North Sea Whale Safari

The height of summer is a fantastic time to see whales in the open waters between Scotland and Spitsbergen, high above the Arctic Circle. Sailing across the North Sea and then the Norwegian Sea, with stops en route at Fair Isle and the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, allows you to observe the wildlife of the northern ocean, including the various cetacean species that inhabit its cold depths.

Lying some 650 kilometres north of Norway, the Spitsbergen archipelago (or Svalbard, as it is known in Norwegian) is Europe's largest wilderness. Covering an area similar in size to Ireland, much of which lies under icy glaciers, it has a population of just 3,000 people in former whaling settlements, and only 50 kilometres of road. Its name - given by Dutch explorer Willem Barents, who discovered it while trying to find a northern sea route to the fabled land of Cathay - refers to the jagged peaks in the north-west of the island. The length of the summer days ensures that you don't miss any opportunity to savour the excitement - and anticipation - of your quest to find whales!

Itinerary:

Voyages are 10 days in duration; a typical itinerary is illustrated below

Day 1.

Embark in Aberdeen and sail. Scotland's offshore waters offer excellent opportunities for spotting minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Several other cetacean species, including orcas (killer whales), are also native to these waters.

Day 2.

Land on Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands, where you visit the bird observatory, before continuing to Mousa, one of the smaller islands. On a night excursion you can watch thousands of storm petrels return to their burrows or crevices, and by day you'll see grey seals, black guillemots, red-throated divers, Arctic skuas and the wonderful spring flora.

Days 3-4.

Sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles northeast of Iceland. During these two days at sea there will be plenty of time to watch for the blow of a minke, fin or blue whale, and hopefully spot a pod of orcas, which are often quite curious and approach the boat.

Day 5.

Visit the weather station on Jan Mayen, a volcanic island of breathtaking beauty and mystique, dominated by Mount Beerenberg. Walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to see the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of fulmars nearby. Later sail past Koksletta, where thousands of little auks and Brunnich's guillemots breed close to a glacier, watched over by glaucous gulls.

Days 6-7.

Sail northward along the edge of the sea-ice, in the light of the midnight sun, keeping watch for different species of whales, dolphins, seals and the variety of seabirds; sail to North Spitsbergen.

Day 8.

Depending on the location of the sea-ice, enter Raudfjord or one of the other fjords in northwest Spitsbergen, to have a chance to see polar bears at the head of the fjord, and seals basking on the ice. At Fuglesangen there is an opportunity to see thousands of little auks on their breeding ground.

Day 9.

Sail to Fuglehuken, which in all probability is the spot where Willem Barentsz first landed. This area has several exceptional seabird-colonies, plus many remains from the period when polar bears were hunted. Continue to Sarstangen, Engelskmansbukta or Poole-Pynten to look for walruses, and in the evening land at Alkhornet, another seabird colony where you can find reindeer and Arctic foxes.

Day 10.

Arrive in Longyearbyen and disembark.

Note: Itineraries may vary according to local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife.