Svalbard Expedition: Sailing 80° North
Discover the remote northern fjords of Svalbard aboard T/S Saeftinghe.
From 20 to 31 July 2027, we leave Longyearbyen behind and set course for the northern regions of Svalbard. Unlike our week-long voyages, we spend less time exploring Isfjorden and use the additional days to travel deeper into the High Arctic.
Our route may take us to Ny-Ålesund and Kongsfjorden, the historic Magdalenefjorden and the impressive Raudfjorden, where no fewer than nine glaciers descend towards the sea. These remote northern fjords reveal Svalbard at its wildest, surrounded by rugged mountains, immense glaciers and vast Arctic landscapes.
Hiking and wildlife are central to this expedition. A professional guide from Backyard Svalbard accompanies us throughout the journey, leads our landings and hikes whenever conditions permit and shares their knowledge of the wildlife, ecology and history of the archipelago.
An intimate Arctic expedition for those who want to travel beyond the more accessible parts of Svalbard and experience its northern wilderness from both land and sea.
- Embark at: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Disembark at: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Estimated number of nautical miles: 400
- Full Board
- Classification: 3 icebergs
Our programme during this trip
Embarkation
T/S Saeftinghe will be ready for you in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Embarkation is scheduled on Tuesday 20 July 2027 from 17:00 onwards.
After settling in aboard, we introduce you to the ship, the crew and the safety procedures for the expedition ahead. Our professional guide from Backyard Svalbard will explain the rules for going ashore and travelling safely through polar bear territory.
Our Program
During this eleven-day expedition, we spend less time in Isfjorden and set course towards the northern regions of Svalbard as soon as conditions allow. The additional time gives us the opportunity to travel farther and explore fjords that cannot normally be reached during our shorter voyages.
Our exact route is not fixed in advance. Wind, weather, sea conditions, sea ice and wildlife activity determine where we sail, anchor and go ashore. This flexibility allows the captain and guide to make the most of the conditions and the opportunities we encounter along the way.
Possible destinations include Ny-Ålesund, one of the world’s northernmost settlements, and the spectacular landscapes of Kongsfjorden. From there, we may continue towards Magdalenefjorden, a historic anchorage surrounded by steep mountains, glaciers and traces of Svalbard’s whaling past.
One of the potential highlights of the expedition is Raudfjorden. Situated in the remote northwest of Spitsbergen, this impressive fjord is surrounded by dramatic mountains and no fewer than nine glaciers descending towards the sea. It is a powerful landscape that shows the scale and raw beauty of the High Arctic.
Wildlife is an important focus throughout the voyage. From the deck and during our landings, we search for walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, reindeer, whales and the many bird species found around Svalbard during summer. Polar bears may also be present, but every encounter with wildlife remains unpredictable and can never be guaranteed.
Whenever conditions permit, we go ashore for guided hikes. These excursions may take us across Arctic tundra, along remote coastlines or towards viewpoints overlooking glaciers and fjords. Our guide from Backyard Svalbard leads every landing, monitors the surroundings and shares their local knowledge of Svalbard’s wildlife, ecology, geology and history.
Under the midnight sun, daylight never disappears. This gives us the freedom to adapt our daily rhythm and use the best conditions for sailing, hiking and observing wildlife. There is no rigid itinerary: nature determines the route, and every day brings a new opportunity to explore.
Disembarkation
The voyage ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, on Saturday morning 31 July 2027 after breakfast.
This trip is in full board
What is included in Full Board?
- Welcome on board
- Accommodation on board based on 2 persons per room. A room consists of 2 single beds (bunk beds) with shared washroom.
- Breakfast, Light lunch, Dinner
- Water, coffee and tea à volonté
- Performance captain and one crew member
- Use of safety equipment
- Use of the ship for the purposes described in the programme (mooring fees, fuel costs, maintenance, insurance,...)
- Bed and bath linen
What are the extras?
- Travel and accommodation costs other than on board
- Transfers from or to the port of arrival or the port of departure
- Excursions if not mentioned in the programme
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Communication costs
- Appropriate clothing and footwear
- Costs for excursions, restaurant,... if not specifically mentioned in the programme.
For whom is this trip suitable?
With our voyages, we aim to introduce beginners to sailing and the ocean on the one hand, and experienced sailors who want to do something different on the other. But of course, not every trip is the same... That's why we distinguish between heaviness and effort. That way you have an idea of what you can, should and should expect.
This trip has 3 icebergs.
These voyages are defined by longer crossings, which may range from two days to several weeks at sea. Routes often lead into remote regions where weather, sea state and conditions can become demanding, and where assistance may be further away than in more populated sailing areas. Participants should be prepared for a more intensive experience and a higher degree of self-reliance. This is the level where sailing becomes a true expedition and where the journey itself is the destination.