There’s something magical about stepping onto a floating piece of the Arctic. One afternoon, while exploring the waters between Sjuøyane and Nordaustlandet, we came across a large, stable ice floe – thick enough to land on, surrounded by drifting sea ice and complete calm. The opportunity was too good to miss.
Zodiacs were quickly lowered, and one by one, guests climbed aboard. Soon we were weaving through a maze of ice, the silence broken only by the crunch of floes brushing against the hull. Reaching the landing spot, we stepped carefully onto the ice. For many, it was a first: standing in the middle of the Arctic Ocean on a slab of frozen sea.
It was surreal – ice stretching in all directions, the ship in the distance, a vast sky above. Walking was a bit tricky on the uneven surface, but everyone managed well. There were smiles, laughter, and the kind of quiet awe that only this environment can bring.
Afterwards, a short, spontaneous zodiac cruise led us through narrow leads between floes, with guests bundled up and wide-eyed, taking in the shifting, frozen world around them.
Cold fingers, warm hearts. It wasn’t dramatic or fast-paced – but it was pure Arctic. And for many of us, it became a defining moment of the expedition: simple, wild, and deeply unforgettable.
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© Sylvia Gross -
© Sylvia Gross -
© Sylvia Gross
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.
