Observing polar bears in the wild is the dream of many polar travelers, bear enthusiasts, and photographers. In Svalbard (Spitsbergen), your dream of seeing wild polar bears can become reality, because this is where they live – the solitary hunter, ruler of snow and ice, the heraldic animal of the Arctic. This Svalbard FAQ article answers all the important questions: For example, how likely you are to see polar bears in Spitsbergen, how close, where, and when are the best times to observe polar bears in Svalbard?
Svalbard trip with polar bear safari
1. How likely is it to see polar bears in Svalbard?
Svalbard is an archipelago in the high Arctic and its main island is Spitsbergen. The geographical location of Svalbard alone suggests that polar bears are at home there: to the east of the archipelago lies the Greenland Sea, to the west the Barents Sea and to the north the Arctic Ocean with the pack ice border. In addition, Spitsbergen is only about 1000 kilometers from the North Pole.
Every Svalbard trip begins in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, the northernmost city in the worldAlready at the edge of the settlement you will be greeted by a polar bear warning sign: Be careful, because from now on you could encounter a polar bear anywhere.
How much time do you need to plan to see polar bears in the wild?
Want to spot polar bears in Svalbard? Unfortunately (or fortunately), it's not quite as simple as saying there's a polar bear lurking around every corner. A polar bear safari isn't a visit to a zoo, but rather an expedition in the High Arctic. You should therefore always plan enough time for your search for polar bears. True to the motto: "A polar bear could be anywhere. But where is it?" Especially on longer cruises, you have a very good chance of spotting polar bears in Svalbard and the Svalbard archipelago. However, there are no guarantees.
A polar bear watch increases the chances of sighting!
Expedition ships usually offer the service of a polar bear watch, which looks out for the king of the Arctic around the clock. On smaller sailing boats, the crew and all guests take turns to look for signs of polar bears on deck. Of course, experience also tells you which places you have luck more often, but even the best travel provider cannot know in advance where a polar bear is currently located.
No feeding or tracking of polar bears!
Fortunately, polar bears in Svalbard are still completely wild animals. They are not fed, as is often the case on brown bear safaris in Sweden, and they cannot be tracked by travel agencies via radio collars, as is possible with lions in Uganda, for example. Finding a polar bear in the wild is therefore entirely a matter of chance, making it all the more unique.
Personal experience Number of polar bears on expedition cruise in Svalbard
We were extremely lucky and were able to visit the island during a twelve-day expedition cruise in Svalbard with Poseidon Expeditions we observed the incredible number of nine polar bears. A fantastic experience! But patience was still required: on a twelve-day cruise in Svalbard we didn't see any polar bears on nine days, but within three days we saw an incredible nine polar bears. Nature is unpredictable.
Our polar bear logbook:
- During the first six days, despite an intensive search by the expedition team, we did not find a single polar bear. However, we did witness the calving of a glacier up close.
- On the seventh day we could hardly believe our luck: at midday we spotted two polar bears on different islands in the Murchison Fjord. In the afternoon we passed another bear by boat and late in the evening, in the glow of the midnight sun, we were able to observe polar bear number four by Zodiac. What a day!
- The next day we didn’t see any polar bears, but a walrus colony near Torellneset and thousands of breeding birds on Alkefjellet bird rock.
- The ninth day surprised us with four more polar bear sightings at different locations in the Hinlopenstrasse.
- The tenth day of the trip presented us with polar bear number nine on the Edgeøya Island.
2. How many polar bears live in the Svalbard archipelago?
There are around 300 polar bears living in the Svalbard archipelago, which includes the main island of Spitsbergen. In addition, there are around 700 polar bears in the pack ice region north of Spitsbergen, meaning that there are around 1000 polar bears in total in the region around Svalbard.
Have you read much higher numbers on other websites and are now wondering? We have researched for you where the often completely inflated figures for the number of polar bears in Svalbard come from and how many polar bears there really are according to scientific publications.
If you want to know why there are not more polar bears than people in Svalbard (although this is often claimed), then read our article “How many polar bears are there in Svalbard? Myths & Facts".
Even though the number of polar bears in Spitsbergen is not actually as high as is often falsely stated, the Svalbard archipelago is an excellent place for polar bear safaris and offers the best chances of seeing polar bears in the wild.
3. What can you experience on a polar bear safari in Svalbard?
"Polar bear in sight!" When the long-awaited call sounds, it's clear that things are going to get exciting. But nobody knows exactly what they'll see. Is the polar bear very close? Or far away? Is it sleeping? Or is it active? We'll tell you what typical behaviors you might observe - with a bit of luck - on your polar bear safari in Svalbard.
What are typical polar bear behaviors?
First of all, "your" polar bear can of course lie down, sit, stand or walk. Yawning, stretching, and rolling are also part of the typical behavioral repertoire. You might even be able to watch a polar bear swimming. If it goes on land or climbs onto an ice floe, it will first shake itself dry thoroughly. Absolute highlights on a polar bear safari are a polar bear eating, a mother polar bear with her cub or a polar bear jumping from ice floe to ice floe in the pack ice. You need an extra portion of luck for such observations.
Our polar bear favorite moments:
- The Enjoyer: Our personal highlight was the extensive observation of a polar bear that was happily eating an old whale carcass and was completely preoccupied with itself and its food intake.
- The Playful One: Another experience we will definitely never forget was a polar bear in a playful mood. He slid head first and belly on the ground across the snow down a small slope
- The ballet dancer: A polar bear came down to the shore, walked along it once in its entirety for us and balanced, just like that, on a piece of driftwood
- The Poser: A polar bear stood on a large rock with all four legs and looked at us from there as if he wanted to impress us.
4. How close can you get to polar bears in Svalbard?
If you believe the nature guides in Svalbard, there are obviously still tourists who have a very idealized image of polar bears: even touching them is on the wish list of some travelers. Fortunately, this level of ignorance is not the norm. Real polar bear fans know, of course, that these majestic animals are powerful hunters and that humans would also be on the menu of a hungry polar bear. That is why a safe distance is always maintained when observing polar bears.
terrain-related distance
Sometimes nature dictates the distance between the observer and the polar bear: for example, if a polar bear moves inland rather than along the coast, it is virtually impossible to get closer to the animal by ship or boat. Even if a polar bear is on the pack ice, it is not possible to get closer except by icebreaker.
Individual safety distance when observing polar bears
The distance you should keep depends on the local conditions and the polar bear's state of mind. Experienced nature guides use the bear's behavior to judge whether the animal is reacting calmly, curiously or aggressively - for example, when approached by a rubber dinghy. They then adjust the safety distance accordingly.
New legal minimum distance for polar bear observations from 2025
Since January 2025, there are new legal regulations within Norwegian waters: From March 1 to June 30, the minimum distance for observing polar bears is 500 meters. From July 1 to February 28, the minimum distance is 300 meters. When traveling outside Norwegian waters (e.g. near the pack ice border), it is still possible to approach polar bears from a closer distance.
Personal experience keeping polar bears away on expedition cruise in Svalbard
The polar bears on our expedition cruise in Svalbard with Poseidon Expeditions were between 40 meters and 1 kilometer away.
- A polar bear was spotted in the distance climbing along a rocky ridge. It was not possible to get close, so we observed the animal from the deck of the ship using a telephoto lens.
- We could see another polar bear looking down at us from a steep cliff with rocks and green meadows at a distance of about 400 meters from the zodiac.
- But there were also exceptionally close encounters: A polar bear was busy eating a whale carcass and was very relaxed, so that our dinghy was able to briefly approach to a distance of only about 40 meters.
Of a total of nine polar bears that we saw, three animals were very close (less than 100 meters), two were close (100-300 meters), two were a little further away (300-500 meters) and two were very far away (500 to 1000 meters).
All encounters were unique. As long as you set out with realistic expectations and don't expect to take good polar bear selfies with your phone, you won't be disappointed. Nature is not a zoo.
5. How exactly does polar bear observation work in Svalbard?
Observing a polar bear in the wild is a unique experience, but not an everyday occurrence, even in Svalbard. Your chances of seeing polar bears in Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago increase, especially on longer tours.
Observation of polar bears by snowmobile
As long as the snow conditions around Longyearbyen In the spring, multi-day snowmobile tours are offered (e.g., the Spitsbergen Historical Snowmobile Tour). On these tours from Longyearbyen in Svalbard, it's quite possible to encounter a polar bear. Is observing polar bears by snowmobile dangerous? Maintaining a safe distance can be vital in this case. If a polar bear is spotted, stop or, if necessary, increase the distance to observe the animal from a safe distance through binoculars.
On snowmobile tours, a polar bear sighting is a bonus. A snowmobile tour to see the Northern Lights is beautiful even without a polar bear. The breathtaking icy landscape and the unique snowmobile driving experience are the focus of the tour.
Observing polar bears in Svalbard by ship
How can polar bears be observed safely? Polar bears in Svalbard are usually observed from the water, as this is significantly safer for both humans and polar bears. Options range from powerful icebreakers to large cruise ships and small expedition cruises to sailing trips.
Most tours last one to two weeks. If a polar bear is spotted, passengers either look down at it from the deck of the ship or into the distance with binoculars. Depending on the conditions and the ship's equipment, it is also possible to approach it in a dinghy.
In parallel to the search for polar bears, the focus is on exploring the unique landscape of Spitsbergen. Depending on the provider, hiking, kayaking, bird watching or visiting a walrus colony are also possible. The longer the tour, the higher the probability of finding polar bears.
Personal experience of seeing polar bears on an expedition cruise
As soon as on the Expedition ship Sea Spirit If a polar bear was discovered by Poseidon Expeditions, the expedition team immediately informed all passengers via an announcement. The further course of action depended on the polar bear's position, its activities and its mood. If it was active and was, for example, moving quickly inland, then we observed the polar bear from the ship and all passengers stormed the observation deck. If, on the other hand, it was near the water, perhaps even sleeping comfortably or busy eating, the expedition team launched the dinghies.
Personal Experience Polar Bear Safari with the Zodiac
The Expedition ship Sea Spirit Poseidon Expeditions has twelve Zodiacs so that all passengers can take a dinghy trip at the same time. The expedition team individually adapted the process to each situation.
- Example 1: Two polar bears were spotted on different islands in the same fjord. The Zodiacs then split up between the two bears to reduce the size of the group. The boats naturally swapped places in between. As a result, some passengers saw the polar bear lying on a hill yawning, others saw it standing, and for the next few, it suddenly wandered down to the beach. Everyone had an individual experience and it was exciting to exchange experiences afterwards.
- Example 2: We wanted to approach a sleeping bear on the beach. This time all the Zodiacs gathered in a closed group and we drove closer to the polar bear at a calm and steady pace. All passengers were instructed not to speak and the atmosphere was wonderful as the polar bear stretched out on the beach, did a little polar bear yoga, eyed us briefly and then continued to sleep blissfully. We finally retreated in the same orderly fashion.
6. Where do tourists most often see polar bears in Svalbard?
study by the Norwegian Polar Institute
According to a study by the Norwegian Polar Institute, over the entire period from 2005 to 2018, most polar bears were spotted in Svalbard in the northwest of the main island of Spitsbergen: especially around the Raudfjord. Other areas with high sighting rates were the north of the island of Nordaustlandet Hinlopenstrasse as well as the Barentsøya Island.
With regard to the data, however, one must keep in mind that it does not indicate where most polar bears are, but rather where most polar bears have been sighted. Since the west coast of Spitsbergen is the easiest and also has the longest seasonal access, there is of course an increasing number of searches for polar bears in this area.
Contrary to the expectations of many tourists, 65% of all polar bear sightings occur in areas without any ice cover. (O. Bengtsson, 2021)
Personal experience: Where we saw polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago
Despite intensive searches, we did not find a single polar bear on the main island of Spitsbergen – not even in the famous Raudfjord. Nature remains nature and the high Arctic is not a zoo. We also did not find a single polar bear on the pack ice edge. Hinlopenstrasse our patience was richly rewarded: Within three days we saw eight polar bears on different islands, two of them in the Murchisonfjord. On the Barentsøya Island We didn’t see any polar bears, but we did see breeding birds, arctic foxes and reindeer. We spotted polar bear number nine at Kapp Lee on the island of Edgeøya.
We also spotted most of the polar bears on rocky terrain. One polar bear was even lying in the green grass: a sight you wouldn't expect at first. We were able to see three of the nine polar bears in the snow or on an icy coast.
7. When is the best time for a polar bear tour in Svalbard?
The best time of year to search for polar bears around Svalbard isn't just changing due to global warming. The search is particularly influenced by ice conditions and daylight, as polar night prevails in winter (November to February). Of course, it's also crucial whether you prefer to try your luck by boat or snowmobile. Tourist expedition trips by ship are from May to September inclusive in Spitsbergen. Those who travel to Spitsbergen primarily to see polar bears have the best chances on a longer boat trip and also enjoy a high level of safety.
Adventurous start to the season for the die-hards
When does the polar bear season start in Svalbard?
March: From the first week of March, the sun will be visible on the horizon again in Spitsbergen. The month of March is ideal for snowmobile tours and dog sled tours. If you're lucky, you can also see the Northern Lights during this time. It's also quite possible to see a polar bear, especially on snowmobile tours lasting several days.
However, since temperatures at this time are still at an average of -15°C and camping takes place at night under the watchful eyes of a polar bear guard, this experience is reserved for the more adventurous among travelers.
Tourist expedition by ship in spring
When is the best time to see polar bears in Svalbard?
May and June: A clear advantage of this time of year is that if a polar bear is spotted, you are almost certain to see it on snow and ice, as in spring Svalbard is still wrapped in its white winter coat.
On the other hand, the travel route is still severely restricted by sea ice, so that usually only part of the west coast of the main island of Spitsbergen can be explored. Storms are particularly common in May and the days are still short at the beginning of the season. Since 2025, a minimum distance of 500 meters has also been required for observing polar bears within Norwegian waters in May and June.
High season in summer with good chances of circumnavigating Spitsbergen
When is it possible to circumnavigate Spitsbergen?
July and August: The European summer is considered high season in Svalbard. Depending on the ice conditions and the type of ship, a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen or even the entire Svalbard archipelago is possible. Icebreakers also set out through the pack ice to the North Pole. Since the ships can travel longer distances at this time of year, it's possible to search for polar bears in many different locations.
In addition to the significantly extended travel route, summer also offers mild temperatures (-2 to +16°C) and - thanks to the midnight sun - never-ending days. There are always good light conditions, no matter what time of day a polar bear is spotted. In July and August, the minimum distance required for observing polar bears in Norwegian waters is also only 300 meters. In good conditions, it is also possible to get closer if the route leaves Norwegian waters and, for example, runs along the pack ice border.
However, during the summer months, many polar bears are spotted on rocky coasts in Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago) because (apart from the pack ice and the impressive glaciers) there are very few areas where snow and ice can be found.
Conclusion: Best time to travel for polar bears in Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago)
If you're specifically looking for polar bears among the snow and ice, you'd better try your luck in spring. Of course, it's also possible to photograph a polar bear in Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago in summer, either on remnants of snow or even in the vast pack ice, but many sightings occur in areas without any ice cover.
However, if you want to visit as many places as possible that are known for polar bear sightings and at the same time increase your chances of a closer encounter with the king of the Arctic, then you should choose summer.
8. What photo equipment is useful for polar bear photos in Svalbard?
If you want to not only observe polar bears in the wild in Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago but also photograph them, you should consider the appropriate camera equipment before your trip. While you can certainly take beautiful snapshots of Spitsbergen's impressive landscape with a cell phone, you won't be able to take good wildlife photos. We'll give you a few basic tips for capturing unique images from Spitsbergen.
Do I need a telephoto lens? A good telephoto lens is a must!
Since polar bears are usually several hundred meters away, a generously sized telephoto lens is important. This is the only way to take large format polar bear photos and full-frame shots. Your telephoto lens should have a focal length of at least 400mm. If you want full-frame shots, you need more. On the other hand, the lens shouldn't be too heavy for you, because the heavier the lens and the more unsteady your hand, the more quickly the photos will blur.
How do I get sharp polar bear photos in a dinghy?
To reduce the risk of blurry photos, a short exposure time is important. This means that your camera must offer a higher ISO range and your lens should let in as much light as possible. Furthermore, a camera with an intelligent chip that offers good facial recognition for animals can be an advantage in a rocking dinghy. Good image stabilization of the camera and lens is of course also important.
Do I need a tripod? A tripod is rarely useful on a polar bear safari.
If you are in a small rubber dinghy with the engine running and slowly approaching the polar bear, a tripod will not help you: waves, vibrations and every movement of your fellow passengers will otherwise disturb your shots. You could only possibly use a tripod if you are observing polar bears from the deck of the ship.
How do I get shake-free footage?
A fantastic tool for professional photographers and film crews is a gimbal. A gimbal looks like a tripod, but has special swivel joints. These balance every movement perfectly, so the camera is always stable: perfect for shake-free filming in the boat.
Are drone shots of polar bears permitted in Svalbard?
The use of drones is now completely banned in Svalbard's national parks to avoid disturbing Arctic wildlife.
Our personal photo equipment on polar bear excursion
We generally travel light and like to be flexible, which is why we prefer more compact photo equipment.
Photo equipment for the polar bear photos in this article:
- Canon EOS R6 (full format)
- Canon EOS R7 (1,6x crop factor)
- Lens with XXmm focal length for wide-angle shots
- Lens with XXmm focal length for landscape photography
- two lenses with 400mm focal length for wildlife photography
- Extender that increases the focal length up to 800mm (in good lighting conditions)
- Water bags as splash protection in the inflatable boat
However, since larger safety distances have to be maintained when observing polar bears since 2025, we would actually use a larger lens on our next trip in order to be able to take full-frame shots again.
9. What safety measures are in place in polar bear country?
As fascinating as the white bears of the Arctic are, one should never forget that a hungry polar bear would also attack a human. Although attacks are rare, six people have been killed by polar bears in Svalbard since 1971. The last fatal incident was in 2020. In the summer of 2022, a tourist was injured and the bear was unfortunately killed. The use of firearms is always the last option. If a bear is shot in self-defense, this always leads to an investigation to rule out a crime. Polar bears have been protected in Svalbard since 1973. Even careless behavior that endangers a polar bear can be punished.
Polar bear watch while camping in Svalbard
Many of the tragic accidents occurred while camping, often even within the Longyearbyen settlement. For this reason, a nighttime polar bear watch is vital when camping in Svalbard. Also to protect the polar bears!
signal pistols and firearms
In Svalbard, it is mandatory to carry a suitable deterrent outside of settlements. This does not mean pepper spray, but rather a signal pistol with special ammunition to scare away polar bears.
It is also common and advisable to carry a rifle in case of emergency when outside a settlement. A caution polar bear sign warns walkers on the edge of the settlement of Longyearbyen and Ny-alesundthat he is now leaving supposedly safe areas.
Noise as a deterrent
With shy animals, it is often enough for a group to stand close together and make noise. Deterring the polar bear with loud noises and special ammunition is always plan A. Live ammunition is definitely only used in self-defense. Fortunately, attacks do not occur often, but every polar bear shot is one too many.
Avoid unplanned encounters
In order to avoid dangerous situations, it is advisable to prevent any unplanned encounter between humans and polar bears on land from the outset: polar bear watch when camping, large safety distances during snowmobile tours, careful dinghy trips and careful preparation of landings on ship journeys are crucial for the safety of humans and animals.
Safety on Expedition Cruise with Polar Bear Safari in Svalbard
On a cruise in Svalbard, guests spend the night safely on board. Before going ashore, the presence of polar bears is excluded as far as possible. Armed nature guides accompany the group and on polar bear safaris by dinghy, the necessary safety distance is maintained. Caution is a constant companion in the land of polar bears: in fog, for example, activities should be postponed or canceled for safety reasons.
Evacuation in case of unplanned polar bear sighting
Should, despite all precautions, a polar bear unexpectedly appear while tourists are on land, an immediate evacuation will be initiated. All tourists are instructed to return promptly to the boats, to immediately follow the instructions of the expedition leaders, and above all (even if it may be difficult) not to waste time taking photographs.
Careful reaction when hiking
When hiking in Svalbard, special caution is always required. If the group sees a polar bear when the boat is too far away to retreat, the nature guides will decide what to do. They are appropriately trained and equipped with flare guns and rifles. It is important that the group stays close together.
Personal experience: Safety measures on the Sea Spirit
The Sea Spirit expedition team on our expedition cruise in Svalbard with Poseidon Expeditions has taken numerous measures to avoid any confrontation between humans and polar bears in advance.
- Zodiacs were used to approach polar bears: these are motorized inflatable boats made of durable synthetic rubber with a solid bottom. They are small and maneuverable and the various air chambers provide safety even if one or two of them were to be damaged.
- On polar bear safaris, the safety distance was adjusted by experienced nature guides, who were largely guided by the behavior of the bears.
- Before each landing, the presence of polar bears was ruled out as far as possible. To this end, the area was carefully checked: first from the ship, then by zodiac and finally by the polar bear guard on land. Only then were tourists allowed to go ashore.
- Throughout the landing, several team members kept watch and surveyed the area from elevated vantage points.
- During hikes, an armed nature guide walked at the front and back of the group so that he could intervene in an emergency. The group naturally had to stay close together and caution was required.
- When fog came in, shore excursions or hikes were cancelled for safety reasons.
Personal experience: Suddenly he was there
Twice we became aware of why the expedition team was conscientiously carrying out all these safety measures day in and day out. Even though our polar bear observation was always very relaxed, just one moment of carelessness can have serious consequences:
- A landing was spontaneously cancelled because the expedition team had spotted a polar bear swimming towards the island. Any tourist would have definitely missed the bear: the tiny white head in the distance was barely visible in the foamy crests of the waves. We stayed at anchor and the polar bear came ashore at exactly the spot where we had originally planned to land.
- Another polar bear immediately trotted towards us at a brisk pace when it saw two of the dinghies. Its posture was completely different from that of any other polar bear we have seen before or since. The expedition team immediately increased the safety distance, even though the animal was still about 300 meters away from us. The bear then immediately slowed down and lay down.
Conclusion: Is it safe to observe polar bears in Svalbard?
Observing polar bears in Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago is particularly safe from the water, as long as everyone follows common-sense safety rules. However, unplanned encounters between polar bears and humans, such as while camping or on land in unpredictable terrain, can be dangerous. A residual risk always exists. You should be understanding of all safety measures taken by your tour guide, as the goal is not only maximum safety for all participants, but also for the polar bears.
10. Is observing polar bears in Svalbard environmentally friendly?
Last but not least, there is of course the question of sustainability. Is it even justifiable to observe polar bears and visit the sensitive Arctic ecosystem of Spitsbergen as a tourist?
A set of rules helps protect the Arctic
The Norwegian government has passed numerous rules and regulations to protect the ecosystem around Spitsbergen: Large ships with more than 200 passengers are no longer allowed in the protected areas of Svalbard, for example. Possible landings are also clearly regulated and in some cases limited to 39 tourists at a time. On the island of Moffen, for example, landings are completely prohibited during the breeding season. Drone photography is also generally no longer permitted within the national parks in order not to disturb the wildlife.
To protect polar bears
Since 2025, the minimum distance from polar bears (depending on the season) has been increased to 300 to 500 meters. This regulation is not only for safety reasons, but also to protect the polar bears, who are thus even less disturbed in their natural behavior. Swimming polar bears are not pursued by boat in Svalbard for animal welfare reasons: It is extremely important that they can always continue swimming in peace, because the longest distance ever measured that a polar bear has covered while swimming was an incredible 900 kilometers.
Ambassador for Climate and Species Protection
Of course, one could argue that the ecosystem and wildlife are best protected when there are no tourists there at all. On the other hand, tourism is more environmentally friendly than, for example, mining. It can be very valuable for the ecosystem if a country earns income from tourism and knows how to appreciate and protect its natural wonders.
The polar bear in particular also functions as a symbolic animal and promotes climate and species protection worldwide. It is important and right that no sensation-oriented tourism develops in Svalbard, but that informative lectures complement the trip and guests are sensitized to climate and nature conservation.
Would you also like to see polar bears in nature?
Information and experiences on polar bear wildlife observation
- Watching polar bears in Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago), information & experience
- How many polar bears are there in Svalbard? Myths & Facts
- Experience Svalbard & polar bears with Poseidon Expeditions
- Experiencing polar bears in the wild – our dream came true in Svalbard (Blog)
- Svalbard/Spitzbergen new regulations 2025: What travelers need to know (External Link)
Information and experiences for your Svalbard trip:
Notes and Copyright
Disclosure: Magazine.Travel received discounted or free services from Poseidon Expeditions as part of this report. The content of this article remains unaffected. The press code applies.
Text and photos are protected by copyright. The copyright of this article in word and image is held entirely by Magazine.Travel. All rights reserved. Content can be licensed for print/online media upon request.
If the content of this article does not correspond to your personal experience, we assume no liability. The content of the article has been carefully researched and is based on personal experience. If information is nevertheless misleading or incorrect, we assume no liability. Furthermore, circumstances can change. Magazine.Travel does not guarantee that the information is up-to-date or complete.
Source for: Observing polar bears in Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago)
Information on site by the expedition team from Poseidon Expeditions or on the Cruise ship Sea Spirit, as well as personal experiences on the expedition cruise around Svalbard in mid to late July 2023.
Magazine.Travel (06.10.2023) How many polar bears are there in Svalbard? [online] Retrieved on 15.10.2023, from URL: https://magazine.travel/urlaub/arktis/spitzbergen/wie-viele-eisbaeren-gibt-es-in-spitzbergen-svalbard-und-der-barentssee/
Bengtsson, Olof et. al (2021) Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018. [online] Retrieved on October 06.10.2023th, XNUMX, from URL: https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/5326/13326
Funke Medien Berlin GmbH (August 28.08.2020, 20.10.2023) Norway: Polar bear fatally injures campers on Spitsbergen. [online] Retrieved on October XNUMX, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.morgenpost.de/vermischtes/article230280132/Norwegen-Eisbaer-verletzt-Camper-auf-Spitzbergen-toedlich.html
G+J Medien GmbH (09.08.2022) On Spitsbergen: Polar bear attacks French tourist and is shot. [online] Retrieved on October 20.10.2023, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.stern.de/reise/europa/auf-spitzbergen–eisbaer-greift-franzoesische-touristin-an-und-wird-erschossen-32612816.html
Nemitz, Remo (n.d.) Weather & Climate Svalbard: Climate table, temperatures and best time to travel. [online] Retrieved on October 20.10.2023, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.beste-reisezeit.org/pages/arktis/spitzbergen.php#Spitzbergen_Klima