Svalbard’s wildlife is surprisingly easy to see — if you know what to expect. Reindeer graze on the edge of Longyearbyen, Arctic foxes patrol the bird cliffs, and in summer the fjords fill with seabirds, seals and whales. Only the most famous resident, the polar bear, plays hard to get.
Wildlife and photo tours in Longyearbyen
Svalbard animals: what you can see and where
| Animal | Where | Best time | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Svalbard reindeer | Valleys around Longyearbyen | All year | Very high |
| Arctic fox | Bird cliffs, valleys | All year | Good |
| Seabirds (little auk, kittiwake, guillemot, puffin) | Cliffs and fjords | May–August | Very high |
| Seals (ringed, bearded, harbour) | Fjords, ice floes | All year, best in summer | High by boat |
| Walrus | Haul-outs on beaches | June–September | Good on cruises |
| Whales (minke, humpback, fin, beluga) | Fjords, west and north coast | June–September | Moderate by boat |
| Polar bear | Sea ice, north and east coast | All year (cruises June–Aug) | Low on day trips |
Svalbard reindeer
A subspecies found only here: short-legged, round and remarkably calm. You will almost certainly see them in Adventdalen or even in town.
Arctic fox
White in winter, brown-grey in summer, often seen near bird cliffs where it hunts eggs and chicks.
Walrus
Once almost hunted to extinction here, walruses have made a comeback. Boats and landing groups must keep at least 150 m from haul-outs. Cruises regularly visit known colonies.
Whales
Belugas travel along the coast in pods, and minke, humpback and fin whales feed in the fjords and along the west coast in summer. Whale watching in Svalbard is opportunistic — there are no dedicated whale cruises from Longyearbyen, but longer boat trips and cruises often encounter them.
Birds
Around 200 bird species have been recorded, and more than a dozen breed here in large numbers. The Svalbard ptarmigan is the only bird that stays all winter.
Polar bears
See our dedicated Svalbard polar bear guide for realistic odds, seasons and rules.
The best wildlife tours from Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen: Arctic Wildlife Scouting by Van
Best rated
- Duration: 4 h
- Price: ≈ €152
- Rating: 5/5 (19 reviews)
- Season: all year
A guide drives the few roads around Longyearbyen and stops for reindeer, foxes and birds, with binoculars and explanations. Comfortable in any weather.
Longyearbyen: Arctic Wildlife Photo Tour
Best for photographers
- Duration: 3 h
- Price: ≈ €207
- Rating: 4.7/5
Small group, focus on photography: positioning, light, lenses. Ideal for reindeer and fox portraits.
Wildlife Safari & Slow Hiking Photography Tour
Active option
- Duration: 5 h
- Price: ≈ €219
- Rating: 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
A slow hike with plenty of stops to observe and photograph Arctic nature.
Private Glacier & Wildlife Boat Adventure
Wildlife from the water
- Duration: 8 h
- Price: ≈ €2,000 per group (max. 3)
Seals, seabirds, whales and sometimes more along the coast of Oscar II Land. One reviewer saw puffins and a reindeer on the same day. See our boat tour comparison.
Read also:Longyearbyen Boat Tours 2026: Glaciers, Wildlife & Private Charters Compared
Svalbard photography tips
- Lenses: 100–400 mm for wildlife, a wide-angle for landscapes and aurora.
- Light: the midnight sun gives soft golden light around « night » hours in summer; in spring the low sun is spectacular.
- Distances: respect the rules (polar bears 300–500 m, walruses 150 m, no drones within 500 m of bird cliffs in the breeding season).
- Cold: keep batteries warm and let cameras acclimatise in a bag to avoid condensation.
- ✔ Pros
- Reindeer and foxes are easy to see
- Huge summer bird colonies
- Walrus and whales on boat trips
- Great photography light
- ✘ Cons
- Polar bears rarely seen near town
- Walrus and whales need boat trips
- Wildlife is scarcer in the dark season
- Long lenses needed at legal distances
Quiz: Svalbard animals
Tap an answer — you will see the explanation instantly.
Which animal is found almost everywhere around Longyearbyen?
Svalbard reindeer are a local subspecies and graze even at the edge of town.
How close may you get to walruses on land?
The 2025 rules require at least 150 m from walrus haul-outs.
Which is the only bird that stays in Svalbard all winter?
The Svalbard rock ptarmigan is the only resident bird; the others migrate south.
Frequently asked questions
What animals live in Svalbard?
Land mammals are the Svalbard reindeer, the Arctic fox and the polar bear. At sea you find walruses, several seal species and whales, plus millions of seabirds in summer.
Can you go whale watching in Svalbard?
Not on dedicated whale tours, but minke, humpback, fin and beluga whales are regularly seen on boat trips and cruises in summer.
What is the best wildlife tour in Longyearbyen?
The 4-hour Arctic wildlife safari by van (rated 5/5) for land animals, and a boat trip for seals, birds and whales.
When is the best time for wildlife in Svalbard?
June to August for birds, walruses and whales; March to May for polar bears on fjord ice (with strict distance rules).
Where can you see walruses in Svalbard?
At haul-out beaches visited by cruises and some boat trips; always from at least 150 m.
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.