6-day adventure
Arctic Fjord Kayak Adventure
Svalbard
- Arctic
- Kayaking
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£2,989
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our UK team
Our local team
To deliver our Svalbard expeditions, we partner with the region’s premier local operator—a team with over 30 years of expertise in this extreme wilderness. Navigating a remote landscape where polar bears roam requires years of hard-won field experience, which our partners provide in abundance. Supported by our own extensive equipment hub in Longyearbyen, we supply everything from sea kayaks to snowshoes. Join us between March and August for...
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Kandoo's view
Skansebukta, Billefjorden, Nordenskiöld and Petuniabukta – just hearing the names of the places you will visit on this adventure awaken the senses and make you feel alive! On this epic expedition, you will spend four days honing your sea kayaking skills as you explore the everchanging glacial waters of Billefjorden.
Weave in and out of bays shaped by ancient ice over millions of years. Marvel as you take in the coloured layers of the rocks around you – each marking a different time from long ago. Camping under the midnight sun, hear the sound of the icebergs cracking as the horizon changes before our very eyes and we become fully immersed in this breathtaking environment. As day turns into night and the sun stays out, wrap yourself up warm as you take turns to sit on bear watch.
No previous experience of camping is required but you should have been kayaking before and be aware that we will paddle a total of 60km over the four days, so a good level of fitness and mental stamina is required.
Weave in and out of bays shaped by ancient ice over millions of years. Marvel as you take in the coloured layers of the rocks around you – each marking a different time from long ago. Camping under the midnight sun, hear the sound of the icebergs cracking as the horizon changes before our very eyes and we become fully immersed in this breathtaking environment. As day turns into night and the sun stays out, wrap yourself up warm as you take turns to sit on bear watch.
No previous experience of camping is required but you should have been kayaking before and be aware that we will paddle a total of 60km over the four days, so a good level of fitness and mental stamina is required.
Trip highlights
- Spend three nights camping under the midnight sun in the Svalbard wilderness
- Be one of very few on the water as you explore Billefjorden by sea kayak
- Go truly off-grid and back to basics in this untouched landscape
- Paddle to the towering Nordenskiöld Glacier
Experiences
Gallery
Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen
Welcome to Longyearbyen, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. At 2pm, you will meet with the rest of your group and your guide to prepare everything for the start of our adventure tomorrow. This will include practicing packing our kayaks, pitching our tents and using the camp stoves, checking the weather, planning our route and understanding important safety protocols. Everyone must attend this preparation session. After this, you are free to explore Longyearbyen. Meals are not included today but you will find plenty of options in the town.
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
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Day 2
Kayak north from Skansebukta
We will be leaving our accommodation early in the morning so, after an early breakfast, we will meet with our guide for a final kit check before we head off to the harbour. It takes up to 6 hours (depending on the boat) to get to the colourful bay of Skansebukta, deep inside the fjord of Isfjorden. Wrap up warm and stand on deck to get the full experience! Everything calms as we slow down to land on the silent coastline and the start of our kayaking expedition. We will spend the next few days kayaking in Billefjorden, a fjord within a fjord, which is a veritable rainbow of colours from the blues of the water to the multi-coloured layers of the mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for reindeer or Arctic fox as we hug the coastline and reach our final stop for tonight. The work doesn’t stop there! Now we all work together to set up camp and make dinner before settling down for our first night under the midnight sun and fist shift on polar bear watch.
- Transport: Local boat (4 - 6 hours)
- Activity time: 3 - 4 hours
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 3
Kayak to Petuniabukta
The next morning, after a filling breakfast and plenty of fresh coffee, we break camp and repack our kayaks before heading deeper into the fjord. The landscape changes before our eyes as we paddle underneath the shadow of ancient mountains and catch a first glimpse of the mighty Nordenskiöld Glacier. Tonight we will camp in the ever-peaceful Petuniabukta, take our turn on polar bear watch and reflect on the magnificence of this truly unique experience.
- Activity time: 5 - 6 hours
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 4
Kayak to Nordenskold Glacier
Today is a real trip highlight as we make our way to the enormous tidewater glacier, Nordenskiöldbreen. Named after the Arctic explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. As we paddle closer, feel the temperature drop as we navigate our way around and between ice calved from this towering glacier. Bearded seals can be found in this area so keep your eyes peeled!. We leave the glacier and end today’s journey at Brucebyen, a tiny outpost leftover from coal mining companies of yesteryear. Tonight will be our last night camping and final shift on polar bear watch.
- Activity time: 5 - 6 hours
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 5
Kayak north and return to Longyearbyen
After packing our kayaks for the final time, today is a final chance to soak up the sights and sounds of this remote, wilderness environment. As we kayak south, towards the entrance of the fjord, the landscape softens as we leave the rugged mountains behind us. Stay on the look out for one last sighting of a beluga whale or bearded seal before we break for lunch and are collected by the local boat for our journey back over the crystal clear waters of Isfjorden to Longyearbyen. Tonight you can reflect on your trip on this once in a lifetime experience.
- Activity time: 3 - 4 hours
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
-
Day 6
Departure from Longyearbyn
Depending on your flight time, have the morning to relax and explore Longyearbyen and its 'edge of the world' atmosphere. Visit Svalbard museum or choose from a variety of optional activities such as guided hikes around Longyearbyen and the surrounding area (additional costs apply).
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
Although the kayaking is not highly demanding, we have rated this trip as level 4 due to the non-stop nature of the expedition.
You can expect to kayak up to 20km a day and take part in hikes at some of the places we will camp. In good weather the kayaking can feel easy, but if you encounter strong winds, waves, rain or freezing conditions, it will feel very different.
As well as kayaking and hiking, you will also be packing away and putting up tents, assisting with cooking, loading and unloading kayaks and fetching water. There are no porters, cooks or waiters on this trip and everyone on the expedition is expected to do their share of the work. Although this makes the adventure more demanding, it also adds to the enormous sense of satisfaction and achievement at the end of your journey.
We are camping in the wilderness where there is the possibility polar bears roaming near the camp. During the night, a member of the group must be on "bear watch" at all times and this is usually done in rotating 2 hour shifts. This trip takes place during Svalbard's summer months when it is daylight all the time which can make it difficult to sleep. We definitely recommend taking an eye mask!
Previous kayaking experience is required for this trip. If you are interested in the trip but have limited or no kayaking experience, we recommend taking some kayak training to cover the basics and getting out in a boat before you start the trip.
Food & drink
Staying well-fed on your trip is absolutely
vital to keep up energy levels, so
that you can enjoy your activities. This adventure in Svalbard
is full board apart from
your evening meals in Longyearbyen. We are proud of the fresh and
frankly delicious food we provide despite being
in such a remote location. Because
everything we need for this adventure must be brought over on our initial boat
journey, we are limited on what we can carry and must choose our ingredients
carefully. Fresh produce is used nearer the start of the trip with the more
basic foodstuffs such as pasta and rice used towards the end.
Your
help in the kitchen is expected and much appreciated, particularly in
the evenings with food prep and washing up. We like the whole group to work as
a team to cook dinner, it creates a pleasant atmosphere as we reflect on the
days
adventures together.
You will have access to safe
drinking water throughout this trip. All water collected will be boiled and
then cool so you can use this to fill your reusable bottles.
Alcohol and cigarettes are
heavily taxed and expensive in Scandinavia. If you plan on bringing either of
these into Svalbard, they must be left in the storage in Longyearbyen as they
are not permitted on the expedition.
Accommodation
Your full day-by-day itinerary
shows what is included in terms of hotel accommodation and meal basis.
LONGYEARBYEN: Warm, comfortable, guesthouse accommodation in twin rooms. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities with heating and hot water. Although these aren't en-suite, there are plenty of bathrooms available per floor of the accommodation and these are modern facilities kept to an extremely high cleanliness. There is also a bar and restaurant serving simple dishes available on premises and it is roughly a 30 minute walk into the town.
CAMPING: We
provide a comfortable expedition tent per 2 people, a foam sleeping mat and a
sleeping bag suitable to the Arctic conditions. For our expeditions we use
light equipment which is appropriate for Svalbard’s conditions. We will also
provide a larger tent for cooking and eating, all cooking equipment and fuel. Please be aware that our adventures in
Svalbard involve full participation. You are joining an arctic expedition and
will need to do your share of the work, this will include pitching tents,
fetching water and preparing meals. There are no porters or chefs up here in
the frozen north, this is adventure in its purest form!
At all times while camping in Svalbard, there is the possibility of polar bears roaming near the camp. "Bear watch" is shared amongst everyone in the group in 2 hour shifts. Your guide will provide instruction on what to do if you see a bear and how to use any equipment provided.
TOILETS: In Longyearbyen your accommodation will have flushing toilets. Whilst camping, a designated toilet area will be setup somewhere private at each campsite. We
can guarantee it will be the most scenic, exciting toilet break you've ever
had! We provide toilet paper and a lighter to burn paper after use.
Your guide
All of our qualified guides are highly experienced locals who have have been working in this environment for many years.
Once you are on your trip, you
should speak to your lead guide about any problem, whether it relates to food,
equipment or health. We would much prefer you to sort out any problems with
them on the spot, rather than allow them to spoil your trip. Your guide is in
contact with the office if further assistance is required.
If the lead guide is the source
of your concern, you will have the opportunity to speak to one of the office
representatives when you return to the guesthouse.
Transport
We insist on using a high
standard of vehicle and driver for all of our transfers. In Europe, it is
a legal requirement to have seatbelts fitted in the back of vehicles. If you
are unhappy about any aspect of the vehicle or the standard of driving, please
speak to the driver or our local office immediately.
This trip involves transfers by boat between Longyearbyen and Billefjorden. These transfers are provided by a local company and all safety equipment is provided.
Luggage
You may bring a hold bag (up to 15kg) as
well as a cabin bag. If you prefer to travel with a suitcase, this is not a
problem for this trip as these can be stored in our warehouse whilst you are on
your trip. There is limited space in the kayaks
and you will not be able to bring multiple changes of clothes with you, rather
pack sensible layers and bring drybags to pack everything and keep it dry. Your
sleeping bag will also be packed in a drybag and stored inside your kayak. If you have questions about packing for this trip, please give us a call to discuss it in more detail. There are no rental shops in Longyearbyen but you will be able to visit shops if there are any items you are missing. Please be aware that the prices in Svalbard are usually pretty high.
Along with your own luggage, the boats will also be packed with all camping equipment, including tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food for the duration of the expedition
How do I get there?
To
reach Longyearbyen, there are direct flights from Oslo (3 hr journey). Some
flights are direct and others will land in Tromso
on Norway's west coast
and you will be asked to disembark to go through the Svalbard immigration
before re-embarking on the plane once more and continuing your journey. This
means that you will be flying at a low altitude when passing over the jaw
dropping Lofoten
islands. If you wish to get a birds
eye view of these out of the plane window
then make sure to be seated on the left
hand side of the plane for both the outgoing and return flight. Direct flights do not operate every day of the week so you may also need to spend a night in Oslo before continuing your journey the next day.
To reach Oslo from the UK, there are direct flights with British Airways from Heathrow and Norwegian Airlines have direct flights from Gatwick and Edinburgh. SAS have direct flights from Manchester.
If you are travelling from the US, SAS operate direct flights to Oslo from New York. From the west coast there are good flight options with Air France, KLM and Lufthansa.
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
On arrival
Once
you have landed and collected your luggage, please look out for a member of our
team who will either be holding a big sign reading "KANDOO“ or a board
displaying your name. The airport at Longyearbyen is so small you can’t miss us!
If
you have chosen to make your own way to the pre-trek accommodation, you can
easily find a taxi at the airport. The address is on your trip itinerary.
Pre-trek briefing
It is a requirement of joining any of our
trips that you attend a briefing before the trip begins. This gives our guide
the opportunity to review the plans for the trip with you, make sure you have
all the right gear and answer any questions you may have. This will take place in the morning of
day 2. Your guide will meet you at the guesthouse.
Budget & change
The
currency in Svalbard is the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
Please
be aware that Svalbard is nearly cash free due to the absence of banks.
Payments are made with credit or debit cards
so it is important you take a card with you for any incidental purchases.
Please inform your card provider that you intend to travel to Svalbard (Norway)
before departure, this will ensure that your card continues to work
properly while overseas. A lunch in Longyearbyen will cost you roughly £20 (265
NOK) and dinner will be £30 (350 NOK). Therefore, our recommended guidance
for spending budget in the Svalbard would be roughly £100-150 (1300-2000
NOK) on top of any tips, to give you ample souvenir spending money.
Tips
Tipping customs vary all over the world and can be very confusing when
travelling to a new country. Tipping in Svalbard is always appreciated,
however it is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each
individual. If you are satisfied with your guide’s services we
recommend a tip between 350-450 NOK per person. As Svalbard is almost
cashless, PayPal is the preferred method of tipping.
Formalities & health
Passport
Most travellers require a passport that is valid for at least six months after the return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required. You can check your requirements on the website provided by the Norwegian government
Visa
Travelling to Norway is visa free for up to 90 days, for UK and US citizens
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
We will provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for this amazing adventure. Our tandem sea kayaks were chosen for their stability, comfortable seating and storage capacity for our expedition gear. In the unlikely event of capsize, they are surprisingly easy to right; even at sea you would be back on board and paddling in no time.
GROUP EQUIPMENT
- Emergency beacon
- Larger tent for cooking and eating
- Satellite phone
- Rifle
- Flare guns
INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT
- Suitable 2 man expedition tent
- Foam sleeping mat
- Drysuit
- Personal floatation device
- Pogies
- Kayak shoes
- Paddles
- Tandem sea kayak with directional rudder (per 2 people)
- Suitable synthetic sleeping bag
Clothing to bring
HEADGEAR
- Warm beanie style hat – knitted
or fleece and preferably windproof
- Neck gaiter or scarf - useful for keeping the sun off your neck and staying warm
- Sun hat or peaked cap
- Sunglasses - high UV protection
- Buff
UPPER BODY
- Thermal base layer x 2 (preferably merino wool)
- Waterproof hard-shell jacket (gore-tex or similar)
- Fleece or jumper (mid-layer to go under drysuit)
- Insulated jacket - down or primaloft (to wear at camp)
- Water and windproof hard-shell outer jacket (Gore-tex or similar)
- Gloves - warm fleece or wool gloves
- Thick warm layer (fleece or wool) to wear at camp
- Warm liner mittens
- Waterproof outer mittens
LEGS
- Breathable, fast-drying underwear (no cotton)
- Thermal base layer x 2
- Trekking trousers
- Wind and waterproof hard-shell over-trousers (Gore-tex or similar)
FEET
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Thin warm socks (wool is preferable)
- Warm, thick socks (wool is preferred)
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner
- Water bottle, preferable wide-mouthed and must be able to carry at least 1L of water
- Mini-toiletry kit, wet wipes and small bags for any rubbish (toilet paper is provided
- Camera and spare batteries
- Personal medication
- Drybags (10-20 litres) minimum of 2 - these will be used to store your things in the kayaks, including your sleeping bag and should be fully waterproof
- Suncream
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
- small micro-fibre towel
- Lotion for dry, cracked skin
Gear rental
There are no rental shops in Longyearbyen but it is possible to purchase items if you have not brought them with you. Please be aware that buying clothing or equipment in Svalbard will be expensive. Please ask us if you have any questions about clothing and equipment for this trip.
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/08/2027 | 06/08/2027 | £2,989 $3,989 |
Open for bookings
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- All transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Two nights guesthouse accommodation in Longyerbyen
- All technical camping equipment provided
- Full supervision by an experienced professional guide
- Full board meals during the expedition
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All kayaking equipment and clothing
- Sleeping bag
Price does not include
- Flights to and from Longyearbyen
- Travel insurance
- Personal medication and snacks
- 2 meals in Longyearbyen (approx £25 per meal)
- Visa if required
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Tips for your guide
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