The Arctic

(including the North Pole, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, Arctic Canada, Arctic Siberia, Kamchatka, the Commanders & the Kurils)

The Arctic is one of the most remote, little-known and fascinating regions of the world. Its coastlines offer some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences anywhere, where one can witness huge colonies of seabirds lining the cliffs, enjoy the thrilling antics of whales and dolphins and watch spectacular Walruses hauled out on rocks and ice floes. In some areas one may even encounter the true legend of the Arctic, the incomparable Polar Bear.

The Arctic is essentially a huge frozen ocean surrounded by wild and beautiful landscapes. It comes alive for just a few short months each year. Summer arrives with a rush, bringing warmth and near continuous daylight. The abundance of food available for this short season attracts large numbers of migratory birds that manage to breed in the short time available before heading south again. Other notable wildlife in the Arctic region includes Musk Ox, Ringed, Bearded and Harp Seals and spectacular cetaceans including Beluga, Narwhal, Orca (or Killer Whale) and Bowhead Whale. Remarkably, the region is also home to small numbers of people who, against all the odds, have thrived and developed some of the hardiest societies on the planet.

Few people have travelled to this pristine wilderness and even fewer have explored its remote seas and coastal areas by ship. Itineraries offered include voyages to Spitsbergen, Greenland, Newfoundland and the Russian Far East. It is even possible to travel all the way to the North Pole on a spectacular voyage in a special icebreaker or to sail by yacht around stunning fjords in areas inaccessible to larger vessels. A full list of trips offered to the Arctic is found below:


Ocean Adventures Group Tours

Spitsbergen, 19-27 June 2008
Join us for this classic Arctic adventure, accompanied by an Ocean Adventures leader...more
Spitsbergen, 25 June - 3 July 2009
Join us for this classic Arctic adventure, accompanied by an Ocean Adventures leader...more

The Kurils, The Commanders & Kamchatka, 5-19 June 2009
Join us for this exciting new adventure to the Russian Far East, accompanied by an Ocean Adventures leader...more



Heritage Expeditions Cruises

Across the Top of the World
Discover the north eastern part of Eurasia (Chukotka) in a way that has never been possible before. On this expedition we cruise across the Arctic Circle through the Bering Strait and into the Arctic sea to Wrangel Island, a world class Nature Reserve, which is often referred to as the “Polar Bear Maternity Ward"...more
Kamchatka Peninsula & Beyond: Jewel of the Russian Far East
Only recently have “outsiders” been welcome to this part of the world. The landscape and wildlife is as varied as you will find anywhere in the world from active volcanoes to extensive tundra, Brown Bears to Walruses and everything in between...more

Kuril Islands: Cruise the Ring of Fire
Straddling the Pacific Rim of Fire, these remote Islands stretching from Northern Japan to the Kamchatka Peninsula will seduce you with their history and wildlife ...more

Where Russia's Day Begins
The Russian Far East coastline dominates the North Pacific but so few people have experienced it. This cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore the many fiords, bays and islands along this coastline...more


Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises

The Scottish Islands to The Faroes to Jan Mayen to Bear Island and on to Spitsbergen

Beginning in the characterful Scottish Islands, we head up to the Faroes and on to splendid Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen, home of Polar Bears and Walruses!...more

Around Iceland

Iceland’s volcanoes, icecaps, rugged glaciated mountains, fjords and coastal cliffs and beaches together form one of the most inspiring landscapes on earth...more

Iceland to Jan Mayen to Bear Island and on to Spitsbergen
Beginning on the fabulous, scenic, volcanic island of Iceland we head for splendid Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen, home of Polar Bears and Walruses! ...more

Lofoten - North Norway

Join us for this very special voyage which focuses on the incredible Orca (or Killer Whale)...more

North Spitsbergen, 8 Day Itinerary
Fabulous North Spitsbergen has some of the best scenery anywhere as well as Polar Bears, Walruses and Ivory Gulls...more
North Spitsbergen, 12 Day Itinerary
Fabulous North Spitsbergen has some of the best scenery anywhere as well as Polar Bears, Walruses and Ivory Gulls. This is a chance to enjoy it from a yacht!....more

Around Spitsbergen, 11 Day Itinerary
A classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic island, the home of Polar Bears and Walruses!...more

Around Spitsbergen, 16 Day Itinerary
A classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic island, the home of Polar Bears and Walruses but on a yacht!...more

South Spitsbergen

A lovely late summer Arctic adventure on board the fabulous yacht, the Noorderlicht...more

Spitsbergen Eclipse

A classic Arctic voyage to this wonderfully scenic island, the home of Polar Bears and Walruses but with the added excitement of a solar eclipse!...more

Spitsbergen to Northeast Greenland

A classic Arctic voyage beginning in scenic Spitsbergen, the home of Polar Bears and Walruses and ending in Greenland, home to an impressive array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals, Walruses, Polar Bears, a spectacular variety of birds and hasa fascinating history and culture...more

East Greenland (Scoresby Sund)
Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals, Walruses, Polar Bears, a spectacular variety of birds and hasa fascinating history and culture...more


Quark Expeditions Cruises

Arctic Islands (Franz Josef Land, Svalbard, Greenland)

Eight centuries passed before all the islands you will visit during this expedition were charted by Europeans. The Vikings sailed to Greenland in the 11 th Century. The Dutch explorer put Svalbard on the map in the 16 th Century. Franz Josef Land, the last to be found, was unknown 135 years ago. On this expedition we explore a corner of Europe still relatively untouched by human intervention...more

Arctic Quest (Canada & Greenland)

The eastern coast of Ellesmere Island is the focus of this voyage through the High Arctic of Canada and Greenland and the feeding grounds of the animal that inspired the legend of the unicorn - the narwhal....more

Baffin Island Explorer

During this 10-day Active Adventure that follows the coast of Baffin Island, we explore deep fjords, nature reserves, and visit remote villages that can only be reached by ship or air...more

Baffin & Greenland and Solar Eclipse

During this 13-day active adventure from Iqaluit to Resolute, via Greenland, we intend to position the ship on August 1, to afford a view of a total solar eclipse. En route, optional kayaking will be available ...more

High Arctic Explorer

During this 12-day active adventure from Resolute to Resolute, we intend to explore in the Canadian Arctic: Lancaster Sound, Grise Fjord, Beechey Island, Sirmilik National Park and Pond Inlet. In Greenland we plan to visit Qaanaaq and Cape York ...more

Labrador Explorer

This 13-day active adventure embarks in St. John’s, on the island of Newfoundland to follow the Labrador Coast to Ungava Bay. En route, you’ll visit L’Anse aux Meadows, where a Viking village predates the arrival of Columbus in North America by 500 years ...more

The North Pole

For centuries, explorers set out for the North Pole by sled, ship, aircraft and even balloon, but it wasn’t until 1948 that a human reached 90º north. Now Quark Expeditions can take you there – aboard the icebreaker Yamal, one of the few ships powerful enough to push through the formidable Arctic ice pack...more

Northeast Passage

Russia's Northeast Passage was closed to foreigner travelers for more than half a century. Total darkness six months of the year coupled with extreme ice and weather conditions continue to make the Northeast Passage relatively inaccessible to travelers ...more

Northwest Passage via Simpson Strait

During this 13-day Active Adventure through a portion of the Northwest Passage, we attempt to transit Simpson Strait. The shallow draft of the Adventure Ship may make it possible to recreate a portion of Amundsen’s route that ships with deeper drafts cannot. ...more

Spitsbergen Explorer

This 11 or 12-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to explore the coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen...more

Spitsbergen Total Solar Eclipse

This 11-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to explore the coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen, while positioning the ship to view a total solar eclipse....more

Spitsbergen Eastern Greenland & Iceland

During this 14-day active adventure from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland, we intend to explore the islands of Spitsbergen, Moffen, Greenland and Westmann...more


Photograph courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions

An encounter with the incomparable Polar Bear is a dream come true for many visitors to the high Arctic.



Photograph by Pete Morris/Birdquest

The magical landscapes of the high Arctic have to be seen to be believed!


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