Ice floes ! North Cape and Spitsbergen

On board the polar yacht EXPLORER

100% French-speaking trip guided by a team of tour guides and a Great Spaces expedition leader.

• Tromsø, starting point of all major polar expeditions, the North Cape and Lapland
• Bears Island, between North Cape and Spitsbergen, with the largest bird colonies in the North Atlantic
• Exceptional days in the ice floe which encircles the East and South of Spitsbergen
• An extraordinary encounter with polar wildlife and history

DAY 1 – March 26 | Tromso

Boarding between 4 and 7 p.m. and dinner on board.

DAY 2 – DAY 3 – March 27 AND 28 | Hammerfest, Lapland fjords

Visit Tromsø then sail off the Lyngen Alps. Hammerfest was a whaling capital, today a port for gas companies, and anchored in a Lappish hinterland. The maze of fjords with its interior passengers and its reserves and park offers calm and beautiful navigations. The Northern Lights can be present at night.

DAY 4 – March 29 | At sea – North Cape

Arrival at the North Cape. This rock was discovered in 1553. Visit the small towns of Gjesvaer and Skarvåg as well as the nearby islands where seabirds including puffins, gannets and fishing eagles make their home. Visit the North Cape and its museums, with the panorama of the Barents Sea.

The crossing may be postponed by one day if weather and sea conditions are unfavorable.

DAY 5 – DAY 6 – March 30 AND 31 | At sea – Bear Island

Road to the North in the very rich waters of the Barents Sea which bears the name of the discoverer of Spitsbergen. Observations of cetaceans (rorquals, megaptera, dolphins, sperm whales, etc.). Bear Island is visible from afar with its steep cliffs and rocky peaks which shelter the immense colony of birds for which it is famous. Landings on the island.

DAY 7 to DAY 9 – From April 1 to 3 | Ice floe

Route towards the North and the East and depending on the ice, which reaches its maximum extent in March and April, we will navigate in the broken ice floe in search of seals and polar bears. Navigation near the east coast of Spitsbergen with its large ice caps. This eastern region is known for its large concentrations of harp seals originating from the White Sea and which come to feed by the thousands in the fish-rich waters.

DAY 10 – April 4: Hornsund

Southern Spitsbergen is renowned for its landscapes and its peak where 12 glaciers pearl, the Hornsundtid (1431 m altitude). The icy fjord is one of the places most steeped in history. Polar bears u are regular.

DAY 11 – April 5: Bellsund and Prince Charles Island

The Recherche Fjord is named in honor of the expeditions of the ship “La Recherche” in the 19th century. Site of whale massacres. Landing and evening observation of a group of walruses on Prince Charles Island.

DAY 12 – April 6 | Longyearbyen

Arrival in the capital of the Svalbard / Spitsbergen archipelago.

THE EXPLORER

The ultimate polar boat

✔ 12 passengers only

✔ Length 46.5 meters

✔ Width 10.5 meters

✔ Draft 2.9 meters

✔ Cruising speed 8 knots

Built in 1994 by the Danish state for oceanographic work in Greenland, this robust A1 ice class polar yacht has unparalleled maneuverability. With a length of 46.5 meters, width of 10.5 meters, it was completely redeveloped in 2020-2021 in order to minimize its impact on the environment and to offer a high quality service that its vast spaces allow him. It thus combines the unrivaled experience of Christian Kempf, polar expert, and naval architect Marco Coppola, specialized in exploration yachts.

A vessel adapted to the high seas and ice, its onboard equipment allows great flexibility in exploration and combines comfort, refinement and efficiency. The yacht is served by a crew of 8 people. Grands Espaces employs 2 tour guides on board. You will appreciate its spacious panoramic lounge, its sauna, jacuzzi and its fitness areas will allow you to relax after returning from zodiac outings… The Passerelle bridge hosts a panoramic lounge which opens at the rear onto an observation area .

The cabins of 14 to 17 square meters are available in individual suites, suites and cabins with twin or double beds.

On board, no packaging and we limit plastic bottles. Grands Espaces offers a water bottle. All cleaning products are labeled Cosmebio and Eurobio. Strict selective sorting of waste. Use of low sulfur marine gas oil (LS-MGO) 0.1%. Minimum consumption thanks to adapted cruising speeds.