Encounter the Wildlife of Spitsbergen

The Arctic is an environment unlike any other and bear watching holidays to this incredible region will be the experience of a lifetime. In particular, it is the summer months in Spitsbergen - the largest of the five Svalbard Archipelago islands - that reveal an incredible array of wildlife, including the much sought-after Polar Bear.

Polar Bears

Bear watching holidays in the Arctic will include excursions on an ice-strengthened vessel that can make its way through the deep pack ice where the magnificent Polar Bear is most likely to be found lingering. A good indication of their whereabouts can often be given by the other wildlife on the pack ice, such as the appearance of three seal species: Harp, Bearded and Ringed. All of these present as an excellent meal for a Polar Bear, making a sighting the ideal place for visitors to watch in the hopes of observing one of the majestic creatures.

Whales

It is impossible to ignore the history of the island, and what it has meant for the whales, with the sight of the long-abandoned whaling stations. Due to the heavy amount of whaling throughout the 17th century, it is a thrilling experience for any wildlife enthusiast to experience the treat of a whale sighting in the Svalbard waters. Bear watching holidays to Spitsbergen invariably include an excursion to encounter the many different species of cetacean, such as the Humpback Whale, Fin Whale, Minke Whale, Beluga Whale and even the odd Blue Whale.

Birdlife

The clear, unpolluted atmosphere of the area plays host to an overwhelming number of avian species, which migrate to Spitsbergen in the milder summer period. The seabird breeding colonies present a stunning photo opportunity, as the skies fill with the whirring wings of a vast array of species.

Brünnich’s Guillemots, Common Guillemots, Puffins, Black Guillemots, Little Auks, ‘Blue’ Fulmars and Kittiwakes are just a few of the species that can be seen in the seabird breeding colonies located on the cliff faces close to the open water here. Further inland enthusiasts can see Red-throated Divers, Purple Sandpipers, Grey Phalaropes, Long-tailed Ducks, Long-tailed Skuas, Pink-footed Geese, Barnacle Geese, Glaucous Gulls, Eider, Arctic Tern, Ptarmigan, Pomarine Skuas, and many more. For those on bear watching holidays, the sight of an Ivory Gull is another hopeful indicator that a Polar Bear is near, as they tend to follow them.

Other Arctic Mammals

Other exciting wildlife that may be seen throughout the course of Arctic bear watching holidays includes Walrus, Reindeer, Arctic Foxes and Seals. Each hold their very own intriguing behavioural patterns to delight and mystify nature lovers - such as the duelling male Walruses disputing their territory; sneaky Arctic Foxes lingering near the bird colonies in the hopes of a stray wanderer to become their next meal; or the resilience of the Reindeer to survive during the harsh winters, which provide them with such little vegetation.

In truth, one can't help but be awed by the Arctic wildlife’s will to survive when faced with such extreme conditions, and it's a true testament to the power of our natural world.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for bear watching holidays, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

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