4-day Kayak Expedition Billefjorden

Off the Map & Into the Wild

For four days, we leave everyday life behind and step into the quiet wilderness of Svalbard. No electricity, no running water, no hot showers. And yet - this might be the greatest luxury of all: living fully immersed in nature. For four days, we let the wilderness set the pace. We travel by kayak through Billefjorden, surrounded by ancient mountains, glaciers reaching the sea, and cliffs alive with birds. Each day brings new landscapes, new challenges, and moments to truly absorb the beauty of the Arctic.

In the evenings, we camp in wild, remote locations, cook hearty expedition meals together, and take turns keeping polar bear watch through the night. This expedition is physically demanding but incredibly rewarding. You’ll return with new friendships and lasting memories that only the wilderness can provide.

Day 1 – Preparation and Expedition Briefing in Longyearbyen

Our journey begins in Longyearbyen at 14:00, where we meet for a  preparation session. Together, we check and pack the expedition gear, learn how to load the sea kayaks, pitch our tents, and use the camp stoves. We will review the planned route, weather forecast, and essential safety routines - including how to stay safe in polar bear territory and how our night watch system works.

There’s time later in the day for any last-minute gear shopping or a relaxed dinner with your new teammates before the adventure begins.

Note: Meals and accommodation are included on this day.

Day 2 – Skansebukta and along the Shores of Billefjorden
We start the expedition with a scenic boat transfer into the inner reaches of Isfjorden, landing at Skansebukta - a bay known for its colorful geology, and historical remnants of gypsum mining and trapping. This is our launch point, and after a short walk on land, we slide our kayaks into the water for the first time and begin paddling north into Billefjorden.

Billefjorden is a geologist’s dream - a long, deep fjord where millions of years of Earth’s history are written in the multicolored layers of the surrounding mountains. From the water, we see towering rock faces in hues of ochre, grey, and rust-red, shaped by tectonic shifts and glacial carving.

We paddle along the shoreline, keeping a lookout for wildlife. Arctic terns may dive into the sea around us, and with a bit of luck, we might spot reindeer or even an Arctic fox foraging near the bird cliffs. In the evening, we make landfall and set up our first camp – our home under the midnight sun.

Day 3 – Pyramiden and Petuniabukta
After a quiet night in the wild, we break camp and continue northward. As we paddle deeper into Billefjorden, the more surreal the landscape becomes.

One of today’s highlights is paddling past Pyramiden, the abandoned Soviet mining town that now sits eerily still beneath the mountains. We don’t land here, but the view from the water is hauting: empty buildings, rusted cranes, and silent relics of a once-bustling community.

As the day goes on, we also begin to catch sight of the imposing face of Nordenskiöldbreen - the Nordenskiöld Glacier - growing closer with every paddle stroke.

We set up camp in the peaceful surroundings of Petuniabukta, where steep mountains rise directly from the sea and glaciers loom in the distance. Sheltered by the towering landscape, we spend the night completley immersed in the Arctic wild.

Day 4 – Ice, Wildlife, and the Nordenskiöld Glacier
Today we paddle to one of the great highlights of this journey: Nordenskiöldbreen. Named after the Arctic explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld, this massive tidewater glacier is a dramatic wall of ice that stretches across the fjord. As we draw closer, the air cools, and we enter a world shaped entirely by ice. Icebergs may drift around us, calved from the glacier’s towering face. Birdlife is often abundant here, and with luck, we may spot a bearded seal resting on the ice and curiously watching us glide past.

After taking time to absorb the glacier’s scale and sound, we paddle further east to Brucebyen, a tiny outpost, once used by Scottish mining interests where we establish camp for the night. 

Day 5 – Final Paddle and Farewell to the Fjord
This morning, we break camp one last time and set out on our final paddle southward. The landscape begins to open up - the steep cliffs gradually give way to wide tundra plains, and the mountains feel softer as we near the mouth of the fjord.

It’s also our last chance for wildlife sightings. If we haven’t yet been lucky, we keep our eyes open for beluga whales, looking out for their white backs surfacing gently in the cold, clear water.

In the afternoon, a boat picks us up along the shore and brings us back to Longyearbyen. As we return, we have time to reflect on all we have experienced – the silence, the effort, the shared meals and night shifts, and the feeling of being part of something truly special.

Expedition Highlights

• Paddle past the Russian ghost town of Pyramiden
• Camp under the midnight sun with glacier views at your doorstep
• Watch for Arctic wildlife, including foxes, seals, seabirds and belugas
• Learn essential expedition skills: kayaking, camping, and polar bear safety
• Travel off-grid with a small team of likeminded adventurers

Duration: 1 + 4 days
Distance: Total of approximately 60 km of paddling
Group size: 4 – 10 participants

Departure: 15th - 19th of August 2026

Who is this trip suitable for?

This trip is designed for those who enjoy physical activity and long days spent outdoors. You should be in good physical condition and comfortable with physical challenges, as we paddle around 15 km per day over several days. Paddling a fully loaded kayak can be demanding, especially on the arms and shoulders. Previous experience with sea kayaking is recommended, but not required.

At camp, everyone takes part in shared tasks, and you’ll experience simple outdoor living with cooking and camp life close to nature. This is the trip for those seeking a genuine wilderness adventure.

Included in the price

• Boat transfer and transport in Longyearbyen
• 2-person sea kayak
• Personal kayaking equipment (dry suit, life vest, etc.)
• All meals, snacks, and drinks
• Tent (shared between two participants)
• Sleeping mat
• Experienced guide with necessary safety equipment

What to bring

• Clothing to wear under the dry suit, and warm clothing for use in camp
• Waterproof bags for luggage
• Sleeping bag*
  *Sleeping bag rental: NOK 600

A complete packing list will be sent upon booking. Larger luggage can be stored in our storage in Longyearbyen.

Limitations

• Maximum dry suit size: XXL
• Maximum height: 195 cm
• Maximum cockpit circumference (kayak): 130 cm

Disclaimer

The planned route may be adjusted for safety reasons due to weather, wildlife, or group conditions. If polar bears are observed in the area, the trip may be altered or shortened. Safety — for both people and wildlife — always comes first.

Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions strongly opposes the war in Ukraine. We do not visit Barentsburg or Pyramiden, as these settlements are owned and operated by Russian authorities.

Photo: © Nanna Borgen, Torunn Bugjerde, Kaisa Rebane, Jarle Røssland, Christopher O’Neil