#82 / Expedition Svalbard – Too Close? Polar Bear Encounter in the High Arctic

Sailing in Svalbard brought us face to face with a walrus and a polar bear in the High Arctic. In this Expedition Svalbard episode, we explore Barentsburg, Arctic wildlife and remote glacier sailing at 78° North. In this episode of Expedition Svalbard, we sail deeper into the High Arctic and experience one of our most unforgettable wildlife encounters yet. A massive walrus surfaces beside our boat, its tusks cutting through the cold Arctic water just metres from the hull. Later, we spot a polar bear ashore — a rare and powerful moment in one of the most remote environments on Earth. Our voyage also takes us to Barentsburg, the Soviet-era Russian settlement on Norwegian soil. Coal smoke, Lenin statues and Arctic isolation create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Svalbard. From exposed harbour pontoons and dense Arctic fog to glacier fronts and drifting ice, this is real high-latitude sailing. Wildlife, geopolitics and raw Arctic nature — this is life under sail at 78° North. ⛵ Yacht: Bavaria Cruiser 46 📍 Locations: Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, Poolepynten, Ny-Ålesund 🌊 Conditions: 6°C, fog, Arctic currents, glacier ice #PolarBear #Walrus #Barentsburg #ExpeditionSvalbard #ArcticWildlife ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:46 Walrus at Borebreen Glacier 04:18 Barentsburg - Soviet Style 13:11 Barentsburg Harbour Explained for Sailors 14:18 Good Bye Barentsburg – Poolepynten Ahoy! 16:39 A Polar Bear! 17:31 Walrus at Poolepynten 21:34 A Foggy Sail to Ny-Ålesund 🎵 Music from Epidemic Sound: A Great Journey by Dayon The Verdict by Trevor Kowalski Sphinx by David Celeste Ethos by Johannes Bornlof Shrines by David Celeste Niveus 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!