Storøya, Arctic Ocean, 5/29/2018, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Arctic
We have spent the morning cruising around Storøya, a small island covered by an ice cap east of Nordauslandet. A couple of decades ago, this island was part of the icecap of Austfonna, Nordauslandet. As all glaciers retreat, Storøya has been revealed to be an island. We were searching for wildlife and we managed to spot a couple of shy walruses in the distance. Then, in the afternoon, we ventured out on a Zodiac cruise in the Arctic Ocean! We were surrounded by ice floes and gained an understanding of the importance of this material for the ecosystem.
At age 24 Jonathan had his first experience in Antarctica as a scientist at the coastal French Dumont d'Urville Station. Located on the windiest place on Earth (regularly around 200km/h, maximum up to 320 km/h), and bounded by sea ice eight months a ...
It was another day in paradise. We could not ask for better weather in these latitudes, the sun was shining all day long and we decided to spend it in the bay of Diskobukta. In the morning we enjoyed kayaking in a perfect, calm, glassy ocean and in the afternoon, we went ashore to explore Krykkjeglupen Canyon, the place with the biggest kittiwake colony on the island. What a treat to have two days in a row with such fantastic weather!!!
This morning, we awoke to bluebird skies in the breathtaking Hornsund Fjord, greeted by soaring puffins and the dramatic silhouette of Hornsundtind towering above the landscape. The stillness of the water mirrored the snow-streaked peaks, offering a picture-perfect Arctic welcome. Later in the day, we set out on invigorating hikes along the surrounding terrain, where every step revealed new vistas—glaciers, rugged slopes, and panoramic views of the fjord stretching into the distance. The light danced across the cliffs, illuminating this remote and wild corner of Svalbard in unforgettable clarity. It was a stunning day of Arctic exploration.
In the morning, guests enjoyed kayaking in calm water near the Wahlenberg Fjord of the Northeast Island. Nearby, a walrus fed at the bottom, surfacing every few minutes to catch a breath before diving again. In the afternoon, a landing was offered with strenuous, moderate, and casual hikes on Torellneset. Guests hiked across a series of raised beaches that extended several kilometers in every direction. About 30 m above the shoreline, a few weathered whale bones were found. Apparently, they were at least 1000 years old. When we returned to the landing site, we found it was blocked by moving sea ice. It required a bit of time and skill to find a way in the labyrinth of moving ice. The day was not yet over. After cocktail hour, recap, a briefing for tomorrow, and another delicious dinner, a Zodiac cruise was offered at the famous Alkefjellet Cliff. This cliff hosts one of the world’s most impressive seabird colonies, where more than 150,000 birds can be observed. It is home to the largest colony of thick-billed murres in Svalbard. The weather was very calm and the cliff’s reflection in the water was disturbed only by the landing and taking off of literally thousands of birds.
