 12 miles offshore there are no rules. Meaning we can be closer than 500 m.
Most of that would be ice pack which is actually one of the best places to see polar bears. I have many photos from where there was fast ice and the bears were almost a mile in against the landscape. To me I used to want like everybody else the close-ups. Then I realized I could be taking a zoo picture. Where does the polar bear live?       The times that the bears were very far off and I had to get photos for the ship I was crushed because I thought the people wanted to see the bear closer. The people loved the environmental images with the bears. It told a whole story.
If you are coming just for polar bears and polar bears alone. You would not have liked my tour anyway. I also go for reindeer, walrus, Fox, whale and bird cliffs and ice cliffs, bearded seals, glaciers. Svalbard is a whole package it is not just polar bears. This does not mean we will not go up in the ice pack and look for them.
We will take all opportunity to make sure you get photos of bears. The distance that you will see them I cannot tell you. Everybody going into 2025 is going in with a new game plan. Everyone I talk to that is ethical said we can make this work. I like that attitude. I firmly believe that a good attitude on board makes for a good trip
          It is up to you that are on this list if you want to continue with me or not. All the operators that are going to run in 2025 are going to be dealing with the same thing. It is the attitude you go into the trip with. If you come in with positive then we have positive. If you come in with negative then I’m going to ask you not to come at all.
In this ever-changing world we are constantly changing ourselves and how we do things. We also need to do what is right.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Svalbard is of a wondrous nature but never guaranteed. Most animals people hope to try and see are polar bears, reindeer, arctic fox, seals , whales, puffins, walrus and a multitude of sea birds.

The scenery in that location is breathtaking and moody, 60 % of the island is glaciated. West coast landscape is alpine with pointed mountains, and the northern and eastern side are more wide open with plateau shaped mountains.

The Svalbard walrus population was hunted to near extinction hundreds of years ago and remains Red Listed (Vulnerable) today. Surveys at haul out sites shows their numbers are increasing.

Bearded seals are the largest species of Arctic seal. They grow to lengths of about 7 to 8 feet and range from about 575 to 800 pounds.

Wildlife viewing can be down from either the yacht or the zodiacs when we cruise, and from our landings.  The vessel is equipped with 2 new Mark V zodiacs for your cruising pleasure.

Lodging

The cabins are double occupancy and sharing, all cabins are bunk beds with shared toilet/shower (they have a sink in each cabin) except 1. One large suite has twin beds and a private shower and toilet. (extra cost) . ($900.00)

All guest accommodations are being completely redesigned in 2020 with expedition operations and comfort in mind – the spacious cabins are equipped with multiple 230V electrical sockets for all photography and videographer recharging needs.

As expedition professionals, we know that food is an important part of any polar adventure! Our Chef will prepare and serve high-quality meals with global flavors that will please any palate.

The landscape at that time will be stunning.

Cruising through the ice is an experience that you will never forget. You can hear the air bubbles being released in the brash ice, as it snaps and pops. Experiences during this trip are not just photographic, they are on sensory overload.

We can fully utilize the bow, top deck and other spaces around the ship to photograph from. The main deck is low and spacious, perfect for getting good angle images.

Important Note

This is a photographic tour, not a workshop, you will need to have some knowledge of how to operate your camera. Even though I am helping with the settings, you should be familiar with your camera, and have patience.

Our Itinerary

Pricing Details

Per person = $10,675.00

See below for deposit information

Important Information

Deposit

A deposit of $500.00 is required to hold your spot. It the tour fills, the  $1,250.00  will be required to finish the deposit.   Please review our Terms & Conditions before inquiring about a reservation. Please note: We reserve the right to decline your deposit if we feel you aren’t able to meet the physical requirements of the trip.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Vaccinations/boosters are subject to the requirements of the country.