#79 | Expedition Svalbard: Bjørnøya Reveals Its Stories - Outpost Life and Arctic History

Polaris and her crew reach one of the most remote outposts in the Arctic: Bjørnøya (Bear Island). In this episode, we anchor beneath towering cliffs, obtain landing permission, and cross the island to visit its legendary meteorological station, staffed by only nine people. Along the way, we walk through a stark landscape shaped by wind, permafrost and history. We discover old refuge cabins, scattered timber, human graves from the whaling era, and even the remains of a WWII German aircraft still lying across the tundra. The crew of the station welcome us with extraordinary hospitality — from a full facilities tour to the unexpected offer of a sauna and an Arctic skinny-dip, a rite of passage for those daring enough to join the island’s official “nude bathing club”. We also explore the realities of polar-bear safety, extreme weather, drifting ice, and the powerful currents around this isolated island that sits between mainland Norway and Spitsbergen. Finally, as we prepare to sail north towards Spitsbergen, fog rolls in, the swell builds, and we reflect on an unforgettable encounter with the extraodinary people who keep this outpost running — and the deep history of those who once called this harsh island a temporary home. Join us for an extraordinary mix of adventure, history, Arctic wildlife, raw sailing moments and rare access to a remote scientific station. If you enjoy our Arctic sailing series, please like, comment, and subscribe — it truly helps us create more episodes. #ArcticSailing #Svalbard #BearIsland #SailingDocumentary #PolarExploration ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:27 Contact Bjørnøya Radio 03:35 Setting Foot Ashore 07:43 Sailing To Nordhamna 09:57 Skinny Dipping At The Meteo Station 16:54 Tour Of Station 23:26 Graves and Plane Wreck 27:52 The Meteo Balloon Preview 🎵 Music from Epidemic Sound: Angelica by Christophe Gorman Forest Fairy by Ludvig Moulin The Time Experiment by Rachel Sandy Scared Of Water by Kikoru September 27 by Ave Air Oaks And Willows by Anna Landstrom Presence by Ambentialism Eternal Brilliance by Deskant Fair Winds And Following Seas by Golden Anchor Devil In Disguise by Gabriel Parker Through The Mist To New Horizons by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen 🔗 Links: https://www.norwegiancruisingguide.com https://www.barentswatch.no/en https://www.yr.no/en 📺 Watch More… https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvcLZL9-pokLoV22O1OP3p5eR32J-SDD 🚢 Subscribe & Hit the Bell 🔔 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAym9YS0z1-qYm-s47pNEfw?sub_confirmation=1 📍 Follow Our Journey: https://www.instagram.com/sailingpolaris https://www.facebook.com/sailingpolaris https://www.sailingpolaris.uk 🛥️ Ever dreamed of sailing the world? Join us aboard Polaris Helvetica, our beloved Bavaria Cruiser 46, as we explore breathtaking coastlines, hidden gems, and the beauty of life at sea! 🌊 What to Expect: ✔️ Stunning ocean views & epic sunsets ✔️ Off-the-beaten-path destinations ✔️ Sailing tips, challenges & triumphs ✔️ Hiking adventures in remote locations 💬 What’s your dream sailing destination? Tell us in the comments! ⚓ See you on the water—fair winds & following seas!