Billy Heaney's Svalbard Expedition Log: Exploring the High Arctic Aboard Ocean Albatros

Far beyond mainland Norway, between the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole, lies Svalbard, one of the most remote and wildlife-rich destinations on Earth. Over the coming days, ExplorEarth's Billy Heaney will document every stage of an expedition aboard Ocean Albatros, exploring glaciers, ice-filled fjords, and some of the planet's most spectacular polar wilderness.

All we know is what he 'could' see in terms of wildlife, from polar bear encounters and walrus colonies to incredible birds, seals and cetaceans.

Dramatic fjords, glaciers and remote landings are guaranteed, however, and this daily expedition log offers a behind-the-scenes look at life in the High Arctic. Follow along as Billy reports directly from the field, sharing wildlife sightings, expedition highlights, photography and first-hand insights from one of the world's most extraordinary adventure travel experiences. Billy is sending us an update every day of his trip, posted exclusively here. 

Touchdown in Longyearbyen and what a start to my Arctic adventure with Polar Latitudes Expeditions, ExplorEarth and Swoop Arctic.

Just moments after getting off the bus I encountered my first Svalbard reindeer wandering through the town, while snow buntings bounced from roof to roof. At the edge of town, I caught up with a flock of Svalbard barnacle geese on their summer breeding grounds. This was particularly exciting, as only a few months ago, I was watching them back in Scotland as they were overwintering at WWT Caerlaverock.

As we set sail aboard the Ocean Albatros in the late afternoon, we were treated to a few walrus hauled out along the coast, along with great numbers of kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots, puffins and little auks, all before we passed Barentsburg and ventured out into deeper water.