We started the day out with our first walk on Svalbard on a landing called Poolepynten (Poole Point). This is a well-known haul out for walruses, and we were excited to see a large group of them awaiting our arrival. Everyone watched in amazement as these large creatures bellowed, scratched, and waddled into and out of the water. Some guests got to try their hand at snowshoeing as well. Once back onboard, the captain spotted some reindeer on the coast, so we made an unscheduled stop to photograph reindeer. One last treat for the day was a great sighting of an Arctic fox. What a fantastic day!
6/13/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Fjortende Julibukta and Lilliehöökbreen
Our last day in Svalbard began with a wintery feeling. National Geographic Endurance sailed towards the entrance of Krossfjorden while it was gently snowing. Our morning destination was 14th of July Bay. This was our last outing in Spitsbergen and we could not have picked a better spot to end our unforgettable voyage. The landing area was covered with spring flowers which painted the otherwise barren looking landscape with green, white, and purple colors. Svalbard reindeers were contently grazing in the outskirts of the steep cliffs, enjoying the place also known as “hanging gardens.” Thousands of kittiwakes were loudly soaring above us. Occasionally a fight would break out between a kittiwake and an Arctic skua, who clearly was not very welcomed in the nesting site of the gulls. A Zodiac cruise also offered us great wildlife encounters. The shoreline was a popular nesting place for the guillemots, eider ducks, and the Atlantic puffins. After lunch, Captain Oliver positioned our vessel in front of another spectacular sight, Lillehöök Glacier. After an hour-long cruise, we reluctantly bid farewell to Krossfjorden and made our way towards Longyearbyen.
