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Polar bear photography can be done when polar bears approach us in the drift ice.

polar bear photography
Polar bears in the drift ice can be curious and by laying still in the ice they sometimes approach our vessel.
polar bear photography
Approaching polar bears in the ice is not possible without a individual accepting our presence. If they don't they will just disappear out in the drift ice.
polar bear photography
Even in a fjord polar bears can approach the vessel. In short time they can be close to the vessel, like in this situation when a polar bear killed a bearded seal only 100 meter from our vessel.

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

8 SPOTS AVAILABLE

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…

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2 SPOTS AVAILABLE

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.

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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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1 SPOT AVAILABLE

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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1 spot Available

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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3 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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5 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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NEW !

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.

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SOLD OUT

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…

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SOLD OUT

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…

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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 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…

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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.

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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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14 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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8 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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NEW! 12 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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4 SPOTS AVAILABLE

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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4 SPOTS AVAILABLE

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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12 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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