Two persons standing next to each other in winter clothing in a snowy landscape. In the background there's a mountain range and a glacier.

Arctic Nature Experiences

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?

  1. Persons sitting and talking with a guide
    A new addition to your group of friends who'll make your adventure unforgettable
  2. A group of guests and a guide on board a RIB boat
    Full of exotic and wildly beautiful experiences

Close to nature

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.

  1. Two Svalbard reindeer grazing in the snow in front of some houses
    Read the Longyearbyen Community Guidelines here
  2. Two persons on snowmobiles looking towards Longyearbyen in the background
    In Svalbard's blue hour

Experience Svalbard together

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.

  1. A group of guests and a guide eating lunch around a campfire
    Both in the wilderness and in Longyearbyen
  2. Two persons cheering with their arms in the air standing on a rock behind a line of snowmobiles
    Create memories that'll remain frozen to your mind

Inspiration for your nature experiences in Svalbard

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.

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Number of results: 91

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  1. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 94 reviews94 reviews

    Husky Slider - Dog Sledding Tour - Svalbard Villmarkssenter

    Longyearbyen

    Variable weather, northern lights, crystal-clear skies full of stars, moonlight or sunshine both day and night; these are variations only the Arctic can give. Experience Svalbard by dog sledding.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 94 reviews94 reviews
  2. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 69 reviews69 reviews

    Mushing over the Arctic tundra - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    Longyearbyen

    Explore Svalbard in the same way as the polar heroes Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Dog sledding is also a true nature adventure amongst the locals in Longyearbyen. When traveling with dogsled you will reach the peaceful and majestic areas that…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 69 reviews69 reviews
  3. 3-days summer adventure to Isfjord Radio - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    * 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.

    Facilities

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Bed accomodation
    • Closed boat
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Expedition
    • Food
    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
    • Toilet
    • Wellness
  4. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 713 reviews713 reviews

    Catching the light - Aurora Borealis with dinner - Better Moments

    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.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience. Very easy and flat terrain.

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    • Food
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 713 reviews713 reviews
  5. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 591 reviews591 reviews

    Snowmobile expedition to the Juva Cabin - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    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…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience. Through some rugged terrain.

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    Symbols

    • Bed accomodation
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Expedition
    • Food
    • Snowmobile
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 591 reviews591 reviews
  6. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 591 reviews591 reviews

    Sea Fishing in the Arctic - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    There's plenty of fish in the Isfjord in Svalbard. The last few years, Longyearbyen has had an abundance of large cod during the late summer season and during the fall. The locals in Svalbard have been able to harvest these resources for a long…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Fishing
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 591 reviews591 reviews
  7. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 335 reviews335 reviews

    Platåfjellet: Hike with panoramic view of Longyearbyen - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

    Longyearbyen

    Join us for a trip to the summit of Platåfjellet and get the beautiful panorama view of Longyearbyen, 424 metres above sea level!

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Demands average physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility (uneven and partly steep terrain).

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 335 reviews335 reviews
  8. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 68 reviews68 reviews

    Spot the dot - Wildlife and glacier safari with RIB-boat - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    Longyearbyen

    Join us on an open RIB boat fjord safari through the bright summer in Svalbard. Summer light revealing the treasures of the mountains, glaciers and Arctic ocean. We must keep our eyes open for wildlife in the fjord.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Open boat
    • Photo safari

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 68 reviews68 reviews
  9. 2-days summer adventure to Isfjord Radio - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    * Isfjord På svalbard

    Experience a comfortable overnight stay in the Arctic wilderness. Isfjord Radio is a charming hotel situated on the windswept grounds of Kapp Linné. This is the place to observe the Arctic bird- and wildlife and unique dining experiences.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Bed accomodation
    • Closed boat
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Hiking
    • Sightseeing and lectures
    • Toilet
    • Wellness
  10. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 418 reviews418 reviews

    Arctic Dog Sledding - Svalbard Husky

    Longyearbyen

    The best way to experience the beauty and endlessness of the Arctic landscape is on a dogsled. During this time, the light has returned from the long polar night and everything is awake again. As always, our huskies are ready to run.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 418 reviews418 reviews
  11. Customised Hikes and PhotoHike: The guide's choice - Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    Do you have 30kg of photo-gear? Are you travelling with children? Do you want to take it easier, slower, later or longer? Whatever the reason, we provide you with a unique experience fitting your interests and the way you want to hike, from 2 to…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
  12. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 335 reviews335 reviews

    Sarkofagen: Hike in glaciers and mountains - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

    Longyearbyen

    Explore a fascinating glacier world close to town with meltwater channels, mountains and moraines.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Demands average physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility (uneven and partly steep terrain)

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 335 reviews335 reviews
  13. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 363 reviews363 reviews

    Snowmobile tour to the west coast - Spitzbergen Adventures

    Longyearbyen

    Join us for a trip to Grønfjorden! We will cross snow covered mountains and wide valleys, drive over a glacier, pass hunting cabins, a closed mining town and other interesting things.

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    Grading

    • 4 - Previous snowmobile experience is an advantage. Day trip through some rugged terrain.

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    Symbols

    • Food
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 363 reviews363 reviews
  14. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1232 reviews1232 reviews

    Foxfonna Hike - Green Dog Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Come and see Advendalen and the surrounding mountains from a bird’s
    eye view!
    The trip is a total of roughly 7 km and takes about 7 hours and includes lunsj&hot drink.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Demands average physical Fitness. Not suitable if you have limited mobility (uneven and partly steep terrain)

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    Symbols

    • Food
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1232 reviews1232 reviews
  15. Photography hiking tour around Longyearbyen - See & Explore

    Longyearbyen

    Our primary focus, on this tour, is nature photography and wildlife and to find the good views for eyes and / or camera. Our focus depends on the season and which species that are in the area at the moment. From September and up to early April, our…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
  16. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 714 reviews714 reviews

    Summer adventure on a snowmobile - Better Moments

    Longyearbyen


    Our summer adventure will give you a great combination of hiking and snowmobiling on Svalbard. On this trip, you will enjoy the beautiful views around Longyearbyen and of an island slowly awaking from hibernation.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience. Through some rugged terrain.

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Food
    • Hiking
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 714 reviews714 reviews
  17. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 361 reviews361 reviews

    Mountain dog sledding - Arctic Husky Travellers

    Longyearbyen

    In the mountains the snow remains longer. We go dogsledding 400 m above sea level enjoying the beautiful view over Adventdalen and the surrounding mountains.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 361 reviews361 reviews
  18. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 745 reviews745 reviews

    Speedboat to Tempelfjorden and Tuna Glacier - Poli Arctici

    Longyearbyen

    Travel by speedboat to the heart of the Sassen-Bünsow Land National Park for a chance to explore the historic trapper cabin at Fredheim and to view the massive blue front of the Tuna Glacier.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Food
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 745 reviews745 reviews
  19. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 167 reviews167 reviews

    Svalbard's original fjordcruise - HTG

    Longyearbyen

    The original fjordcruise adventure! 16 years filled with unique memories and experiences in Isfjorden.
    Fjordcruise in Billefjorden – an unforgettable opportunity to experience Svalbard’s Arctic wildlife.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Closed boat
    • Food
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 167 reviews167 reviews
  20. 3-days snowmobile adventure to Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    * Isfjord På svalbard

    Explore the Arctic wilderness on a 3-day snowmobile trip to Isfjord Radio. Discover Svalbard's impressive coastline and let us show you the hidden gems. Check in at Svalbard’s most exclusive location and experience the sensational kitchen.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 5 - Previous snowmobile experience is recommended. Long trip through some rugged terrain.

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Bed accomodation
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Expedition
    • Food
    • Snowmobile
    • Toilet
    • Wellness
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