Seals in Spitsbergen: present species and observation on an adventure cruise
A round head emerging a few metres from the ship, enormous black eyes, then nothing — the Arctic closes in. The seals of Spitsbergen are like this: discreet, unpredictable, present everywhere and nowhere.
Encountering them requires patience, attention, and knowledge of their habits.
Spitsbergen is home to several species of seals that play a central role in the Arctic marine ecosystem. These mammals are both predators of fish and crustaceans, and essential prey for the polar bear. Their presence is closely linked to the sea ice, water temperatures, and the availability of food resources — making them true indicators of the state of polar ecosystems.
Observing seals on an adventure cruise in Spitsbergen is to engage in a wild dynamic, without artifice. These animals do not appear on command. They rest on drifting ice, are carried by currents in the fjords, or briefly surface before diving back into waters below two degrees. Understanding their biology and behaviours sharpens one's gaze — and ensures that one does not miss an unforgettable encounter.
Four species of seals to know before sailing in Spitsbergen
The ringed seal (Pusa hispida) is the most abundant species in the archipelago. Small and stocky, it is identifiable by the light rings on its grey fur, and it frequents the pack ice, coastal ice areas, and the open waters of the fjords indiscriminately. It is the one most often seen resting on drifting ice floes. It is the main prey of the polar bear, making it a fundamental link in the Arctic food chain.
The bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) is significantly larger — up to 2.5 metres and 300 kilograms. Its long, characteristic white whiskers have given it its name. It prefers shallow bottoms rich in bivalves and crustaceans, which its vibrissae help it locate in the sediments. It can be observed on pebble beaches or rocky islets in some fjords.
The Greenland seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) is more migratory. It may be possible to encounter it in Spitsbergen outside the breeding season, particularly during transits between feeding areas.
Finally, the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), less common, is recognisable in males by its inflatable red nasal sac — a visual signal of dominance. Its presence remains occasional in the waters of the archipelago, making each sighting all the more memorable.
Behaviour, rhythms, and habitats: understanding seals to better encounter them.
Seals are amphibious animals whose daily organisation is divided between feeding at sea and resting on land or on the ice. The behaviour of 'hauling out' — the act of pulling themselves out of the water to rest — is one of the few occasions when an attentive observer can approach them without disturbing them. On a piece of ice or a flat rock, a ringed seal can remain still for several hours, recovering from its dives.
Diving is a remarkable physiological performance: the ringed seal can dive to over 90 metres and hold its breath for several minutes. The bearded seal, heavier but agile underwater, explores the seabed in search of its benthic prey. These feeding behaviours take place far from view, beneath the opaque surface of the Arctic water.
The seasons strongly influence their distribution. In summer, the melting ice pushes some species towards areas of residual pack ice, often accessible to reinforced hull ships. In spring, females give birth on the ice — a period of maximum vulnerability for the young, which are born with a white fur (lanugo) before moulting. Calm fjord areas and the edges of the pack ice are the preferred habitats during an adventure cruise to increase the chances of possible observation.
Observing seals from the ship: postures, distances, and patience.
Observation from the ship is often the most effective. On board the M/S Tarmo or the M/S Isbjørnen II, the low freeboard and small size of the vessels allow for a gentler approach than a large cruise ship. Seals on the ice generally tolerate the presence of a slowly moving ship, without sudden noise or acceleration. Many remain still, just turning their heads — a precious moment for observation and photography.
The attitude to adopt is simple: position yourself at the front or on the sides, keep silent, and avoid sudden movements. The low light of the polar nights in June and July offers exceptional photographic conditions, with warm tones on the ice floes and grey fur. A focal length of 200 to 400 mm remains ideal for filling the frame without getting closer.
During navigation in the fjords — Liefdefjorden, Woodfjorden, or Hornsund — it is possible to encounter seals in the water just a few metres from the ship, curious and observant in turn. These chance encounters, as you navigate, are often the most intense: they cannot be planned, they must be welcomed. It is in this unpredictability that the value of an adventure cruise in the Arctic lies. To choose the most suitable anchorages, knowledge of the fjords and their wildlife is as important as the weather.
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The seals of Spitsbergen do not put on a show. They live, feed, and rest according to patterns that ignore routes. This is precisely what makes each encounter precious — a stroke of luck that is owed to slowness, silence, and being in the right place at the right time. If this type of contact with Arctic wildlife appeals to you, the adventure cruises of Escales Polaires in Spitsbergen, in small groups of a maximum of twelve passengers, provide the ideal setting to observe without disturbing and to understand without oversimplifying.
From June to August, seals are visible in the fjords and on the drifting ice. In June and early July, the residual sea ice offers resting plates prized by ringed and bearded seals. Summer is also the season when the bright nights allow for observation and photography at any hour.
Seals resting on beaches or rocks can be observed during stops, but a respectful distance is imperative to avoid causing them to flee into the water. In practice, observation from the ship is often more effective and less intrusive, as seals tolerate the slow approach of a vessel better than a human presence on foot.
The ringed seal and the bearded seal are not classified as endangered, but they are sensitive to disturbances during the spring birthing season. On adventure cruises, the approach is always made with the engine slowed and at a reasonable distance. Observing without disturbing is both a regulatory requirement in the national park and a condition for quality observation.
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