In the footsteps of

Arctic discoverers

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The beginning of July is a great time to explore the far north. With the middle of the polar day and the sun circling overhead 24 hours a day, we can use the time much more efficiently! Over the course of 10 days, we plan to sail northwards along the west coast of Spitsbergen, visiting places that have gone down in the history of the great Arctic expeditions of Roald Amundsen and Albert Nobile. The Arctic is all about wildlife, nature untouched by human foot, glaciers descending directly into the sea and magnificent rocky mountains. So we plan to do a lot of boarding and trekking in pristine terrain, guided by an armed person experienced in the field. We have been sailing here since 2015 – we know which places are particularly worth visiting! 

€1415/os

Included:
Bunk, skipper’s care, certificate of passage.

Dates:

  • 15-23/07/2024, s/y Pacific Star
  • sail longer for less: 23-28/07: 499EUR
Additional costs (to be settled after the cruise):
  • Food: approx. 175 NOK/person/day
  • Port fuel, final cleaning, weapons + guide approx:  270 NOK/person/day
  • Insurance (approx. 50-80pln/ person)
  • Flights to Tromso
  • Flights to/from Hammerfest

How to reserve:

  • write or call us,
  • wait for the contract – you will reach out by e-mail,
  • proceed with the payment

Contact us:

  • +48 501-314-144 (Marcin), 
    +48 660-211-765 (Office)
  • info(at)joinus.pl

Discounts:

  • 5%: Returning customer
  • Groups:
    2 persons: 3,5%,
    3 persons: 5%,
    4 persons: 7,5%,
    5 persons and more: 10%.

– –  P L A N  – –

Day 1
Check in
Welcome to the Arctic!

Welcome to Svalbard's capital - the land of polar bears - here the bear population exceeds the permanent human settlement!

Day 2
60NM, 10-15h of sailing
Sailing do Poolepynten

We aim to sail quickly and efficiently to the North. We plan our first stop at a walrus colony! In the bay above we will spend a few hours on our first mountain trek.

Day 3&4
60NM,12-15h of sailing
Sailing to Amsterdamoya/ Virgohamna

It was from here that the Swedish polar traveller Solomon August Andrèe's famous balloon expedition to the North Pole, which ended tragically, set off in 1897. Opposite the bay - on the island of Amsterdamoya - you can often find signs of a bear, while at the eastern end of the island lies another walrus colony!

Day 5
15NM, 4h of sailing
The Glaciers

We are slowing down the sailing pace - focusing on the glaciers. Quite close by is the spectacular and gigantic one - Hans Henrikbreen. Further on, we sail to Magdalenfiorden - considered by many to be Spitsbergen's most beautiful glacier. An excellent opportunity to compare the two and form your own opinion.

Day 6 & 7
land tour
Sailing to Ny Alesund

We arrive at the northernmost permanent human settlement in the world. Ny-Ǻlesund is also known as the starting point of Roald Amundsen's expedition to the North Pole and Albert Nobile's later expedition. Remains of the docking site of the airship 'Norge' can still be found here today. Today, the village is an international scientific campus - with a bar serving the cheapest drinks in the Arctic as a socialising attraction! Further afield, we can visit Ny London or sail under the Blomstrandbreen glacier!

Day 8
40-50NM, 6-10h of sailing
Englesbukta, Traverse and Polish Polar Station

Fancy something out of the ordinary? How about a long trek and traverse from Ny Alesund to Englesbukta? Fantastic! We will then sail on to Kaffiøyra - where the Polish Toruń Polar Station is located!

Day 9
90NM, 20h of sailing
Isfjord & Pyramiden

Long sailing to an abandoned mining town. It's especially worth climbing the towering peak above the settlement! We might as well anchor at the place where the indigenous trappers lived and go trekking up a giant gorge or go under a phenomenal lake located on a plateau.

Day 10
Check out
Longyearbyen

In the morning we catch a plane to Tromso - onwards back home!

The graphic shows one possibility of the route. The actual route depends on meteorological conditions. The exchange of crew between Stages 1 and 2 can be done by air, ferry, bus. The return crew will cover the route in the other direction.

– – R O U T E – –

The map contains only one possibility of the cruise plan. The actual route depends on the weather conditions in the area at the time. The amount of time spent at sea depends on the willingness of the entire crew to sail, safety is supervised by the skipper - so it is up to him to make the final decision on the route.

– –  T H E  V E S S E L  – –

Our s/y Pacific Star

The first arctic Beneteau Cyclades 50.5

Thermally insulated, double heating system. Lots of owner modifications that make you feel right at home on this yacht in cold climates.

 

 – –  What’s coming? – –

The crew

Our captains have spent many seasons in the Arctic. To ensure safety, we have satellite communications on board and strictly follow procedures to protect us from the consequences of an unexpected encounter with a polar bear, and we make all shore visits secured with hunting weapons under the guidance of someone familiar with the area!

 Longyearbyen

It is the largest settlement and capital of the Svalbard archipelago. The town was founded as a mining settlement. On one of the slopes above the town, you can visit the remains of a coal mine.
The town is also practically the only place where we can shop, replenish our equipment or buy souvenirs.

Pyramiden

It is a mining settlement abandoned by the Russians. At its peak, the town was considered the best place to live in the Soviet Union.
After a brief period of complete abandonment at the beginning of this century, a hotel and restaurant have opened in the town. Efforts are being made to make it a tourist attraction.

 

Magdalenfiord

According to some – Spitsbergen’s most beautiful fjord. Turquoise water and a sandy lagoon…. If it wasn’t for the stable +5°C, we might have felt like we were in Greece.

 Pogoda

We sail in summer – constant temperatures of around +5°C . Precipitation is rare. Warm clothing is a must – remember that it is only 550 miles from here to the North Pole.

 

Ny Alesund

The last contact with civilisation is Ny-Alesund, the northernmost human settlement in the world. A mysterious place, full of antennas and strange installations – supposedly scientific. Mobile networks do not work here and internet is only available via a cable connection.

Trekingi

Sailing on Spitsbergen is not just about sailing itself. The insanely clear air visually shortens the distance – everything seems closer – so it’s worth going out to the nearby summit to savour the views!

 

Wild fauna

Bears, walruses, reindeer polar foxes, whales – this is their world, we are just guests here.

Gallery - What was it like on previous Join Us cruises?

 

 – –  L I N K S – –