SCOTLAND TO SPITSBERGEN – PUFFINS, SEA ICE AND WILDLIFE

SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Ultramarine

Part of the Quark fleet, Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Ultramarine accommodates 199 guests and is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters to offer the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. With two dining areas, four bars, a panoramic lounge, theatre, library, spa and fitness centre, Polar boutique and an ocean view sauna your days at sea can be as busy or relaxing as you decide.

Days 1 – 2 Aberdeen, Scotland

Arrive any time on Day 1 and make your way to the group hotel, which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. The Scottish city of Aberdeen is known as the Granite City, as it was once the granite capital of the world. You’ll understand as soon as you see the grey Victorian buildings—that sparkle in the sunlight. A bustling cultural hub, Aberdeen also offers a range of museums, galleries, theaters, shops, cafés and restaurants to explore.

On Day 2, you will have some free time before being transferred to the port to board your ship. Upon boarding the ship, you will be welcomed by the expedition team and crew who will provide ship orientation and an introductory briefing of the voyage to come.

Day 3 Orkney Islands

Situated just north of mainland Scotland, Orkney is an archipelago of more than 70 islands steeped in history. Some of Europe’s most intact Neolithic ruins are found here, dating back 5,000 to 8,000 years. Chief among them is Skara Brae, a small community of ten stone homes, situated within earthen dams, that dates to 3180 BCE. Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, and is considered one of the most important Neolithic sites in all of Europe. Papa Westray, a more remote island just north of Skara Brae—and more difficult to access—is also home to an ancient farmstead dating back to 3700 BCE.

The region is a network of pastoral green islands framed by rugged coastlines and occasional white sandy beaches. These islands—with cliffs ideal for nesting seabirds—are perfectly situated for both seasonal bird colonies and migratory species en route to the Arctic. Birders will find Orkney an excellent place to spot species like Atlantic puffins, northern gannets, razorbills, kittiwakes, Arctic terns, Arctic skuas, and many others. Guests can explore off-ship—as conditions allow—by joining Zodiac, kayak, and paddling excursions, as well as guided and self-guided walks.

Day 4 Shetland Islands

Further north, Shetland is another archipelago with a truly unique culture and feel. A fusion of Norse and Scottish history and culture, Shetland feels like no other place in the UK. Here, explore the bird colonies of Sumburgh Head, 100-metre cliffs framed by jagged rocky outcroppings that pierce through the sea. Common species spotted here include Atlantic puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. Additional marine wildlife in the vicinity includes white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally orca and humpback whales. The cliffs themselves are impressive in their rugged beauty, marked by a picturesque lighthouse.

Not far from Sumburgh Head, and deeper into the West Voe of Sumburgh, is the world-famous Jarlshof—an archaeological site considered to be among Europe’s most important. The area showcases thousands of years of human history, with Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Viking sites all immediately visible and within close proximity to one another.

There are plenty of opportunities to be active on this journey. Take Zodiacs to explore the coastal shorelines for cruising as well as shore landings. Whenever you’re back on the ship, head to the outer decks for birds and marine mammals.

Days 5 – 7 At Sea

While at sea, be sure to spend time on the outer decks to watch for resident seabirds and migrating birds, or enjoy the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll ride the relatively warm current north—the same current that helps keep the Norwegian coast and west coast of Svalbard relatively temperate. While onboard, your Expedition Team will share their knowledge and expertise through scheduled presentations on ornithology, biology, history, and geology, as well as through informal interactions throughout the voyage. Your at-sea days provide ample opportunity to enjoy the amenities onboard Ultramarine: the Tundra Spa & Sauna, the fitness centre, the library, or one of several lounges where you can enjoy a drink with fellow travelers.

Day 8 Bear Island

Situated more than 400 kilometres north of mainland Norway, Bear Island is the gateway to Svalbard—and home to prolific bird populations. Visiting is a special privilege, as the island is rarely accessed due to its isolation. More than 1.5 million birds flock to Bear Island each year. Hundreds of thousands nest on its near-vertical cliffs, where they can forage in the rich marine environment. If wind and waves allow, it’s possible you’ll Zodiac cruise here along cliffs teeming with birds. Little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots, common guillemots, kittiwakes, and northern fulmars are found in prolific numbers, alongside smaller colonies of Atlantic puffins.

Shorelines are fully exposed to the open ocean, with waves crashing in an astounding display of nature’s power. A few sheltered coves— used by whalers, sealers, explorers, and researchers from the 16th to 21st centuries—may offer you a chance to explore this wild outpost at the gates of Svalbard. Arctic foxes may be spotted on shore, eagerly awaiting the return of birds and their eggs. Remnants of whaling history from the early 17th century, along with more recent traces of meteorological and military activity, can be found here.

Days 9 – 10 Storfjorden

Your introduction to Svalbard begins in Storfjorden, a wide fjord in southern Svalbard that is often dense with sea ice in May. How far we travel will depend on current ice conditions. Sea ice is dynamic, capable of shifting dozens of kilometers in a day, so your Expedition Team will adjust accordingly to find the best opportunities to explore. Navigate by ship and Zodiac along the ice edge in search of iconic wildlife such as polar bears and walrus, both drawn to the life-giving sea ice. Wildlife movements are unpredictable, so keep your binoculars close—you never know when something may appear. Your Expedition Team will share insights into the region’s features and history as you explore. If conditions allow, you may even step onto the sea ice itself.

Day 11 Hornsund

After excitedly exploring the open sea ice, you’ll continue toward Svalbard’s west coast for a closer, more intimate encounter with the wilderness of the archipelago. Your first day will be spent in and around Hornsund, a region of striking landscapes, mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Sea ice may still be present, and if so, watch for wildlife whose lives depend on it for food and survival. Explore the fjord by Zodiac and on foot, though you should expect plenty of snow underfoot. Hornsund is home to several tidewater glaciers, which you may approach by Zodiac. Icebergs mix with brash and sea ice, creating a unique crackling soundscape that echoes the rhythm of the Arctic. Surrounding you, 800 to 1,400-metre peaks rise beneath Midnight Sun skies, the kind of scene many envision when dreaming of the High Arctic. Watch for Arctic fox, often seen in the area. Seabird colonies thrive here too, a reminder of the epic migrations these species undertake each spring to reach Svalbard—and again each fall as they return south.

Day 12 Bellsund

Moving north up the coast, enter another large fjord with many smaller branches, each worth exploring. Bellsund, much like Hornsund, features several tidewater glaciers, which you’ll aim to visit as conditions allow. It’s also home to a remarkable little auk colony, which you’ll approach by Zodiac to observe the early summer activity. Birder or not, it’s hard not to admire these small, resilient birds, perfectly adapted to this seemingly harsh environment. By late spring, skies over the colony are thick with birds and reindeer are often spotted here too. The landscape is iconic—snowcapped peaks layered in all directions, jagged rocky outcrops, and soft, snow-covered plains. If conditions allow, you’ll go ashore.

Day 13 Krossfjorden

Overnight, push far up the coast to Krossfjorden, just 660 nautical miles from the North Pole. Explore as much of the west coast as possible, as this dramatic fjord lies along a stretch of coastline shaped by a relatively warm current flowing from south to north—creating a surprisingly temperate environment compared to the harsher conditions farther north and east. Depending on ice and weather conditions, venture deep into the fjord to iconic sites such as Lilliehookbreen—a stunning tidewater glacier where seals often haul out on floating ice. You may also spot Arctic foxes, whether out on the ice or along the hillsides above, and seabird colonies occupy several of the cliffs deeper in the fjord. Avid birders should keep an eye out for king eiders. While Longyearbyen holds the title of northernmost city in the world, the northernmost settlement—Ny-Ålesund— lies in Kongsfjorden, a southern offshoot of Krossfjorden. Originally a coal mining outpost over a century ago, it now serves as an important year-round research station.

Day 14 Smeerenburgfjorden

Today marks the northernmost point of your journey—just over 1300 kilometres from the North Pole. Sea ice may lie just north of the coastline—or dozens of nautical miles offshore—depending on the currents and how the ice is moving at the time. Deeper into the fjord, hope to land at a known walrus haulout: a sandy beach often covered in snow but used by walruses throughout the year. Arctic terns, among the world’s most impressive migratory species, nest in the fjord, and you may see them flying overhead as you travel by foot or Zodiac. From the walrus haulout, mountain ranges stretch across the fjord, evoking a sense of standing at—or beyond—the frontier. Evidence of human activity remains: relics of whaling and sealing industries dating back to the 1600s are still visible onshore. Not full-scale factories, but trypots—used to render whale blubber into oil—remain scattered about the area.

Day 15 Isfjorden

Your final expedition day will likely be spent in or around Isfjorden, the fjord system where Longyearbyen is located. The mountainous, glaciated scenery continues here, and you’ll spend much of the day exploring the coastlines—likely among seabirds. Isfjorden can also be an excellent place to spot whales, some of which may have arrived at their summer feeding grounds by now. Spend time on the outer decks taking in the scenery— you may spot various species of marine life. Visit Alkhornet, the iconic seabird colony and also a good place to look for reindeer and Arctic fox. Appreciate the little auks, perfectly at home beneath the horn-shaped mountain overlooking the fjord, and the reindeer patiently awaiting summer’s abundant vegetation. They’ll remain here for a while, going about their daily lives in a vast wilderness that stretches in all directions for hundreds—if not thousands—of nautical miles.

Day 16 Longyearbyen to Helsinki

The moment has come to say farewell. Time permitting, you may be able to explore the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen before the group transfer to the airport for the charter flight to Helsinki. Upon arrival in Helsinki, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for the night. Both are included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 17 Helsinki

After breakfast, make your way independently to the airport for your onward flight home, or stay to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own.