Sailing Polarisvideo

#78 | Expedition Svalbard: Midnight Sun, Wildlife and One Big Decision

15 November 2025 · 23 min · 4K views · Barents Sea

What this video covers

The crew of the sailboat Polaris navigates 352 nautical miles through Arctic waters from Tromsø, Norway, towards the remote island of Bjørnøya.22:17 During the transit, the crew monitors fuel consumption, noting 530 litres of diesel available, and uses the Barents Watch portal to track nearby commercial traffic and weather patterns.6:25 After encountering light winds and variable sea states, the crew decides to divert from their original course to Hornsund, Spitsbergen, to anchor at Kvalvika on Bjørnøya.9:37 They navigate through areas dense with Russian and Norwegian fishing trawlers, maintaining communication with vessels to ensure safe passage.14:01 Upon arrival at Bjørnøya, the crew anchors in 8 metres of water using 40 metres of chain and a Rocna anchor.22:34 The passage involves managing cold temperatures, as the boat lacks a heater, and timing their arrival to coincide with favourable weather windows for visiting the island's isolated meteorological station.6:17

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More from Sailing Polaris

We Waited 8 Days to Sail Here – Træna to Lovund, Norway | Ep. 98Oct 2026A New Way to Navigate? Installing Orca on Our Sailboat | Ep. 97Sept 2026We Couldn’t Leave This Arctic Island – Sailing Norway’s Træna Archipelago | Ep. 96Sept 2026How a Tiny Norwegian Island Celebrates Norway’s Biggest Day – Bolga | Ep. 95Aug 2026

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