Port information & tips for Prins Karls Forland
Prins Karls Forland is a pristine natural jewel on the west coast of Svalbard and the centerpiece of the national park of the same name. The island fascinates with its striking mountain range that rises spectacularly out of the Arctic Ocean, offering incomparable arctic silence and vast tundra landscapes. Absolute highlights include observing imposing walrus colonies at Poolepynten, the historical sites at Fuglehuk, and the arctic birdlife on the coastal cliffs. Expedition ships anchor safely in protected bays and allow for landings by Zodiac directly onto natural beaches like Poolepynten. Thanks to this flexibility, guests can reach the untouched wilderness immediately without a traditional terminal and experience the spectacular flora and fauna of Svalbard right after leaving the boat.
Prins-Karl-Vorland is an uninhabited group of islands west of Spitsbergen and is typically visited as part of expedition cruises starting in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen. Travel is therefore primarily via Longyearbyen Airport (LYR); a pre-cruise overnight stay is usually recommended due to flight connections.
Airplane
Longyearbyen Airport (LYR) is the main gateway to Spitsbergen and is served by direct flights from Oslo (OSL). For travelers from the DACH region, this usually means at least one stopover in Oslo. The airport is located about 5 kilometers outside of Longyearbyen.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Longyearbyen Airport (LYR), you can easily reach the city and hotels via the official airport bus. Alternatively, taxis are available, providing a quick connection to your accommodation or directly to the embarkation point in Longyearbyen. Many cruise lines also organize group transfers from the airport to the ships.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the journey from the DACH region with stopovers and the location north of the Arctic Circle, an overnight stay in Longyearbyen before embarkation is strongly recommended. This allows for a relaxed arrival and acclimatization, and also offers the opportunity to explore the world's northernmost settlement.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time – depending on the cruise line and destination – is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
Prins-Karl-Vorland is an uninhabited group of islands west of Spitsbergen and is typically visited as part of expedition cruises starting in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen. Travel is therefore primarily via Longyearbyen Airport (LYR); a pre-cruise overnight stay is usually recommended due to flight connections.
Airplane
Longyearbyen Airport (LYR) is the main gateway to Spitsbergen and is served by direct flights from Oslo (OSL). For travelers from the DACH region, this usually means at least one stopover in Oslo. The airport is located about 5 kilometers outside of Longyearbyen.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Longyearbyen Airport (LYR), you can easily reach the city and hotels via the official airport bus. Alternatively, taxis are available, providing a quick connection to your accommodation or directly to the embarkation point in Longyearbyen. Many cruise lines also organize group transfers from the airport to the ships.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the journey from the DACH region with stopovers and the location north of the Arctic Circle, an overnight stay in Longyearbyen before embarkation is strongly recommended. This allows for a relaxed arrival and acclimatization, and also offers the opportunity to explore the world's northernmost settlement.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time – depending on the cruise line and destination – is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
Arrival at the pristine shores of Prins-Karl-Vorland is convenient by Zodiac, providing you with immediate access to the spectacular wilderness of the national park.
Zodiac Inflatables
The agile shipboard inflatable boats serve as the primary means of transport, bringing you safely from the ship directly to the flat beach sections of the island. These flexible boats also allow for landings at various coastal points such as Poolepynten or Fuglehuken.
Guided Hikes
The exploration of the vast coastal landscape takes place on foot and offers fascinating insights into Arctic nature thanks to expert guidance from the expedition team. Since there are no paved roads, these walks allow for a direct experience of the tundra and local wildlife.
Expedition Ship
Your ship serves as the central base and, through its flexible positioning, enables convenient visits to various prominent locations along the island side. The logistics on board are perfectly adapted to the Arctic and ensure a smooth process between water and land.
To experience the untouched wilderness of Prins-Karl-Vorland at its best, we recommend participating in guided landings to observe the Arctic wildlife and the impressive glacial landscapes of Forlandet National Park.
Poolepynten
This section of the coast is world-famous for its imposing walrus colonies and, thanks to its flat sandbanks, offers excellent opportunities for close-up wildlife sightings against a breathtaking Arctic backdrop.
Fuglehuken
The historic northern tip of the island fascinates with its steep bird cliffs and also serves as a monument to the discovery of the archipelago; additionally, the vast tundra landscape here allows for unforgettable views of the wide Polar Sea.
Selvågen
The protected lagoon of Selvågen impresses with its calm waters and the surrounding rugged mountain ranges, perfect for exploring the local flora and fauna amidst the dramatic and untouched nature of Spitsbergen.
Poolepynten
The prominent headland Poolepynten on the east coast of Prins-Karl-Vorland is easily accessible by Zodiac landing and offers guests the unique opportunity to experience an impressive walrus colony up close in their natural habitat. The wide, flat coastal plain is ideal for a relaxed exploration of the Arctic flora and also captivates with the peaceful atmosphere of the untouched wilderness as well as the wide views of the glaciated peaks of Spitsbergen. Ideally, start your excursion directly with the first Zodiac group in the morning to observe the animals in the best light, and return to the ship in time to follow the onward journey through the picturesque Forlandsundet in a relaxed manner from the panoramic deck.
The return journey from the pristine shores of Forlandet National Park to the ship is exclusively by water and is coordinated by the expedition leadership. Thanks to the tight organization of the shore excursions, you will return on board safely and on time.
Zodiac Shuttle
The return journey to the ship starts directly from the shallow shore sections such as Poolepynten with the ship's own Zodiac inflatable boats. These flexible boats shuttle regularly between the beach and the gangway, so that you can get back on board comfortably and quickly.
Accompanied Return Path
In the Arctic wilderness, for safety reasons, you always move in the company of trained personnel and armed guides. The path from the animal observation points back to the landing site is short and is completed collectively in the group, which ensures maximum safety.
Assembly Points on the Beach
The expedition leadership sets up marked assembly points on the shore, where the staff helps with boarding the boats. In addition, the employees keep an eye on the tides and the weather and inform you in good time about the last trips to the cruise ship.
