North Atlantic Odyssey

Fair Isle & Mousa, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

As Oceanwide Expeditions' ships re-position from their Antarctic programme, there's the opportunity to sail from Scotland to the Arctic, calling in at various North Atlantic islands en route. The itineraries vary from year to year and ship to ship sometimes including St Kilda and sometimes Fair Isle as they head north to the dramatic island of Jan Mayen which is dominated by a 2,300 metre volcano. The final destination is the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago. Here you can either stay on the ship for the next voyage to North Spitsbergen or fly back to you country of origin.

During your voyage you will be entertained by the ship's knowledgeable expedition leaders whose subjects vary from wildife and environmental issues to the historical and cultural heritage of the places you visit. These talks not only enrich your experience but also entertain during the days at sea which can also be spent looking out for whales, dolphins and seabirds.

The delight of expedition cruising is that, using zodiacs (small rubber dinghies), it's possible to access remote corners of the equally remote areas you are visiting. The crew are skilled in landings and make the process very simple for passengers.

Itinerary Notes

For a fully detailed itinerary please download a PDF version in the Key Facts on the right.

Day 1: Arrive in Aberdeen and embark. See lighthouse on Girdle Ness. Possibilities to see Minke whales, White-beaked dolphins, Harbour porpoises and Killer whales.
Day 2: Fair Isle in the Shetlands. Walk to the bird observatory. On to Mousa. Visit one of the best preserved brochs in Scotland. During a night excursion we will watch Storm Petrels. By day we view Grey Seals, Black Guillemots, Red-throated Divers, Arctic Skuas and a wonderful spring flora.
Days 3 & 4: Sail north to Jan Mayen. Time to watch for Minke, Fin or Blue whale. Pods of orcas possible too.
Day 5: Visit the weather station on Jan Mayen. Walk across to Kvalrossbukta to look at remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a large colony of Fulmars. Sail by Koksletta to see breeding Little Auks and Brünnich's Guillemots, watched over by Glaucous gulls.
Days 6 & 7: Sail north in the midnight sun along edge of sea-ice. Looking out for whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds. Sail to North Spitsbergen.
Day 8: Sail into Raudfjord or one of the other fjords in Northwest Spitsbergen. Chances to see Polar bears and sunbathing seals on the fjord-ice. Little Auk breeding grounds at Fuglesangen.
Day 9: Fuglehuken seabird-colonies and remains of Polar Bear hunting. Walruses at Sarstangen, Engelskmansbukta or Poole-Pynten. Possible evening landing at Alkhornet for seabirds, Reindeer and Arctic foxes.
Day 10: Disembark at Longyearbyen for flights to Norway and onward home.

Disclaimer: This itinerary is dependent on sea and ice conditions. The final itinerary will be decided by the ship's captain and your Expedition Leader to maximize opportunities.