SVALBARD ON SAILBOAT

A WILD TERRITORY FULL  OF HISTORY

Welcome aboard our journey along the northwest coast of Spitsbergen; an area rich in majestic fjords and mountains, great glaciers, wildlife and much history.

Our objective for this trip is to know the flora and fauna of the archipelago. Different shore excursions will be made, including excursions to glaciers.

Although we won’t completely circumnavigate Svalbard on this trip (we have other programs that do that), there are great opportunities to see polar bears, whales, seals, and walruses. In Svalbard there is the so-called “midnight sun” until August 11, so there will be light 24 hours a day.

Our 70-foot expedition boat is a very sturdy and comfortable boat built in steel for sailing in arctic waters. The boat is amply equipped and has large outdoor areas, a wheelhouse, and a saloon with a 360-degree view. The ship has many amenities and all the essential safety elements to navigate through ice.

Svalbard is a wild territory with a population of polar bears of more than 2,000 specimens, all activities on land will be supervised by our polar guide with experience in risk management in the area. It is advisable to be in possession of accident and rescue insurance (everything and that in Norway rescues are free).

On the boat, all the management falls on the Skipper of the boat, who will take all the measures for safe navigation. The safety equipment to navigate will be delivered upon arrival and in the same way a briefing will be carried out to guarantee maximum safety throughout the trip.

“DISCOVER THE LAND OF THE POLAR BEAR”

No sailing experience? No problem! Our adventures welcome everyone, from novices to seasoned sailors. Whether new or experienced, our trips cater to all levels.

We quickly transform beginners into sailors and offer experienced participants greater responsibilities.  Routes adjust based on weather and conditions for a safe voyage.

Trips are not overly strenuous; rotating positions allow for both sailing and relaxation. Active engagement minimizes seasickness, which passes quickly if it occurs. Expect unpredictable weather, with strong winds and varied conditions in northern Norway and the Arctic. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience, embracing both calm and rough weather.

Navigation is almost always done inside the fjords, so we rarely encounter waves. We will carry out part of our sailing and all members of the group will be able to learn all the techniques and maneuvers on board.

Join our crew! No sailing experience needed, but you’ll learn a lot. Our expert skipper handles training and navigation. Whether you’re a novice or experienced, you’ll be challenged and achieve memorable experiences. First-timers will become sailors quickly, while experienced sailors will take on more responsibility. Participate in all tasks: helm, hoist sails, cook, clean, navigate, swim, gut fish, and more.

Adventure-wear
– Winter travel clothes and change.
– Woolen underwear – shirt and longjohns/ziplongs (bring two pairs so you have extra)
– Woolen socks (multiple pairs) and woolen soles (bring two pairs so you have a shift)
– Woolen scarf/buff/high neck and hat (preferably warm and wind-proof)
– Mittens or gloves preferably with wind or water-resistant covers.
– Woolen sweater, preferably a turtle-neck
– Warm pants, preferably multi-layered with warmer materials. (For use on deck or while sailing)
– Small seat-pad to put inside your pants, for insulation when sitting in the cockpit, or padded longs.
– Warm winter jacket – down jacket or preferably primaloft (as they handle water better)
– “Nice/party-/restaurant” clothing
– Sea-/sailing-/rubberboots, preferably “winter” style.
– Light shoes/sandals/crocs that breathe well. (For use indoor and on deck in nice weather)
– Waterproof sail wear / oilskins. Preferably one light shell-set for hiking and one heavier for sailing.
– Sailing gloves (not a must), you can also use skiing-gloves

Other equipment
– A headlamp (preferably one that has a dimming-function and/or red (night) light) + extra batteries.
– Sunglasses and/or goggles (same as for alpine skiing, with bright glass)
– Water bottle, 0,5-1 liter
– Small washing cloth and soap
– Towel and swimming gear 🙂

Charging, smartphones and other general advice
– On board the boats there are USB outlets for charging phones when we sail.
– Pack like a sailor; in a bag, backpack or duffle, NOT in a hard suitcase.
– Pack as little as possible, but bring what you need!:)
– The less items you bring, the faster we sail, and the less time you spend fooling around with your gear:)
– Passport when traveling from abroad.

PS: This is a recommended packing-list. Please take into account if there are other items you may need on board.

Food:

The culinary experience is just as vital as setting the sails or taking the helm! Once aboard, the crew will assign guests into pairs, who will then take turns preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to a scheduled rota.

Worried about your cooking skills? Don’t be! A comprehensive menu plan for the entire voyage is already prepared, with all provisions stocked on board. This menu is adaptable, allowing flexibility based on daily activities—whether you catch fresh fish or if the more adventurous cooks want to try something new. The menu plan is supported by a detailed recipe book designed specifically for onboard cooking, with ingredients, quantities, and methods tailored to each meal. Cooking on board is more than just a necessity; it’s a key part of the sailing experience, fostering teamwork, confidence, and a shared appreciation for diverse culinary traditions.

We always recommend that you bring your own energy bars, nuts… so that you can eat while doing the activities.

The Itinerary explains what meals are included each day according to the program. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know on the registration form and we will take it into account.

You can each bring your own alcoholic beverages. (without problem)

Accommodation:

The program provides accommodation in shared rooms. If you want a single room, please indicate this at the time of booking.

Sailboat:
The 23mts expedition sailboat is fully equipped with heating to be comfortable inside both when eating and sleeping.

We believe solo travelers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travelers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

In case you wish that we can look for the best flight combination tickets from your nearest airport to the destination you can add this service in “extra services” on the checkout before booking the trip and will give you the best proposal beforehand and once accepted buy it for you. This service includes monitor the flight prices over time to get the best deal when prices are low and check in of your flight. The administrative fee for this service is 35€ + the flights cost that will be invoice to you afterwards.

There are daily direct flights to Svalbard from Oslo with Norwegian and SAS.

We offer you a 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance. The discount is just valid if you buy the travel insurance policy after clicking on the link.

In case you wish that we can look for the best travel insurance that covers the trip destination/activity with your nationality. You can add this service in “extra services” on the checkout before booking the trip and will give you the best proposal beforehand and once accepted buy it for you. The administrative fee for this service is 15€ + the insurance cost that will be invoice to you afterwards.

The client is informed that B4Experience will issue the trip without including a cancellation, repatriation or accident policy, unless it is explicitly included in the trip contract and paid in the first payment.

Rescue insurance: Recommended/not mandatory
Rescue insurance is highly recommended on all active trips. It must be taken into consideration that these insurance policies are specific for each type of activity (hiking, climbing…)

The user is informed that the GUARANTEE COMPANY that covers the risks of contractual liability and guarantee against insolvency is MARKEL INSURANCE SE. Our trips are covered by Civil Liability insurance.

Visas, and Entry Requirements
Certainly! It is important to have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity when traveling to any country.

*Remember that EU citizens need Passport to entry to Svalbard, ID national cards are not accepted.

To know the specific visa requirements for your trip, it is recommended to contact your local embassy or consulate, or consult with your travel agent. Remember that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements can vary based on your nationality and your destination. While we strive to keep our information updated, visa rules can change unexpectedly. Therefore, it is crucial that you verify the information yourself and understand that you are accountable for meeting your own visa requirements.

Vaccines
For each trip, clients are solely responsible for having the mandatory and/or recommended vaccines required in each region or country. Consult with your doctor to have all vaccinations before the start of the trip.

The client can take out trip cancellation insurance to be able to obtain payment of the entire amount paid (according to its conditions).

The end user may withdraw from the contracted trip, having the right to a refund of the amounts paid, except for the indicated penalties, but must also satisfy the Agency in the amounts indicated below once the trip has been confirmed. If it is not carried out due to not reaching the minimum necessary places, the client can save the credit for future trips or request a full refund of the reservation.

Cancellation Policy 3:

• • FULL REFUND UP TO 24H AFTER PURCHASE
  • Up to 60 days before the trip 100% refund of the trip amount.
  • Up to 45 days before the trip Refund of 50% of the trip amount.
  • For terms shorter than those described in the cancellation policy, the amount already paid will not be paid.
  • *€250 management fees apply.

* Cancellation fees will not be paid for reservations already issued. If there are other non-refundable expenses already issued, these will not be paid either and will be deducted from the amount to be paid.
* The cost of cancellation of issued flights is 100% of the amount.

EXEMPTION OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
B4Experience offers active trips for different sports and Outdoor activities, as well as information related to these activities through our web platform www.b4experience.com and other channels.

The practice of any activity in nature carries a risk for those who do it, with most of these activities being considered high-risk sports. Each one must know and apply their limits and be aware that regardless of the technical training and physical level one has, their practice can lead to accidents or even death.

The in-person activities and trips offered by B4Experience are carried out on land and activities that may inherently involve risks for those who carry them out and thus clients are informed that they contract them.

DOSSIER DISCLAIMER:

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print/ download a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER:

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. On all Outdoor trips, the routes will be adjusted depending on the weather, the level of the group participants and the risks assessed by the guide/trip leader.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.