The following has been put together to give you more information on Svalbard as a safari destination. We do our utmost to keep our information up to date, but please contact us.
The local currency in Svalbard is the ‘Norwegian Krone’ (kr). One Norwegian Krone is divided into 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of 50 kr, 100 kr, 200 kr, 500 kr and 1000 kr. Coins are in denominations of 50 øre, 1 kr, 5 kr, 10 kr and 20 kr.
The currency used will vary depending on which ship your expedition is on, details will be sent to you prior to departure. Tipping is discretionary throughout your trip; a rough guideline is about 10-15US$ per passenger per day. The money is collected by the Ship Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed amongst the crew and expedition staff.
Never keep all of your cash in the same place, keep it in different pockets and split it up between different bags.We recommend that you change your money upon arrival or at home before departing, it is more difficult to change money whilst travelling. Bank timings in Svalbard are usually from 0900 hrs to 1600 hrs Monday – Thursday, 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs on Friday and 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs on Saturday. Be aware that you are in remote areas for most of the trip and will not be able to access these.
It is a good idea to bring cash or a credit card as back up. Most major credit and debit cards, such as Visa / Mastercard are accepted by hotels. On all ships, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are often accepted. You will be sent further details prior to your departure.There is an ATM in Longyearbyen, however, do not rely on this as it can often break down. There are ATMs available in airports on your way to Svalbard; it is easy to use these if you are using a credit card on one of the major networks, such as Cirrus. Using the ATMs or getting your money changed in your home country is more convenient than bringing foreign currency.
Layers are essential when travelling to Svalbard. But how many layers do you need? What kind of material should you wear? You can find all the information you need on our What do you wear to Svalbard? page.
Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Expedition ships vary; however we only use the most intimate and comfortable. They will rarely be overly luxurious, but they are exactly what you need to explore the most remote regions of the north. Ice-strengthened and kept small so they can explore the places the bigger ships can't reach.
This will depend on your chosen expedition ship.
One of the main focuses of your expedition is the wildlife. The north is harsh and the summer’s brief. These brief summers happen to be the only time the animals can reproduce and prepare for the long winters, and coincides with peak visiting season. Make sure you always watch your step and keep to established paths whenever possible, don’t startle the wildlife and avoid trampling on plants. Always listen to your guide and stay with the group. This is for your safety. We also ask that you do not collect natural souvenirs or litter, you must also ensure that you don’t reintroduce any new species by ensuring your boots are washed and there are no seeds in packaging or clothing etc.
Your meals will be provided for you on board your expedition ship. Food will usually come second to wildlife sightings, so if there is something especially amazing that needs to be explored, you will usually do that first. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies please do let us know well in advance of travel so your requirements can be catered for.
Each expedition ship has a different means of communication. Some have satellite phones, others will provide you with your own email address on board so you can stay in touch with loved ones. We will send you the details of your specific ship prior to your departure.
Svalbard is 1 hour (+1) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Hours of daylight in Svalbard vary to the extreme depending on the time of year. Svalbard is in ‘polar night’ from October 28th to February 14th with the darkness peaking from November 14th to January 29th. It is then ‘polar day’ between April 19th and August 23rd. During this time the sun does not go below the horizon – known as the ‘midnight sun’.
The electricity supply varies between ships, and you will be sent specific details prior to your departure.
Know Before You Go is an ongoing campaign from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to help Brits stay safe abroad, however in our opinion it has useful information for all nationalities. The campaign was launched in 2001 to promote these key messages:All our local operators conform to local safety regulations. If you at any time feel that this is not the case, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our Ultimate Guide to Svalbard Birdwatching
Immerse yourself in Svalbard's vibrant avian world! Explore Arctic bird species like Atlantic Puffins, Arctic Terns, and more. Find birdwatching hotspots and essential tips for an unforgettable experience.
Whilst the polar bear is undoubtedly a highlight of any Svalbard wildlife safari, there is also a surprising myriad of other Arctic wildlife, despite the harsh cold weather.
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Find out the best place and time for polar bear tracking in this detailed and free guide.
Download the Guide
Explore the stunning Spitsbergen Archipelago aboard the M/V Kinfish - intimate ship charters focusing on sightings of the amazing polar bear and other Arctic wildlife of Svalbard.
Find Out More Here
Which Polar Bear Trip is right for you?
A comparison of Churchill, Svalbard and Baffin Island. Planet Earth has no shortage of fearsome predators to choose from, but even if you’re dead set on a particular species, a range of possibilities still exist that allow you alter your safari experience.
Discover what to pack for an Arctic Safari in Svalbard! Essential gear guide for extreme weather, wildlife encounters, and unbeatable photo ops.
Click for Expert Packing Tips
Explore the High Arctic on a 5-day adventurous snowmobiling expedition to Isfjord Radio.
From 4000 per person
Snowmobile and Sail
We are delighted to announce the first safari that combines both land and sea exploration of Svalbard! Journey by snowmobile through the remote wilderness of Spitsbergen to Isfjord Radio on a three-day expedition, before embarking on the R/V Kinfish and navigating the Svalbard Archipelago, seeking out epic Arctic landscapes and potential wildlife encounters.
By sharing our environmental concerns as we explore the wonders of nature, we look forward to guiding our travellers towards becoming ambassadors for these remote corners of the world. In our experience most travellers return from their adventures with the strongest dedication to natural preservation.
Read the Guidelines
Experience the Arctic like a true explorer via tented camp and husky sled, looking out for the Northern Lights and spotting wildlife in Svalbard's dramatic wilderness. Begin your adventure into the wilderness at Basecamp Hotel before spending two days camping under the stars, scouring for the magical Northern Lights and exploring the far reaches of the Arctic. Watch for wildlife and travel by husky sled before recuperating in luxury with a stay at Isfjord Radio, a converted radio station turned comfortable wilderness hotel.
From 6000 per person
Intreview with the Owner of R/V Kinfish - Robin Dahlberg
The R/V Kinfish, a 12-passenger expedition ship, has been chartered by NWS since 2018. Will fell in love with her as soon as he saw her, and our guests on expeditions since then, have raved about her and the crew. We sat down with Robin Dahlberg, owner of the Kinfish, to chat all things expeditions in Svalbard.
This safari combines the peaceful fjords of the Lofoten Islands with the dramatic glaciers and mountains of Svalbard, while the mystical Aurora Borealis illuminates the night skies. Experience dog sledding and snowmobiling across vast snowy plains, keeping an eye out for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife.
From 9500 per person
Discover a Year of Incredible Arctic Adventures
As our charter vessels, RV Kinfish and MS Polarfront both return home for the winter, our Polar Product Manager Katie takes the opportunity to reflect on our Arctic season in Svalbard.
For the latest travel advice when heading to Svalbard please contact us.Svalbard is generally a very safe place for tourists to travel in and incidents are extremely rare, but common-sense precautions need to be taken as with any destination abroad. We would recommend taking taxis when travelling at night and not flashing expensive photographic equipment and jewellery around. Do not flaunt money and always use safes when provided at hotels/lodges. Expedition ships will sometimes conduct an 'open door' policy. If in doubt, please ask your guide.
Medical services are not readily available. It is essential you have appropriate travel insurance with adequate medical cover, air repatriation with a 24-hour contact telephone number for emergencies. Securing the necessary travel insurance for your safari is your own responsibility.Always seek medical advice before travelling; please consult your GP or Doctor who will be able to advise you on required vaccinations. In the UK we recommended visiting the ‘Fit for Travel’ website. In the USA we suggest consulting CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ Please bring any personal medication required. You will not be able to obtain any medical supplies while you are on tour, so make sure you bring supplies of any prescription/over the counter drugs you take on a regular basis. Make sure any medications are in the original, labelled packaging. There is a small hospital in Longyearbyen for emergencies so it might be possible to obtain some non-prescription drugs there.
Please report any theft or trip disruption immediately to your guide during your trip and also in writing to Natural World Safaris immediately on return to your home country.It is a condition of booking that all clients must have, and must demonstrate to the company prior to their departure, adequate insurance for the duration of the tour. Proof of the following items of insurance is required on booking; cancellation or curtailment of your trip, medical expenses, repatriation, loss of luggage, personal injury, adventure activities such as white-water rafting, tracking wild animals, theft of personal belongings.
There is often a designated area for smoking on our small ship expeditions but speak to us if you have any questions on the ship that you’re travelling on.
Your international flight will need to arrive in Longyearbyen and will usually change in Oslo, Norway. Upon arrival in Longyearbyen you will be met and transferred to your expedition ship. You may need to stay at night on either side of your safari in Longyearbyen.
Svalbard is in the high Arctic but has a warm climate compared with areas of similar latitude, with an average day temperature of 6 oC in the summer, going down to -14 o in winter. There is very little rain and thick ice, and snow cover the archipelago in the winter. However, in the summer months the ice loses grip, and the harsh coast becomes possible to navigate by boat and you discover the beauty of the midnight sun. Bear in mind that weather conditions can change very quickly in Svalbard.
We recommend as part of our responsible travel policy that you do not give money or gifts directly to local people. We have links with local projects/schools that would appreciate your support. Please ask your guide for further details. If you would like to contribute to these donations of clothing, pens and pencils are greatly appreciated.
Ensure you check all your equipment before departure and bring extra batteries with you. We recommend you bring twice as many memory cards as you think you’ll need. Bring a tripod, however we also recommend bringing a bean bad for steadier shots on-board your expedition ship.Please refrain from photography of military personnel, military installations and airports. Always ask for permission when taking photos of local people or alternatively ask your guide for advice. Please bring extra batteries as it may not always be possible to re-charge them at the lodges. For photographing wildlife a zoom lens of 300mm or more is highly recommended.
