North Pole Sailing

Svalbard is a great place to enjoy the wildlife, activities and scenery, we visit many different areas, this also depends on local conditions such as the weather.

If you want to experience the polar night or the Aurora Borealis, November to February is the best time to visit Spitsbergen. Would you like to see the midnight sun and go boating, kayaking or hiking? Then the best time to visit is from May to September, the summer season in Spitsbergen.

The climate on Svalbard is surprisingly varied and is strongly influenced by the respective region. Although snowfall is possible here all year round, the warm North Atlantic Current ensures comparatively mild temperatures - significantly higher than in other areas at similar latitudes. However, rapid weather changes are to be expected, especially in the winter months: Humid sea air meets cold polar air, accompanied by strong winds and areas of low pressure.

In winter, the average temperature is between -16 and -12 degrees Celsius - but it can feel much colder due to the wind chill factor. July is considered the warmest month of the year, with temperatures between +3 and +8 degrees Celsius. For your trip to Svalbard - especially on a sailboat trip - we therefore strongly recommend bringing warm, weatherproof clothing.

Polar bears are impressive wanderers - they cover enormous distances every day. For this reason, it is never possible to predict exactly when and where you will encounter them. The best chances are in the area of the sea ice, which is why we focus our observation tours specifically on these regions. Even if the probability of a sighting is quite high, nature remains unpredictable - unfortunately, an encounter with the king of the Arctic cannot be guaranteed.

A sailing expedition around Svalbard is a true paradise for animal lovers - because here you can encounter the Arctic wildlife in its original, untouched environment. First and foremost, of course, are the polar bears, probably the most fascinating inhabitants of the region. But there is also plenty to discover away from the ice kings: reindeer roam the tundra, agile Arctic foxes scurry through the terrain and numerous bird species such as thick-billed guillemots and little grebes cavort in the sky. Various species of high Arctic seal can be seen in the water - including the impressive walrus. With a bit of luck, whales may even glide past you - perhaps even a blue whale, the largest marine mammal on earth.

The Arctic is a fragile ecosystem - its nature reacts sensitively to any disturbance and often takes decades to regenerate. Therefore, please avoid damaging the ground surface or vegetation and refrain from picking flowers or collecting plant samples.

Consideration is also paramount when dealing with animals: please do not disturb or feed wild animals. Pay attention to whether your behavior triggers stress or flight reactions in them. Be particularly careful with Arctic foxes - they can transmit rabies. Breeding birds are just as sensitive: if they are startled, their eggs are easy prey for predators such as seagulls or foxes. Therefore, try not to frighten geese and ducks unnecessarily and avoid breeding areas.

Svalbard is also home to numerous cultural monuments - from ancient burial sites to historic hunting tools. These remnants of Arctic history are protected by law and may not be damaged or removed.

Please also refrain from taking souvenirs with you - these include whale and seal bones, stones, fossils, plants or other organic materials. Everything found here belongs to the nature or history of this unique region - and should stay there.

Before you go ashore, it is important that you do not introduce any foreign organisms into the sensitive Arctic environment. Therefore, make sure that your shoes are thoroughly cleaned - they should be free of soil, seeds or other residues.

Also check your clothing carefully, especially pockets, hoods, cuffs and Velcro fasteners - this is where seeds, insects or dirt often hide unnoticed.

The same applies to your luggage and equipment: make sure that camera tripods, walking or ski poles and all other items are clean and free of soil or organic material. This is the only way we can work together to help preserve the fragile balance of Arctic nature.

Physical fitness is important, you should be in good general condition and be able to walk for several hours a day. Although much of the program takes place on board, wind, swell and weather conditions can make movement on deck challenging - secure footing and balance are essential.

If you want to take part in the landings, you must also be able to get in and out of Zodiacs (inflatable boats) safely. Walking on the sometimes steep, swaying gangway should also not be an obstacle - with a little practice, this is easy to manage. On land, we often move on uneven, rocky or slippery terrain, far away from any infrastructure.

Unfortunately, people with serious health restrictions who are dependent on regular or spontaneous medical treatment cannot take part in an expedition. Please provide us with any relevant health information in our medical questionnaire which you will receive after booking - this must be completed and returned within one month.

As we operate in very remote areas, medical evacuations are often difficult or impossible. For safety reasons, we therefore reserve the right to refuse participation to travelers with potentially risky health conditions - for your own protection and that of your fellow travelers.

The Arctic is a remote place - and that is precisely what makes it so attractive. But in an emergency, this remoteness can become a challenge. On Svalbard, a medical evacuation is usually possible within a few hours. In more remote areas such as East Greenland, on the other hand, it can take 1 to 3 days before an evacuation can be organized via an outpost or to the nearest hospital - for example in Ittoqqortoormiit. All procedures are highly dependent on the weather.

Comprehensive travel insurance is therefore mandatory. It must cover medical emergencies as well as possible evacuation by ship, plane or helicopter. After booking, we ask you to send us your insurance details.

Please check with your doctor in advance whether you are fit to travel to remote regions with limited medical facilities. The Rembrandt van Rijn sailing ship has neither medical staff nor an on-board clinic.

We do not recommend traveling with children under the age of 8. We do not have an upper age limit, but all passengers must be mentally and physically fit.

There is not much room for luggage in the cabins, use soft and foldable backpacks, duffel bags, etc., no hard-shell suitcases.

How much time you spend on land varies - because in the Arctic, nature sets the pace. Weather, ice conditions and the distances to be covered influence our daily planning. Depending on the route, there may be days when we stay on board, followed by intensive phases with several landings. In favorable conditions, two to three landings per day are even possible - each with enough time to explore the surroundings at leisure.

The best thing is that daylight accompanies us almost around the clock in the high latitudes. This opens up special opportunities - such as a Zodiac cruise in the midnight sun or an early morning shore excursion. The most atmospheric photos are often taken during the golden hours of light.

Our aim is to show you as much as possible. At the same time, we respect your pace: if you prefer to stay on board to enjoy the vastness from the deck, you are of course just as welcome.