To put it simply, Svalbard is a paradise for outdoors activities all year round. With dramatic landscape and exotic wildlife there’s no wonder why many will nod their heads in agreement to that description of our archipelago in between the mainland of Norway and the North Pole.
Some of the most beautiful things about nature experiences are that they’re both so readily available and can include so many different activities. Experiences in the outdoors offer us the chance to get to know new people, strengthen our bonds with friends, or perhaps venture out on a quick adventure with the family. In addition to the landscape and wildlife, it’s the availability, variation and connection that makes Svalbard’s nature experiences so special, and perhaps the reasons why you’d like to take part in them yourself?
Closeness is the keyword that may seem like a slight contradiction when you consider both how expansive Svalbard is and how sparsely populated it is. But then consider, how many other places in the world are you met on a clear-weathered day with the sight of six glacial fronts in the distance as soon as you’ve walked out of the airport building?
Nature rules everything in Svalbard, and it’s an integral part of the community in our small metropolitan-feeling town Longyearbyen. The town was established in the early 1900s as a mining town due to its closeness to the coal in the nearby mountainsides where several remnants from Svalbard’s old mining industry still stand as cultural heritage sites. Longyearbyen still lives on, but it does so based on the nature’s own terms. Houses are built on pillars and piping is all laid on top of the ground because of the permafrost in the ground which would otherwise strain houses built on solid foundations in the ground or push pipes out of the ground as the ground thaws and freezes with the seasons.
You’ll also find wild Svalbard reindeer casually walking and grazing in between houses and alongside streets. It’s not uncommon to even encounter sleeping reindeer right in the middle of town. As good neighbours we don’t want to disturb nature’s way of life unnecessarily or damage it, and this is especially important in Svalbard which has a particularly vulnerable ecosystem.
In short, you start experiencing nature as soon as you step outside of the hotel door in Svalbard!
Throughout the entire year you’ll find both full-day trips and multi-day overnight trips that allow you to experience the Arctic nature experiences Svalbard has to offer, close to both nature and the ones you’re travelling with.
For the young and old, few and many, dear and near, relaxed and active, and so on, there are activities that will allow you to enjoy Svalbard’s nature. Through the dark season and the polar night you can hunt the northern lights on foot or visit magical ice caves close to Longyearbyen. (maybe you’re lucky enough to spot the elusive mid-day northern lights in the polar night?)
With the Sunny Winter season’s return after the dark season, the sight of landscapes bathed in sunlight comes along as well, marking the beginning of the full-day trips with dog sleds and snowmobiles! Once the Midnight Sun returns in April, ski touring in the low evening sunlight is also recommended as the skiing season in Svalbard keeps going while Spring is returning on Norway’s mainland.
Continuing onwards into the Polar Summer Season, the fresh smell of the mountains, tundra and the fjord returns with the opportunities for hiking trips on bare ground and boat trips on the expansive fjord Isfjorden. In the light and heat of summer, the wildlife returns in full force to Svalbard both on land and in the sea, which it’s both best and safest to enjoy on a guided photo safari, or perhaps a walrus safari.
The opportunities are plentiful in Svalbard’s nature, and it may as such be difficult to find the exact experiences that you’d like to include in your visit. But below you’ll find a full overview of activities and experiences we think may suit your nature-oriented visit in Svalbard!
If you’ve already settled on a date for your visit, we can recommend checking our booking calendar to see which activities are available for you and the ones you’re traveling with to visit us in Svalbard.
Number of results: 121
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Longyearbyen
Do you have a specific project? Do you need a complete different schedule than the usual offer? Do you want your own little challenge without needing to keep up with with a group?
Longyearbyen
The midnight sun officially leaves Svalbard in late August. The following weeks are characterized by magical sunsets during the evenings, that cast golden colors over the wild landscapes. Enjoy this scenery with a dinner on board MS Bard.
* Isfjord På svalbard
The best adventures for nature lovers can be found in the true wilderness, far off the beaten tracks. Isfjord Radio with its adventures, homemade food, and cosy atmosphere will introduce you to the true Svalbard and the wonders of the High Arctic.
Longyearbyen
Join us on this easy accessible, but stunning nature hike, which will take us through the beautiful valley of Bjørndalen.
Longyearbyen
Svalbard’s wildlife is unique and fascinating. Join us on our day trip to experience it from up close! Every day we use our closed and comfortable RIB boats to go to a well-known walrus colony.
Longyearbyen
The hike starts from the dog yard just outside of Longyearbyen. From there, we ascend the hill and follow the ridge for ~1.5 hours to an elevation of 457 meters.
Longyearbyen
Experience an adventure like no other!
When the night never turns dark, and the sky glows with the magical light of the
midnight sun, we’ll take you to the peaks offering the most spectacular views of Svalbard.
Longyearbyen
Join us on our fjord safari and explore the Isfjord where you can absorb all the impressions of the glaciers, mountains and wildlife surrounding us. Along the way, your guide will provide insights into Svalbard's fragile yet unique summer landscape.
Longyearbyen
Join us on a journey into the untouched wilderness of Svalbard. Our destination is the Templefjord, a fjord steeped in history and overlooked by the Temple mountains.
Longyearbyen
An exclusive full day tour for only one (1) person. This trip focuses on watching and photographing wildlife with an experienced nature guide. We will take only YOU out to locations where you can see, experience and take pictures undisturbed.
Longyearbyen
Have you ever dreamt of doing ski touring in Svalbard? Our bespoken ski touring tours in scenic Svalbard nature are unique. Backyard Svalbard is a passionate crew of ski guides, and we will help you find the best fitted tour for your group.
Longyearbyen
Together with our 45 eager huskies we will travel though the beautiful valleys in our local area and choose an ice cave to visit.
Longyearbyen
During the summer and autumn, walrus colonies are often seen resting on beaches and small islets around Svalbard. Join us for an unforgettable boat trip as we venture out to spot these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat!
Longyearbyen
Join us for a great ice adventure. It does not matter if it is the polar night and we are walking with head lights or if it is the sunny winter season. Ice formations and ice caves are some of the most beautiful things that exists.
Longyearbyen
Join our adventure along the west coast of Spitsbergen. On our way we will pass mining settlements, run down trappers’ stations and modern scientific installations.
Longyearbyen
A true nature hike through the stunning valley of Bjørndalen, an area which is full of flora and fauna and where we might be able to observe wildlife. After our climb up to the summit of the bird cliff, we will enjoy the beautiful view over…
Longyearbyen
With a closed rib the possibilities are endless. When the other smaller open boats have to stay home because of hard weather conditions, we can still head out and experience the fjord. Comfortable, warm and fast, we'll travel to where the action is.…
Longyearbyen
Join our hunt for the Aurora borealis on snowmobile. On the way we will stop by our Gamme to enjoy a 3-course dinner together with our guide.
Longyearbyen
Join Hurtigruten Svalbard on a boat tour with a hybrid-electric catamaran. With this new vessel, an exciting and more environmentally friendly boat trip awaits you. The tour takes you through breathtaking landscapes, to Billefjorden and the glacier…
Longyearbyen
The glaciers close to Longyearbyen is stretching from the towering summits of the nearby mountains. We will hike up in the hilly terrain by the foot of the glacier and soon discover the imposing meltwater channels forming the ice caves in Svalbard.