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 21 to 40.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join our polar heroes Barents, Nansen and Nobile on a full day dogsledding trip in Svalbard beautiful and exciting nature
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97 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
394 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
394 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
69 reviewsLongyearbyen
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…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
69 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
465 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join the popular hike to the Trollsteinen, 850 m above sea level!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
465 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
772 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
772 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsLongyearbyen
Explore the gorgeous tundra landscape in Adventdalen from a special-made wagon pulled by a husky team! Lunch, slideshow, and a tundra hike included as well. A full day of activities to explore the Arctic summer at its best!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsLongyearbyen
This is a tour where exploring and time for photography, are our main focus.
Longyearbyen
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
476 reviewsLongyearbyen
Welcome to the heart of the fjords surrounded by a ton of jaw-droppingly beautiful attractions you will not find anywhere else. Travel by RIB boat and experience the huge expanses of glaciers, unique wildlife, and fast-paced joy.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
476 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsLongyearbyen
Together with our 45 eager huskies we will travel though the beautiful valleys in our local area and choose an ice cave to visit.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
374 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
772 reviewsLongyearbyen
Driving through Svalbard’s landscape, in the twilight, is magical. The light will transform the white snow into soft blue and pink pastel colours, gently illuminating the mountains and valleys that have been covered by darkness since November. After…
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772 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
745 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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745 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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865 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
772 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.…
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772 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
434 reviewsLongyearbyen
Welcome to the Arctic and the polar night: a mysterious time where all light comes from the most magical things such as the moon, the northern lights and a million stars. The polar night is best experienced on a dog sled, silently gliding through…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
434 reviewsLongyearbyen
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.
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.