Mon–Fri : 0900 - 1800
Sat : 0900 - 1700
Sun : 1000 - 1400
BH: Closed
Middle East Travel Disruption - find out more...
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Expert Holiday Directors
60 years experience
Part of the Royal Geographical Society collection, travel from top to toe and explore Italy’s famous landmarks. Visit iconic cities Venice, Florence and Rome and discover the hidden gems of Pompeii, Sicily and more.
Explore the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains and the vibrant cities of Victoria and Vancouver on a holiday that’s packed full of magnificent sights and scenery.
From Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and beyond, discover the unforgettable highlights of Japan including an incredible high-speed ride on the Bullet Train.
The best place to see polar bears is Svalbard, Norway, which sees the highest polar bear densities along the marginal ice zone.
To get to Svalbard, fly via Oslo to Longyearbyen, then embark on a small expedition ship navigating fjords and pack-ice edges.
The best time to visit Svalbard is from late June to August, as it offers the most flexible routes and the longest daylight hours.
Book an Arctic cruise and observe majestic polar bears from a safe distance.
Remember, the chance of sightings here is excellent but never guaranteed. You may also spot walrus, seals, foxes, reindeer, puffins and whales.
Read our guide below to learn more about where to see polar bears in the wild.
There’s a moment on an Arctic voyage when the world seems to hold its breath. The sea is calm, the air is pin-sharp, and the ice ahead glows in soft shades of silver and blue. Then you see it: the calm, purposeful stride of a polar bear. It’s awe-inspiring because you’re watching an animal perfectly adapted to one of the harshest environments on Earth.
These magnificent creatures spend their days patrolling shorelines in the Arctic Circle, crossing frozen fjords and following the shifting sea ice in search of seals. For many travellers, the prospect of seeing a bear in its natural habitat is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
Polar bears inhabit the Arctic region, ranging from Norway and Greenland to the Russian High Arctic, as well as parts of Canada and Alaska. It’s a vast region, and cruises visit different areas; some offer better chances of seeing bears than others.
On Travelsphere’s Arctic cruise – Arctic Explorer: Land of the Polar Bear – our guests travel to Svalbard, which offers some of the best chances to meet a polar bear in the wild.
Svalbard sits high in the Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Norway, within the Barents Sea region, where polar bear densities are among the highest on the planet.
If you’re wondering where to see polar bears with the best balance of access, comfort and conservation, this is the top choice – especially for travellers from the UK.
In the summer, the ice melts and cracks, opening up passageways for small expedition ships to navigate deep into the fjords towards drifting pack ice – prime locations for sightings, as polar bears often hunt along the ice margin.
The cold, nutrient-rich waters support healthy seal populations, which in turn support polar bears. Visitors may also see dozing walruses and lounging bearded seals on ice floes, as well as Arctic foxes, reindeer and puffins on shore. There’s also a chance to spot a variety of whale families, including minke and fin.
To protect Svalbard’s pristine landscape and wildlife, expedition cruises in the area follow strict guidelines. There are briefings before every landing and bear guards when ashore, ensuring responsible travel that prioritises both animal welfare and the preservation of Svalbard’s unique environment.
The gateway to Svalbard’s polar bears is the town of Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island.
Visitors can fly via Oslo, then continue north to Longyearbyen – Svalbard’s compact capital featuring brightly coloured wooden houses set between blue fjord and dark, layered mountains.
From here, you board a small expedition vessel designed for Arctic waters and set out along the coast to reach the ice flows where polar bears hunt.
Seeing polar bears safely and respectfully in Svalbard is primarily a ship-based experience.
You’ll spend time on deck with binoculars and scopes, scanning the ice and shoreline with your expedition team. When conditions allow, Zodiac inflatables allow close-but-careful exploration of shorelines, ice fronts and cliffs. Safety is a top priority when heading to land, for both you and the local wildlife. If bears are nearby, plans change immediately to avoid disturbance.
Travellers on our Arctic Explorer: Land of the Polar Bear tour board the G Adventures Expedition Ship, which accommodates just 128 passengers. Its smaller size means it can more nimbly access remote locations that larger ships cannot reach.
Aboard, travellers can relax while learning from experts in marine biology, ornithology, glaciology and polar history.
Morning briefings are a common way to start the day, when your Holiday Director outlines the activities, always shaped by the current weather, ice conditions, and latest wildlife sightings.
Remember, while Svalbard offers excellent opportunities to see polar bears, sightings can never be guaranteed, as conditions and sea ice vary from year to year. But this sense of uncertainty only adds to the excitement, making each sighting feel more rewarding.
Although polar bears live in Svalbard year-round, there are certain times of year when sightings are more likely.
In the summer, the pack ice has loosened enough for small ships to reach the marginal ice zone, where the polar bears are active along the shorelines. You travel under the midnight sun from April to August, which means extended daylight for seabird watching and more opportunities for colourful wildflower photography in the tundra.
There is fresh snow on the hills and deep blue ice fronts during this time, though colder conditions and firmer pack ice can limit where ships can go. If conditions permit, bears can be observed near fjord mouths and on land-fast ice.
September brings a softer light and quieter mood to Svalbard. Sea ice is at its minimum, but the bears continue to roam coastlines and remaining floes.
Polar bears are powerful, curious and entirely wild animals. If you wish to see them in their native habitat, you will need to plan and book your trip in a way that provides the distance, respect and expert management they demand.
A few essential safety considerations sit at the heart of responsible polar bear travel:
Always travel with accredited experts – Choose escorted tours or expedition cruises that adhere to AECO or equivalent guidelines, as they have trained staff and clearly defined safety protocols.
Keep your distance – The safest way to observe polar bears is from a safe distance. On The Expedition, you’ll always maintain a respectful distance, and Zodiacs will not approach bears on the ice. If a bear is spotted nearby, landings may be cancelled for everyone’s safety.
Minimise your footprint – When adventuring, always follow instructions precisely, stay within marked areas, and avoid sudden movement or noise during wildlife encounters. Never bait wild animals, and if you’re a keen photographer, stick with a long lens rather than approaching.
Respect the wider Arctic – Though the region’s climate can be harsh, the Arctic is a fragile environment. Aim to leave no trace by disinfecting your boots to prevent the introduction of invasive species, and ensure you take everything back with you when you leave the shore.
Keep yourself comfortable on your travels by wearing plenty of breathable layers (including neck buffs and thin gloves beneath your mittens), swapping your usual footwear for sturdy, insulated boots.
Once back on board, you can relax and warm up in your ship’s lounge.
While Svalbard offers some of the most accessible opportunities to see polar bears, they also inhabit other parts of the Arctic Circle.
Kaktovik, Alaska
Greenland
Russian Arctic
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Explore our selection of guided Canada tours.
Encountering a polar bear in Svalbard is a rare experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
It might be a distant silhouette crossing a ridge at midnight, its impressive shape magnified through scopes as the ship floats in silence, or it could be closer — a bear stepping lightly along a floe as it blends into the pale, icy backdrop.
Join a group of like-minded travellers on a premium expedition ship as part of our Arctic cruise: Land of the Polar Bear escorted tour, and sail towards new sights each day. Expect a dedicated Holiday Director, private accommodation for no additional fee, and the opportunity to unwind and immerse yourself in polar life and history.
Ready to soak in Svalbard’s dramatic fjord scenery and spot some of nature’s most impressive apex predators in the wild? Request a brochure or contact a member of our friendly customer team.
Discover the magic of the Arctic on a tour exploring Norway’s capital, Oslo, before a six-day expedition cruise through Svalbard’s pristine wilderness in search of polar bears, glaciers and unforgettable wildlife.
