The Complete Guide
Arctic Wildlife in Svalbard
A guide to what you'll see from the yacht — polar bears, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes and seabirds.
Svalbard is one of the last places on Earth where wildlife exists at genuinely pre-industrial densities. The polar bear population is counted in thousands, not dozens. Walrus haul-outs can number hundreds of animals. Little auk colonies on the cliff faces of northern Spitsbergen number in the millions. And all of this wildlife exists in a landscape that human beings have barely touched.
A sailing yacht provides the finest possible viewing platform for Arctic wildlife. Small size means access to the shallow fjords, narrow sounds, and remote coastlines where wildlife concentrates. Silence under sail means you approach without disturbing animals from distance. And the boat's mobility means that if a polar bear is spotted moving along a coastline to the north, you follow.
This guide covers the principal wildlife you may encounter on a Boreal Yachting expedition to Svalbard, when to see it, and how to approach it responsibly.
Polar Bears
The polar bear is the apex predator of the Arctic and the animal that most Svalbard visitors most want to see. Svalbard hosts approximately 300 bears year-round, with the wider Barents Sea population estimated at 3,000 individuals. They range across the entire archipelago, following the sea ice edge where their prey — ringed and bearded seals — congregates.
In summer, as sea ice retreats to the north and east, polar bears concentrate on the northeastern islands of the archipelago. Sightings are most common in the northern fjords of Spitsbergen, along the Hinlopenstretet strait, and near the ice edge. From a sailing yacht, bears are typically spotted from a distance — scanning with binoculars from the deck — and observed while the boat maintains appropriate distance.
Since January 2025, Norwegian regulations require a minimum observation distance of 500 metres between March and June (when bears are more vulnerable), and 300 metres from July through February. Boreal's guides adhere strictly to these requirements. Close encounters are not the objective; witnessing a polar bear in its natural environment — hunting, resting, travelling — is.
Walrus
Svalbard's walrus population, dramatically reduced by hunting in the 19th and early 20th centuries, has recovered substantially under Norwegian protection since 1952. Several hundred animals are now regularly present in the archipelago.
Walrus haul-outs — groups of animals resting on beaches or ice floes — are one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles in the Arctic. The animals are enormous (males weigh up to 1,700 kilograms), extraordinarily social, and often breathtakingly loud. Classic walrus haul-out locations include Moffen Island (a walrus protected zone), Poolepynten, and various beaches on the northern islands.
Walrus are acutely sensitive to disturbance and will stampede into the water if approached too closely or suddenly, which can injure animals. Boreal's guides position the boat at careful distances and conduct all walrus observation with strict quiet protocols.
Whales
Svalbard's waters support multiple whale species. Minke whales are the most commonly seen, appearing in fjords and open water throughout summer. Beluga whales — white, sociable, and extraordinarily vocal — are periodically encountered, particularly in Isfjorden and the fjords of northern Spitsbergen. Fin whales and humpback whales may be seen in the open waters to the west, particularly in late summer when the herring concentrations that attract them move into the area.
Killer whales (orcas) are less frequently seen around Svalbard than in mainland Norway, but are occasionally encountered. The experience of seeing orcas in an Arctic fjord, against a backdrop of glaciers, is singularly memorable.
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox is one of Svalbard's most charismatic land mammals and is remarkably unafraid of human beings. In summer, the fox's coat transitions from white to brownish-grey. They are opportunistic feeders, following polar bears to scavenge remains of seal kills, raiding seabird colonies for eggs and chicks, and taking Svalbard reindeer calves when the opportunity arises.
Arctic foxes are commonly seen during shore landings — often appearing within metres of the group, apparently more curious than alarmed by human presence.
Svalbard Reindeer
The Svalbard reindeer is a subspecies of the mainland European reindeer, evolved over thousands of years for the Arctic environment. They are smaller and stockier than mainland reindeer, with shorter legs and a heavier build. They are commonly visible from the boat grazing on tundra slopes, and during shore landings may be approached to within a surprisingly short distance.
Seabirds
The seabird colonies of Svalbard are among the most extraordinary in the world. The little auk — a small black and white seabird the size of a starling — nests on boulder fields and cliff faces in colonies that can number in the millions. The noise and movement of a major little auk colony is one of those experiences that photographs cannot convey.
Other significant species include: thick-billed murre, Brünnich's guillemot, puffins (June–July), black guillemots, eider ducks, black-legged kittiwakes, Arctic terns (which will defend nesting sites with fierce dive-bombing — hats recommended during shore landings), glaucous gulls, and the great skua.
Barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and brent geese breed on Svalbard and are commonly seen on tundra and coastal flats. The barnacle goose population that breeds on Svalbard is particularly significant — it winters in Scotland and is one of the Arctic's most studied bird populations.
Responsible Wildlife Observation
Boreal Yachting follows all AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) wildlife observation guidelines and the specific regulations of the Governor of Svalbard. Our guides brief all guests on wildlife approach protocols before the first shore landing.
The core principle is simple: wildlife observation should benefit the animal at least as much as it benefits the observer. This means maintaining appropriate distances, moving slowly and quietly, never getting between an animal and its escape route, and departing immediately if an animal shows signs of disturbance.
These are not bureaucratic constraints — they are the framework within which the finest wildlife observations happen. Animals that are not alarmed by your presence behave naturally. Natural behaviour is infinitely more interesting than the flight response of a disturbed animal.
Experience Arctic wildlife with Boreal Yachting
- → Svalbard expeditions run June–August
- → Maximum 6 guests — intimate, not industrial
- → IFMGA certified guides, AECO member
- → Eco-Lighthouse certified operation
- → Contact us — post@boreal-yachting.com | +47 77 72 92 00
- → See our Svalbard sailing expedition
- → Explore the Svalbard destination