Midway between Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago is a spectacular Polar landscape of icebergs, fjords and unspoiled Arctic wilderness. It is Europe’s largest wilderness, a collection of islands within Norway that are closer to the North Pole than they are to the capital city of Oslo. Dramatic icy landscapes, magnificent glaciers and an incredible variety of wildlife inhabiting the tundra are the order of the day. An expedition onboard R/V Kinfish focuses on exploring Svalbard in search of Arctic flora and fauna, as well as its rich history. Due to the ship’s small size with just 12 passenger berths, we are able to access some of the more pristine areas of the archipelago. We can navigate shallower waters and squeeze through tighter spaces and our aim is to show you the wilder and more secluded areas of the archipelago. We want to share with you the greatness of mother earth in this Arctic environment, and we want to continue to do so a long time, therefore environmental protection and conservation of the marine environment is of profound importance to us! We always travel sustainably, backed up by a deep love and respect for our surroundings and a minimal environmental footprint. Those unique moments in life are so valuable to us, when place and time become irrelevant. Whether that is through witnessing the dramatic scenery of a hidden fjord, close-up encounter with wildlife in its natural environment or a simple glass of wine with friends or soon-to-be friends in a comfortable and relaxed environment on board. We can’t wait to show you around! Day 0 - Arrive in Longyearbyen by own arrangements You will make your own international flight arrangements to Longyearbyen. On arrival, transfer to your accommodation either by airport shuttle bus or taxi (own arrangements). The rest of the day is free to explore. Day 1 - Embarkation on R/V Kinfish Today you have some time to explore Longyearbyen before making your way to the port for embarkation between 1600-1630 (unless stated otherwise). Once you’ve met the crew, guides and the rest of your group, we’ll head out to explore the archipelago. Day 2 onwards - Exploring the Arctic During your expedition, we’ll be sailing around the coastline, exploring fjords framed by breathtaking mountains, visiting towering cliffs teeming with large seabird colonies, and spending time cruising through the ice. We’ll be on the lookout for wildlife including polar bears as they hunt for seals. We may see walrus basking in the sunshine on a beach, spot an Arctic fox scampering around on the tundra or see a glacier calving into the icy seas. There is no set itinerary – it will depend upon the weather conditions, the density of the pack ice in the north, and wildlife opportunities. Conditions change over the season, so when you travel will also affect some aspects of your itinerary. Final day - Depart Longyearbyen R/V Kinfish arrives into Longyearbyen port the night before disembarkation to enable you to meet your onward flights. Our final night spent onboard means it’s time for the famous Captain’s farewell dinner! Then it’s time for an early breakfast and your onward journey. Note For all departures, there is no set itinerary – it will depend upon the weather conditions, the density of the ice and wildlife opportunities. Watching undisturbed wildlife in its natural environment is a great experience. Svalbard has strict environmental regulations and is highly regulated regarding the protection of the environment. To avoid disturbance, we operate according to the local regulations as well as AECO’s Wildlife Guidelines. It is possible that access to wildlife may be restricted by national government regulation which we will be required to comply with and your booking is subject to this. Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition. SEASONS IN SVALBARD Late Winter – early Spring (March-April) Ice conditions and wildlife sightings will differ depending on when you travel to Svalbard. In the early season, for example, we tend to visit the western and northern parts of the archipelago as Svalbard is only just coming out of winter and the pack ice hasn’t started to melt away yet. If you are willing to brave the slightly colder temperatures, you'll be rewarded with picture-perfect landscapes of snow-covered mountains, magnificent glaciers, lots of drifting sea ice and wonderful light conditions. Photographers love this time of year for the incredible Arctic landscapes, snowy white backdrops and beautiful pink sunsets, as the sun still sets until 19th April. The colder temperatures often mean clearer skies, and less chance of clouds and fog, meaning white ice and blue skies. The chance to see polar bear mothers with their newborn cubs is enough to make anyone travel to Svalbard at this time of year! Bear in mind there is a lot more ice at this time of year so polar bears have more ice on which to hunt for seals so can be a little more elusive, however this makes a polar bear sighting even more special! We would hope to spot walrus lounging around on the sea ice, and beluga whales, which are often seen swimming along the edge of the ice, are sometimes seen during the early season. Conditions permitting, this is a good time for ice walks and the ship being able to be parked in ice, a draw for photographers wanting those atmospheric Arctic images. Late Spring - Summer (May – mid-August) Temperatures start to rise in May and there is 24 hours of sunshine, known as the midnight sun, until 23rd August. The ice starts to retreat so more of the archipelago becomes accessible and with that, more chance to go further afield to explore. The sunnier it is the more likely seals are to be relaxing on the ice floes and taking in the rays. The more seals there are, the more likely it is to see polar bears on the prowl – polar bears are very active during the summer so keep an eye on ice floes and shorelines for the chance to spot the King of the Arctic. Migratory birds return to the archipelago, including puffins, Arctic terns, guillemots and kittiwakes. Bird cliffs come alive with activity with a frenzy of breeding birds and you’ll have a good chance of seeing Arctic terns perching on icebergs in early Summer. Arctic fox are now out hunting and more easily spotted and walruses may start to be seen on beach haul-outs in larger numbers. During the Summer, shore landings are more accessible, allowing for walks across the blooming tundra so you’ll be able to discover a variety of Arctic flowers and plants. This is also a good time to see whales as the archipelago is much less icy so have a look out for minke whales, humpbacks and even blue whales. Autumn (Late August – mid October) The latter part of the season provides amazing light for photographers, as with less daylight and the sun sitting lower in the sky, there can be a warm glow for much of the day offering unique photographic opportunities. There is still the opportunity to get out and enjoy hikes, and there is a chance of a circumnavigation as more of the archipelago is accessible so you may be able to reach lesser-visited eastern sections of Svalbard with it’s breathtaking glacier fronts and seasonal waterfalls. From mid-September onwards, snow starts to return to the mountains and the fjords start to freeze again. Weather is more dynamic in this time of year and it can sometimes be a bit windier, a reminder of the harsh environment that is the Arctic. Polar bears will often be seen on rocky beaches or prowling across the tundra, but further north, you can still spot them on the pack ice. Migratory birds will depart for warmer climes towards the end of August but some still remain through the autumn months in company of walrus, Arctic fox and reindeer. As the snow returns, the opportunity to photograph bears on ice and with white backdrops becomes a reality again. Whichever time of year you choose, it’s safe to say there’s something incredible to see. Bring a sense of adventure as all expeditions are dependent on weather, ice and wildlife movements so it is important to be flexible, but this is all part of the fun! SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT The ship operates in fragile environments and eco-systems that are sensitive to human intervention. We care about reducing our environmental footprint so we focus on adhering to safe and sustainable operations with a minimal impact. We are committed to operating responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic. All expeditions are planned with the environment forefront in our mind, and as such, we plan our routes in the most environmentally-friendly way so that fuel consumption can be kept to a minimum. We consciously choose products onboard that have minimal ‘food miles’ and source cleaning products in bulk and store them in reusable containers. The use of single-use plastics is reduced as much as possible and we recycle reusable plastics. We have observed the effect of plastic pollution in the Arctic environment which threatens our oceans and marine life and we take action by participating in the Clean Up Svalbard Initiative which aims to clear the coastline of marine debris. All waste and water is handled, treated and disposed of in strict accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL). An expedition onboard R/V Kinfish showcases the fragility of the Arctic environment and we have seen that, once guests have experienced the beauty of the region, it inspires a community of ambassadors for the planet. We feel a responsibility to inspire and advocate for the protection of the Arctic and our Expedition Leaders and crew share knowledge and real-time observations with passengers, fostering a deep appreciation for the region.