BILLEFJORDEN

In Search of Arctic Belugas

BASIC INFORMATION
Billefjorden is a northern fjord connecting the central part of Isfjorden with Pyramiden, and at the same time, the most inner fjord of the central part of Spitsbergen. It stretches for about 30 kilometers and is 5-8 km wide. At its entrance, there are several islets serving as bird sanctuaries, and on the opposite side, the famous Svenskehuset – a Swedish house where Swedish trappers perished while hiding from the cold. They died one by one from lead poisoning because they consumed food from heated lead cans and initially didn’t know the cause of their deaths.
Billefjorden is surrounded by characteristic brown and black mountains resembling castle towers or temple columns. The fjord was named after the Dutch whaler Cornelius Claeszoon Bille.
We travel through the fjord on our route to Pyramiden and Adolfbukta, and during this time, we observe the surroundings with great attention. Whales like to enter Billefjorden, and it is here that we have the most encounters with Arctic belugas. Puffins are often seen on the water, and we sometimes observe polar bears on the well-visible shores.
The fjord freezes entirely and thaws in May-June.