POLAR BEARS

The King of the North

Polar Bears in Svalbard – Where They Live, What They Eat and How to See Them

The King of the Arctic

The polar bear is one of the most iconic symbols of the Arctic and one of the most extraordinary animals you can encounter in Svalbard. For many participants on our expeditions, seeing a polar bear in its natural environment is one of the greatest dreams connected with travelling to Spitsbergen. However, it is important to remember that polar bears are wild predators and a sighting can never be guaranteed.

The polar bears found in Svalbard belong to the Barents Sea population. They are most often associated with areas where sea ice is present, especially along the eastern coast of the archipelago and in northern fjords. The west coast of Spitsbergen, including the Longyearbyen area, generally has a lower density of polar bears for much of the year.

How Big Is a Polar Bear?

Polar bears are among the largest land predators in the world. Adult males are much larger than females and can weigh several hundred kilograms. The largest individuals can exceed 600 kg, while body length can approach 3 metres. Their anatomy is perfectly adapted to Arctic conditions.

Polar bears have:

a thick layer of body fat,
dense insulating fur,
broad paws for moving across snow and ice,
an excellent sense of smell,
great endurance in the water,
powerful claws and jaws.

Although a polar bear’s coat appears white, the individual hairs are actually translucent. Beneath the fur is dark skin, which helps absorb solar radiation.

Why Are Polar Bears Such Effective Hunters?

Polar bears are highly specialised predators adapted to hunting on sea ice. Their main prey consists of seals, particularly ringed seals and bearded seals. They can spend long periods waiting next to breathing holes in the ice for a seal to surface.

Their sense of smell is extremely well developed and allows them to detect prey hidden beneath snow or ice. Polar bears are also powerful swimmers and can travel considerable distances through Arctic waters between areas of sea ice.

What Do Polar Bears Eat in Svalbard?

Seals form the basis of a polar bear’s diet, but polar bears are opportunistic feeders and will also use other available food sources. Their diet can include:

seals,
whale carcasses,
bird eggs,
reindeer,
young walruses,
other carrion washed ashore.

During our expeditions, we have repeatedly observed polar bears feeding on whale carcasses along the coast. Carrion can provide an important source of energy, especially when access to seals is limited.

Where Do Polar Bears Live in Svalbard?

Polar bears are not evenly distributed across the archipelago. The areas most important to them are strongly connected with sea ice. Higher concentrations are generally associated with:

the eastern coast of Spitsbergen,
northern fjords,
Nordaustlandet,
Edgeøya,
Barentsøya,
areas where sea ice remains for longer.

During spring, polar bears may also hunt close to glacier fronts, where ringed seals can have breeding lairs.

How Many Polar Bears Live in Svalbard?

It is misleading to say that “several thousand polar bears live in Svalbard”. The bears found around Svalbard are part of the larger Barents Sea polar bear population, which covers both Norwegian and Russian Arctic waters. A survey conducted in 2015 estimated approximately 975 polar bears in the Norwegian part of the population. Polar bears are extremely mobile animals and individual bears can travel across vast areas of the Arctic.

Polar Bears and Sea Ice

Sea ice is one of the most important parts of polar bear habitat. It is on sea ice that polar bears most commonly hunt seals. However, the amount and distribution of sea ice around Svalbard can vary dramatically from year to year.

One season may look completely different from the next. A fjord may still be covered with ice in June one year, while in another year it may become mostly ice-free several weeks earlier. This is one of the reasons why flexibility is so important when travelling in Svalbard.

When Is the Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard?

There is no single “polar bear season”. Polar bears are present around Svalbard throughout the year. What changes is our ability to reach the areas where they are moving and hunting.

Spring – March, April and May

Spring is an exceptionally photogenic period. There is still plenty of snow and sea ice, and bears may travel across frozen fjords and areas of pack ice. For photographers, the combination of white landscapes, sea ice and soft Arctic light can be spectacular.

May and June

During yacht expeditions, we often observe the boundary between open water and sea ice. These transition zones can be particularly interesting for wildlife observation.

July and August

In summer, larger parts of the archipelago become accessible to yachts and expedition ships. This allows expeditions to travel farther north and east, increasing the area that can be explored. However: a polar bear sighting can never be guaranteed.

Can You See Polar Bears in Longyearbyen?

Yes, but sightings close to Longyearbyen are relatively rare. Longyearbyen is not a destination where you should expect a traditional polar bear safari. Polar bears do occasionally appear in the wider Longyearbyen area, but the best opportunities for observation usually come during longer expeditions beyond Isfjorden and the west coast of Spitsbergen, especially towards areas where sea ice is present.

Our Polar Bear Encounters in Svalbard

Seeing a polar bear in its natural environment is one of the most exciting moments of any Arctic expedition. During our expeditions, we have observed polar bears many times from the deck of the yacht Azimuth.

We have seen them:

on sea ice,
on the shoreline,
swimming,
near glaciers,
feeding on whale carcasses,
travelling along the coast.

We never assume in advance that a bear will be seen. Every encounter depends on location, ice conditions, weather, wildlife movement and a great deal of patience.

Polar Bear Safety and Regulations in Svalbard

This is one of the most important parts of any Svalbard polar bear guide. Since 1 January 2025, specific minimum distances from polar bears apply in Svalbard. It is forbidden to deliberately disturb, attract or pursue a polar bear.

You must maintain at least: 300 metres during most of the year and 500 metres from 1 March to 30 June.

If a polar bear comes closer, the observer must withdraw and restore a safe distance. These rules also apply when observing bears from boats.

Safety During Shore Landings

Polar bear safety begins before leaving the yacht. Before every landing, we observe the shoreline, surrounding terrain and the wider area. Outside inhabited settlements, anyone travelling in the field must be properly prepared for the possibility of encountering a polar bear. Appropriate deterrents are required, while firearms are considered a last-resort safety measure and are subject to specific rules regarding the weapon, ammunition and permits.

Our principle is always: avoid confrontation and maintain a safe distance. The best polar bear encounter is one that does not alter the animal’s natural behaviour.

Why Is the Polar Bear a Symbol of the Arctic?

The polar bear is not only the most recognisable predator of the Arctic. Even the name Arctic reflects the region’s historic connection with the bear.

The word comes from the Greek arktos, meaning bear, and refers to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. For centuries, these constellations helped navigators find north. In that sense, the bear has long been a symbolic guardian of the North.

Polar Bears on Men of Sea Expeditions

During Men of Sea expeditions, we explore Svalbard aboard a small expedition yacht. This gives us the flexibility to respond to:

changing weather,
sea ice conditions,
information about wildlife activity,
changing access to fjords and coastlines.

However, we do not organise trips based on chasing polar bears. If we encounter a bear, we observe it in accordance with current regulations and in a way that does not disturb its natural behaviour.

For us, the most important combination is: safety, respect for wildlife and an authentic Arctic experience.

FAQ – Polar Bears in Svalbard

Are there polar bears in Svalbard?

Yes. Polar bears are present around Svalbard throughout the year and belong to the Barents Sea population. They are most strongly associated with areas where sea ice is present.

Where is the best place to see polar bears in Svalbard?

The best opportunities are generally in northern and eastern parts of Svalbard and in areas connected with sea ice. The west coast of Spitsbergen usually has a lower density of bears.

Can you see polar bears in Longyearbyen?

Yes, but sightings are uncommon. Longyearbyen itself is not a typical polar bear watching destination.

When is the best time to see polar bears in Svalbard?

Polar bears are present throughout the year. Spring offers interesting sea-ice conditions, while summer provides access to a much larger part of the archipelago by yacht and expedition vessel.

Are polar bear sightings guaranteed in Svalbard?

No. Polar bears are wild animals that travel across enormous areas of the Arctic. No responsible operator should guarantee a sighting.

How close can you get to a polar bear in Svalbard?

The minimum distance is 300 metres, increasing to 500 metres from 1 March to 30 June. These rules also apply to boats.

Are polar bears dangerous?

Yes. Polar bears are large and powerful wild predators. Special safety procedures and proper preparation are necessary when travelling outside inhabited areas.

What do polar bears eat?

Their main prey is seals, but they may also feed on whale carcasses, bird eggs and occasionally other animals.

Can polar bears swim?

Yes. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can cover considerable distances between areas of sea ice.

Are there more polar bears than people in Svalbard?

This popular statement is too simplistic to be treated as a reliable fact. The number depends on whether we are referring to the archipelago itself, the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea population or the entire Barents Sea population.