10 Most Beautiful Glaciers in Svalbard – Men of Sea Ranking
Svalbard is a land of glaciers. Vast ice caps, glacier tongues descending towards the sea and towering walls of ice are among the most characteristic features of the archipelago’s landscape.
During our yacht expeditions around Svalbard, we have been visiting places for years where glaciers can be seen from very different perspectives – from the deck of a yacht, from a dinghy, from the shore and sometimes also during trekking.
Some impress with their enormous size. Others with their location between dramatic mountains. Others still with their powerful glacier fronts descending directly towards the sea.
That is why we have prepared our ranking of the 10 most beautiful and most exceptional glaciers in Svalbard.
This is not a scientific ranking. It is the Men of Sea selection based on places we return to during our Arctic expeditions.
1. Austfonna – the Ice Giant of Nordaustlandet
Austfonna takes first place in our ranking.
It is the largest ice cap in Svalbard and one of the most impressive ice landscapes in the entire Arctic. Austfonna covers a huge part of the island of Nordaustlandet. Only when sailing along its coastline can you truly understand its scale.
This is not a single glacier that can be taken in at one glance. It is an enormous world of ice stretching for kilometres.
For us, Austfonna is one of those places that best demonstrates the power and scale of Svalbard.
2. Bråsvellbreen – the Spectacular Ice Coast of Nordaustlandet
Bråsvellbreen lies in the southern part of Austfonna on Nordaustlandet.
This glacier, approximately 45 km long and 20 km wide, flows from the southern part of Austfonna towards the coast. It is one of the most characteristic landscapes of eastern Svalbard.
Its scale is truly impressive when seen from the sea. We can observe a long coastline of ice, waterfalls flowing down from the glacier and a landscape that feels considerably more remote and rugged than western Spitsbergen.
For many participants in our longer expeditions, Bråsvellbreen becomes one of the highlights of the entire journey.
3. Monacobreen – the Pearl of Liefdefjorden
Monacobreen is one of the most picturesque glaciers in northern Spitsbergen.
It lies at the end of Liefdefjorden, surrounded by mountains characteristic of the northern part of the island.
It is precisely this combination of high mountains, a dramatic fjord and a huge wall of ice that makes Monacobreen so photogenic.
In good conditions, we can spend a long time observing its glacier front from the water, listening to the sounds of the moving ice and watching for freshly calved blocks drifting away from the glacier.
Monacobreen is one of the places we are always happy to return to during our yacht expeditions in northern Svalbard.
We often see Arctic belugas here, and occasionally a polar bear also appears in the area.
4. Lilliehöökbreen – the Glacier at the End of Krossfjorden
Lilliehöökbreen lies in the Krossfjorden area of north-western Spitsbergen.
It is one of those glaciers whose beauty comes not only from the ice itself, but also from its surroundings.
High mountains descend directly towards the fjord, while a broad glacier front dominates the landscape at its end.
In good weather, the light reflected from the ice and water creates one of Svalbard’s most classic Arctic landscapes.
We often observe signs of glacier activity here. The glacier produces deep, powerful sounds and regularly releases blocks of ice into the sea, creating icebergs in a process known as glacier calving.
5. Borebreen – an Impressive Glacier in Borebukta
Borebreen lies in the Borebukta area, not far from Isfjorden.
It is one of the glaciers that can be visited during shorter expeditions starting in Longyearbyen.
Borebukta offers excellent opportunities to experience an Arctic landscape from the yacht. The glacier, the bay, surrounding mountains and drifting ice create one of the most characteristic landscapes in this part of Spitsbergen.
It is also a perfect example of how quickly, after leaving Longyearbyen, you can find yourself in a completely wild environment.
In recent years, this has been one of the most active glaciers in the Isfjorden area. As a result, there is often a large amount of ice in the fjord.
In spring, polar bears can sometimes be seen on the sea ice in front of the glacier.
6. Gullybreen – a Glacier in Magdalenefjorden
Gullybreen lies in one of the most famous fjords of north-western Spitsbergen – Magdalenefjorden.
Magdalenefjorden itself is one of those places that perfectly matches the classic image of the Arctic.
Sharp mountain peaks, glaciers, small bays and dark water create an exceptionally photogenic landscape.
Gullybreen is one of the elements of this remarkable setting and a good example of how smaller glaciers can be just as spectacular as their much larger neighbours.
Whenever conditions allow, we stop in a small bay here and go on a several-hour trek towards the glacier front.
7. Smeerenburgbreen – a Wild Glacier of North-Western Spitsbergen
Smeerenburgbreen lies in north-western Spitsbergen, close to areas connected with the region’s historic whaling industry.
This is a very rugged and distinctly Arctic region.
High mountains, glaciers and numerous bays create a landscape that changes almost with every kilometre sailed.
Smeerenburgbreen is particularly impressive from the water, where its bright ice contrasts strongly with the dark mountains and sea.
The area around the glacier is also a good place for observing Arctic wildlife. There are many walruses, seals and beautiful Arctic birds, while polar bears also appear in this region.
8. Kronebreen – an Impressive Glacier in Kongsfjorden
Kronebreen is one of the best-known glaciers in the Kongsfjorden area. The surroundings of Ny-Ålesund belong to the most beautiful parts of western Spitsbergen, and Kongsfjorden is particularly rich in glaciers.
Kronebreen attracts attention with its broad glacier front and dramatic mountain surroundings. It is one of those glaciers that clearly demonstrates how dynamic the Svalbard landscape is.
Unfortunately, it is also a glacier that has been retreating rapidly. From year to year, it often seems noticeably smaller.
9. Harrietbreen – the Hidden Glacier of Trygghamna
Harrietbreen lies in the Trygghamna area. It is a completely different kind of place from the monumental Austfonna or the broad Monacobreen.
Its charm comes from its location among steep mountains and an Arctic valley. The fjord in front of the glacier is divided by islands, creating a beautiful, lake-like area filled with ice. We also frequently observe Arctic wildlife in this region. Places like this perfectly demonstrate the advantage of exploring Svalbard on a small yacht.
We can enter the fjord, anchor and spend more time in a place that may initially appear less spectacular, but reveals its true beauty only when explored more closely.
10. Longyearbreen – the Glacier Next to Longyearbyen
Our ranking ends with Longyearbreen.
It is neither the largest nor the most spectacular glacier in Svalbard, but it has one major advantage – it lies practically next to Longyearbyen. This means that it can be visited even during a short stay in Spitsbergen.
Longyearbreen is a good place to see an Arctic glacier up close for the first time and to understand how strongly glaciers have shaped the landscape around Longyearbyen. It is also an excellent introduction to exploring the much larger glaciers of Svalbard.
It made our ranking because it is one of the main destinations of our trekking trips around Longyearbyen.
Which Glacier in Svalbard Is the Most Beautiful?
There is no single answer.
If sheer scale is what matters most, Austfonna wins.
If you are looking for a spectacular coastline of ice, Bråsvellbreen is difficult to compare with anything else.
If the classic Arctic landscape of a fjord surrounded by mountains is what you are after, Monacobreen, Lilliehöökbreen and Kronebreen are among our favourites.
Each of these glaciers reveals a different side of Svalbard.
What Is the Best Way to See the Glaciers of Svalbard?
Many of the most beautiful glaciers in Svalbard are best seen from the sea.
A yacht expedition allows you to reach fjords and bays that have no road access. We can observe glacier fronts from the water, sail among drifting ice and, when conditions allow, go ashore to experience the Arctic landscape from another perspective.
This is why glaciers are one of the most important elements of our Men of Sea expeditions around Svalbard. Even after 10 years of organizing Arctic expeditions, they still manage to surprise us.
Every season is different. Every glacier looks different.
And that is exactly why we keep coming back.