A once in a lifetime adventure waits at the remote Bear Island Port, the southernmost island of Norway's Svalbard archipelago situated in the Arctic Ocean. Most of it is uninhabited and barren but throughout its long history, Bear Island was a hub of a thriving whaling, fishing and coal mining industry. Dutch explorer Willem Barents discovered the island in 1596. It was named after a polar bear that was killed near Barents' landing site.
In 2002, Bear Island was declared a nature preserve. Today, Bear Island is home to a quaint settlement whose only inhabitants are the staff members of a meteorological station. The wild, desolate and rugged Bear Island offers some of the most unique and spectacular landscapes in the world. Bear Island has a maritime polar climate. The coldest month is January with temperatures averaging 17.42 Fahrenheit. The warmest months are July and August, with mean temperatures reaching 39.92 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things to see
Bear Island may be uninhabited and barren but it is home to Arctic flora and fauna. It is a perfect place for bird watching. The west coast of the island is one of the largest seabird sanctuaries in the North Atlantic. Arctic seabirds such as Puffins, Little Auks, Common Guillemots and Kittiwakes live amongst the crags and cliffs of the islands west coastline. Land birds in Bear Island include the ptarmigan and the snow bunting. However, the western part of Bear Island is only accessible via boat. Thus, it may not be possible to travel to the area if the weather is bad.
The old and abandoned whaling station located in Kvalrossbukta is an interesting and must-visit site for any Bear Island guest. Here you can find the remains of the once thriving whaling industry in the island. The old whaling station was active from 1905 to 1907. Bird watchers may catch glimpses of Arctic Skuas and Great Skuas at certain times of the year. A guided walking tour will lead you to the surrounding areas, which is mostly tundra with rolling barren hills in the distance. Meanwhile, east of the Bear Island port is the abandoned settlement of Tunheim. This coal mining settlement was once bustling with activity during the island's early years of development.
The Bear Island port is the jump-off point for rare excursions out into the tundra. The port is located at the southernmost tip of the island where Harp Seals sometimes come up to molt. In fact, it is possible to see some Harp Seals frolicking near the port while the ship is leaving.
Shopping
Bear Island is an uninhabited island; so it is expected that there is not much shopping here. There are some small shops in the port area but they are very rare. The island has a very small town area consisting of only a few buildings and houses.
Restaurants and Bars
There are no restaurants and bars on Bear Island. You will have to bring your own food into the island if needed. Sometimes there are small food vendors at the Bear Island Port but they are very rare.