Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild. About 3,000 polar bears roam the Barents Sea region, and in summer, expedition ships sail the fjords and pack ice in search of bears, walruses, whales and seabirds under the midnight sun.
At a glance
| Best time | June to August for expedition cruises |
| Getting there | Fly to Longyearbyen from Oslo or Tromsø |
| Time needed | 7 to 12 days on an expedition ship |
| Big draws | Polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, whales, glaciers |
| Good for | Wildlife photographers, adventurous travellers |
Polar bears
- Svalbard’s polar bears spend most of their lives on the sea ice, hunting seals. See our polar bear profile.
- Expedition ships search along the edge of the pack ice to the north and east of the archipelago, where bears are most often seen.
- Sightings are likely on longer cruises that circumnavigate Spitsbergen or reach the pack ice, but never guaranteed.
Other wildlife
- Walruses: haul out on beaches in large groups. See our walrus profile.
- Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer (a small, stocky subspecies). See our Arctic fox and reindeer profiles.
- Whales: belugas, fin whales, humpbacks and, rarely, blue whales and bowhead whales. See our bowhead whale profile.
- Seabirds: huge colonies of little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots and kittiwakes, plus Atlantic puffins, ivory gulls (rare) and Arctic terns.
Choosing an expedition
- Small ships (up to about 100 to 200 passengers) can use zodiacs to land more people at once and reach narrow fjords.
- Circumnavigation cruises (10 to 12 days) reach the pack ice and remote east, with better bear chances.
- Shorter cruises focus on the west coast fjords.
- Look for experienced expedition teams with naturalists and strict wildlife guidelines.
When to go
- June: more sea ice, snowy landscapes and good bear chances.
- July: the warmest month; the pack ice retreats north.
- August: often the easiest time to circumnavigate Spitsbergen.
- March to May: winter-spring snowmobile tours from Longyearbyen, with sunlight returning; bears are occasionally seen, but tours require strict safety measures.
Safety
Polar bears are dangerous. Outside Longyearbyen, people must carry protection against bears, which is why most visitors join organised trips with armed guides. Norwegian law requires keeping a safe distance and never disturbing bears.
Climate change
Svalbard is warming faster than almost anywhere on Earth. Declining sea ice makes hunting harder for polar bears, and some bears spend more time on land. Your visit can raise awareness, and choosing operators that reduce emissions helps.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see polar bears in Svalbard? June to August on expedition cruises that reach the pack ice.
Are polar bear sightings guaranteed? No, but they are likely on longer cruises.
Can I see polar bears from Longyearbyen? Rarely. Bears are occasionally seen near the town, but you usually need a boat or snowmobile trip.
How much does a Svalbard expedition cost? Expedition cruises are expensive, typically several thousand US dollars or more per person.
Related guides
- Arctic wildlife cruises: Svalbard, Greenland and Canada
- Churchill polar bear tours
- What to pack for a polar expedition
- Animal profiles: Polar bear, Walrus, Arctic fox
Cover photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons