With more sea ice, and limited areas to visit by expedition ships, it is more difficult to see polar bears than in summer and autumn. See some polar bear images photographed by Ole J Liodden during WildPhoto expeditions in March and early April.
Svalbard
Winter Extreme
Amazing Arctic Winter landscape
Svalbard Winter Extreme
Svalbard Winter Extreme Photo Expeditions in March and early April are designed for adventurous landscape and wildlife photographers eager to capture the High Arctic's beauty in its stunning winter light. This is a time of extremes - where biting cold meets stark beauty, and the wilderness feels untamed. With the landscape covered in snow and ice, and temperatures often around -20°C, these expeditions offer an unforgettable Arctic experience.
The main focus of a Svalbard Winter Extreme expedition is Arctic winter light and landscape photography. In March and early April, the light conditions are exceptional, with beautiful blue, pink, and orange tones. Although wildlife is less abundant compared to summer, the combination of animals against the dramatic winter scenery creates striking opportunities for wildlife photography.
WildPhoto Travel pioneered ship-based winter expeditions to Svalbard in 2016. Since then, we have organised more than 30 successful photo expeditions in March and April, navigating the western and northwestern parts of Spitsbergen aboard expedition ships.
If you're looking for a truly unique Arctic photo adventure, this expedition is perfect for you!
What to photograph
Below, you can explore what you can photograph in Svalbard during March and early April, 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 expedition to Svalbard 14-22 March 2022. See where we have been, what we have photographed, and some behind-the-scenes images.
Itinerary Svalbard Winter Extreme
Svalbard is located about 80 degrees north, so we plan our Svalbard winter expeditions in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. A possible itinerary for a Svalbard Winter Extreme expedition could be:
DAY 1 Departure from Longyearbyen through Isfjorden.
DAY 2-4 Northwestern coast of Spitsbergen, with possible visits to Kongsfjorden, Magdalenefjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Liefdefjorden and other areas. Here we have the possibility of having great landscapes with glaciers and sharp mountain ridges.
DAY 5-7 Southwestern coast of Spitsbergen with Bellsund and Hornsund, where there are great snow-covered mountains. The weather and ice conditions have to be in our favor to get into both the northwestern and southwestern areas of Spitsbergen in winter.
DAY 8 Returning to Isfjorden arriving in Longyearbyen port late in the evening.
DAY 9 Disembarking the ship after breakfast and preparing for the travel home.
The map below illustrates a possible itinerary for a Svalbard Winter Extreme photo expedition.
FAQ - Good to know about Svalbard Winter
Click on any of the numbers below to view answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our Svalbard Winter Extreme photo expeditions.
Yes, it's possible to see polar bears in Svalbard during winter. However, from late October to the end of February, the dark season (Polar Night) brings near-total darkness, making sightings difficult. By late winter, in March and early April, the returning light provides better conditions for photographing polar bears.
With more sea ice, and limited areas to visit by expedition ships, it is more difficult to see polar bears than in summer and autumn. See some polar bear images photographed by Ole J Liodden during WildPhoto expeditions in March and early April. If you are an adventurous photographer looking to capture stunning winter landscapes and wildlife, Svalbard in winter is a must-visit. However, if your focus is photographing a wide range of Arctic species and the magic of winter light is less important to you, a summer photo expedition may be a better fit. Discover the unique experiences each Svalbard season has to offer in Best time for photography in Svalbard. In Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard, the average temperature during the coldest month, March (1991-2020), was -12,2°C (10,1°F). February is the second coldest month, with an average temperature (1991-2020) of -11,7°C (11,0°F). Svalbard is one of the regions most impacted by climate change. To put this into perspective, the average temperature during the coldest three months (January, February and March) in Longyearbyen was close to -16°C (3°F) between 1961 and 1990. Over the past 30 years, this average has risen by nearly 4°C, highlighting the rapid changes occurring in the Arctic. Layers are the key for how to dress in the cold. Follow these 4 steps to keep you warm:
1. Inner layer with long underwear, preferably wool, to keep your skin as dry as possible.
2. Middle layer with wool, fleece or thin down jacket needs to capture as much body heat as possible.
3. Outer layer needs to protect you from wind, snow and water spray / rain.
4. Insulated Gloves, Boots and Hats to keep your fingers feet and head warm.
Learn more in our How to Dress in the Cold Tech Tips. Most high-end cameras and photography gear perform well in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). However, when temperatures drop further, you may encounter issues such as reduced battery life, slow and noisy autofocus, and frost forming on your viewfinder. Be cautious of frostbite on exposed skin, like your nose or chin, when touching cold metal parts of your camera.
One good advice for managing your gear in the cold temperatures: before going inside, fully close and zip your camera bag while still outside. This helps prevent condensation from forming on the camera and lens surfaces. Allow your gear to warm up slowly in the bag for a few hours before opening it. Ideally, keep your camera equipment in a case or bag outdoors whenever possible, and only bring memory cards and batteries inside.
With more sea ice, and limited areas to visit by expedition ships, it is more difficult to see polar bears than in summer and autumn. See some polar bear images photographed by Ole J Liodden during WildPhoto expeditions in March and early April.
1. Inner layer with long underwear, preferably wool, to keep your skin as dry as possible.
2. Middle layer with wool, fleece or thin down jacket needs to capture as much body heat as possible.
3. Outer layer needs to protect you from wind, snow and water spray / rain.
4. Insulated Gloves, Boots and Hats to keep your fingers feet and head warm.
Learn more in our How to Dress in the Cold Tech Tips.
One good advice for managing your gear in the cold temperatures: before going inside, fully close and zip your camera bag while still outside. This helps prevent condensation from forming on the camera and lens surfaces. Allow your gear to warm up slowly in the bag for a few hours before opening it. Ideally, keep your camera equipment in a case or bag outdoors whenever possible, and only bring memory cards and batteries inside.
Book a spot on Svalbard Winter Extreme
Below is a list of available cabins for our Svalbard Winter Extreme 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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2026
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Other seasons
Not interested in a Winter Extreme expedition in March or early April? 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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