The Ocean Adventurer is the perfect ship for people who enjoy soft adventure with creature comforts. It comfortably holds a maximum of 132 passengers, plus crew.

This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins and public spaces. All her cabins are ensuite with exterior views.

Ship Amenities

• Bar staffed by a professional bar tender (drinks added to ship board account)
• 24 hour tea and coffee available
• Theatre style auditorium for presentations
• Polar library
• Clinic with licensed Doctor
• Wifi in certain public areas (data usage charges apply)
• Optional webmail account for email (charges apply)
• Ship to Shore telephone communications (charges apply)
• Polar boutique selling essentials, souvenirs and clothing
• On board laundry service (charges apply)
• Gym with a selection of fitness equipment

The ship will also have non-photographer passengers. While we will be mingling with them and sharing the ship and the general Arctic experience, the photographic advice/instruction will be for our group. On outings we will usually operate as a group, with Michael in one zodiac with his photography participant.  WildNature Photo Expeditions works closely with the Quark Expedition Team throughout (and before) the voyage to optimise operations on both sides to help everyone.

Your Spitsbergen adventure begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island’s largest settlement. As you embark, you’ll get great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop to this seaside settlement.

Explore western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. You’ll cruise around this magical island located above the Arctic Circle, and your Expedition Team will be constantly searching for wildlife.

Each expedition presents new opportunities, so we have no fixed itinerary; however, we do hope to visit some of our favorite destinations, including the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Phippsøya, Alkhornet and the Hinlopen Straight.

The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing and appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. Polar bear viewing is almost guaranteed, with Phippsøya being one of their preferred hunting areas, since the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide many free bird egg meals for both them and the arctic fox. Torellneset and Phippsøya are great places for walrus photography. Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.

If you’re itching to get a little closer to the action, you can book the kayaking option and take an excursion to the more isolated pockets of Spitsbergen. Smeerenburg is a great place for snowshoeing (optional and complimentary on select voyages), where you can visit a memorial erected in 1906. This historic site honors the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working in extreme arctic conditions.

There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something new, whether it is a rare bird species or an abandoned site from centuries ago.

In some areas we will explore the stunning scenery from aboard the ship, but we will often transfer into the inflatable Zodiacs to explore bays, islands, icebergs, and to land at most sites.

Michael will present both group and one-on-one photography sessions and with continuous daylight during this time of year, photo ops abound. You’ll have ample time to linger and photograph any bears we find hunting on the ice edge, but they’re not the only wildlife we hope to encounter. The food-rich waters attract walrus, whales and seabirds, so you’ll want to keep your binoculars nearby while cruising. Arctic fox and the indigenous Svalbard reindeer may also be spotted on Zodiac excursions to shore.

A haven for present-day explorers, Spitsbergen and the surrounding area offer unforgettable polar experiences that will keep you and your camera active all expedition long. Although 60 percent of the landscape is covered in glaciers and much of the terrain is mountainous, Spitsbergen (which means “pointed mountains”) surprises with stretches of colorful tundra, bursting with wildflowers in summer. Optional hiking activities get you up close and personal with the abundant wildlife. At day’s end, you’ll have plenty of prized photographs and exciting stories to share with your shipmates!

There’s a huge range of environments around Svalbard, and every day will present new subjects. Sometimes the sky is clear and blue, sometimes it’s overcast and grey, sometimes we will see parhelion and “sun-dogs”, but the sun will never actually set (unless it’s behind a mountain). You may even end up photographing some wildlife under a midnight sun. The days will be busy, often with several off-ship expeditions per day.

Michael will be conducting a series of group and individual lessons along the way, including giving you feedback on your work. We want you to come back with the best images you can, as well as with new skills.

The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special fitness requirements, although we will be often climbing into and out of the inflatable Zodiac boats, and walking on shore. Living on the ship sailing in unfrozen water, the outside temperatures are sometimes close to freezing. But it is summer and at times in the sun it can be quite warm.

The ship has a doctor and basic medical facilities on board. If you have specific health concerns or dietary requirements the staff at Peregrine will be able to advise you. There’s also a gym on board if you feel the need to get extra workouts. Actually, with the excellent meals provided on these trips it’s not hard to put weight on, so some people like this option.

We will be travelling on a ship but while we can occasionally be exposed to storms and heavy seas, most of the time the coast and ice provides a lot of protection. We’re not on the open ocean!

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The trip is being put together with our partners at Intrepid Travel and they take care of the travel arrangements for us, while we are running the photography program and will be your local contacts on the trip.