Polar bear photography can be done when polar bears approach us in the drift ice.
Polar bears have had Red List status as vulnerable since 2005. Over the next decades, there are expected to be significantly fewer polar bears due to a sharp decline in sea ice. Polar bear photography is possible in a respectful way on Svalbard by letting the polar bears approach our ship. Then it is totally up to each polar bear individual. Most of our activity for photographing polar bears will in the future be done far up in the drift ice, north and northeast of Svalbard, depending on the season.
Ursus maritimus, Thalarctos, sea bear, ice bear, Nanuq, isbjorn, white bear, beliy medved, lord of the Arctic, old man in the fur cloak, and white sea deer. These are just some of the ways people around the world identify polar bears.
Polar bears are the largest species of bear in the world. Compared to other bears polar bears have: a long narrow head; a head that is relatively small compared to the body; small, heavily furred ears; claws that are short and strong; canine teeth that are long; and cheek teeth that are sharper.
These features have been selected for in polar bears as a consequence of their almost purely carnivorous way of life. Educate yourself more about polar bears on Polar Bears International.
Upcoming polar bear tours
Polar bear photo workshop Canada November 2023
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…
Svalbard winter expedition 2023 by snowmobile
Join Arctic Wildlife Tours for this winter expedition out in the wilderness of Svalbard. The magic light and landscapes are stunning at this time of the year.
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…
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…
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.
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…
Svalbard Masterclass on board 2023
Join our photography masterclass onboard hosted by Nat Geo photographer Stefano Unterthiner and Arctic Wildlife Tours
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.
Svalbard September 14 – 24 2023 Expedition MS Origo
We do the second "Autumn light expedition" in mid September and we expect to spend days into the drift ice far north and east of Svalbard.
Svalbard April 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…
Early spring Svalbard expedition May 15 – 22 2023
Arctic Wildlife Tours, May expedition on Svalbard in 2023. This will be an early spring expedition with lot of snow and ice still. The landscapes will still be covered by…
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.
Svalbard June 05 – 15 2023 expedition onboard MS Malmö
June is an opportunity for good ice conditions in milder weather. 24 hour daylight makes for many hours of possible wildlife sightings. Fjords are opening up and we can get…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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 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 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…