SVALBARD – 79° NORTH

Sailing Expedition 2025

Embark on an unforgettable expedition through one of the wildest places on earth. 8 days navigating through the icy arctic waters of Svalbard, together with an small group of creatives, completely immersing into our own microcosmos. No rush, no hustle and bustle from the outside world - 8 days off grid, poor phone connection, no precious lifetime wasted on social media or on emails - simply reconnecting to nature and the elements, disconnected from all other stuff. Feeling the arctic breeze, breathing the freshest air that you will ever experience, soaking in the sun, embracing the raindrops falling down and listening to sounds of icebergs passing by, rumbling glaciers and the constant sound of cracking ice against the steel hull of or schooner. All while you are in the most exciting and beautiful landscape you will ever be in.

And although this sounds like a full on marketing phrase - it’s a true once in a lifetime opportunity and Daniel and me are happy to share this incredible adventure with you!

A photo expedition along the West Coast of Svalbard – from ghost towns and abandoned Soviet mining settlements to towering glacier fronts, walrus colonies, rough seas and calm fjords, this journey takes us through some of the most remote and fragile places in the world. 8 amazing days exploring the fjords, sailing, hiking and visiting the northern most town in the world Ny-Ålesund with endless photo opportunities along our route!

Our home for this journey will be Ocean Sherpa, a beautiful classy steel schooner built for Arctic adventures. We’ll have the schooner entirely for ourselves (10 people + 5 crew) making sure that we are a private and small group in this incredible place!

In a nutshell

• an unforgettable sail along the West Coast of Svalbard on a small boat
• feel like a pirate, climb the mast, look out for glaciers and wildlife
• hike on the dramatic West Coast and visit glaciers and walrus colonies
• disconnect from the world as we will have no phone signal
• maximum 10 people incl. Daniel and me + 5 people crew
• possibly spot wildlife like polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes and sea birds
• fill up endless memory cards and memories :)
What's included

• transfer from your hotel in Longyearbyen to the boat
• breakfast, lunch, dinner all days (vegetarian / vegan options available)
• tea, coffee and snacks all day long
• all activities, zodiac tours, transportation and hiking excursions, guiding
• photography tips, Q&A rounds, loads of fun and talk
• shared twin cabin with shower and sink with another participant and shared facilities
• all bedding and towels
Not included

• accommodation outside the tour dates (at least one night before and after the trip in Longyearbyen recommended)
• airfare to and from Svalbard from your country of origin
• visas or individual travel insurance
• alcoholic and extra beverages

More Details

August 23rd to 30th, 2025 fully booked

6.500,- EUR

25% deposit to secure your place, due within 7 days.
Final payment in May 2025.

Join the waitlist

Life aboard Ocean Sherpa

This fast-sailing, beautiful and comfortable expedition yacht will be our floating home during the expedition. Ocean Sherpa’s beautiful rigging might come across as traditional, but is fine-tuned to perfection. The sails are easily handled so even unexperienced guests can take an active part in the handling of the ship.

The spacious deck gives plenty of seating to enjoy the view and spot wildlife, a heated decktent offers shelter when needed. The crows nest in the mast and the accessible jib net offer great opportunities for photography and observing maritime fauna.

The deckhouse holds an inviting saloon with a bar and a panoramic view. You can relax or enjoy a meal while still observing the wonders around you. There are six twin ensuite cabins, all central heated equipped with a private shower and sink.

The steel, reinforced hull and top stability make her a safe ship in all weather conditions and ready for ice operations. Ocean Sherpa is certified and maintained to the highest safety standards.

As with all sailing boats, space inside is limited, so: fewer things, fewer thoughts, more space to breathe and be! The boat is not a catwalk - don’t bring too much stuff with you. Also we will make sure that the group works well together, as we’ll be cozied up together for a week.

F&Q

Do I need a sleeping bag or towels?
No, warm bedding, covers, blankets and a set of towels is provided.

Is there phone or internet access?
Cell phone signal is only available in the southern part of Isfjord, closer to the settlements of Longyearbyen and Barentsburg.

Seasickness?
The sea in the fjords is usually calm and also the west coast is protected by the long island of Prins Karls Forland. But as we are in arctic waters, calm sea is not guaranteed. If you tend to suffer from sea sickness, the best advice is to take sea sickness precautions.

Electricity?
You will be able to charge all your items. As there are a lot of photographers on board, make sure to mark your batteries and chargers with your initials. This way we can keep our gear separate. The electric sockets on board are European.

Do I need t be a photographer?
Absolutely not! It is not a pure photography workshop. Of course we will talk about photography related topics and share skills but in first place it is all about the experience to sail in the Arctic. And also: this place is so beautiful so you can't really take a bad photo.