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
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Longyearbyen
After driving to the base of Longyear Glacier, venture into the stunning ice cave formed by a labyrinth of meltwater channels beneath the surface of the glacier.
Longyearbyen
Join us on a journey through Svalbard's stunning contrasts! Set off on a spectacular snowmobile adventure across Nordenskiöld Land to Van Mijenfjorden, where you’ll be immersed in breathtaking landscapes and captivating wildlife.
Longyearbyen
This hike takes you to a place far away from the town to the real silence of the arctic. Expect a completely different place than on our other hikes!
Longyearbyen
There's plenty of fish in the Isfjord in Svalbard. The locals in Svalbard have been able to harvest these resources for a long time, and now it's finally your turn to go fishing in the Arctic!
Longyearbyen
Welcome to a unique boat tour aboard MS Bard. On this trip you get to experience the very best of Svalbard's spectacular coastal landscapes. The captain sets the course according to today's wind and weather conditions - no two trips are the same!
Longyearbyen
Join us on this easy accessible, but stunning nature hike, which will take us through the beautiful valley of Bjørndalen.
Longyearbyen
Mush your own dog sledge with Alaskan Huskies together with our experienced Svalbard guides. Feel and make your own adventure in the Arctic nature, we go in small groups to give you the best experience possible!
Longyearbyen
Spectacular RIB safari through Isfjorden, where we combine a fjord adventure with a scenic hike to the impressive Hyperittfossen waterfall. This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience Svalbard’s landscapes both from the sea and on foot
Longyearbyen
This boat trip takes you to the mighty glacier front of Tunabreen. You’ll travel through beautiful fjords and majestic landscapes.
Includes some local history, as we pass Villa Fredheim: the home and hunting base of the old trapper Hilmar Nøis
Longyearbyen
We will pick you up at the hotel you're staying at and drive to Nybyen where we prepare for the hike and start on the ascent of the eastern slope of Sarkofagen. We'll have a longer break followed by a warm lunch and hot drinks on the top, after…
Longyearbyen
The bird mountain entitled “Fuglefjella” is well-known for its bustling wildlife with sea birds like the little auk to guillemots, gulls and fulmars.
Longyearbyen
Join our adventure through the magnificent nature of Svalbard. Through the stunning valleys, past glaciers and wildlife, go where adventure awaits. This experience is there to create some unbeatable memories!
Longyearbyen
Ready for a snowmobile adventure in the Arctic Polar night?
Join our accessible snowmobile trip towards the Pingo.
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
This is a tour where photography and photography knowledge are our main focus.
Longyearbyen
Ready to explore the magical Northern lights? Join us on this easily accessible, but incredible hunt by car, for the magical Northern Lights!
Longyearbyen
This is the perfect trip for the snowmobile first timers. Even with a short distance to Longyearbyen, its still an amazing wilderness experience, with the arctic winter scenery and Svalbard landscape included.
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
A long and cold winter is coming to an end. The midnight sun shines high on northern sky. It's May, and spring has come to the Arctic. This is the month of the return of the birds to Svalbard. The Spitsbergen's fjords are ready for a new boat season.
Longyearbyen
The Spitsbergen Lodge Winter Safari is a 2 or 3 days long snowmobile trip with accommodation at our Spitsbergen Expedition Lodge. The Expeditionion Lodge has capacity for maximum 10 guests, and is a sheltered and comfortable base for exploring the…