MONACO GLACIER Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned. While touring the glacier front by Zodiac cruise, listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery. POOLEPYNTEN This flat peninsula lies on the east coast of Prins Karls Forland (Prince Charles Foreland), which is part of a national park (est. 1973) that includes both the island and the surrounding sea. Poolepynten is a great place for walrus viewing and photography. Encountering a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t
forget. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. SMEERENBURG Surrounded by fjords, glacier fronts and rugged mountains, the abandoned settlement of Smeerenburg, which means “blubber town,” was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. One of Europe’s most northerly outposts, this is a good spot to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. You can also visit a memorial erected in 1906 to honor the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries. A walrus haul-out can sometimes be seen here. Jan Mayen BEERENBERG Covered in glaciers, this active volcano dominates the northern half of Jan Mayen, taking up a significant part of the island’s mere 144 square miles (373 sq
km). A soaring 7,470 feet (2,277 meters) high, it last erupted in 1985. Let’s hope for clear skies to admire this monolith from the ship or shore. KVALROSSBUKTA One of only two possible landing sites in Jan Mayen is Kvalrossbukta. This small bay is the site of the remains of a 17-century whaling station. The island is home to a variety of birdlife, including a large northern fulmar colony. OLONKINBYEN Jan Mayen’s only settlement, Olonkinbyen is located at the southeastern side of the island, by Båtvika (Boat Cove), the other possible landing site. As a designated nature reserve, Jan Mayen remains uninhabited, except for the 18 rotating personnel who reside in the settlement and work at either the nearby weather station or radio station.
Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details
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