Arctic – Svalbard Archipelago
Arctic Island Moffen
The small island of Moffen in the Svalbard archipelago lies in the Arctic Ocean just above the 80th parallel and is part of the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Although the crescent-shaped island is only about 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, it nevertheless offers two animal highlights.
Firstly, this Arctic island is a well-known resting place for walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) and secondly, the sallow gull (Larus sabini), one of the rarest breeding birds in Spitsbergen, nests on Moffen. Other bird species such as brent geese, Arctic terns and eider ducks also breed there.
Moffen in the Svalbard archipelago is a popular stopover for cruise ships in Spitsbergen and for many travelers the place where they cross 80 degrees north for the first time.
Walrus colony on Moffen Island in the Svalbard archipelago: Large groups of these impressive animals often lie there. Hundreds of walruses on the beach are not uncommon on this Arctic island.
However, the small Arctic island can only be visited in summer, as it is enclosed by pack ice in winter. During the summer months (until mid-September), landing is prohibited to protect the nesting birds. Tourists on a sea voyage observe walruses and seabirds on the island of Moffen in the Svalbard archipelago. therefore from the board of their cruise ship.
The AGE™ Spitsbergen Cruise Experience Report: “Under the midnight sun, sailing past calving glaciers” takes you on the first leg of our sea voyage through Spitsbergen on the Sea Spirit.
Our Svalbard travel guide will take you on a tour of the various attractions, sights and wildlife viewing.
Learn more about walruses and other animal species in Svalbard in the AGE™ article Animals of the Arctic.
Tourists can also discover Spitsbergen with an expedition ship, for example with the Sea Spirit.
Explore the arctic islands of Norway with the AGE™ Svalbard Travel Guide.
Svalbard travel guide • Svalbard trip • Moffen Island • Spitsbergen cruise report
What is the weather like on the island of Moffen, Svalbard?Svalbard travel guide • Svalbard trip • Moffen Island • Spitsbergen cruise report
Stange Rolf (Last updated 02.03.2019) Sabine's gull (Larus sabini or Xema sabini). [online] Retrieved on 13.08.2023, from URL: https://www.spitsbergen-svalbard.com/spitsbergen-information/wildlife/sabines-gull.html