SVALBARD ARCTIC ADVENTURE

Having led my first Svalbard photography tour with friend and fellow-photographer Mark McColl in September 2023, I'm excited to announce that I will be returning in May 2026 for more Arctic antics!

Svalbard is one of the most exciting and rewarding destinations I have ever had the privilage of exploring. At around 78 degrees north, this Norwegian archipelago is home to the world's most northerly settlement (Longyearbyen) and sits approximately midway between the northern coast of mainland Norway and the north pole. Our trip will take us to 80 degrees north and just 600 nautical miles from the North Pole!

Once again, I've chartered a polar exploration vessel (M/S Stockholm) for our own exclusive use for 8 nights. The group size is limited to 10 photographers plus myself, meaning the trip is geared firmly towards getting amazing images. Having the vessel to ourselves means that we can be much more flexible in terms of where we go, although that may depend on weather, ice and even animals! Flexibility is the key. The M/S Stockholm is, relatively speaking, a small vessel, meaning that we can get much closer to the wildlife and landscape than in larger vessels, and of course, being in a dedicated photography group means that we can prioritise the subjects we wish to shoot. Our aim is also to travel into the pack ice in search of polar bears.

On board there’ll also be 2 experienced guides from Polar Quest, and we’ll have 2 zodiacs to make landings or for cruising closer to wildlife. We hope to photograph polar bears, seal and walrus, plus possibly whales, arctic fox, reindeer and a variety of birdlife. And (of course) we’ll be shooting amazing landscapes and icebergs.

The trip price includes full board accommodation (all meals, including beers / wine / soft drinks) for 8 nights, based on 2 sharing a cabin with private facilities, and all zodiac launches. 

The starting point for the trip is Longyearbyen - accessible via a direct flight from Oslo airport. I will circulate recommended flights nearer the time. It will probably be necessary to spend a night in Oslo on the way out, and also a night in Longyearbyen before we board the ship for our Arctic voyage.

Check out my Svalbard portfolio to get a better idea of what we can hope to expect in 2026 (though wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed!). All the photographs in the portfolio were taken on the September 2023 trip.

A bit about our Ship, the M/S Stockholm…

The M/S Stockholm was built in 1953 for the Swedish national maritime administration. She was totally refitted in 1998 for use as a polar passenger ship and can carry up to 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities with portholes, and the ship itself has beautiful brass details and wooden decks. She has been navigating the waters around Svalbard for around 20 years. The standard of cuisine on board is high, and with such a small group on board this could be likened to travelling on a private yacht. Hopefully we might get the opportunity to venture on deck with a glass of wine and watch the aurora borealis twist and turn overhead!

For more information on the ship, please visit

https://www.polar-quest.com/ships/ms-stockholm

Advice on flights, clothing and photography equipment will be issued in due course.

• At A Glance...

• Deposit / Price

  £1,500.00 / £8,300.00

• Date

  04th - 12th May, 2026

• Included

  8 nights accommodation - shared cabin for 2 on board the MS Stockholm, with private facilities in each cabin, 2 expedition leaders from Polar Quest, All meals on board the ship (breakfasts, lunch, dinner), all drinks on board the ship (including alcoholic beverages – beer, wine), use of zodiac craft, tuition from Lee Frost

• Excluded

  Travel to / from Longyearbyen, insurance (each participant must have adequate travel insurance), meals / drinks not specified above, customary gratuity for the ship’s crew, hotel costs related to fitting in with flight schedule.

• Fitness Level

  Moderate

• Location

  Svalvard

• Max Group Size

  10