Eight days in Svalbard, 7 nights aboard Hondius and a dedicated group of sea kayakers exploring one of the great regions of the High Arctic. Glaciers, drifting pack ice, bird cliffs, walruses, reindeer and the possibility of seeing a polar bear: here, each day is shaped by the ice, weather and wildlife.
Svalbard, gateway to the High Arctic
Between mainland Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago is one of the most accessible regions of the High Arctic without losing its wild character. Immense fjords, glaciers flowing into the ocean, tundra, basalt cliffs, thousands of seabirds and drifting ice immediately change your sense of scale.
As Hondius travels north, the atmosphere becomes increasingly polar: more ice, less vegetation, wider horizons and the unmistakable feeling of approaching the edge of the pack ice.
In summer, the midnight sun accompanies the entire expedition. The ship repositions while we sleep, and each morning can reveal a new fjord, a glacier front or an ice-filled area completely different from the day before.
Trip at a glance
Norway · Svalbard · Spitsbergen · Longyearbyen · North Spitsbergen · Pack ice · Hondius
Available on request
Options depend on the sailing schedule of Hondius, cabin availability and places in the kayak group.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Level
- Level 2 — Intermediate
- Kayak group
- Maximum 10 kayakers, within a larger international expedition
- Kayaking
- Minimum target: 6 sessions · around 2 hrs each · often more
- Vessel
- 7 nights aboard Hondius
- Price
- €4,600 in a shared 4-berth cabin · €6,200 in a shared twin cabin
- Experience
- Polar expedition · sea kayaking · Zodiac · landings · wildlife observation
- Programme
- Indicative and continuously adapted to conditions
This is not a mileage-focused journey. Kayaking is organised as exploration sessions: the reference programme aims for at least 6 sessions, and when conditions line up, we aim for more. Sequences devoted to the pack ice and polar-bear observation may take place without kayaking.
Hondius as a floating base camp
This journey works very differently from a classic self-supported sea-kayaking expedition. We do not load eight days of equipment into the kayaks: Hondius carries the logistics and acts as a mobile base camp in the heart of the archipelago.
The vessel frequently repositions overnight and also between activities. We might explore a glaciated fjord in the morning, return aboard for lunch while the ship moves, and spend the afternoon on a completely different coastline, bird colony or landing site.
This mobility is one of the journey’s major advantages: we can make the most of the best window instead of being tied to a fixed route. At midday we return to warmth, food and comfort aboard before heading out again into a new area.
Understanding how the expedition works
How are the kayaking sessions organised?
Kayaking is organised as exploration sessions rather than a mileage-based journey. A session usually lasts around two hours. The reference programme aims for at least six sessions and, when weather, ice and ship operations allow, we aim for more.
The group leaves the vessel by Zodiac with the kayaks towed behind. The Zodiac drops us at the launch point and returns to collect us at the end of the paddle.
Why does a Zodiac accompany the kayakers?
A safety Zodiac stays close to the activity, and the kayak guide remains in radio contact with both the Zodiac and the bridge of Hondius. This makes it possible to change a pick-up point quickly or bring the group off the water if fog comes in, the wind increases or conditions change.
How is polar-bear safety managed?
Polar-bear safety primarily concerns launches and landings. Planned areas are observed from the vessel and then reconnoitred before the group arrives.
If a bear is seen, its presence is suspected or the site no longer provides suitable conditions, the activity is moved or cancelled. The detailed procedures, the roles of the expedition team and the rules to follow are explained during mandatory briefings and set out in the Road Book.
What environmental framework is followed?
The expedition follows the guidelines of AECO — the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators: wildlife-viewing distances, controlled landings, protection of the tundra and a leave no trace approach.
In Svalbard, a good expedition also means knowing when not to approach, when not to land and when to change an activity.
An expedition in constant motion
A large part of the experience comes from the rhythm of the expedition itself: preparing the kayaks, leaving by Zodiac, launching below the mountains and then returning to the ship.
This short vertical video complements the photographs and gives a more immediate feel for life in the field.
Glaciers, pack ice & wildlife
Sea kayaking is only one way of experiencing Svalbard. Some sessions may take place in front of a glacier such as Monacobreen, others below the great bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, in an ice-filled fjord or beside an almost mineral tundra landscape.
Wildlife is part of the expedition but can never be guaranteed: depending on the sites, we may encounter walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seals, cetaceans, Arctic foxes and immense seabird colonies.
Into the pack ice, as far as 82° North
One of the great advantages of Hondius is its ability to leave the fjords and travel into higher latitudes whenever ice and conditions allow. Parts of the expedition may therefore be devoted to the pack-ice edge, sometimes around 82° North.
These periods follow a different rhythm from a kayaking day. The vessel moves slowly through the ice while the expedition team and passengers watch from the decks, making the most of the light, pack ice and any wildlife opportunities that arise.
When ice conditions and safety permit, a landing on the sea ice may sometimes be organised. This is an experience in its own right, supervised by the expedition team and separate from any polar-bear sighting.
The polar bear: observe, never pursue
The polar bear is Svalbard’s emblematic animal, but a sighting can never be guaranteed. Wildlife-protection rules now place strict limits on approaches from land. Hondius, however, can explore the edge of the pack ice — important polar-bear habitat — where a sighting may occur naturally, at a distance and without pursuing or disturbing the animal.
No kayaking session is scheduled during pack-ice sequences. The time is devoted instead to navigating through the ice and observing from the vessel. This is not a “day off” from the expedition: it is another side of the journey and can be among its most memorable moments.
The photographs below illustrate this type of observation, made from Hondius or in areas of pack ice.
What can an expedition in Spitsbergen look like?
There is no genuinely fixed day-by-day itinerary in Svalbard. The sites below illustrate the different forms the expedition may take. Weather, visibility, sea state, ice and wildlife opportunities can change the order of visits, replace one day with another or take the vessel into a completely different area.
Between days 2 and 7, some days may include two kayaking sessions, others only one, while sequences devoted to the pack ice or polar-bear observation may take place without kayaking. That flexibility is precisely what gives the journey its expedition character.
Day 1 — Longyearbyen: shifting into expedition mode
Longyearbyen is the final step before the High Arctic. We embark in the late afternoon, settle into our cabins and attend the essential briefings covering the vessel, safety, the environment and activity organisation.
The kayak group then receives its equipment and is introduced to the specific logistics of the programme: Zodiac operations, group navigation, communications and wildlife-safety procedures. Meanwhile, Hondius leaves Longyearbyen. By the following morning, we will already be at our first exploration site.
Between Days 2 and 7 — sites and days that adapt
The places below are part of the reference programme, but their order and the activity undertaken can change. A good ice window, a wildlife sighting or a change in the weather may become the priority.
Smeerenburg & Raudfjorden — first paddle strokes
Smeerenburg was one of the major 17th-century whaling sites. Today, tundra and Arctic beaches have reclaimed the area. When conditions allow, this may be the setting for a first kayaking session, with possible sightings of seals and seabirds.
Later, Raudfjorden changes the scale completely: the fjord opens out, glaciers come into view and another outing may be possible depending on conditions.
Palanderbukta & Alkefjellet — wildlife in full force
At Palanderbukta, drifting ice transforms the water. We move quietly by kayak, reading the passages between pieces of ice and watching for seals when they are present.
Then comes Alkefjellet: great basalt walls occupied by tens of thousands of seabirds. When kayaking is possible here, paddling beneath this constant movement of birds is one of the journey’s memorable experiences.
Phippsøya & Parryøya — towards the higher latitudes
Hondius can push north when the ice and conditions open a suitable window. This move into the higher latitudes may reorganise one or more days of the programme. Depending on the area, we may paddle near islands and drifting ice, or devote the entire sequence to the pack ice and observation from the ship, without kayaking.
Sorgfjorden — Spitsbergen at its wildest
Sorgfjorden offers a deep, austere landscape. Depending on conditions, the day may combine kayaking and exploration ashore. Svalbard reindeer are regularly encountered on the tundra, while glaciers and large mountain landscapes dominate the view from the water.
Monacobreen & Texas Bar — two sides of the Arctic in one day
In the morning, Monacobreen: an immense wall of blue ice. When conditions are favourable, sea kayaking gives a powerful sense of its scale while maintaining the necessary safety distances.
The afternoon may offer a much more intimate atmosphere around Texas Bar: a trapper’s hut, sheltered bay, tundra and the feeling of being at the end of the world.
St Jonsfjorden & Poolepynten — fjords, kayaking and walruses
St Jonsfjorden often provides a beautiful setting for a final kayaking session: a relatively sheltered fjord with glaciers and dramatic mountain scenery.
At Poolepynten, the programme deliberately changes. Walruses may be present, including in the water, so we do not plan to kayak there. Instead, a tightly supervised landing allows us to observe them from land at a safe distance.
Day 8 — Longyearbyen
Morning arrival, final breakfast aboard, disembarkation and the end of the expedition.
Route map
Why choose this expedition?
- Sea kayak in the High Arctic, among glaciers and drifting ice.
- Explore several very different areas thanks to the mobility of Hondius.
- A dedicated kayak group of up to 10 participants, within a larger international expedition aboard Hondius.
- Exceptional Arctic wildlife, with possible sightings of walruses, reindeer, seals, cetaceans and polar bears.
- The comfort of an expedition vessel after each outing.
- A genuine expedition culture: briefings, lectures, Zodiac operations, landings and constant adaptation.
- A possible push north to the pack ice around 82° North, with periods devoted to observing the ice and wildlife from the ship.
Hondius: a true expedition vessel
Hondius is designed for polar regions and complies with the requirements of the IMO Polar Code. Its Polar Class 6 rating, Zodiac logistics and observation areas make it particularly well suited to exploring Svalbard.
More about Hondius
Why is this vessel well suited to polar expeditions?
It can reach remote areas, move quickly between sites and combine sea kayaking, Zodiac cruises, landings and wildlife observation according to the best opportunities of the day.
What is life aboard like?
Comfortable cabins, meals aboard, communal areas and observation decks structure the time between activities. Lectures on wildlife, glaciology, geology and Svalbard history complement the expedition.
The main working language aboard is English, and the passengers are international.
A few technical facts
Hondius is 107.6 m long and 17.6 m wide, has a Polar Class 6 rating and cruises at around 15 knots. An expedition team and a doctor are aboard.
Sea kayaking & polar equipment
What kayaking equipment is provided?
P&H hard-shell sea kayaks, PEAK drysuits, spray skirts, neoprene booties, pogies, PFDs and group safety equipment are provided for the activity.
How should I dress for the cold?
The drysuit keeps you dry; warmth comes from the layers worn underneath. Thermal base layers, fleece layers, warm socks, a warm hat and a neck gaiter form the basis of the system.
The complete packing list and detailed preparation advice are provided in the Road Book.
Accommodation & life aboard
All 7 nights are spent in a cabin aboard Hondius. The price depends on the cabin category selected and availability at the time of booking.
All meals aboard are included in the reference package. Between outings, the vessel becomes a genuine refuge: we warm up, have lunch, watch from the decks and then head out again towards a new site.
This journey is for you if…
- you match Level 2 — Intermediate and are comfortable paddling for around two hours;
- you are looking for an exploration experience rather than a mileage-focused journey;
- you accept that weather, ice and wildlife may change the programme;
- you want to discover Svalbard through a combination of sea kayaking, Zodiac activities, landings and wildlife observation;
- you are drawn to glaciers, high latitudes and Arctic wildlife;
- you value the comfort of a vessel while still wanting a genuine expedition experience.
The Road Book: preparing properly for the expedition
This page gives a fairly complete picture of the spirit of the journey. The Road Book remains the detailed preparation document: safety procedures, activity organisation, cold-weather advice, personal equipment, transfers, life aboard and practical information.
If you are seriously interested in the journey, request it. It is the best way to understand exactly how the expedition works before moving further into the booking process.
Dates, prices & inclusions
Available on request
Shared 4-berth cabin: €4,600 / person · Shared twin cabin: €6,200 / person. Other cabin categories may be available on request, subject to availability.
Reference prices:
- shared 4-berth cabin: €4,600 / person;
- shared twin cabin: €6,200 / person;
- triple cabins, suites and other categories: on request, subject to availability.
The package includes in particular:
- 7 nights aboard Hondius in the cabin category booked;
- meals aboard;
- the expedition programme and expedition-team guiding;
- Zodiac activities included in the expedition programme;
- the sea-kayaking programme and specific equipment;
- the taxes and expedition-related charges included in the booked offer.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following are not included:
- flights to Longyearbyen;
- land arrangements before or after embarkation;
- meals ashore;
- personal insurance;
- personal expenses, bar drinks, laundry and gratuities;
- anything not explicitly stated as included in the selected offer.
FAQ — Essential information
How long is the Spitsbergen expedition?
The journey lasts 8 days and 7 nights, with embarkation and disembarkation in Longyearbyen and 7 nights aboard Hondius.
What level is required?
The journey is rated Level 2 — Intermediate. You should already be comfortable in a sea kayak and able to paddle for around two hours in a cold, changing environment.
How many kayakers are in the group?
The dedicated kayak group is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. It operates within a larger international expedition aboard Hondius, whose other passengers take part in different activities.
How long does a kayaking session last?
A session generally lasts around two hours. The reference programme aims for a minimum of six sessions during the journey, often more when conditions allow.
Is the day-by-day programme guaranteed?
No. Days 2 to 7 are deliberately flexible. Wind, visibility, ice, access to the fjords and wildlife can change the order of sites. Some days may include one or two kayaking sessions; sequences devoted to the pack ice and polar-bear observation may take place without kayaking.
Can we see polar bears?
Sightings are possible, particularly during high-latitude and pack-ice sequences, sometimes around 82° North. They are never guaranteed: the animal is not pursued and observation takes place at a distance, in accordance with wildlife-protection rules. These sequences take place without kayaking.
What other wildlife can we see?
Depending on the sites and conditions, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seals, cetaceans and large numbers of seabirds may be observed.
Where do we sleep during the journey?
All 7 nights are spent in a cabin aboard Hondius. The price varies according to the cabin category selected.
What kayaking equipment is provided?
The kayak programme includes P&H sea kayaks, drysuits, spray skirts, neoprene booties, pogies, PFDs and group safety equipment.
How can I get the full practical information?
Request the Road Book. It contains detailed information on the itinerary, polar safety, equipment, transfers, life aboard and preparation for the journey.
Would you like to sea kayak in Svalbard?
The next departure can be discussed subject to availability.
Send us your preferred period, your sea-kayaking experience and the cabin category you are interested in.