Svalbard
Spring Awakening
Arctic birds and wildlife preparing for the summer
Svalbard Spring Awakening
Svalbard Spring Awakening Photo Expeditions in mid-May and June offers wildlife photographers excellent opportunities to capture the Arctic’s raw beauty. As the late winter snow melts, the landscape transforms into a stunning backdrop of scenic fjords, dramatic glaciers, and snow-covered peaks - the perfect framing for photographing iconic wildlife.
In spring, the Arctic awakens with the vibrancy and abundance of new life. The migratory birds return to their nesting areas, while by mid-June, the first Arctic flowers begin to bloom. With the advantage of 24-hour daylight, you will have plenty of time to photograph walruses, seals, polar bears, and thriving seabird colonies in their natural habitat. The pristine environment, combined with the endless light of the Arctic spring, creates perfect conditions for capturing your dream shots.
Svalbard in spring is a photographer’s dream - don’t miss the chance to elevate your portfolio in this stunning Arctic landscape!
What to photograph
Below, you can explore what you can photograph in Svalbard during late May and June, with images taken by Ole J. Liodden on WildPhoto expeditions.
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Click on the image below to read the trip report from the WildPhoto Spring Awakening expedition to Svalbard 10-18 June 2022. See where we have been, what we have photographed, and some behind-the-scenes images.
Itinerary Svalbard Spring Awakening
Svalbard is situated at about 80 degrees North, and we schedule our Svalbard spring expeditions in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. Our captain is an expert navigator in Arctic conditions. He is an important advisor in planning the expedition in a manner that allows us to maximise the photo opportunities and enjoyment of this journey. Also included will be some excursions going ashore at Walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, and places that are teeming with life during this time of year. An itinerary for a 9-day (8 nights) expedition might be as described below.
DAY 1 Departure from Longyearbyen through Isfjorden.
DAY 2-3 Heading toward the ice, searching for Polar bears, Walrus and seals. Depending on the ice conditions this will be north of Spitsbergen or in the Hinlopen Strait.
DAY 4-5 Sailing south in Hinlopen, with bird cliffs and the possibility of viewing Polar bears and Walrus on the drifting ice.
DAY 6 Northwestern corner of Spitsbergen, with beautiful mountains and glaciers, and possibly some wildlife on the ice.
DAY 7 Kongsfjorden with striking landscapes, birds and seals.
DAY 8 Returning to Isfjorden arriving in Longyearbyen port late in the evening.
DAY 9 Disembarking the ship after breakfast and prepare for the travel home.
The map below illustrates a possible itinerary for a Svalbard Spring Awakening photo expedition.
FAQ - Good to know about Spring in Svalbard
Click on any of the numbers below to view answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our Svalbard Spring Awakening photo expeditions.
At least 30 migratory bird species come to Svalbard every summer to breed. Most of the birds will be back to their breeding sites during May, with egg laying some time in June.
Book a spot on Svalbard Spring Awakening
Below is a list of available cabins for our Svalbard Spring Awakening expeditions onboard our expedition ship MS Virgo (maximum of 12 guests). The price displayed for each cabin is per person (in USD), not for the entire cabin. To inquire or book a spot, simply click the button under your preferred cabin, and you’ll be directed to an email to booking@wildphoto.com where you can provide more details about what you are interested in or request further information. If your desired cabin or availability isn't listed, please let us know. We can add you to the waiting list and notify you if spots become available later.
Filter available cabins on MS Virgo
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Other seasons
Not interested in a photo expedition in late May or June? No problem! We offer four other exciting seasonal options for travelling to Svalbard. Click on any of the images below to explore more about our other seasons with photography expeditions to Svalbard.
WildPhoto Travel is a leading photo expedition company - specialized in polar regions. Since 2006, we have offered great photo opportunities for our guests and partners.
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