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Polar Bears and Pack Ice: 22 Pics from North Spitsbergen

by Oceanwide Expeditions Blog

Regions: Arctic

Destinations: Svalbard

Highlights: Polar Bear, Pack Ice

North Spitsbergen polar bears, pack ice, and other Arctic marvels

Last month we discussed one of the best Arctic cruise spots on the planet in our North Spitsbergen blog. That entry provided not only a description of our itinerary in that sublime area, but also some of the eye-popping places where you might see polar bears, whales, walruses, seals, seabirds, and the many enchanting ice formations of the far north.

Instead of writing about these things again, we'll just let them speak for themselves.

Here follow 22 tantalizing photos of the phenomenal wildlife, landscapes, and pack ice that make the Arctic paradise of North Spitsbergen so singularly unique. May they serve as visual proof that, if you ever make the supremely wise decision of booking a Spitsbergen trip, one of your chief priorities should be the island's stunning northern ranges.

1. Contemplating the vast views of North Spitsbergen

Image by Markus Eichenberger

2. Local walrus doing the same

Image by Sarah Gerats

3. Kittiwake cruising the Svalbard skies

Image by Sara Jenner

4. Humpback whale waving at the camera

Image by Geert Kroes

5. Floating northern fulmars on a blue backdrop

Image by Markus Eichenberger

6. Getting that perfect pack ice pic

Image by Markus Eichenberger

7. North Spitsbergen seas and ice sculptures

Image by Sarah Gerats

8. Arctic fox prowling for overlooked eggs

Image by Peter Tadin

9. Svalbard pack ice as far as the eye can see

Image by Markus Eichenberger

10. Pensive polar bear cub and mother

Image by Wim van Passel

11. The surreal Spitsbergen bay of Fjortende Julibukta

Image by Sarah Gerats

12. Brünnich's guillemots bobbing on the waves

Image by Mathieu Berteloot

13. Minke whale surfacing for a breather

14. Organized polar bear family on the prowl

Image by Markus Eichenberger

15. Snowy spans of Svalbard mountains

16. Spitsbergen reindeer trekking the tundra

Image by Jan Michiels

17. The sleek figure of a fin whale

Image by Ali Liddle

18. Bearded seal lounging on the pack ice

Image by Markus Eichenberger

19. Spitsbergen's incredible bay of Ebeltofthamna

Image by Sarah Gerats

20. Polar bear up close and personal

Image by Wim van Passel

21. Spouting blue whale in Woodfjord

Image by Geert Kroes

22. Polar bear on the North Spitsbergen pack ice

Image by Markus Eichenberger

Title image by Wim van Passel

 

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