Top Five Summer Experiences in Svalbard

Regent's Product Executive, Jane, discovers that Svalbard has plenty to offer visitors during the summer months, as the midnight sun makes adventures possible throughout the day and night.

Nature rules in Svalbard. It is one of Europe’s last great wildernesses and a place where polar bears outnumber people. Its main settlement and entry point, Longyearbyen, is a rustic former coal-mining town peppered with colourful buildings and derelict mines. From May to September each year, the polar summer brings 24-hour daylight, allowing more time for activities and exploration. From cruising through dramatic fjords to skiing under the midnight sun, here are our top five experiences for a summer visit to this Arctic playground.

“When most people think of Svalbard, they picture snow-covered landscapes, the northern lights and the Polar Night, but visiting in summer revealed a completely different side to the Arctic. From cruising beneath the Midnight Sun with Hurtigruten Svalbard to dog sledding, wildlife watching and even summer skiing, these are my five highlights from an unforgettable Svalbard adventure.”

Jane Slade

Senior Product Executive

1. Cruising with Hurtigruten Svalbard

Hurtigruten Svalbard

One of the best ways to experience Svalbard’s spectacular wilderness is from the water. Between May and September, when the Midnight Sun provides almost endless daylight, Hurtigruten Svalbard cruises offer the chance to venture beyond Longyearbyen and explore the archipelago’s dramatic fjords, towering glaciers and remote Arctic landscapes.

As you sail through these waters, keep watch for the abundant wildlife that calls Svalbard home. Cruise past glacier fronts and along ice edges where walruses, seals and seabirds can often be spotted, while whales and even polar bears are sometimes seen in the surrounding waters and along the coastline.

Cruising also offers the opportunity to reach parts of Svalbard that are difficult to access by land, revealing a different side of this extraordinary Arctic wilderness. Whether sailing silently past glaciers, spotting wildlife from the deck or soaking up the stillness of the landscape under the Midnight Sun, exploring Svalbard by ship is an unforgettable summer experience.

Experience Svalbard from the water with Hurtigruten Svalbard on our Svalbard Mini Cruise, the Arctic experts whose unrivalled experience and intimate knowledge of these extraordinary waters make this one of the most immersive and unforgettable ways to explore the archipelago.

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2. Dog Sledding 

Dog Sledding, Svalbard

I know what you’re thinking – surely you need snow for dog sledding? Well, not in Svalbard! During the summer months, the dogs pull specially designed wheeled sleds through the dramatic landscapes surrounding Longyearbyen, proving that this iconic Arctic experience isn't just reserved for winter.

After arriving at the dog kennels, you'll meet the enthusiastic huskies before suiting up in boots and mittens and preparing for the adventure ahead. The dogs are soon harnessed and ready to go, their excitement building as they wait impatiently to set off. Then it's your turn to take the reins and drive your own sled through Endalen, surrounded by fresh Arctic air, rugged mountains and sweeping views of the valley.

The route passes the old cableway turning station and heads towards the historic Gruve 5 mine, combining Svalbard's spectacular wilderness with a glimpse into its mining heritage. Keep your eyes peeled along the way, as reindeer, Arctic foxes and a variety of birdlife can all be spotted in the surrounding landscape.

Back at the kennel, there's time to get to know the huskies properly, with the chance to cuddle the dogs and, if you're lucky, meet some playful puppies too. Finish the experience with a warming coffee and biscuits – the perfect end to an exhilarating Arctic adventure.

For a thrilling land-based adventure, discover the Svalbard Summer Break at the Coal Miners' Cabins, where you can experience the thrill of dog sledding and explore the Arctic wilderness from a unique perspective. 

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3. Isfjord Bird Cliffs 

Isfjord Bird Cliffs

After a long Arctic winter, Svalbard comes alive with the arrival of thousands of migratory birds, which flock to the archipelago during the summer months to nest. One of the best ways to experience this spectacular wildlife is on a small, high-speed Polarcirkel boat trip to the dramatic Isfjord bird cliffs, just a 30-minute journey from Longyearbyen harbour.

As you speed across the fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and vast Arctic landscapes, the cliffs soon rise dramatically from the sea. Travelling by boat allows you to get remarkably close to these sheer rock faces, where thousands of birds gather on narrow ledges and fill the air with sound.

Keep your binoculars at the ready for little auks, Atlantic puffins, Brünnich's guillemots, glaucous gulls, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. But it isn't just birdlife that makes this trip memorable. Keep your eyes on the water and surrounding coastline too, as Arctic foxes, whales and even polar bears are sometimes spotted in this remarkable corner of Svalbard.

For wildlife lovers, this is a thrilling way to experience the sheer scale and raw beauty of the Arctic while getting closer to some of Svalbard's most fascinating inhabitants.

See Svalbard’s spectacular bird cliffs and get closer to the Arctic’s extraordinary wildlife on the North Spitsbergen Voyage – Arctic Cruises.

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4. Electric Bike Sightseeing

Electric Biking in Summer

Explore Longyearbyen and its spectacular surroundings on two wheels with a guided electric bike adventure. With an electric motor providing an extra boost when needed, cycling through Svalbard's rugged Arctic landscape is a fun and active way to explore beyond the town.

The three-hour guided tour begins with an introduction to the fascinating history of Longyearbyen before heading out to discover the dramatic landscapes surrounding the settlement. Cycle west towards Hotelsneset, surrounded by sweeping Arctic views, before stopping for hot drinks and biscuits.

The adventure continues into Advent Valley, where you'll learn more about Svalbard's coal-mining heritage and the history that shaped this remote settlement. Along the way, keep your camera handy for one of Svalbard's most recognisable sights: the iconic polar bear warning sign just outside Longyearbyen.

Combining fresh Arctic air, spectacular scenery and a little local history, electric bike sightseeing is a fun and memorable way to experience a different side of Svalbard's summer landscape.

5. Skiing under the midnight sun 

Skiing under the Midnight Sun

When it comes to summer skiing in Svalbard, you don't have to worry about the sun going down before the adventure is over. Thanks to the Midnight Sun and Svalbard's year-round cold climate, skiing is possible well into the summer months, with snow remaining on the mountains until the end of June.

Untouched slopes, impressive summits and vast treeless landscapes await, offering a skiing experience unlike anywhere else in Europe. Svalbard's remote location also means you can enjoy these spectacular surroundings far from the crowds, surrounded by nothing but mountains, snow and the endless Arctic wilderness.

For experienced and adventurous skiers, a guided backcountry tour offers the chance to venture even deeper into this extraordinary landscape. Join a three-day expedition and travel by snowmobile to a remote wilderness lodge, where fantastic downhill skiing is right on your doorstep. And if that wasn't exciting enough, you can even carve your way down the mountains beneath the glow of the Midnight Sun – an unforgettable way to experience Svalbard's Arctic summer.

Inspired by our top five summer activities in Svalbard?

We have plenty more knowledge about Svalbard to share with you. Get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists today, and we can start planning your unforgettable Arctic summer adventure.

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