Svalbard Wildlife Expedition
23 May - 1 June, 2026
An Arctic Experience
Sail with Arctic Tern Expeditions to one of the northernmost regions on the planet, Svalbard. Be a part of a group of just 12 guests as you discover stunning glacial fjords, encounter breathtaking wildlife, and behold the endless pack ice of the Arctic Ocean.
Your expert guides will not only safely navigate you to the center of one of our planet’s last great wildernesses, but will facilitate transformative connections between you and these wild spaces.
Explore, Engage, Conserve
Arctic Tern Expedition’s story started in Svalbard, where we ran our very first expedition for just 12 guests. The awe-inspiring scenery, many fjords replete with wildlife, and the enduring silence of the Arctic keep drawing us back.
We choose to explore Svalbard with our ship, Polarfront - a class leader in conscious polar operations. With reduced a emissions footprint and quiet engines, Polarfront glides through pristine Arctic landscapes with minimal impact.
Through education and stewardship, our goal is always to to travel with the intent and respect that landscape, wildlife, and communities of Svalbard deserve.
Your Guides in Svalbard
Dr. Marcelo Flores, Expedition Leader
Marcelo was born and raised in central Chile. His fascination with the ocean led him to study Marine Biology, specializing in seabirds, marine mammals, oceanography, and invasive species. He possesses a Doctorate in Conservation Medicine and vast academic and field experience leading and carrying out conservation and research projects throughout Chile, Patagonia, and the remote Easter Island.
Since 2017 he has been working as a Polar Guide both in Antarctica and the Arctic, and in the present day, he is pausing academic life and preparing to return to the high Arctic in the boreal summer. Marcelo is also an enthusiast and celebrated wildlife photographer. He has been awarded in several photography contests and contributed images to various books on environmental education. Find out more about Marcelo’s body of scientific work here and his photography here.
Phil Hunter, Founder, Expedition Guide
Phil has been guiding travelers around the world’s most remote regions for the past decade, and is grateful for every chance he has to get outside to witness our planet’s most stunning locations. He is a veteran of over 100 trips to the high latitudes, including expeditions to Antarctica, Southeast Alaska, Eastern Greenland, and Svalbard.
Phil’s passion for facilitating life-changing experiences for his guests led to his forming of Arctic Tern Expeditions. Since then, he’s had the privilege of leading in the Arctic and in the tropics under the ATE banner. Through his travels, Phil has learned that truly embedding oneself into the wild regions of our planet leads to a remarkable inner transformation. He encourages his guests to take the photo, but to also leave space for true experience and connection.
Special Guests
Renato Granieri, Award-winning Expedition Photographer
Renato specialises in wildlife and travel photography, earning commissions from newspapers, magazines, tour operators and tourist boards. He leads specialist photographic tours to a number of destinations around the world. He has spent several months working with chimpanzees in Sierra Leone, Uganda and Rwanda.
Award-winning photographer, he’s been featured in a number of international contests, www.renatogranieri.com
He has a strong passion for conservation and has been actively involved in a project in Sierra Leone since 2020, at Tacugama Chimpanzee Conservation centre. Last year, he was awarded the status of official ambassador for the chimpanzees by Tacugama.
Whether you are an advanced photographer wielding a DSLR camera and 500mm lens or an amateur snapper, he is available to help you get the most out of your trips with Arctic Tern Expeditions.
Check out Renato’s amazing photographic work on his website or on his various social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook.
We sail Svalbard with Polarfront
Arctic Tern Expeditions Trips
| Ship | Date | Trip Length (Days) | Prices from (USD) | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polarfront | May 23-June 1, 2026 | 10 | 15,800 | Spaces Available |
| Polarfront | June 1-10, 2026 | 10 | 15,800 | Spaces Available |
What is included:
Onboard cabin, including daily turndown service
Full course meals prepared by expedition chef and complementary wine with dinner
Shore excursions with Zodiac landing craft
Passionate expedition leaders and guides
A vetted polar bear safety program run by experienced Arctic field personnel
Tailor-made educational content
Transfers from hotel to vessel for embarkation and vessel to airport/hotel after disembarkation
Complementary rubber boot rental
Not Included:
Flights to and from Longyearbyen
Hotels in Longyearbyen
Travel insurance (including medical evacuation insurance)
Personal onboard expenses
Gratuities to the expedition guides and crew
Sample sailing plan - 10 days
*Arctic itineraries are not fixed - we explore the opportunities allowed by the prevailing ice and weather conditions of Svalbard.
FAQs
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To get the most from your journey with Arctic Tern Expeditions, it’s important to be stable on your feet and able to undertake short hikes. But there’s no requirement to undertake any given activity, and we usually split into two groups: those who want to go to the top of the hill, and those who’d prefer a more leisurely stroll at the bottom (or a Zodiac cruise!).
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All our Svalbard Expedition Micro Cruises depart from and return to the town of Longyearbyen. Longyearbyen is easily reached by daily flights from Oslo in Norway, making it one of the easiest destinations to reach in the High Arctic.
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Unlike larger vessels with higher passenger capacities, our voyages are personal and unique in their approach. Travelling with a small group of guests means more time exploring, more flexibility, and less time waiting to board Zodiacs and go ashore.
Our small expedition vessels will get you closer to nature and more immersed in the landscape than larger ships, offering you a more immersive and transformative experience with no crowds or queuing.
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Guests are not permitted to use drones during the expedition. In any case a drone is being used during your expedition, it will be for professional use only by a member of the Secret Atlas team with the required permissions.
Limitations are in place to protect the wildlife we encounter. Often, it is not possible to get up-close to the wildlife we see. For more information, check out the ‘Visitor Guidelines’.
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In 2025, the Norwegian government introduced stricter environmental regulations in Svalbard to better protect its fragile Arctic ecosystem and wildlife.
The concept at Arctic Tern Expeditions is built around conscious, responsible travel. These new rules align perfectly with our mission to explore with care and leave a minimal footprint.
We understand you may have questions about how these changes could affect your journey. To help, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about the updated regulations. And of course, if you’d like to chat through the details, our team is always here to help.
For more information regarding your booking, please refer to our booking terms and conditions.