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Svalbard Norway is as close as you can get to the North Pole without being at the North Pole. I visited in July 2024 with Quark Expeditions and it was a fascinating place. We saw walruses, tons of birds, glaciers, icebergs and polar bears (from a safe location). I was the only Black passenger, but I was completely comfortable because the staff and other passengers were pretty diverse. Most passengers were from the US, Europe and Australia, with a number of people from India. Some of the Filipino dining room staff remembered me from my trips with Quark to Antarctica and Greenland, which was nice. No issues traveling while Black. The ship was one of the older ships but was comfortable if not a little small. The Quark staff were very welcoming and knowledgeable and the ship doctor was very helpful when I got sick with a respiratory virus on the day before the trip ended. I ended up finding with a group of fellow women travellers from the US, Canada, Netherlands, UK, Australia and Singapore. It was nice to make a few friends, some of whom I’m still in contact with. I really enjoyed this trip and recommend it as an off-the-beaten-track location if you like Arctic spectacle and animals.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, part of the Kingdom of Norway, is your last airport before the North Pole. Longyearbyen identifies itself as the northernmost town on earth, complete with the northernmost gas station, brewery, and church, and having more polar bears than people.
Counted six Black people while visiting, including myself and travel partner. There is no Native population. People were very kind and eager to meet others. We were not petted or stared at like some destinations. IYKYK.
– It is cold. Pack insulated pants and rugged boots. Sneakers are nonsensical. The terrain is rugged. There is gravel, dust, and dirt everywhere!
– This is NOT budget travel. It will cost you to get there, cost you to shop there, and cost you to eat there.
– Use Norwegian Kroner or, easiest, use a credit card (Mastercard or Visa).
– You can’t enter Svalbard without going through Norway.
– Flights: We did New York to Copenhagen to Oslo to Trumso to Longyearbyen.
– They have 24 hours of sunlight or 24 hours of pitch darkness depending on the time of year you visit.
– We saw no polar bears, but there are warning signs. Yes, there have been people seriously injured or unalived by bears. You are required by law to have a gun on you if you venture past warning signs.
– Don’t like outdoor activities, especially hiking or venturing on the sea? Don’t go. It will be boring. I don’t care what YouTubers say.
– Glaciers are STUNNING.
– The Coal Miners Cabins was a great place to stay. Pro-tip: Get the room w/the private bathroom and not one you have to share. A breakfast buffet is included, and their on-site restaurant was good. Bar staff were great.
– Take a lot of photographs.
– Whale for dinner? Never again.