We've cruised 120 nautical miles directly south of Spitsbergen to isolated Bear Island. We're still 200 miles north of Norway's North Cape and, technically, still within the Svalbard archipelago, though Bear Island feels decidedly less Arctic, with no glaciers and lots of vegetation. In any event, we're still well into the Arctic -- Bear Island is at 74 degrees north.
With millions of seabirds here to breed and raise their young, Bear Island is absolutely teeming with activity during the summer months. As you can see, the cliffs are extremely dramatic and virtually every nook and cranny is occupied by nesting seabirds. There is also an abundance of thin, picturesque waterfalls, natural arches and caves, and many craggy outcroppings and islets that make this a Zodiac-paradise. When the naturalists talk about their favorite Zodiac cruises anywhere in the world, Bear Island is invariably mentioned.
This afternoon we'll offer hikes of varying paces and lengths, two of which will end up walking near the edge of these sheer cliff faces. It should be stunning!
