Bird islands & glacier ice in the Norwegian Arctic

Longyearbyen

Located on the main island of the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen is the northernmost settlement in the world —a remote Arctic town framed by glaciers and endless mountain ranges. Once a center of coal mining, today it warmly welcomes travelers with incredibly clear air, often almost surreal silence, and temperatures that can drop below –40°C in winter.

Samarinvågen

The calving glacier in Samarinvågen often fills the bay with drifting ice, creating ideal resting places for bearded seals. Seabirds are abundant here, including red-throated divers, thick-billed guillemots, and eider ducks—both the common and king eider species. With a little luck, you may even spot a beluga whale surfacing in the calm waters.

Bear Island

Bear Island (Bjørnøya) is a remote outpost in the Barents Sea, located approximately 235 km south of Spitsbergen and 397 km northwest of the Norwegian mainland. With an area of 178 km², it is the southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago and is characterized by its dramatic cliffs, steep coastlines, and rich history.

The island was declared a nature reserve in 2002, along with the surrounding waters, in order to protect its unique flora and fauna. Access is therefore only permitted in certain areas and at certain times so as not to disturb the sensitive ecosystems. One outstanding feature of Bear Island is its bird life. The southern cliffs are home to huge colonies of seabirds such as puffins, thick-billed murres, razorbills, and eider ducks. In total, over a million seabirds gather here during the breeding season. The island is also an important resting place for migratory birds such as barnacle geese and brent geese. Its isolated location and undisturbed nature make it a paradise for ornithologists and nature lovers.

Although Bear Island is not permanently inhabited, there is a meteorological station on the island that is operated by Norway.

bearded seals

Bearded seals are often seen on drifting ice floes in calm bays such as Samarinvågen. Recognizable by their long whiskers and broad, square snouts, they are mostly solitary and spend much of their time diving for bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates. Slow and cautious, they are superbly adapted to life in the icy waters of the high Arctic.

reindeer

Reindeer roam the tundra in small, scattered groups, grazing on moss, lichen, and hardy plants. With their short legs, thick fur, and round bodies, they are ideally adapted to life in the Arctic.

belugas

Belugas are occasionally observed in the calm fjords of the Arctic, where they swim in small, tight groups just below the surface of the water. Their light coloring and round heads make them instantly recognizable, and their diverse vocalizations have earned them the nickname "canaries of the sea." Often sociable and sometimes curious, they nevertheless remain one of the shyest marine mammal species in the region.

puffin

As the "clowns of the sea," puffins delight with their colorful beaks, upright stance, and rapid wing beats. In summer, they gather in huge colonies on northern cliffs to breed and raise their chicks—one of the most endearing wildlife spectacles in the Arctic.