Polar Bears in Svalbard: Everything You Want to Know
The polar bear is one of the world’s most beloved animals. The endangered poster-child of the climate change movement, many dream of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat. Difficult to encounter, polar bears live in some of the wildest, roughest regions of the planet. Excursions to see these creatures aren’t like your typical wildlife holidays. They’ll take you deep into some of the world’s toughest terrain, like here, in Svalbard.
Seeing polar bears in Svalbard is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Learn all you need to know about polar bears in Svalbard, from population size to catching your first glimpse.
How Many Polar Bears in Svalbard?
3000 polar bears routinely visit the Svalbard archipelago. This population of polar bears outnumbers the human population of Svalbard, which numbers just over 2700 people. This polar bear population is not residential, however. You can only find polar bears in Svalbard at certain times throughout the year.
When is Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard?
The best time to see polar bears in Svalbard is during the summer months between May and September. This is when the ice pack around Svalbard melts and polar bears head to Svalbard to hunt. This also when you can view polar bears from the water, the easiest, safest only real way to sight them. During the winter, the waters freeze over, polar bear cruises in Svalbard become impossible, and the polar bears themselves head further north.
Finding Polar Bears in Norway: What Are Your Chances of Seeing Polar Bears in Svalbard?
There are plenty of polar bears in Svalbard, thousands of polar bears, in fact. While that’s great news, it still does not guarantee sightings. Polar bears are both difficult and easy to spot. Easy, because there is very little to hide them besides ice and ocean. Difficult because they’re the colour of the ice they swim and hunt around, which means from a distance, it can be tough to see polar bears in Svalbard. Go searching for them at the right time of year, and your chances are quite good, but it’s never a sure thing. The longer you’re in Svalbard looking for bears, the more likely you’ll be to see one.
Where to See Polar Bears in Svalbard
Spitsbergen is the only populated island of the Svalbard archipelago. This is where you travel if you’re visiting Svalbard for any reason. Longyearbyen, the only ‘major’ settlement in Svalbard, is located near the eastern edge of Spitsbergen island. It’s here, along the eastern coastline, that you’ll be able to venture out to see polar bears in Svalbard. There are animals located around the archipelago in other places, but they are not accessible for all but the most intrepid and hardy travellers.
How Much Does it Cost to See Polar Bears in Svalbard?
Seeing polar bears in Svalbard is not cheap. To have a good chance of seeing these animals, you need to go on a guided tour, and to get out to the right places, this really has to be done over several days. You’re looking at around $3000 USD minimum for a good polar bear cruise. You can do lower cost excursions for around $1000 but these tend to be wilderness expeditions and not actually designed for polar bear viewing. On top of flights, accommodation and all the rest of your travel expenses, seeing polar bears in Svalbard is probably one of the most expensive wildlife holidays in Europe, and even the world.
With that said, these are rare and impressive animals. Few trips cost as much, but few trips are as worth it. There is also technically a chance you’ll find one outside your hotel, as during the summer they can be found all over Svalbard, but it’s rare to see one anywhere outside the northern ice sheets.
Is It Dangerous to See Polar Bears in Svalbard?
No. While polar bears are massive carnivorous animals, the most powerful land predator on the planet, and more than capable of tearing you to shreds in seconds, you will not be in danger viewing polar bears in Svalbard. This is because all tours are undertaken by trained guides and carried out under tight regulations. Polar bears are highly protected animals, and no risks are taken that might cause them or you harm. You’ll be viewing polar bears in Svalbard from a distance. You won’t get close enough for the polar bear to ever be dangerous.
The Elephant in the Room: The Svalbard Bear Attacks
If polar bears aren’t dangerous, why is it that in 2020 a man was attacked and killed while camping in Svalbard? In 2011, a 17-year old school camper suffered the same fate. As already mentioned, polar bears can be found roaming all of Svalbard. The archipelago is not widely inhabited and is almost entirely wild, which means polar bears are not afraid of going wherever these please. While exceptionally rare, with only five attacks being recorded since the 1970s, it is possible to encounter one while camping or walking around. That’s why it’s advised you take precautions, don’t wander around at night when there is poor visibility, and set up appropriate warning measures if you are camping.
How to See Polar Bears in Svalbard: Taking a Svalbard Polar Bear Cruise
There is really only one way to see polar bears in Svalbard, and that’s on a polar bear cruise. On these cruises, you venture out through the ice packs in search of polar bears. Large vessels capable of chopping through the frigid seas, you’ll also be able to jump aboard lighter vessels to get a closer -- but safe -- look. Polar bear cruises are the only way you can see polar bears in Svalbard for two reasons:
It’s by far the most comfortable and accessible way to travel around bear territory in Svalbard. Going by land is not for the faint-hearted. You’ll face freezing temperatures, rough terrain and no infrastructure for support. Think arctic exploring.
Polar bear cruises are by far the safest way to view polar bears, for you and the bear. It’s difficult for the animals to get close, and it’s easy for you to keep your distance. The biggest issue with ground movement, besides how tough it is, is that if you come face-to-face with a polar bear, your only chance of survival without the escape of a boat or car is to kill the poor creature. The death of a polar bear is not worth any wildlife holiday experience, so don’t risk their safety by taking trips that might mean you have no choice but to defend yourself. Always be the one in control of the situation.
Tips for Photography Polar Bears in Svalbard
Xplore Our Planet has two very important tips for polar bear photography in Svalbard, and they’re all about how you’ll experience your encounter. The most likely way you’ll see a polar bear is from a distance on a boat, which means:
Potentially choppy seas
Long-distance photography.
What you’ll need is a high-quality camera with a good lens range. One that is capable of minimizing motion blur that you’ll experience with long-distance shots even with slight movement as well. Positioning and lighting are not your greatest enemy here, although prepare for high exposure in the summer sun. What’s really going to get you is that polar bears could appear at any moment over an ice flow, and be gone in a snap. You’ll almost definitely be far away, so you need a camera you can rely on to take photos quickly at good quality from long range that won’t struggle focus while bobbing around on a boat. This means your new phone won’t cut it, you need some proper photography kit.
