#80 | Expedition Svalbard: Our First Anchorage in the Ice

We sail deep into the Arctic and make our first anchorage in the ice. Growlers drift past the hull, polar bears leave their traces ashore, and every decision suddenly matters. This episode of Expedition Svalbard follows our offshore passage from mainland Norway to Spitsbergen, a 165-nautical-mile sail into high-latitude waters. Departing on Bjørnøya in freezing temperatures, we deal with shifting winds, currents, long watches and the constant challenge of managing the boat in near-zero conditions. As the mountains of southern Spitsbergen emerge from the clouds, the realities of Arctic sailing set in. We navigate through drifting growlers, monitor ice charts, and prepare for polar bear safety — a legal and practical necessity when going ashore in Svalbard. Before landfall, we practise deterrence procedures and review what it truly means to operate in polar bear country. Anchoring in Hornsund near the Polish research station, we experience the uneasy calm of ice at anchor: the constant clicking of melting growlers, shifting conditions, and the need for vigilance at all times. Ashore, we carefully scout the coastline, finding traces of wildlife and exploring the remains of historic trapping huts and early whaling activity — quiet evidence of how humans once survived in this harsh environment. This episode captures the moment when Arctic sailing stops being theoretical and becomes lived experience: cold, remote, beautiful, and unforgiving. From offshore seamanship and ice navigation to first landfall on Spitsbergen, this is expedition sailing at the edge of the navigable world. ⛵ Expedition Svalbard is a real-world sailing documentary about high-latitude sailing, ice navigation, polar bear awareness and respectful exploration of the Arctic. Episode Highlights: - Offshore passage from mainland Norway to Svalbard - Sailing 165 nautical miles into Arctic waters - First anchorage in the ice at Hornsund, Spitsbergen - Navigating growlers and drifting ice - Polar bear awareness and safety ashore - Exploring historic trapping huts and whaling remains - Real-world high-latitude seamanship and decision-making Locations Featured: - Svalbard, Norway - Spitsbergen - Hornsund Fjord - Polish Polar Station, Hornsund - Barents Sea Topics Covered: - Arctic sailing and high-latitude navigation - Ice awareness, growlers and iceberg hazards - Anchoring in polar conditions - Polar bear safety and legal requirements in Svalbard - Offshore watchkeeping in cold weather - Arctic history: trapping and whaling remains - Expedition sailing preparation #ExpeditionSvalbard #ArcticSailing #SvalbardSailing #HighLatitudeSailing #SailingDocumentary ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:52 Lifting Anchor in Nordhamna, Bjørnøya 06:35 Land Ho! 07:30 Weapons Test 12:10 Concerned About Ice 15:09 Approaching Isbjørnhamna Anchorage - Ice Bergs 18:24 Dry Fish 19:16 Growlers in the Anchorage! 20:29 Deeper into the Fjord and the Ice 23:59 Setting our Feet Ashore in Gåshamna - Polar Bear Territory? 25:43 The Trapper Hut 27:13 Whose Poo Is It? 28:26 The History of Early Whaling on Svalbard 29:59 Preview on the Next Episode 🎵 Music from Epidemic Sound: The Highest Point by Sam Will Winter's Breath by Anna Landstrom Held by Clarence Reed Hymn For The Brave by Miles Avida The Protagonist by Howard Harper The Cliffs by Trevor Kowalski 🔗 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!