Arctic Wildlife Tours is happy to announce that we will be able to offer another Polar Bear photography workshop in Churchill, Canada in 2023. We did a great trip in…
With a love for spending time in nature, and wanting to photograph wildlife in the arctic circles, Ömer Acar booked a trip to exotic Svalbard through Arctic Wildlife Tours AS.
In the spring of 2022 the world slowly started to wake up again and feeling the need for fresh air and new scenery. Ömer Acar, an experienced world traveler from Finland, chose to set a course with Arctic Wildlife Tours for Svalbard visiting the unique northern scenery with raw, wild nature.

Ömer’s best experience
With a big interest in predator mammals, bears and wolves, Ömar went to Svalbard on his own on several occasions to experience the beautiful wildlife of the “Norwegian pearl”. Traveling alone he found it hard to navigate in the arctic landscape, meaning he did not get the chance to see polar bears. He decided to get in touch with Svein and book a guided tour with a small crew. After spending 6 days at sea they finally got to see the arctic bear up close. Having photographed wildlife for over 15 years, this was an unbelievable experience for
Ömar - it made the entire trip worth it!


Although seeing a polar bear is not guaranteed on the trips, the wildlife in Svalbard is also about so much more. Together with your group you get to experience Seals, Walruses, Arctic Foxes and a diversity of birdlife up close, wildlife you won’t find anywhere else.
Ömer adds: - It’s not only about photography, but there are a lot of other things to experience too, such as ice swimming in the Arctic and meeting new people. Get the most of it - not just the pictures in your memory card.
Practical advice for guided tours
Throughout his visits to Svalbard Ömar noted different practical advice for people attending the guided tours:
- During the trip you live in expedition vessels which vary in comfort and temperature.
Therefore you should ask which vessels you’ll live in and the grade of comfort before packing your bags.
- The tours are hosted in different seasons, so do your research in terms of weather conditions.
- If you are a photographer booking a trip with Arctic Wildlife Ömar recommends not only bringing your biggest tele lens, but a variety of sizes.
Closer to nature and likeminded people
Arctic Wildlife Tours hosts guided expeditions where you travel on small and intimate ships well suited for discovery of polar bears, seals, walruses and other arctic animals. The tours consist of small groups with the focus on bringing you closer to nature. In addition to experiencing the unique nature, groups of likeminded people make the trip a way of connecting with people having the same interests as you.
Upcoming Svalbard tours
Golden Eagle photo hides 2023-2024
The Golden eagle hides are open for booking during the season 2022-2023. Please send us your inquiry and we will help you.
Svalbard Early Winter expedition 2024 MV Kinfish
Svalbard winter photography on Svalbard. Join us for this very early winter photo expedition and experience the breathtaking light and scenery. The cold environment will make wildlife encounters to something…
Svalbard Winter expedition 2024
Svalbard travel photography on Svalbard, every day is different, and every year is different. Arctic Wildlife Tours guides leads this winter expedition on Svalbard, a remote area we know well…
Svalbard Masterclass on board 2024
Join our photography masterclass onboard hosted by Nat Geo photographer Stefano Unterthiner and Arctic Wildlife Tours
Early season May 1 – 9 expedition 2024 MS Virgo
Arctic Wildlife Tours do this early May expedition on Svalbard in 2022. We will be using the expedition ship MS Virgo for this wildlife expedition, which is a recently refurbished…
Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 10 – 19 2024
Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…
Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 19 – 28 2024
Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…
Peak Wildlife season Svalbard June 28 – July 07 2024
Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…
Main Wildlife season Svalbard July 07 – 17 2024
Svalbard photo tour onboard a small ship in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically lot of drift ice and lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…
Main Wildlife season Svalbard July 08 – 19 2024
We use the vessel Vestland Explorer during this 12 day long expedition. High standard cabins and large, open plan living spaces. The vessel also has the highest ice-class and we…
Main Wildlife Season Svalbard July 17 – 27 2024
Svalbard photo tours and small vessel cruises in mid summer to photograph and experience the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours, providing great opportunities to see Svalbard's…
Main Wildlife season Svalbard August 16 – 26 2024
Svalbard wildlife photography tour in the late summer and early autumn to spend more time in the drift ice searching for Polar Bears and other wildlife.
Late Autumn season Svalbard September 05 – 15 2024
In September we expect to spend days into the drift ice far north and east of Svalbard. Our goal is to photograph polar bears and other wildlife in golden light.
South Georgia photography expedition 2023
Join Arctic Wildlife Tours guides Svein and Jens onboard the M/V Sea Spirit and visit South Georgia. As it is the first trip for Arctic Wildlife Tours visiting these parts…