Svalbard Winter
Celebrating the return of the midnight sun
.
Explore Svalbard in late winter
WildPhoto Travel started ship-based winter expeditions to Svalbard in 2016. From then we have arranged more than 20 photo expeditions in April and May to the western and northern parts of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. In the beginning of May it may also be possible to visit the Hinlopen area, to the northeast.

The main focus of our Svalbard Winter Glow expeditions will be Arctic winter light, landscape, and wildlife. From mid-April, the midnight sun is back in the high Arctic with great light conditions, and we are looking forward to visiting the western and northern parts of Spitsbergen at this time of the year. Usually, winter trips to Svalbard are limited to snowmobiles quite close to Longyearbyen. With our expedition ship MS Virgo, we can explore a much larger area, where very few photographers have been before.

We hope to observe and photograph wildlife such as Polar bears, Walrus, seals, and reindeer, but animals are not as easy to locate in winter as they are in summertime. This is mostly because there is more ice to hide on in winter. However, we’ve had some great encounters on our previous Svalbard winter expeditions, so there is always a chance.

The group size is limited to 12 participants giving you plenty of space and time to explore and photograph the magical Arctic winter.
Itinerary Svalbard Winter Glow
Svalbard is located about 80 degrees north, so we plan our Svalbard Winter Glow expeditions in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. After 1 May it might be possible to go further east with our expedition ship. A possible itinerary for a Svalbard Winter Glow 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 possibilities to have great landscapes with glaciers and sharp mountain ridges, as well as chances for wildlife encounters.

DAY 5-7 Southwestern coast of Spitsbergen with Bellsund and Hornsund, where there are also great snow-covered mountains and chances for wildlife on the sea ice. The weather and ice conditions have to be in our favor to get into both the northwestern and southwestern areas of Spitsbergen in winter.

In May it might be possible to visit Hinlopen, if the sea ice allows for it, giving us more opportunities on the western side of Nordaustlandet.

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.
Svalbard winter
Trip reports Svalbard Winter Glow
Click on the image below to read the trip report from the WildPhoto expedition to Svalbard 17-25 April 2023. See where we have been, what we have photographed, and some behind-the-scenes images.
Available cabins for Svalbard Winter Glow
Below are available cabins on WildPhoto Svalbard Winter Glow expeditions. The price below each cabin refers to the price (in USD $) for each spot in the cabin - not for the whole cabin. Let us know if you can't find your preferred cabin or any spots available at all and we can place you on the waiting list and let you know if spots are available later.
Filter available cabins
All
2025
Single cabin
Twin cabin
Reserve a spot or request more information
Please click on one of the buttons below to request more information about the expedition or if you want to reserve a spot. We will answer you as soon as possible.

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.

Connect