Swoop Arctic is supporting International Polar Bear Day on 27th February 2020 by helping to raise awareness of the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures from climate change. The polar cruise specialist is a member of and follows the guidelines set down by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), which aims to ensure responsible, environmentally-friendly and safe tourism in the region. In addition, for every feedback questionnaire completed by its passengers, Swoop Arctic donates $5 to Plastic Oceans, a not-for-profit organisation working towards ending plastic pollution.
Swoop Arctic’s illustrated guide outlines the best times and places to see polar bears in the Arctic. For the best chance of seeing the mighty White King in its natural habitat, Swoop Arctic recommends travelling between May and August to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, where there is said to be more polar bears than people. Breath taking scenery, towering fjords, immense glaciers and snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the pack ice on which the polar bears reside and the icy waters where they hunt. The break-up of ice during the summer months allows expedition cruise ships to venture further in to the fjords to known polar bear hot spots.
Other destinations in which it is possible to view polar bears in the wild include Canada’s Northwest Passage from August to September, Churchill in Northern Canada between mid-October and mid-November and Wrangel Island in the Russian Arctic during August. Greenland also has a polar bear community, however, the creatures tend to reside in inaccessible locations and other destinations offer a greater chance of observing them.
For further information, visit: https://www.swoop-arctic.com/adventures/polar-bears#when-to-see-polar-bears
