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: 108
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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468 reviewsLongyearbyen
Do you want to try an exiting and traditionell way of travelling in the Arctic? Join us for a kayak trip over the Advent Bay.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
468 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us for a hike over the glacier, uphill towards the ice cave on Larsbreen!
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177 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on M/V "Polargirl" for an evening trip searching for the biggest animals on the planet, the blue whale.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
177 reviewsLongyearbyen
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?
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsLongyearbyen
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!
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374 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
482 reviewsLongyearbyen
Explore the surroundings of Longyearbyen on our innovative electric snowmobiles from Lynx!
After charging up with solar power, we venture through the historical areas of Longyearbyen before heading to the cozy cabin, Advent Lodge.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
482 reviewsLongyearbyen
This is a tour where exploring and time for photography, are our main focus.
Longyearbyen
Ready to drive out into the wilderness and discover all beauty Svalbard has to offer by snowmobile?!
Join our adventure through the stunning nature of Svalbard where we will be on the lookout for wildlife and the best nature spots.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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97 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
747 reviewsLongyearbyen
When you make your way down into the ice cave a frozen world appears. You can see 1000 year old remnants of frozen plants locked in the ice, surrounded by fantastic ice formations, narrow passages and large caverns. Hidden for all who haven’t made…
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747 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
870 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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870 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
482 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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482 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
479 reviewsLongyearbyen
We drive out with a closed RIB to Billefjorden and the Nordenskiöld glacier in scenic and historic surroundings on Svalbard.
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479 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
65 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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65 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
479 reviewsLongyearbyen
On this trip through the arctic landscape on the snow-covered tundra, we will take you through great wide valleys, over passes, along beautiful coastal landscapes, and frozen rivers on the way to beautiful Grønfjorden!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
479 reviewsLongyearbyen
During this challenging but beautiful hike, you will discover why this mountain peak is called Trollsteinen. Enjoy beautiful landscapes and amazing 360 degree views, 850 meters above sea level.
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869 reviewsLongyearbyen
Welcome aboard! Venture out into Northern Isfjord with our experienced Skipper, who will choose the day’s route depending on recent wildlife sightings and weather conditions.
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869 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsLongyearbyen
Would you like a real musher experience where not only the beautiful Svalbard scenery but also the dogs are in focus - our full day with dogsledding provides a great Arctic dogsledding experience!
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374 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
776 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
776 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on this easily accessible, but incredible hunt for the magical Northern Lights!