Sail Spitsbergen
A once in a lifetime voyage. In 2021 Santosa will be sailing in the Arctic Circle.
Experience the wild and remote area of Spitzbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, home to polar bears and reindeer.
The Trips
Experience an exclusive arctic sailing expedition on board luxury yacht Santosa.
Sail against a back drop of some of the world's most remote, rugged and beautiful coastlines.
Santosa is a 55ft luxury yacht with only two ensuite double cabins for guests available. She is equipped to go anywhere in the world
After enjoying a very successful first season in 2019 exploring the Lofotens Islands, Santosa is heading further north to explore Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard archipelago during June, July and August 2021.
There are 4 eleven day voyages to choose from. All voyages start and finish in Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen.
The dates are:
15 - 25 June - 1 double ensuite cabin left
29 June - 9 July - Full
13 - 23 July
27 July - 6 August
There is no fixed itinerary at present other than starting/finishing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. You will sail into majestic fjords, get up close to glaciers, hike, fish for arctic cod, absorb the awe-inspiring landscapes and breath the pure arctic air as we seek out remote areas to explore that are only possible by yacht.
You need to be reasonably fit and nimble for climbing in and out of the dinghy and going ashore, have sailed before and have a sense of adventure.
Spitsbergen
Located at 78 degrees north in the Arctic Sea some 650 miles from the north pole this area is wild and remote, in the arctic summer the ice retreats, the sun doesn’t set and the area comes to life with flowers and wildlife in the sea and on the land, there are great opportunities to see a variety of wildlife; whales, seals, walrus, artic fox and some of the 3000 polar bears that inhabit Svalbard, they outnumber people! A hydrophone is on board so you can listen to the whales as well as watch them.
Don’t worry about being cold as panoramic views can also be enjoyed from the warmth of the deck saloon. The entire yacht has heating, each luxury ensuite double cabin has a heated towel rail and power shower, black out blinds are fitted to. It will also be summer time - although we are talking about summer time in the Arctic.
'Listening to the whales through the hydrophone was the most magical experience, I felt extremely priviledged" Lucy, Lofotens, July 2019
The Yacht
Your comfort and safety
will be at the forefront of this expedition. Santosa was launched in 2017, she is a 55ft (16.7m) steel ketch of Bruce Roberts design with a
high latitude rig and has been built with exactly these sort of waters in mind and to provide an exclusive and luxurious experience. She is ‘coded’ to
Category Zero meaning her structure, the safety equipment on board and the
experience and qualifications of the skipper and mate meet the UK’s Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (MCA) international standards to sail anywhere in the
world. For any trips ashore a guide will be present, if required, and
appropriate firearms carried.
This is an exclusive voyage with a maximum of four guest-crew. All meals on board are included with the exception of the last evening meal in Longyearbyen when we may wish to sample the local cuisine ashore and maybe one other evening meal.
Accommodation on board Santosa
From the cockpit you come down into a spacious and sociable coach house with a raised saloon area offering panoramic views, leather seating and a dining table. To starboard there is a helming position and navigation area.
Aft of this area you step down into two luxury en-suite cabins, one each side of the boat. Plenty of storage is offered and a wardrobe. The ensuite has a power shower with seating, heated towel rail and electric flush toilet. the cabins also have heating, aircon and black out blinds.
Forward of the coach house saloon, you go down a level to a well designed galley on the port side and a snug seating area with TV/DVD to starboard. Beyond that is mainly crew accommodation consisting of another heads, another double cabin and two bunk beds, and a work shop right up in the forepeak.
What to expect/pre-requisites
Experience is always welcome but for this trip it doesn't matter if you have haven't done alot of sailing before.
You will need to be healthy and reasonably fit and nimble.
Meals on board are included and made for you, apart from the last evening meal and maybe one other meal where you will have the opportunity to eat ashore and sample the local cuisine! We do not provide alcohol on board but you are very welcome to bring your own. Whilst our experienced skipper and mate are perfectly capable of sailing the yacht by themselves you are most welcome to take part in all aspects of keeping a watch, navigating and sailing the boat.
You should get some good sailing in. You will see some dramatic scenery.
Warm clothing will be needed but the trip will not be as cold as you might expect. The weather can be fickle, but crystal clear and sunny days are not uncommon.
Price and Travel
Two luxury double ensuite cabins are available on each leg.
Come as a couple, by yourself or with a friend whom you are happy to share a cabin with (the double mattress can be divided by a lee cloth).
Or charter the whole yacht.
The price is £8870 per double ensuite cabin.
The price includes all food on board, bar 2 meals ashore; gas, fuel and mooring fees. You will need to bring your own oilskins and arrange your own travel insurance (circa £60 from a company like TopSail Insurance).
To pay a deposit of 25% deposit use code SANTOSASPITSBERGEN in the check out stage.
Travel
Longyearbyen is relatively remote and is served by Oslo Airport with Norwegain Air or SAS Air.
We advice you arrive in Longyearbyen the day before your voyage starts so if you have any travel delays they will not impact on the voyage.
