Svalbard to Greenland 2026

25th JUL - 8th AUG

How to apply:

Apply and book a call to discuss your participation in this expedition at the bottom of the page.

SVALBARD to GREENLAND 2026

STARTS: 25 JUL (Longyearbyen, Svalbard)

ENDS: 08 AUG (Reykjavik, Iceland) (14 days, 13 nights)
Passengers: 12 SOLD OUT

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

Cross the Arctic from Svalbard to Greenland

Get a taste of the golden age of exploration on a traditionally rigged, wooden sailing vessel

Follow  the edge of the Arctic Sea Ice, a paradise for Arctic fauna

Visit some of the most remote, ice-free fjords in East Greenland

Explore the world’s largest National Park (The Northeast Greenland National Park)

Participate in an active scientific programme which seeks to collect data about the Arctic (entirely voluntary)

Navigate one of the most remote parts of the whole Arctic region, a place almost nobody visits!

Undertake the expedition with a small ground of 12 amazing people.

Enjoy stunning Arctic vistas and landscapes with the trappings of civilisation

Pursue an intentional, knowledge-oriented expedition experience

Experienced crew and Expedition Leader that are at least as excited to be there as you (!)

Eat, drink, live and be well (in the Arctic)

EXPEDITION MAPS

WHAT DOES THE ARCTIC MEAN FOR YOU?

To join this expedition, you need to apply!

We invite passengers to join us on a voyage of unforgettable wildlife encounters high into the quiet sanctuary of the Arctic

Read through all of the information on this page. Find the Zoom call scheduling window at the bottom of the page. Apply and book a call with Joe to discuss your participation in this expedition.

Citizen Science: A Call to Action

For the second year in a row, we will run a scientific programme on board this expedition. The purpose of this programme is to shed light on the continuing influence of the changing climate on the Polar Regions.

The crew will be collecting data at regular intervals throughout the expedition with a specific research objective. Later, all the data will be collated into a report which can be used to aid in further research about the Arctic.

All passengers are invited to participate in this ongoing programme on board and involve themselves. It must be said that there is no obligation at all, and participation is entirely voluntary.

From Svalbard to Greenland. Connecting the Arctic on a Great Voyage

Referenced from: The Sea Ice Portal: https://www.meereisportal.de/en/learn-more/sea-ice-biology/sea-ice-as-habitat

What’s so special about the Arctic Sea Ice?

Light and heat from the sun lead to blooms of diatoms (single celled organism that make chains spanning several meters) protozoa, zooplankton and phytoplankton blooms. These are organisms that flourish in their billions at these latitudes. These blooms attract cetaceans (whales and dolphins), fish, birds and seals, which use the Arctic sea ice as a resting stop inbetween feeding. In turn, the seals attract polar bears, which patrol the edge of the arctic sea ice in search of their main food source. It is a complex and interdependent ecosystem taking place across many trophic levels.

Now, you begin to get some idea of how important there Arctic Sea Ice for supporting the biodiversity of Arctic ecosystems, and how important it is for our potential wildlife sighting along the course of the expedition.

GREAT MEMORIES

JOINING YOU ON BOARD

The Great Expedition Company has no back-office. Expedition leader Joe Shutter has carefully curated this unique sailing itinerary, along with the expertise of S/V Linden’s Captain, Rasmus Jacobsen, and together they will sail with you through the wonders of the Svalbard seas.

Hörður Kristleifs

YOUR DRONE MASTER

Drone Master Extraordinaire and Co-Leader

Hey there, I’m Hörður, a photographer specializing in aerial photography. Born and raised in Iceland, the Arctic is more than just a destination for me. It is my heritage and my home.

After an extraordinary season on the Greenlandic coast last year, I found myself captivated by the scale of the wilderness. This July, I am thrilled to join forces with my friend Joe as your co-host for this mission. There is a rare energy that exists on the deck of a schooner in the middle of the Greenland Sea, and I am honored to help guide that journey.

My role on this trip is to make sure you have total peace of mind while we’re out there. Droning from a ship in the Arctic comes with its own set of challenges, and I’ll be right there to handle the technical side and the difficult launches with you. My goal is to make sure you can stay focused on the landscape while knowing the gear is safe and the shots are locked in.

My aim is to foster a space where we can explore, create, and disconnect from the noise of the world together. Let’s head North and capture the spirit of the High Arctic together.

Rasmus Jacobsen

YOUR ARCTIC CAPTAIN

Captain of S/V Linden & Experienced Navigator

Growing up in Denmark and living on a yacht, my family raised me within a maritime lifestyle and eco-friendly culture from childhood. Since then, I’ve enjoyed over 30 years on the ocean thus far: working on galleons, square rigs, research vessels and passenger ships.

My passion lies in seeking out the most untouched arenas of the Arctic, placing a great emphasis on exploring without any signs of human activity. 

My crew and I are committed to embodying an environmentally-friendly approach to sailing, inspired to seek out the abundant beauty of Svalbard in a purposeful manner. Hence, collaborating with The Great Expedition Company is a harmonious eco-expedition match.

Joe Shutter

YOUR EXPEDITION LEADER

Founder of The Great Exped & Expedition Leader

Welcome, curious explorer! Joe here. British-Brazilian, I made Iceland my home 10 years ago.

I’ve spent many summer seasons sailing in Eastern Greenland and traversing the harsh highlands of Iceland. In recent years, I have had the pleasure of depending my knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctic.

My affinity for the Polar Regions has no limits. Through my lens and many years of exploration, I have honed the artful skill of curating positive and purposeful experiences which I take great joy in sharing with fellow explorers.

I prosecute a gratuitous and exuberant expedition leading style. I believe fervently in enjoying myself and fomenting an atmosphere of merriment and jubilation with my expedition parties. I strive to use my expedition time on the most remote and unique places and experience, but I’m always ready for whatever nature has lined up for me. I am always there for my people.

For me, seducing the spirits of fellow explorers and sharing in the wonders of the Arctic is my eternally-repeatable aim. Bringing people together with a common passion has always been my favourite thing: there’s a special energy in this that I have never found anywhere else.⁣

ARCTIC MEMORIES

  • Muskox Greenland

WE ARRANGE

  • Accommodation on board, incl. bedding & towels

  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee throughout.

  • Your return flight from GREENLAND to ICELAND via a chartered private plane at the end of the expedition.

  • Provision of a complimentary “Great Expedition Kit” : a curated collection of Expedition essentials to enhance your expedition.

  • Expedition champagne

  • Expedition port supply.

  • Usage of the ship’s cigar humidor

  • Free use of onboard sauna

  • Extensive Pre-Departure Preparation Material

    • Equipment and Information Pack

    • Destination-specific Expedition Preparation Guide - everything we think you need to know about your location before you get there.

  • Pre-Expedition Welcome Dinner aboard the ship the night before the start of the expedition (Day 0)(where applicable)

  • All guided hikes ashore

  • All guided zodiac excursions to shore

  • Educational and Informational services from the Expedition Leader and crew

  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees

  • Photography guidance and tuition in-the-field, as-we shoot

  • Editing session on board in the salon upon request

  • Some other goodies and extras that are not mentioned

YOU ARRANGE

  • Your flights to Longyearbyen

  • Your flight from Iceland at the end of the expedition.

  • Additional Alcoholic beverages beverages on board (outside of champagne and port from the expedition supply)

  • Personal travel & health insurance

  • Crew gratuities (entirely discrentionary)

  • Personal equipment and gear for the expedition

DETAILS

  • Dates: 25 July - 08 August  2025

    (14 days, 13 nights)

  • Berths: 12

  • Price: €11,995

  • 25% deposit to secure your name on the passenger list

  • Starts: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

  • Ends: Reykjavik, Iceland

LIFE ON BOARD S/V LINDEN

S/V Linden is undeniably a swoon-worthy vessel.  This elegant 50 meter three-masted tall ship captures everyones attention as she glides on the polar seas. She is very strong, capable, and best suited scouring the ice in the Arctic. Built in 1993, as a modern take on the original Linden from 1923, she has been sailing for more than thirty years around the northerly seas, proving that she is trustworthy and made for arctic adventures.

Having been built in Finland there is, of course, a well-sized sauna on board, which will be the perfect refuge after a polar-plunge!

TECHNICAL DATA:

Length overall: 49.5 meters / 164 ft.

Cabins: 6 / Single beds: 12 / Double beds: 2
Crew: 6-8
Cargo space: 35 Ton
Deck space: 80m2
Sail area: 690 square meters
Speed: 8 knots avg.

EXPEDITION ITINERARY

All expedition itineraries are approximate and are designed to give you a rough idea of the sorts of places we will go and the sorts of places we will see. A true expedition must respond to the prevailing conditions such as the weather, ice, and wildlife opportunities. That being said, the backbone of the expedition will head north and then down south again roughly on the following basis.

EXPEDITION OBJECTIVE

With 14 days and 13 nights at our disposal, we really have a strong time budget for this expedition; and we need it, because we have a lot of amazing stuff to see! This expedition will de-emphasise the Svalbard element somewhat, although we most certainly will stop in one or more spots in Svalbard so that people get to see at something from Svalbard before setting off. Sailing at the edge of the sea ice will be the most fruitful use of our expedition time along with sailing in the fjords in Greenland.

DAY 1

We will aim to throw off the ropes shortly after lunch and briefly visit a glacier front in Isfjord, which is the large fjord in which the main town in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, is found. Who knows, we may strike lucky with an early bear or a whale in the fjord to start things off own a good footing. If weather and condition allow, once we have enjoyed some scenery in Svalbard, we will move on, sail west, pass out of the archipelago and begin our epic journey towards the arctic sea ice.

DAY 2-3

Day 2 is likely to be a sea day, and if we’re lucky we will be visited by whales and dolphins, and of course we can slow down and take our time to enjoy these encounters. We will be well looked after by the crew and properly fed along the way. 

DAY 4-6

We anticipate to be able to get our first sighting of the Arctic sea ice by the fourth day, at which point the expedition will take a southwesterly direction, heading towards Greenland. When we hit the sea ice, our speed will decrease considerably and we will be on the lookout for wildlife along the edge of the sea ice.

DAY 7-12

After crusing along the edge of the Arctic Sea Ice for a few days, the expedition will be approaching the mainland of Greenland and we will seek to enter Kaiser Franz Joseph’s Fjord, an enormous fjord with towering granite columns and gigantic  icebergs floating down. We will marvel at the palaces of ice and cruise around the very special ones with unique shapes, as is the tradition. 

DAY 11-13

As we go deeper into Kaiser Franz Joseph’s Fjord, we will turn south and enter King Oscar Fjord. Using sheltered anchorages and landing where possible to explore the area, we have the chance to see some of the most remote fjords in Greenland, and we are very likely to be the only vessel in sight in any direction.

DAY 14

The last day! Your charter flight will arrive and take you away back to Iceland and your life after the most incredible Arctic expedition is about the begin. You’ll probably be dreaming about the next time, like we always do! 

WHO ARE YOU?

A proper expedition is always comprised of an elaborate mosaic of characters, each with their own story and each with something to offer to the expedition group. Our job is to put together an incredible group of people: similar enough to embrace the spirit of adventure in the Arctic, different enough to introduce healthy diversity and counterpoint in the individual and shared experience of the Arctic.

Having “what it takes” simply means you’re open to new places, new people and unforgettable sights. We’re all smart in different ways, and it’s up to team leading the expedition to put together a truly excellent group for a truly exceptional experience.

Find the Zoom call scheduling window below, tell us something about yourself and then book a call with us to discuss your participation.

FAQ’s

Below are some answers to a few commonly asked questions, with some additional suggestions. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, then you can raise it with us via a Zoom call.

  • What level of photography do I require?

    • This is not expressively a photography workshop, but Joe will be happy to assist and guide you as you wish. You can be as photographically creatively active or as inactive as you like, and we welcome many other forms of creativity. We even had a dressmaker join us on expedition once and it was amazing to watch her conjure up her design based on the inspiration she was getting from nature.

    How fit do I need to be?

    • You can engage in as much or as little physical exertion as you like, but you do need to be able to get into and out of the ship and zodiac, and go up and down the stairs.

    What & where will we eat?

    • All meals will be prepared and served by a chef on board Linden, and dietary requirements can be supported.

    Will we see the Northern Lights?

    • No, not during the Arctic summer as the midnight sun reveals itself for longer periods. Although it is rare, it can also rain in Svalbard too.

    What will the weather be like during June in Svalbard?

    • The weather in June will be near 5 °C / 40 °F throughout the day, dropping to 0 °C / 30 °F at night. With this said, windchill may decrease the temperature - please see the ‘Clothing’ FAQ section. Our "Equipment and Information" One of the aspects of our extensive pre-departure material, will make sure you have all the bases covered.

  • Althopugh we provide an exhaustive list of what to pack in our "Equipment and Information Pack", part of our extensive Pre-Departure material, wee do offer the following as a guide for the initially curious.

    There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes! It’s essential to dress appropriately for arctic conditions. Below are our recommendations:

    • Sturdy hiking boots for getting off the boat and exploring land (if you wish to)

    • Comfy and warm shoes for below deck, such as slippers

    • 1st layer: base layer, like merino wool or bamboo long-sleeve & leggings

    • 2nd layer: mid-layer, like a wool jumper, fleece, or packable puffy jacket

    • Main outer layer: like a down-filled coat. We will be sailing in “summer”, but the Arctic does not follow any usual weather rules, so you must come prepared

    • Waterproof layer: GORE-TEX zip-up coat or similar, and ideally it’s also windproof to tolerate any windchill.

    • If you enjoy reading then definitely bring a book or two. You’ll likely cherish that book in the future, knowing where you read it

    • If you like journaling and writing then bring along a pen & notebook

    • Sunblock! The Arctic sun has no mercy, and reflects strongly off the snow, ice and sea water

    • In the same vein as sunblock, bring lip balm, as the Artic summer is drying

    • A water bottle. It’s much easier to use on board than a regular cup

    • Finally, don’t forget to bring your expeditionary spirit!

    • Bring something from your home country to share with the group!