Plancius Itinerary
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Summer Solstice10 days / 9 nights
About Plancius
- Refurbished research vessel with three-star accommodation
- Comfortable polar expedition ship with an exploratory atmosphere
- Enjoy hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, camping, and photography
- Boat crew, hotel staff, expedition team, and a doctor on board
Plancius is a refurbished Royal Dutch Navy research vessel embarking on epic adventures in the polar regions. Having undergone extensive refurbishment, this impressive expedition ship now promises comfortable cruises in some of the harshest environments on the planet. But, while the interiors are certainly inviting, Ortelius’ itineraries aim to immerse guests in the surrounding wilderness, offering a variety of epic activities such as mountaineering, skiing, or scuba diving. What’s more, this vessel’s modest-size makes for a wonderfully intimate atmosphere on board, adding extra exclusivity to the experience.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 0
Experience No experience required
Insurance Not Required
Highlights
- One-way trip sail from the North Sea into the Arctic Ocean
- Visit the distinct islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen
- Enjoy breathtaking nature, ice edges, seals and world-famous knits
- Sailing to North along the edge of the sea ice, look for bowhead whales, harp seals, and polar bears
- Prins Karl Forland—home to many seabirds and harbour seals
Birding:
We will have at least one dedicated expedition guide in our team who will share their expert knowledge about bird species and who will be available to help you identify and photograph birds on deck and learn more about the birds that we see. In addition to outdoor sessions, our guide will focus on species and related information on the birds of the Arctic in recaps and lectures onboard.
Solstice:
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer, when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen falls on 21 June, when the sun reaches its highest altitude of the year above the northern horizon at midnight. It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again, and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this fascinating phenomenon during our voyage through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.
Day 1: Sights of the Granite City
You arrive in Aberdeen, the Granite City, a frequent winner of the Britain in Bloom competition. This is the true start of your trip. Several cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are native to these seas. To the south you see 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. More passengers join you in Aberdeen.
Day 2: Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
We plan to stay the day on Fair Isle, an island in the Shetlands whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear. This is a fantastic location with accessible seabird breeding grounds, and you may even spot gray seals.
Days 3-4: Jan Mayen marine life
You sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, 300 nautical miles northeast of Iceland. Your two days at sea do not pass idly, however. Keep a close lookout for any spouts of water from the surrounding seas, heralding the arrival of a minke, fin, orca, or blue whale.
Day 5: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Jan Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high (7,545 feet) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now 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.
Days 6-8: Under the midnight sun & along the ice edge
Basking in the midnight sun, you sail north along the edge of the sea ice in search of bowhead whales, harp seals, polar bears, and a variety of seabirds. You then change 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.
Day 9: The Arctic island of Spitsbergen
Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here. Alternatively, you 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.
Day 10: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. But if you’re still craving additional chances to spot the Arctic’s most iconic apex predator, stay on board for our seven-night North Spitsbergen Explorer—versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife voyage.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
04:00pm
Aberdeen
Aberdeen International Airport: ABZ
Return
09:00am
Longyearbyen
Svalbard Airport: LYR
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/plancius/itn-2504180630301-arctic-ocean-fair-isle-jan-mayen-ice-edge-spitsbergen-birding-summer-solstice