2022 Quark Spitsbergen Explorer

Day 01 - Embarkation Longyearbyen

Our charter flight to Longyearbyen was in the morning and we spent the day exploring the town before boarding the Ocean Adventurer around 4pm.

Day 02 - Ekmanfjorden

Expedition Day in Isfjord - Ekmanfjord: In the afternoon, after two potential sites turned out to be unsuitable windy, we found relative shelter deep inside Ekmanfjord and launched the Zodiacs.

Day 03 - Bjornfjorden and Indre Norskoya

A lovely calm morning allowed us a much more sedate Zodiac cruise. We relocated to Indre Norskeoya (Inner Norwegian Island) where the zodiacs were launched double-quick as polar bears had been seen shore.

Day 04 - Worsleyneset and Monacobreen

We went ashore at Worsleyneset for a leisurely walk. we spent the afternoon at Liefdefjord and explored the glaciers that terminated in Liefdefjord including the impressive Monacobreen.

Day 05 - Exploring the Sea Ice Edge

In the morning we found ourselves at the edge of the vast polar pack ice field. A inquisitive polar bear approached us quickly. In the afternoon there was the 'Polar Plunge' which was put on hold with the return of the bear, which swam towards the ship.

Day 06 - Murchisonfjorden and Ardneset

There was a zodiac cruise among the Rossøyane (Russian Islands) and in the afternoon another at Ardneset where we were able to see a couple of groups of walrus.

Day 07 - Kraemerpynten and Andreeneset - Kvitoya

In the morning we anchored off Kvitoya (White island) and did a zodiac cruise to Kaemerpynten. Our afternoon zodiac cruise was at Andreeneset.

Day 08 - Kapp Waldburg and Sundneset

We were to walk across tundra to a canyon with cliffs full of kittiwake nests until a two polar bears were spoted. Instead we watched from the zodiacs and explored the coast.

Day 09 - Gashamna and Brepollen - Hornsund

We arrived in Hornsund and did a zodiac cruise at Burgerbukta. After lunch we went deep into the head of Brepollen (glacier bay) and zodiac cruised the huge Storebreen (great glacier) front.

Day 10 - Recherchefjorden and Bourbonhamna

The morning’s excursion was a hike around the Recherchefjord area. In the afternoon we relocated round the corner to Bourbonhamma where we were visited by a pod of tens of belugas.

Day 11 - Disembarkation Longyearbyen

We spent the day in Longyearbyen before departing on our chartered plane at 7pm.