17 July 2025

Polar bear sightings Svalbard-is it worth it?

Hi

I’m thinking of making a trip to Svalbard to try and see some polar bears. I was wondering whether it is worth it with the new distances visitors now have to keep (500m). Some reports say that they are simply dots on the horizon and you need a strong scope. Also you have to move away even in a ship if the polar bear is moving towards you and the ship is stationary thus making any sighting pretty poor. Does anyone have experience of the new rules?

Thanks Ian

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Ian
Retired now travelling as much as possible. Always looking for an opportunity to see wildlife.
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3 Comments

  • 17 July 2025
    pp

    HI Ian

    I have been to Svalbard many times & the new rules are ridiculous for the ship-based tour companies that have been sensible for years with regard to polar bear encounters. I went this spring and all bears are now VERY distant and yes you needed a good scope – the answer is NO, it is NOT worth it, except if you have no other choice with regard to destination, price and your age.
    If a bear comes towards the ship, then they are allowed to stay where they are, but few bears do this OR a passenger makes a noise and the bear runs off.

    The sensible ships that had signed up to the rules and charters that governed how they would behave near bears, ALWAYS did so with regard to animal and passenger safety and welfare.
    All their passengers would evacuate a landing if a bear was found on shore so chance of life-threatening encounters were slim. In the meantime land-based tour companies don’t have this option, so face higher risk of a more serious encounter that may result in death of a bear or customer – hence the rule change as these companies increase.

    Of course there are cruise operators that do not sign up to such agreements

    The rules don’t apply in Greenland territory but there are usually fewer bears to see there.
    So less chance of seeing one, but a higher chance of a memorable experience. This may be an option, or of course Churchill

  • 17 July 2025
    Balazs Buzas

    Hi Ian,

    I was in a polar bear cruise recently and it’s still worth it, except if you want to take your best polar bear photo. A bio with magnification 8 or 10 is enough. The 500 m rule is only in Svalbard and within the EEZ, so if you lucky enough to see a bear on the pack ice then the ship will go closer. You also have a good chance to see a polar bear turning up close to your Zodiac and you can watch it until your boat driver reverse. We saw polar bears almost daily.

  • 17 July 2025
    Krista Hanni

    Hi Ian, Yes you can see polar bears on a Svalbard ship-based trip. In particular, it is important to be on a smaller ship which provides more opportunity to cruise into the fjords or go up to the pack ice. Our June and July Svalbard trips just ended and they observed a number of polar bears while respecting the current regulations. Our guests were thrilled with the experience. Svalbard offers lots of other wildlife viewing as well (walrus, arctic fox, various whale species, bird colonies). We do have trips planned for 2026. Happy to chat more via email: krista@cheesemans.com

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