Svalbard is a land of fjords, and the sea is the only road to most of its glaciers. A boat tour from Longyearbyen is therefore the single best way to see calving ice fronts, bird cliffs, ghost towns and — with luck — whales, walruses or seals, all in one day. The choice ranges from a 90-minute scenic cruise to an 8-hour private charter.
We compared every boat trip you can book from Longyearbyen for the 2026 season: duration, boat type, what is included and who each one is for.
Longyearbyen boat tours with live availability
All Longyearbyen boat trips compared
| Tour | Duration | Boat | From (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenic cruise in Isfjorden | 1.5 h | Covered boat | €150 | Short stays, families |
| Wildlife & Isfjorden boat trip | 2.5 h | Small group boat | €240 | Seabirds, seals, a first taste |
| Arctic cruise with floating experience & lunch | 6.5 h | Cruise boat | €400 | Relaxed day with a meal |
| Pyramiden & glacier tour | 9 h | Open RIB, drysuits | €445 | Ghost town + glacier front |
| Barentsburg & glacier tour | 9 h | Open RIB | €390 | Russian mining town |
| Sail & hike Isfjorden | 10 h | Sailboat | €310 | Active travellers |
| Private glacier & wildlife adventure | 8 h | Private boat with cabin | €2,000 / group of 3 | Photographers, couples, families |
Our favourite: the private glacier & wildlife boat adventure
Longyearbyen: Private Glacier & Wildlife Boat Adventure
Editor’s pick
- Duration: 8 h
- Group: private, up to 3 guests
- Price: from ≈ €2,000 per group
- Guide: English, German, Norwegian
- Rating: 5/5 (4 verified reviews)
This is a full boat charter to Oscar II Land, one of the most glacier-rich and least visited areas within reach of Longyearbyen. The captain-guide adapts the route to wind, sea and ice, so the day is spent where conditions are best: in front of huge glacier fronts where calving is possible, along fjords framed by steep mountains, and scanning the coast for seals, seabirds, whales and, occasionally, the king of the Arctic himself.
- Included: hotel pickup and drop-off in Longyearbyen, local guide, lunch on board, hot coffee, tea, toddy and cookies.
- Why private matters: you decide how long to stay at a glacier or a bird cliff, which is gold for photographers.
- Comfort: the small boat has an indoor space to warm up between stops.
- Good to know: in rough seas the boat can rock; take seasickness tablets if you are sensitive.
“The guide Marcel was great, answered all our questions, and led a fantastic tour. The glaciers were gigantic.”
— Kerstin, Germany, August 2026 (verified GetYourGuide review)
“Great captain with a nice small boat with indoors to stay warm. We had a lot of great conversations and saw cool glaciers. Not much animals, except a puffin, but can’t get it all. Definitely worth it.”
— Tommi, United Arab Emirates, August 2026 (verified GetYourGuide review)
Is €2,000 expensive? Per person (three guests) it is about €670 — more than a shared RIB tour, but you get a private boat for a whole day, a warm cabin, lunch and total flexibility. For a couple who want a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic day, it is the tour we recommend.
The best shared boat tours
Pyramiden & Glacier Arctic Boat Tour
Most popular
- Duration: 9 h
- Boat: open RIB (drysuit provided)
- Price: from ≈ €445
- Includes: lunch in Pyramiden, guided tour of the town
The classic. Stops at the red cliffs of Skansbukta, a guided walk through the abandoned Soviet town of Pyramiden and the blue face of the Nordenskiöld Glacier. Full details in our Pyramiden tour guide.
Wildlife and Isfjorden Boat Trip
Best short trip
- Duration: 2.5 h
- Price: from ≈ €240
- Group: small group
- Pickup: available
A compact outing along Isfjorden looking for seals, seabirds and landscapes. Ideal if you only have half a day or combine it with a wildlife safari on land.
Barentsburg & Glacier Arctic Boat Tour
Alternative to Pyramiden
- Duration: 9 h
- Price: from ≈ €390
- Boat: RIB
Barentsburg is still inhabited, with a few hundred mostly Russian and Ukrainian residents. You visit the mining settlement and a glacier front on the way.
Svalbard Scenic Cruise
Easiest option
- Duration: 1.5 h
- Price: from ≈ €150
A short cruise on Isfjorden with views of Longyearbyen, the mountains and the fjord. Nothing extreme, but suitable for all ages.
Read also:Svalbard Cruises 2026–2027: Expedition Ships, Small Yachts & Day Cruises from Longyearbyen
RIB, cruise boat or private boat?
RIB boats (rigid inflatable) are fast and cover long distances, which is why Pyramiden and Barentsburg trips use them. You sit outside in a drysuit: exciting, wet at times, and cold. Cruise boats are slower but have heated lounges and toilets — better for children, older travellers and anyone who gets cold easily. Private boats combine a cabin with the freedom to choose your stops.
When do boat tours run from Longyearbyen?
The main boat season runs from June to September, when the fjords are free of ice. July and August are the busiest months. In late May and in October some shorter trips operate depending on ice and weather; Isfjorden itself is often navigable longer than the inner fjords. In the dark season boat trips are rare — winter visitors switch to snowmobile tours. See our best time to visit Svalbard for month-by-month conditions.
What to wear on a boat tour in Svalbard
- Thermal base layer, wool or fleece mid-layer and a windproof jacket — even in July the air on the water is 3–7°C.
- Hat, neck gaiter and warm gloves (plus thin liner gloves for photography).
- Waterproof trousers and warm boots; on RIBs a drysuit or flotation suit is provided.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: glare from ice and water is intense under the midnight sun.
- ✔ Pros
- The best way to reach glacier fronts
- Wildlife from the water: seals, seabirds, whales
- Lunch and pickup included on long trips
- Private option for total flexibility
- ✘ Cons
- Summer-only for most trips
- Open RIBs are cold and can be wet
- Wind can cancel departures
- Polar bear sightings are rare on day trips
Quiz: Svalbard by boat
Tap an answer — you will see the explanation instantly.
What does « RIB » stand for?
RIBs are fast, stable boats with inflatable tubes — perfect for long distances such as Pyramiden, but you sit outside.
How close may a boat approach a polar bear from March to June?
Since 2025 the minimum distance is 300 m all year and 500 m from 1 March to 30 June.
Which region does the private boat adventure explore?
Oscar II Land, on the west coast of Spitsbergen, is known for its glaciers and quiet fjords.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best boat tour in Longyearbyen?
For most visitors, the 9-hour Pyramiden and Nordenskiöld Glacier boat tour. For a private, flexible day with lunch on board, the private glacier and wildlife boat adventure to Oscar II Land.
How much does a boat tour in Svalbard cost?
From about €150 for a 1.5-hour scenic cruise, €240 for a 2.5-hour wildlife trip, €390–450 for a full day to Barentsburg or Pyramiden, and about €2,000 per group for a private 8-hour charter.
Will I see polar bears from the boat?
It is possible but rare on day trips from Longyearbyen, because bears usually follow the sea ice further north and east. Multi-day expedition cruises have much better odds.
Do Svalbard boat tours run in winter?
Very few. The main season is June to September. From December to May, snowmobile tours are the main way to explore.
I get seasick. Which boat tour should I choose?
Choose a larger cruise boat with a heated cabin and take medication before departure. Inner fjords are usually calmer than the open coast.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.