Norway · Svalbard · Arctic Circle
Sailing Trip Svalbard and the Arctic: Cabin Charter in the High North
Glaciers, pack ice and the midnight sun: on an Arctic sailing trip you sail around Svalbard or along the coast of northern Norway. The trips on this page start north of the Arctic Circle or lead to Svalbard. You book a berth and sail with a skipper.
Updated: 11 November 2026 · Redaktion toernfinder.de
from 5 providers compared
The essentials at a glance
Season
February to November, most dates in April and July
Duration
Usually one to two weeks
Most common departure ports
Longyearbyen, Tromsø, Bodø, Svolvaer and Hammerfest
Requirements
No sailing licence required
10–15 day trip per person
usually 1,850–3,300 €
Current sailing trips in the Arctic
Here you can see all current sailing trips that start north of the Arctic Circle or lead to Svalbard. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider.
Sailing in the Arctic: the sailing area
Most Arctic sailing trips lead to Svalbard or the coast of northern Norway. The two sailing areas are very different.
- Svalbard: The Svalbard archipelago lies at about 78 degrees north. The trips usually start in Longyearbyen and lead into the fjords on the west coast, to glacier fronts and up to the Magdalenefjord in the north-west.
- Northern Norway: Tromsø, the Lofoten Islands and the fjords as far as the North Cape. There are trips here in winter too, for example to see the northern lights or whales in the fjords north of Tromsø.
- Delivery trips: In early summer some yachts sail from Norway to Svalbard and back again in autumn. These are long legs across the open Barents Sea.
In Svalbard, groups may only go ashore with protection against polar bears, which the skipper organises. Many areas are nature reserves, with fixed rules for going ashore. You can read more about the Lofoten Islands at Cabin charter in the Lofoten, and for an overview of the whole of Norway see cabin charter in Norway.
What is different about sailing in the Arctic?
It is cold, even in summer. In Svalbard it is usually only 5 to 8 degrees in July, and it feels colder on the water. On the plus side, it doesn't get dark from the end of April to the end of August.
- Clothing: Warm underwear, fleece, hat, gloves and good oilskins. You can find tips in the article Sailing in the cold: clothing and safety.
- Weather: Fog and wind change quickly. The skipper often plans the route only once on site, depending on the ice conditions.
- Wildlife: Walruses, seals, reindeer and, with a bit of luck, polar bears, all spotted from the boat.
Harbours in the Arctic
The table below shows where the sailing trips start. For some harbours there are profiles with directions and tips.
LongyearbyenStarting point for sailing trips around SvalbardHarbour profile →
TromsøLargest city in northern NorwayHarbour profile →
HammerfestClose to the North CapeHarbour profile →
BodøStarting point for the Lofoten IslandsHarbour profile →
More port guides
Getting there, marinas and destinations for ports where trips on this page start.
Törnfinder data
Arctic sailing trips in numbers
Analysed: all Arctic sailing trips published on Törnfinder. As of: 13.11.2026.
Most common departure ports
- 1Longyearbyen13 trips
- 2Tromsø8 trips
- 3Bodø5 trips
- 4Svolvaer2 trips
- 5Hammerfest1 trip
20 %of trips last 7–8 days
47 %are round trips, start and finish in the same port
40 %take place on a traditional ship or tall ship
6different departure ports
6countries on offer, led by Norway and Gibraltar
150 nmcovered by a typical week-long trip
As of 13.11.2026: Törnfinder lists around 30 Arctic and Svalbard trips from 5 providers. 47 % are round trips with the same start and end port and 40 % take place on a traditional ship or tall ship. Most trips start in Longyearbyen, Tromsø and Bodø, and most departures are in April and July.
How these figures are calculated
We analyse all trips published on Törnfinder that start north of the Arctic Circle or lead to Svalbard, with a start date from today onwards; the figures are recalculated twice a day. Prices are the providers' details per person; offers for a private yacht charter with skipper, which are priced per boat, are not included in the prices. “Usually” refers to the middle half of the offers; the cheapest and the most expensive quarters are left out. The departure harbour is the harbour of departure named in the listing, and a round trip is a trip with the same departure and destination harbour. The texts on this page are written and checked by the editorial team of toernfinder.de.
Best time for a sailing trip in the Arctic
To Svalbard from June to September, when the ice opens up on the west coast. In northern Norway you sail in summer and, in winter, head out to see the northern lights.
When the trips start
Most Arctic and Svalbard trips start in April and July. Trips are available from February to November.
1
Feb0
Mar4
Apr2
May2
Jun10
Jul1
Aug3
Sep3
Oct1
NovAll Arctic sailing trips published on Törnfinder for the next twelve months. As of: 13.11.2026.
What does a sailing trip in the Arctic cost?
Most common are trips of 10 to 15 days, usually 1,850–3,300 € per person, with a day on board costing around 200 € on average. The flight comes on top, usually via Oslo or Tromsø to Longyearbyen.
| Trip duration | Price per person (usually) | per day | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–9 days, week-long trip | 1,350–4,300 € | around 360 € | 8 |
| 10–15 days | 1,850–3,300 € | around 180 € | 17 |
| 16 days or more | 3,800–6,600 € | around 270 € | 5 |
| Week-long trip on a traditional vessel | 2,400–4,900 € | around 490 € | 6 |
"Usually" means: the middle half of all offers falls within this range; the cheapest and most expensive quarters are not included. Click on the duration to see the corresponding trips.
On top of the trip price come travel costs and usually the ship's kitty for food, harbour fees and diesel. The box shows what typically belongs in it.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
Usually around 150–300 € per person per week, depending on what the group agrees, for example whether restaurant visits are included. On some boats, meals are already included in the price.
It is best to clarify in advance with the provider exactly what is included.
Also nearby
Many of these trips also call at these countries. Each card shows all trips there.
Gibraltar
13 trips
next departure 18.11.2026
from 790 € per person
Show trips →Italy
274 trips
next departure 14.11.2026
week usually 750–1,000 € per person
Show trips →the Netherlands
99 trips
next departure 12.12.2026
week usually 680–960 € per person
Show trips →Popular trip types
Besides classic crew trips, these trip types are offered most often here.
Frequently asked questions about sailing in the Arctic
Short answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip to Svalbard or the Arctic.
Can you sail in Svalbard?
Yes, in summer. From June to September, trips start in Longyearbyen and head into the fjords on the west coast and to the north of the archipelago.
When is the best time for a sailing trip to Svalbard?
In July and August. By then the ice off the west coast has mostly gone, and it doesn't get dark.
How do you get to Svalbard?
By plane to Longyearbyen, usually via Oslo or Tromsø. Some trips also start in northern Norway and sail across the Barents Sea to Svalbard.
How cold is it in the Arctic in summer?
In Svalbard it is usually 5 to 8 degrees in July. On the water and in wind it feels much colder.
What does a sailing trip in the Arctic cost?
Most common are trips of 10 to 15 days, usually 1,850–3,300 € per person. Flights and the onboard kitty come on top.
Do I need sailing experience?
Not on many trips, as the skipper is in command of the boat. For long legs across the Barents Sea, the advert states what the provider expects of the crew.
Find your sailing trip in the Arctic
Use the filter to search by date, duration and boat type, and send your enquiry directly to the provider.