A Burgess guide - how to travel to the Arctic Circle.

Planning and preparation for your Arctic adventure 

Those braving the Northwest Passage en route to the Arctic Circle should be prepared for days of rough seas and the likelihood of feeling seasick. As one of the most notorious and treacherous bodies of water in the world, it’s not for the faint hearted. Once in the Arctic Circle however, vast waves give way to calmer seas, where serene scenes of icy-blue seascapes stretch for miles around. Packing appropriately warm clothing is essential, especially as the best wildlife spotting happens on deck. Binoculars, cameras and other recording devices will also enhance the experience for years to come. 

When to visit the Arctic Circle

When visiting by boat, the best times to visit are between May to August when the warmer climate causes the pack ice to recede allowing yachts to penetrate deep into the Arctic Circle. It’s also the best time to explore on the ice when more wildlife sightings occur. In Autumn, the Northern Lights light up the sky, while in Spring, its dog sledding and snowmobiling season, but neither of these times will be achievable by yacht. 

Possible charter routes 

There are numerous ways to reach the Arctic Circle depending on your starting position. Some of the most popular charter routes begin in Denmark and Iceland, travelling up to Greenland and Svalbard, before hitting the Arctic Circle. Canada's Arctic makes up over 40 percent of the country's landmass, the portion north of the Arctic Circle, east of Alaska and west of Greenland. Most sought after is Baffin Island, with its bowhead whales and Inuit communities. Those approaching the North Pole from Russia will start in Murmansk, forcing a path through the ice to reach 90 degrees north. 

What can you do on a charter to the Arctic Circle

Taking an explorer yacht charter to the Arctic Circle is a wildlife extravaganza. Ticking off bucket list sightings is a given, with polar bears, walruses, Arctic hares and Arctic foxes, musk ox and reindeer often spotted. The lucky few will also encounter whales, including the elusive narwhal. During the summer months, an abundance of migratory birds fills the skies. Dog sledding, taking the Polar plunge, wild camping out overnight on the icy tundra and capturing the starry sky on camera are other must-do activities. 

Searching for Polar Bears 

Arctic Polar Bear spotting is a life-affirming experience than truly needs to be experienced first-hand. The ‘white bear’ can be rather hard to spot when set against a snowy backdrop, but naturalists and guides on the trip will know the hot spots to increase your chances of a sighting. Churchill in Canada is often referred to as the world’s polar bear capital, while Wrangel island in the Russian Arctic, the North Pole and the Canadian Arctic also feature high on the list. When travelling by yacht between May and August, Svalbard is probably the best bet for that all-important glimpse. 

Watch the Northern Lights 

Long has mankind been transfixed by the dancing green and blue hues of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Incredible displays have been recorded in both Greenland and Iceland, but the most majestic shows occur in and around the rim of the Arctic Circle, hence its nickname, the ‘Aurora Band’.

Try kayaking 

Arctic kayaking is one of the few ways guests can explore the remote landscape at leisure, passing under huge icy fjords and drifting alongside looming glaciers. It’s also one of the best ways to encounter a walrus or bearded seal as they lounge salubriously on an ice floe. Kayaks provide a relatively safe way to get up close and personal with the wildlife at large, explore the coastline and gift access to hard-to-reach corners that the yacht can’t get to. 

Discover yachts available for charter 

Explorer yachts have increased in number as our desire to travel to remote regions has soared. Finding the right yacht that meets your personal set of criteria remains critical to maximising your Arctic adventure. 

Speak to a charter broker to discover more about Arctic Circle charter opportunities. Enquire now 

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.