LONGYEARBYEN BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Through Arctic Silence: A Covered-Boat Daytrip from Longyearbyen to Pyramiden and Nordenskiöld Glacier
A full-day covered-boat expedition from Longyearbyen that combines glacier views, dramatic coastal cliffs and a guided visit to the Soviet ghost town of Pyramiden—this guide outlines the flow, logistics, and what to expect.
Through Arctic Silence: A Covered-Boat Daytrip from Longyearbyen to Pyramiden and Nordenskiöld Glacier.
Set out from Longyearbyen on a full-day covered-boat journey to the haunting, snow-bleached shells of Pyramiden. The day pairs raw coastal landscapes—the dramatic cliffs of Skansbukta and views of the Nordenskiöld Glacier—with an extended guided walk through the abandoned Soviet settlement and a lunch at the Pyramiden restaurant, all arranged as a return-day trip to Longyearbyen.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Pyramiden: a Soviet ghost town
An extended, guided tour explores the eerie remains of Pyramiden after a shore visit and lunch at the local restaurant, giving a rare, structured look into Arctic industrial history.
Nordenskiöld Glacier and Skansbukta cliffs
The route includes a short stop at the dramatic cliffs of Skansbukta and a boat approach to the Nordenskiöld Glacier, offering sustained views of Svalbard’s rugged coastal geology.
A covered-boat day from Longyearbyen
This is a structured full-day outing that begins with a morning pick-up in Longyearbyen, proceeds by covered boat to Pyramiden with stops en route, and returns in the early evening after roughly 9–10 hours.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You’ll be collected in Longyearbyen in the morning and board a covered boat for a coastal run that alternates between ocean crossings and close-in coastal viewing. The schedule includes a brief cliff-side stop, a shore visit to Pyramiden for lunch and a guided exploration of the abandoned settlement, and a boat approach to Nordenskiöld Glacier before an early-evening return to Longyearbyen.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this daytrip suits — and who should sit it out.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a full-day outing of approximately 9–10 hours, with a 9:00 morning pick-up from your accommodation in Longyearbyen and return around 18:00–19:00.
The trip runs on a covered boat and includes shore time; dress for cold conditions and bring layers, waterproof outerwear and sturdy footwear appropriate for uneven terrain onshore.
Operator provides hotel pick-up in Longyearbyen; the excursion runs daily from Longyearbyen and includes lunch at the Pyramiden restaurant and a guided tour.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The tour runs about 9–10 hours total.
Where does the trip depart from?
You are picked up from your accommodation in Longyearbyen with a 9:00 morning collection before boarding the covered boat.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is served at the Pyramiden restaurant during the visit to the ghost town.
What is the minimum age to join?
The tour is offered for participants from 6 years of age.
Are there health or mobility restrictions?
The operator states the tour is not suitable for those with conditions that may be aggravated by boat motion, or by long hours in cold and uneven terrain.
When will we return to Longyearbyen?
The vessel typically returns to Longyearbyen around 18:00–19:00.