Home » Wildlife » Bearded seal

Some nights onboard the ship I can hear the bearded seals sing from the deep.

Bearded seals are the largest of the northern phocid seals. They have an extremely elaborate, long set of whiskers that tend to curl when they are dry. It is these whiskers that give the species its name.

Bearded seals have a patchy distribution throughout the circumpolar Arctic. Their preferred habitat is drifting pack ice in areas over shallow water shelves. Juvenile animals wander quite broadly, but adult animals tend to have quite small home ranges, remaining in coastal waters much of the year.

Bearded seals are found at low densities in all of Svalbard’s fjords on a year-round basis, and in coastal regions wherever there is drifting ice.

Upcoming bearded seal tours

2 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard Masterclass on board 2023

Join our photography masterclass onboard hosted by Nat Geo photographer Stefano Unterthiner and Arctic Wildlife Tours

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1 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard September 04 – 14 2023 Expedition MS Origo

In September we expect to spend days into the drift ice far north and east of Svalbard. We expect to find polar bears and other wildlife close to the ship.

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard July 17 – 26 expedition 2023 MS Origo

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…

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard expedition July-August 2023 MS Origo

Arctic polar bear cruises in late summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours but also sunsets and sunrises, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's…

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard expedition August 5 – 15 2023 MS Origo

Svalbard wildlife photography tours in the early autumn to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours but also sunsets and sunrises.

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard August Expedition 2023 MS Origo

Arctic polar bear cruises in the early autumn to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours but also sunsets and sunrises, providing more opportunities to see…

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard June 02 – 11 expedition 2023 MS Origo

Arctic polar bear cruises in early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's unique landscapes and wildlife.

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SOLD OUT

Svalbard June 20 – 29 expedition 2023 MS Origo

Arctic polar bear cruises in the early summer to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours, providing more opportunities to see Svalbard's unique landscapes and wildlife.

Read more
SOLD OUT

Svalbard June-July expedition 2023 MS Origo

Arctic polar bear cruises in the early autumn to enjoy the wildlife in typically warmer weather with lengthy daylight hours but also sunsets and sunrises, providing more opportunities to see…

Read more
SOLD OUT

Svalbard July expedition 2023 onboard MS Freya

Svalbard travel photography on Svalbard, every day is different, and every year is different. Arctic Wildlife Tours guides leads this August expedition to Svalbard, a remote area we know well…

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6 SPOTS AVAILABLE

From Svalbard to North East Greenland cruise

Join us for this Arctic adventure from Svalbard to North East Greenland onboard the Polar Pioner. Experience the best from two great destinations with wildlife and landscapes.

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2 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard Winter expedition 2024 onboard MS Origo

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…

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5 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Svalbard Masterclass on board 2024

Join our photography masterclass onboard hosted by Nat Geo photographer Stefano Unterthiner and Arctic Wildlife Tours

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NEW! 9 SPOTS AVAILABLE

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…

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SOLD OUT!

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…

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SOLD OUT!

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…

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5 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Main 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…

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