In the Ice Floes of Greenland and Spitsbergen: The Kingdom of Polar Bears
The ice floe spans over 8 million square kilometers of the Arctic Ocean, forming one of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet, where the polar bear reigns supreme.
For the first time, we will embark on a 10-day journey aboard our polar ship, the Ocean Nova. This exclusive expedition, lasting a total of 15 days, is reserved for just 70 passengers.
While the polar bear and the sea ice are our primary objectives, we will also encounter walruses, whales, ivory gulls, seal colonies, and the stunning northern landscapes of Spitsbergen. Accompanied by a team of onboard experts and the polar expertise of the ship’s officers, this journey promises an unforgettable Arctic experience.
Depending on the ice conditions, we’ll approach the coast to visit the Sept-Îles archipelago (the northernmost point), the Monaco Glacier named after Prince Albert I, the Smeerenburg fjord known for its whaling and trapping history, and Madeleine Bay, an iconic spot in the archipelago.Further south, we’ll encounter seabird colonies, polar foxes, grazing reindeer, bearded seals, and possibly white whales along the coast, ending our journey at Isfjord.
Disembarkation is scheduled around 9:00 AM in Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen. If time permits, we’ll enjoy a city tour before transferring to the airport for a private flight to Tromsø and Oslo, arriving around 19:00.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Flights from Europe typically arrive around 16:00 local time at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. The Ocean Nova will be waiting at the dock of this fishing town for immediate departure. We’ll sail across Reykjavik’s large bay to Akranes/Alftanes, tragically known for the sinking of the "Pourquoi Pas?" commanded by Charcot in 1936. We’ll also see the Snæfells volcano, made famous as the starting point of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
While crossing the Denmark Strait, we’ll stay on deck searching for large whales and orcas. By the end of the day, we’ll encounter our first patches of drifting ice floes.
We’ll explore the region of multi-year ice floes drifting in the Fram Strait, where massive Greenland icebergs and an abundance of wildlife—including seal colonies, whales, and polar bears—can be seen.
Between Greenland and Spitsbergen, the permanent red-marked ice floe forms an impassable barrier. We’ll navigate its edges, where ocean life thrives, for two unforgettable days.
Depending on the ice conditions, we’ll approach the coast to visit the Sept-Îles archipelago (the northernmost point), the Monaco Glacier named after Prince Albert I, the Smeerenburg fjord known for its whaling and trapping history, and Madeleine Bay, an iconic spot in the archipelago.Further south, we’ll encounter seabird colonies, polar foxes, grazing reindeer, bearded seals, and possibly white whales along the coast, ending our journey at Isfjord.
Disembarkation is scheduled around 9:00 AM in Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen. If time permits, we’ll enjoy a city tour before transferring to the airport for a private flight to Tromsø and Oslo, arriving around 19:00.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Flights from Europe typically arrive around 16:00 local time at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. The Ocean Nova will be waiting at the dock of this fishing town for immediate departure. We’ll sail across Reykjavik’s large bay to Akranes/Alftanes, tragically known for the sinking of the "Pourquoi Pas?" commanded by Charcot in 1936. We’ll also see the Snæfells volcano, made famous as the starting point of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
While crossing the Denmark Strait, we’ll stay on deck searching for large whales and orcas. By the end of the day, we’ll encounter our first patches of drifting ice floes.
We’ll explore the region of multi-year ice floes drifting in the Fram Strait, where massive Greenland icebergs and an abundance of wildlife—including seal colonies, whales, and polar bears—can be seen.
Vessel Type: Expedition
Length: 73 metres
Passenger Capacity: 86
Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2005
The ice-strengthened expedition ship Ocean Nova was built in Denmark in 1992 with high ice class to serve Greenland’s west coast. In 2004 to 2005 she was completely refurbished and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. The Ocean Nova accommodates 86 passengers in single, double and triple cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The double cabins have either two lower beds or upper... Read More
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