How To See Polar Bears In Svalbard

Svalbard is rated as one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in their natural habitat. The archipelago of remote islands sits high above the Arctic Circle, approximately halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The landmass and sea ice surrounding Svalbard are valuable habitats where polar bears live, hunt for prey, and breed.

Based on my 10 years of experience exploring Svalbard, in this article, I explain in detail how to see polar bears in Svalbard. It covers:

• The best way to see polar bears in Svalbard safely and responsibly.
• The best time of year to see polar bears in Svalbard
• Where you can see polar bears in Svalbard
• Polar bear safety and conservation.
• The best polar bear-watching tours.

So why is Svalbard such a good place to see polar bears in the wild? Here is a quick overview.

• The Barents Sea region in which Svalbard is located has approximately 3,000 polar bears, which outnumbers the human population and is one of the 19 recognised polar bear populations.
• Svalbard has a population of approximately 300 polar bears living on the islands year-round. Other bears migrate through the area, drifting on the sea ice.
• Polar bears are nomadic and constantly on the move, searching for prey. Svalbard provides a valuable landmass for breeding polar bears.
• Known as the King Of The Arctic, polar bears in Svalbard are seen on the pack ice hunting for prey or in the coastal regions.

How To See Polar Bears In Svalbard

As the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is a wilderness area, there are no roads outside the settlements. The best way to see polar bears is on an expedition cruise exploring the islands. Multi-day cruises cover a large area and offer the best chances for polar bear sightings.

Please note that it is highly unlikely that you will see a polar bear if you visit Longyearbyen and the local area. Svalbard bears are usually seen far away from the settlements.

Expedition cruise ships are equipped with Zodiac landing craft and a highly experienced team of expert guides trained in polar bear safety. The expedition team is constantly on the lookout for wildlife sightings. It offers the best way to see polar bears in Svalbard safely and responsibly.

My Top Tips:

• Svalbard is not a safari park, and polar bears are wild animals in their environment. Seeing them can sometimes require patience and determination.
• For the best chances of seeing polar bears in Svalbard, opt for a longer, in-depth expedition cruise to maximise your chances of seeing polar bears.
• Choose a cruise operator with a proven track record and an expert team of guides. At Polar Escapes, we only work with trusted, safe and responsible cruise lines.
• Choose a small expedition ship for a more intimate experience.

At Polar Escapes, we do the hard work for you and help you find the best Svalbard cruise for the best price from our extensive portfolio of trusted operators. To search the largest range of cruises and find your perfect trip, please see our Svalbard cruises.

Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard

The best time to see polar bears in Svalbard is during the summer and early autumn, between May and September.

Polar bears tend to be on land before May after making their dens for the winter. While it is possible to see polar bears on the sea ice as early as March and April, sightings are generally less frequent.

May

During May, polar bears in Svalbard head out onto the sea ice at the edge of the fjords in search of food. Some of my best polar bear encounters with cubs were in early May. Many of the fjords are still frozen at this time of year, and it is a perfect time to spot polar bears walking on the ice. Cruises travel a shorter distance in May due to the sea ice, which often blocks the north of Svalbard.

June

In June, the fjord ice breaks up, and polar bears head out on the pack ice stretching to the North Pole. I have found June to be an excellent month to see polar bears in Svalbard. The landscapes are still snow-covered, making the perfect backdrop for photography and the sea ice.

July and August

Polar bears can be seen throughout the archipelago during the peak summer months. As the sea ice extent moves northwards, polar bears and the last remaining pack of ice are usually seen on land. As the ice drifts away, the waterways open up, and longer expeditions occur.

September

September marks the start of autumn in Svalbard as the first snow returns. Long sunrises and sunsets fill the sky with different hues—perfect for photographers! While other wildlife, such as birds, has migrated south, polar bears remain active throughout the islands.

• The summer between May and September is the optimal time to see polar bears in Svalbard.
• May and June provide the best months to see polar bears on the pack ice.
• July and August are the best months for longer expeditions to explore Svalbard.

Where can you see polar bears in Svalbard?

Polar bears live throughout the Svalbard archipelago and on the surrounding sea ice. In theory, you can see a polar bear anywhere in Svalbard, although it is doubtful you will see one if you visit Longyearbyen and the surrounding area.

During the summer, polar bears hunt for prey on pack ice or along the coast. An expedition cruise is the best way to see polar bears in Svalbard.

The northern and eastern regions provide the most common polar bear sightings in Svalbard but are also present in the south. Polar bears are often spotted on the sea ice, in fjords, and close to glacier fronts, where they hunt ringed seals.

I have encountered polar bears all over Svalbard, including on the fjord ice in the Isfjord, close to Longyearbyen, in the northwest region, and southern Spitsbergen. Polar bears can often be spotted where the carcass of a dead whale is present, as this is a source of food and attracts them.

How Likely Is It To See Polar Bears In Svalbard?

The likelihood of seeing polar bears in Svalbard on an expedition cruise is high, although sightings can never be guaranteed, and it is essential to manage expectations. Some expedition cruises have seen up to 20 bears on a single voyage; others may only see 1 or 2 or rarely none.

The likelihood of seeing polar bears in Svalbard increases if you travel between May and September and choose a longer-length voyage that spends more time exploring the wilderness.  

Polar Bear Viewing in Svalbard: What To Expect

• Svalbard is a wilderness area where polar bears spread out during the summer. Be patient when exploring.
• There is a limit to how close you can get to polar bears. A good pair of binoculars is a must.
• The safest way to see polar bears is from the ship of a Zodiac with highly trained guides. Never attempt to spot polar bears on your own.
• Svalbard has a wealth of other wildlife, including walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes, beluga whales and birds.

My Personal Experience of Polar Bear Sightings

I have been fortunate enough to have explored Svalbard on many occasions and see polar bears in the wild. Nothing beats the exhilaration of seeing your first polar bear in the wild. It’s a moment that stays with you.

Interestingly, every polar bear encounter I have had has been entirely different from seeing polar bears up close to tiny dots in the distance, affectionately known as pixel bears.

One of my favourite encounters was in early May in Kongsfjord, close to Ny Ålesund. The expedition leader stopped the Zodiac to observe an Arctic fox scavenging eggs beneath a bird cliff. Out of nowhere, a large male polar bear appeared behind rocks, patrolling the ice edge. We observed from a safe distance as the polar bear walked past us, paying us little attention. It was a heart-stopping moment indeed.

Svalbard Polar Bear Safety and Regulations

Polar bears pose a threat to people on land, so the safest way to see them is on a Zodiac on a ship. All expeditions by Polar Escapes are led by teams of expert guides who ensure polar bear viewing is done safely and responsibly. Travellers must follow their instructions at all times when ashore.

Guides check for polar bears before doing shore landings. If a polar bear is spotted in the vicinity, the landing will not go ahead. During shore landings, guides keep a vigilant lookout for polar bears. If a polar bear is spotted in the distance, guests will be taken back to the Zodiacs to not disturb the polar bear.

At Polar Escapes, we only work with trusted operators with outstanding safety records.

Comprehensive regulations are in place by the Svalbard Government to ensure polar bears are not disturbed. These include:

• It’s prohibited to pursue or disturb a polar bear.
• Ships must keep a distance of 300 meters from polar bears, which has been extended to 500 metres from March 1st to June 30th.
• Travellers in national parks are prohibited from using drones.
• Guides must possess suitable knowledge and deterrents.

Considering that the population of polar bears in Svalbard outnumbers people, attacks by polar bears on humans are extremely rare due to the procedures and measures in place. The Svalbard authorities ensure polar bear interactions between humans are prevented in a safe and responsible way. Guides carry flare guns, which are used as the first line of defence against polar bears to scare the animals away. Guides and the community in Svalbard undergo training on how to handle polar bear encounters.

Polar Bear Conservation in Svalbard

Since overhunting ended at the end of the 1970s, the local population of Svalbard polar bears has been recovering. However, due to climate change, the sea ice in Svalbard has been shrinking faster than anywhere else in the Arctic, presenting new challenges. The retreating sea ice has shortened the hunting season for Svalbard’s bears.

Due to the changes in their habitat, more bears have had to adapt their feeding strategies. On a previous expedition, we witnessed polar bears hunting harbour seals and reindeer, which is becoming more common. They have also started raiding bird colonies for eggs and chicks.

The Norwegian Polar Institute is responsible for monitoring and protecting bears in Svalbard.

Polar Bear Watching Tours in Svalbard

While there are no official polar bear-watching tours in Svalbard, an expedition cruise is a great way to see polar bears in the wild.

At Polar Escapes, we are experts in exploring the Arctic and know the best ships and tours for wildlife watching. Please get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help you plan the ultimate adventure.

Alongside Svalbard, the Canadian Arctic, the Northwest Passage and the Russian Arctic also offer excellent opportunities to see bears.

If you would like to learn more about polar bears please see our Polar Bear Facts and The Best Places To See Polar Bears In The Wild articles.

Happy exploring