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Travel Guide to the Arctic

Looking for information about when to travel to the Arctic, what kind of wildlife you might see, and which destinations travelers can visit? Our Arctic guide has everything you need to know. If you have specific questions about the Arctic region and travel, check out our Arctic FAQ, or contact the Polar Holidays team!

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When to Travel to the Arctic

Depending on the experience you are looking for, you may choose between a few summer months to plan your Arctic cruise. Travel is possible during longer, lit summer days. Due to winter weather there is not travel service to the Arctic year round. Summer days can last between 18- 24 hours depending on the month which provide plenty of daylight for sight-seeing, wildlife viewing, and photography. Read more to learn about when to book your Arctic cruise.

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The Arctic vs. Antarctica: Polar Opposites

When deciding to visit the Arctic or Antarctica, it is important to know which is which! One region has polar bears and the other has penguins. Learn more here.
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5 Reasons to Visit the Arctic

Considering the Arctic as your next vacation destination? You won't regret it! This region is incredibly unique and many will never experience its diverse beauty. Why not cruise to the Arctic as your next adventure?
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Arctic Adventure Activities

The voyage to the Arctic is just one small part of the Arctic cruise experience! Choose from a multitude of adventure activities aboard your ship and once you disembark!
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Discover Arctic Destinations

Svalbard
Svalbard (Spitsbergen) is the land of the Polar Bear. A Norwegian Arctic archipelago 600 miles south of the North Pole, it features rugged mountains and rolling tundra that offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and snowshoeing. It is the largest wilderness area in Europe, and you will find amazing scenery, and wildlife experiences that you will not find anywhere else on the planet.
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The Russian Arctic
A cruise to the Russian Arctic offers the opportunity to visit remote archipelagos and breathtaking ice-draped coastlines, where you may encounter iconic Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and seabirds. These cruises bring you closer to locations of historic significance, including the islands of Novaya Zemlya, once an important military region.
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The North Pole
Crush through multiyear ice on the Arctic Ocean, sightsee by helicopter on the lookout for walruses, seals, whales, and polar bears, or take a tethered hot-air balloon ride at 90 degrees N, weather permitting. Possible stops at the island of Franz Josef Land will have you in awe of the flora and fauna as you visit seabird colonies and retrace the footsteps of early explorers
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Greenland
Greenland is the largest island on the planet and the least populated country in the world. Most of the island is within the Arctic Circle, and the majority of the island is covered by the Northern Ice Cap, so the waters surrounding the northern shores remain frozen all year. Ice as thick as two miles can be found in the middle of the island, creating incredible mountaineering opportunities.
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Northern Norway
This region boast mountains hiding surprising sweeps of green farm and grazing lands in the interior. The coasts are notable for their numerous fjords that come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are visible on clear nights from mid to late September through to the middle of April.
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Iceland
Small on the map and enormous in person, Iceland barely feels like Earth at all. Isolated in the frigid North Atlantic and forged through centuries of volcanic upheaval and tectonic shifting, Iceland is staggering to look at and otherworldly to explore.
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Canadian Arctic
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is in the extreme northern part of North America. It comprises over 35,000 islands which makes up much of Northern Canada. Cruise past towering fjords, visit historical sites and traditional Inuit communities. Be on the lookout for narwhals, walrus, beluga and right whales, ring and harp seals, as well as muskoxen and the iconic polar bear.
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Arctic Wildlife Guide

Our guide to Arctic wildlife provides a regional analysis of which animals Arctic cruisegoers are likely to see. Each Arctic destination is home to a number of different species – including but not limited to polar bears, reindeer, and many birds.

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Muscox in Arctic snow

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