Across the Arctic Circle: Fair Isle, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen

9 nights, 10 days 25 May, 2027 – 01 Jun, 2027

Start Date

25 May, 2027

End Date

01 Jun, 2027

Duration

9 nights, 10 days

Price

2700

YPT has been running trips to Greenland, Svalbard and Antarctica for many years now, but for country, continent or microcontinent (yes, it's a thing) collectors, photographers, and actually just anyone with an adventurous spirit, this new cruise is not to be missed. Leaving from the Scottish port of Aberdeen, we will visit the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen and sail along the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you the chance to search for whales, polar bears, and other arctic animals of the land, sea, and air.

We plan to stay one day on Fair Isle, an island in the Shetlands whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear, before sailing to the legendary Norwegian land of Jan Mayen. It is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg, from the slopes of which broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, we will have the rare opportunity to land there and walk to the remains of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station.

Whether you’re a seasoned Arctic adventurer or a first-time explorer, prepare to be captivated by the raw beauty of the Arctic at its finest. The time of our cruise is ideal to witness the Arctic’s wildlife in action. Keep your cameras ready for unforgettable moments as you bask in the Midnight Sund and spot numerous seabird species, marine mammals, and if we are lucky polar bears and walruses.

On a trip like this, we cannot guarantee the itinerary – it will depend on the weather, the condition of the ice and wildlife spotting opportunities. The final say is with the captain of the ship and the professional team onboard.

Note: the price is per person. The price for a twin cabin occupied by one person is 1.7x the shared rate.

Cabin Type	Cost
Quadruple Porthole	€2700
Triple Porthole	€3195
Twin Porthole	€3895
Twin Window	€4095
Twin Deluxe	€4395
Superior (double bed for one or two people)	€8295 (for one person) €9795 (for two people)
Junior Suite (double bed for one or two people)	€10795 (for one person) €12595 (for two people)
Grand Suite (double bed for one or two people)	€11995 (for one person) €14595 (for two people)

Tour Highlight

Spend a day on Fair Isle, the most remote island in Great Britain, whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear
Make a landing on the legendary Jan Mayen Island, where the climate is so harsh that there are no permanent inhabitants
Bask in the midnight sun as you sail north along the edge of the sea ice in search of polar bears, whales and other Arctic wildlife

Included

All meals on the ship including snacks, coffee/tea
Accommodation on the ship in quadruple porthole rooms (higher standard accommodation on request)
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage
Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes for landings

Excluded

International flights to Aberdeen and from Longyearbyen
Visa charges if applicable (we provide full visa support)
Drinks and personal spending
Tips for the crew

Group	Start date	End date	Duration	Price	Single Supplement

Print Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Sunday 23rd May – Aberdeen

Meet the group in Aberdeen, the Granite City, frequent winner of the Britain in Bloom competition but also a leading business hub and one of the cities spearheading the UK’s economy.
After a pre-tour meeting making sure we have everything we need for the trip, we’ll grab lunch in Aberdeen and get ready to set sail
Several cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are native to these seas. As we depart, you’ll see to the south the lighthouse on Girdle Ness that was designed by the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, the famed Scottish writer who gave us such classics as Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Those first hours at sea will be quite busy, as we settle in our cabins, learn about the safety rules on the ship, and attend the traditional welcome cocktail ceremony.
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Monday 24th May – Fair Isle

Today we plan to spend the day on Fair Isle, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the United Kingdom (and among the most northerly settlements in Great Britain). It is known for its wild bird observatory, interesting historic shipwrecks, Scottish and Shetland-style traditional music, and especially its traditional style of knitting.
This is a fantastic location with accessible seabird breeding grounds, and you may even spot grey seals.
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Tuesday 25th May – At sea to Jan Mayen

For the next two days we will sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, 300 nautical miles northeast of Iceland.
Our ship offers good options for wildlife watching, both outside on the deck or in the comfort of our lounge. Watch out over the seas for several species of marine mammals (minke, fin, orca, blue whale.…). Our expedition crew will help you recognize the animals and tell you everything you need to know about them.
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Wednesday 26th May – Crossing the Arctic circle

Today we’ll cross the magic line of 66 ̊ 33ˊN defining the Arctic Circle. We will now be in the land of the midnight sun – there will be no darkness for a few months until the end of August. We’ll be sure to celebrate that crossing with drinks (hot chocolate, if it’s in the morning!)
The naturalists on the ship will offer a programme of lectures about various topics: marine life, birds, the history of the region, famous explorers… Those lectures are not mandatory: you can pick those that interest you most!
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Thursday 27th May – Jan Mayen

Thousands of birds passing the ship will let us know that we’re closing in on Jan Mayen. This stark volcanic island is crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg (“Bear Mountain”, in reference to the polar bears), the world’s northernmost subaerial active volcano and the only active volcano in Norway.
From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, we will visit the weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic landscape.
Interesting fact for geography buffs and country collectors: Jan Mayen is defined by geologists as a microcontinent!
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Friday 28th May – At sea to the North

Basking in the midnight sun, we will sail north for the next days.
While three days on a ship at sea can seem intimidating, it offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. After all, we are here in one of the most remote parts of the world. On top of the lecture programme and the wildlife watching, you can enjoy the vessel’s well-stocked library and bar, share and listen to the stories of your fellow passengers, or do nothing at all – which is a very rare luxury nowadays!
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Saturday 29th May – In the ice pack

As we enter the vast expanse of white plates in front of us, keep an eye out in search of bowhead whales, harp seals, a variety of seabirds, and of course polar bears
When we spot polar bears, we obviously don’t land on the ice or take the zodiacs – they are one of the most dangerous predators on Earth – but we stop the ship to be able to enjoy those rare encounters to the fullest, and also to not disturb them.
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Sunday 30th May – En route to Svalbard

After sailing along the ice edge, we will direction after about 79° north, cutting west to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and – near the glacial mouths of the gaping Spitsbergen fjords – surfacing minke whales.
Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Monday 31st May – Spitsbergen

We’ll arrive in Svalbard from the North and sail through Forlandsundet, an 88 km long sound separating Prins Karls Forland and Spitsbergen. It is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here.
Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or head south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
The cliffs and shoreline of Spitsbergen also support thriving seabird colonies and the possibility of polar bears.

Tuesday 1st June – Spitsbergen

We’ll disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, which has regular and cheap flights from Oslo or Tromsø, and the northernmost settlement in the world. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions.
Tour concludes. YPT can help organise accommodation and tours of Svalbard, including to the Soviet ghost towns of Barentsburg and Pyramiden, for those of you in no rush to get back home!
If you’re still craving additional chances to spot the Arctic’s most iconic apex predator, you can even stay on board for an extra seven days of cruise around Svalbard. Get in touch with us for a quote!

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