General description

Join the ice-strengthened polar vessel, Grigoriy Mikheev for a unique expedition to Spitsbergen, with an emphasis on Diving and Photography. This expedition offers an exciting opportunity to have a true Arctic experience, to navigate along-side enormous glaciers, and to sight wildlife during landings, such as Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Arctic Terns, reindeer, walrus, bearded and ringed seals, among others.Of course, Spitsbergen is most famous for its Polar Bears. Watch for them on landings and also for the many outer decks of your vessel.

The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of kitti-wakes and Polar Bears have also been seen wandering upon the glacier. The ice of Spitsbergen will inspire awe while you practice your photographic techni-ques. Diving in the Arctic is a unique experience for the advanced diver. For there is not only ice to astound you but also a surreal underwater world with fascinating mari-ne habitat filled with creatures that look as if they have come from another planet. The diversity of benthos lit by rays of sunlight create an overwhelming and ever-changing spectrum of colours. Take your time to explore the kelp walls, seas-nails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, unidentified species of jelly-fish, sea-hedgehogs, starfish and krill, and appreciate what only a few divers have seen before you.

Safety is our first concern. We dive in a controlled environment under small grounded icebergs, from the shore, a zodiac or an ice shell.

Not a diver? No matter. While your fellow passengers are enjoying the view un-derwater, our guides will ensure that you are doing the same but above sea level. There will be plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife, absorbing the wonder of the landscape, and snapping thousands of photographs.