The Arctic is very different from Antarctica. It is an ocean surrounded by land, home to polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer and musk oxen, and to Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit. Expedition cruises in the short summer offer the best way to reach its wildlife.
At a glance
| Season | June to September |
| Main regions | Svalbard, Greenland, Arctic Canada (and the Russian Arctic, currently difficult) |
| Typical length | 7 to 16 days |
| Big draws | Polar bears, walruses, whales, icebergs, Arctic birds, culture |
Comparing Arctic regions
| Region | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Svalbard | Polar bears on pack ice, walruses, reindeer, bird cliffs | The best odds of polar bears. See our Svalbard guide |
| East Greenland | Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system, musk oxen, icebergs, Inuit villages | Landscapes and remoteness |
| West Greenland | Ilulissat Icefjord (UNESCO), humpback whales, Inuit culture | Icebergs and whales. See our Greenland guide |
| Canadian Arctic | Narwhals, belugas, polar bears, the Northwest Passage, Inuit communities | Whales and history. See our narwhal guide |
Wildlife
- Polar bears: best in Svalbard; also in Canada and East Greenland. See our polar bear profile.
- Walruses: Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic. See our walrus profile.
- Whales: narwhals and belugas (Canada), bowheads, humpbacks and fin whales.
- Musk oxen: East and West Greenland, and Canada. See our musk ox profile.
- Arctic foxes, reindeer and caribou, Arctic hares.
- Birds: little auks, guillemots, puffins, ivory gulls, gyrfalcons and snowy owls.
When to go
- June: more sea ice (better for polar bears in Svalbard), snowy landscapes.
- July to August: the warmest months; wildflowers, bird colonies, Greenland and Canada accessible.
- September: autumn colours, the first northern lights, musk oxen in rut.
Choosing a ship
- Smaller ships (under 200 passengers) allow more landings and zodiac cruises.
- Ice-class ships can reach further into the pack ice.
- Look for experienced expedition leaders, polar bear guards and strong wildlife guidelines.
Responsible Arctic travel
- Choose members of AECO (the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), which sets guidelines for wildlife and communities.
- Respect Indigenous communities: ask before photographing people and buy local crafts.
- Keep your distance from polar bears and walruses.
Frequently asked questions
Which Arctic cruise is best for polar bears? Svalbard, particularly voyages reaching the pack ice in June and July.
Where can I see narwhals? In the Canadian Arctic, especially around Baffin Island and Lancaster Sound.
Is the Arctic or Antarctica better? Antarctica has more penguins and larger wildlife concentrations; the Arctic has polar bears, walruses, whales and Indigenous cultures.
How much does an Arctic cruise cost? Usually several thousand US dollars or more per person, depending on length and ship.
Related guides
- Svalbard polar bear expeditions
- Greenland wildlife guide
- What to pack for a polar expedition
- Animal profiles: Polar bear, Walrus, Narwhal
Cover photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons