As is very typical for operating expeditions in Svalbard, plans change based on many variables, which is exactly what happened this morning. With building winds offshore being driven by the massive icecap that covers Nordaustlandet, we had to abort our landing efforts at Agustabukta and set off in search of another adventure Svalbard was waiting to offer us. With near bluebird conditions and surrounded by stunning beauty in panoramic glory, we chose to seek out an area of the Hinlopen Strait where good ice conditions afforded us encounters with Svalbard’s most famous residents, polar bears. As fate would have it, we found 2 lone male polar bears out on the fast ice, sea ice held fast to the shore that is a critical habitat for the bears and their forage. It’s such a powerful experience to witness these magnificent rulers of the ice in their natural habitat, watching them from a distance in a “fly on the wall” fashion.
Our afternoon was spent kayaking and Zodiac cruising just north of Bjørnsundet in glass-calm conditions, observing walrus and bearded seals, and taking in the surroundings and Svalbard’s wild, pristine beauty.
6/13/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Fjortende Julibukta and Lilliehöökbreen
Our last day in Svalbard began with a wintery feeling. National Geographic Endurance sailed towards the entrance of Krossfjorden while it was gently snowing. Our morning destination was 14th of July Bay. This was our last outing in Spitsbergen and we could not have picked a better spot to end our unforgettable voyage. The landing area was covered with spring flowers which painted the otherwise barren looking landscape with green, white, and purple colors. Svalbard reindeers were contently grazing in the outskirts of the steep cliffs, enjoying the place also known as “hanging gardens.” Thousands of kittiwakes were loudly soaring above us. Occasionally a fight would break out between a kittiwake and an Arctic skua, who clearly was not very welcomed in the nesting site of the gulls. A Zodiac cruise also offered us great wildlife encounters. The shoreline was a popular nesting place for the guillemots, eider ducks, and the Atlantic puffins. After lunch, Captain Oliver positioned our vessel in front of another spectacular sight, Lillehöök Glacier. After an hour-long cruise, we reluctantly bid farewell to Krossfjorden and made our way towards Longyearbyen.
