Today we woke up in a mirror-calm Hinlopen, just north of Wahlbergøya. The wind was completely still, and the soft Arctic light made it impossible not to bring the camera out on deck.
We slowly glided through the landscape while scanning the vast expanse of sea ice — the silence, the light, and the endless horizons created an almost unreal feeling.
Suddenly, a call came over the loudspeaker: a female polar bear with her first-year cub was walking across the ice ahead of us. A magical moment that made the entire expedition pause in awe. Shortly afterwards, we spotted another bear farther away in the distance.
We continued toward a large ice floe where we lowered the gangway and stepped out onto the sea ice. In the middle of the Arctic stillness, we took photos beside MS Quest and enjoyed the incredible feeling of standing on the ice, surrounded by breathtaking scenery in the heart of the polar bear’s hunting grounds.
By the afternoon, the sun emerged and made the sea ice sparkle in the clear Arctic light. As the highlight of the day, we once again encountered a female polar bear with her cub out on the ice — a truly special experience to witness here in the Arctic.
Later, we went ashore while some guests headed out on a zodiac cruise and experienced a close encounter with a walrus. We explored the snow-covered tundra and hiked up toward the heights above Faksevågen, where we encountered both ptarmigans and curious reindeer along the way, as well as spectacular views across the white wilderness. The evening ended with views toward Moffen, a place where walruses come ashore to rest.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.
