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: 119

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  1. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 98 reviews98 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

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    Symbols

    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 98 reviews98 reviews
  2. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 386 reviews386 reviews

    Dog Sledding in the Polar Night - Arctic Husky Travellers

    Longyearbyen

    Hopefully, we'll see the magical Northern Lights dancing across the sky while dog sledding through the Polar Night. The dogs are eager and looking forward to the winter!

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 386 reviews386 reviews
  3. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 961 reviews961 reviews

    Ice Cave Tour by Snowmobiles - Poli Arctici

    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.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suited for most, also those without any snowmobile experience. Tour in easy and flat terrain.

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    Symbols

    • Ice cave
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 961 reviews961 reviews
  4. Wildlife & nature photo exploring, with a limited number of participants - See & Explore

    Longyearbyen

    Wildlife and nature photography are our specialties, and we will seek the magical light and try to get you to the very best spots in and around Longyearbyen together with an experienced nature guide.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
  5. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 44 reviews44 reviews

    Private hiking tours - Backyard Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    We design special tours for families, hikers, and more experienced mountain scramblers. This product is customized for your group. Examples might be an easy hike with a bonfire, ridge rides or just a guide with rifle to accompany you.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Food
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Hiking
    • Photo safari

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 44 reviews44 reviews
  6. Customised Hikes: The guide's choice - Chose your own pace and goal -Rana Itinerans

    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?

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Hiking
  7. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 610 reviews610 reviews

    Fuglefjella: Wildlife Hike from the Coast - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

    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.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 4

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 610 reviews610 reviews
  8. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 reviews

    One of natures great events - The bird jumping in Trygghamna - Better Moments

    Longyearbyen

    Better Moments will offer you a chance to see Svalbard’s biggest bird event during the summer – The bird jumping. For just a few days in July, the chicks will jump from their nests on the huge bird cliff Alkhorne and we will be there to see them…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Closed boat
    • Food
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 reviews
  9. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 72 reviews72 reviews

    Arctic dog sledding in Bolterdalen - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    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!

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 72 reviews72 reviews
  10. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews

    Hike from sea to summit -Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Hike with a view! This trip offers different experiences from what you can get close to Longyearbyen. We use open polarcircel boats to take us across the Adventfjord to Revneset, from where we’ll start our hike.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 4 - Demands good physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility (steep, slippery and uneven terrain)

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Hiking
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews
  11. Stunning views and wildlife - Hike to the bird cliff Fuglefjella - Snowfox Travel

    Longyearbyen

    A true nature hike through the massive 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 stunning view over Isfjorden.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 4 - Demands good physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility (steep, slippery and uneven terrain)

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Food
    • Hiking
  12. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 reviews

    Walrus safari - Two tons of happiness - Better Moments

    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.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Closed boat
    • Food
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 reviews
  13. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews

    Isfjord Safari: Cultural & Historic Svalbard - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Join us on a tour in Isfjorden with an open, steady Polarcirkel boat. Visit places with cultural monuments and experience the vivid bird life.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews
  14. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 536 reviews536 reviews

    Snowmobile Safari to Tempelfjorden - Svalbard Adventures

    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.

    Facilities

    Grading

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

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 536 reviews536 reviews
  15. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 44 reviews44 reviews

    Your first Arctic Camp - Backyard Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Sway away in the Arctic night in mid night sun or under the northern lights. This adventure is for all of you who have always wanted to go camping, but never dared to!

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Expedition
    • Food
    • Hiking
    • Skiing
    • Tent accomodation

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 44 reviews44 reviews
  16. Northern Light chase - See & Explore

    Longyearbyen

    This is a tour where photography and photography knowledge are our main focus.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Handicap-friendly
    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
  17. 3-day 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

    Grading

    • 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
  18. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 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.

    Facilities

    Grading

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

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Food
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 852 reviews852 reviews
  19. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 415 reviews415 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.

    Facilities

    Grading

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

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Food
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 415 reviews415 reviews
  20. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews

    Atlantic Puffin Safari - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Join us on an exciting trip to see the Arctic's own parrot: the Atlantic Puffin. From May to the beginning of August, Svalbard is a bustling bird paradise, as birds from all corners of the world migrate here.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 861 reviews861 reviews
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