Barba.no

About
Expeditions
- Arctic Sense 2021
- Past Expeditions
Impact
Partners
Press
Blog

Menu

About
Expeditions
- Arctic Sense 2021
- Past Expeditions
Impact
Partners
Press
Blog

Barba.no

About
Expeditions
- Arctic Sense 2021
- Past Expeditions
Impact
Partners
Press
Blog

Menu

About
Expeditions
- Arctic Sense 2021
- Past Expeditions
Impact
Partners
Press
Blog

By Andreas
July 6, 2021

Whales and dolphins, the Svalbard crossing

Text: Andreas B. Heide Photo: Tord Karlsen Snorkeling with dolphins under the midnight …

By Alyssa Stoller
June 24, 2021

Arctic Sense: Svalbard research

Written by Tom Grove and Alyssa Stoller In collaboration with Barba and various …

June 20, 2021

The Norwegian Coast: Whales, Mountains and Tides

June 8, 2021

Smooth Sailing

June 3, 2021

CHAPTER 1 – MEET THE TEAM – THE NORWEGIAN COAST

May 31, 2021

Introducing Arctic Sense 2021

April 12, 2021

In the Shadow of Whales

June 5, 2020

Orca encounter offshore Stavanger, Norway!

October 24, 2019

Sir David Attenborough and Whale Wisdom

March 2, 2018

Great big story

October 30, 2017

Northbound

October 26, 2017

Setting sail with a mission

September 4, 2017

Lysefjord Norway sailing

Summer update and future prospects

April 24, 2017

Barba office update

Categories

2010 Greenland

2012 Jan Mayen

2015 Svalbard

2021 Arctic Sense

Cruising Norway

Diving

Highlights

Ukategorisert

Video

Wildlife

Winter sailing orcas

Search posts

Get video and photo updates

I've read and accepted the privacy policy

barbaboat

Follow us on Instagram

Polar bears are one of, if not the, most iconic Ar

Polar bears are one of, if not the, most iconic Arctic species and also one of the most endangered.

It was an absolute privilege seeing five polar bears in the first couple days after arriving to Svalbard. Observing a mother and her quickly growing cubs, as well as two lone bears in their natural habitat was an unforgettable experience.

The Barba crew was even able to capture 360 footage of the bears to be used for the Nordplus educational VR program in the coming months.

📷 by @tordkarlsen and @giulia_ercoletti

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #polarbear #cold #adventure #ice #animal #illustration #travel #polar #photography #wildlifephotography #climatechange #snow #polarbears #wildlife #svalbard #winter #animals #art #cute #nature #arctic #love #bear #samoyed #endangered #marinemammal #animals #polar #sailing #sail

At first glance this beach might appear to have pi

At first glance this beach might appear to have piles of white sand or stones. You may be surprised to know that these mounds are actually beluga whale bones.

Extensive beluga whale hunting began in the nearby waters off Spitsbergen in the 17th century, continuing into the 20th. These skeletal remains are found on the beach near the now abandoned whaling station (Bamsebu) and are estimated originate from around 550 whales.

These bones serve as a stark reminder of history and important lessons we can learn ourselves as a species. Luckily, beluga whales are no longer hunted around Svalbard and are protected in these waters.

📷 by @tordkarlsen / @barbaboat

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #svalbard #polar #belugawhale #beluga #whale #whales #killerwhale #whalelife #whaleseason #whalebeach #oceanlife #savethewhales #whalelove #whalers #arctic #svalbard #nordnorge #northernnorway #ig_nordnorge #snow #ice
#summertime #weather #north

Upon arrival to Svalbard, the crew enjoyed stretch

Upon arrival to Svalbard, the crew enjoyed stretching their legs for the first time after their crossing from Norway.

This reindeer calf shared a similar feeling, prancing on the cliffside with a view of Barba behind.

📷 by @tordkarlsen

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #svalbard #polar #reindeer #wildlifephotography #photography #winter #unisvalbard #summer #ice #utno #spitzbergen #wildlife #mountains #naturephotography #glacier #polarbear #adventure #northpole #visitnorway #snow #nature #travel #mittsvalbard #norway #longyearbyen #visitsvalbard #arctic #sailing

Bjørnøya (Bear Island) The southernmost island

Bjørnøya (Bear Island)

The southernmost island of Svalbard, located between Spitsbergen and North Cape.

This remote island has a complex history - seals, walrus and whales were all previously hunted in nearby waters. In the early 1900s the island was even used for coal mining, until deemed unprofitable. Luckily in 2002, nearly the entire island was designated a nature reserve, including a 12 nautical mile radius around Bjørnøya.

📷 by @tordkarlsen / @barbaboat

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #svalbard #polar #wildlifephotography #photography #wildlife #mountains #naturephotography #whale #marinemammals #ocean #sailing #sailboat #yacht #walrus #polarbear #arctic #ice #frozen #drone #dji #savetheocean #marinescience #conservation #oceanlove #openocean #islands #Bjørnøya #bearisland

FIN WHALE (Balaenoptera physalus) The second larg

FIN WHALE (Balaenoptera physalus)

The second largest animal on earth (second only to the blue whale). These enormous whales were an absolute privilege to witness during the crossing.

The fin whales made their presence clearly known with their distinctive large blow jetting out above the surface waters. The crew suddenly found themselves not only being escorted by dolphins along their journey, but by these incredible animals as well.

✅ Fun fact: if you are wondering what the yellow splotches are around the jaw of the whale, these are known as diatoms. Diatoms are a type of algae that build up on whales’ skin while they are in cold waters. Many species shed these diatoms while in warmer waters, where they slough off old layers of skin.

📷 by @tordkarlsen / @barbaboat

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #svalbard #norway #polar #wildlifephotography #photography #wildlife #naturephotography #whale #cetaeans #marinemammals #ocean #bestoftheday #nature #amazing #sailing #sailboat #yacht #boating #sailor #boat #polar #arctic #ice #frozen #drone #savetheocean #conservation #marineconservation #oceanlove

WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

The Barba crew was constantly greeted by white-beaked dolphins during the first part of their crossing to Svalbard. Clearly curious about the boat, they were frequently bow-riding and turning on their sides to take a look upwards. The crew found themselves constantly rushing up from below-deck as the person on watch would scream, “dolphins!”, causing some excited and sleepless nights.

White-beaked dolphins are found exclusively in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. They are relatively large, robust dolphins, ranging from 2.4 to 3.1 meters in length. These dolphins, like most other dolphin species, are very social animals and are rarely seen alone. They are also very acrobatic animals, and can be seen leaping out the water with their entire body clearing the surface.

📷 by @tordkarlsen

Boat powered by: @north_sails, @bandgsailing @jeanneau_official, @mustoclothing, @dubarryofireland, @spinlockhq, @yanmarmarine, @anotherworldadventures

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #dolphin #dolphins #whale #boat #animal #picoftheday #wildlife #photooftheday #sun #instagood #beautiful #blue #fish #art #delfin #photography #water #animals #beach #summer #nature #love #travel #sea #ocean #svalbard #sailing #expedition

A few shots of our close encounter with the larges

A few shots of our close encounter with the largest toothed predator on earth!

📸 by @tordkarlsen

@andreas.b.heide @giulia_ercoletti @aksel.orstavik @martatrodahl

#whale #norway #northernnorway #vesterålen #andøya #whales #ocean #sea #research #expedition #norge #spermwhale #wildlife #oceans #explore #adventure #wildlifephotography

The early days of Arctic Sense began with an incre

The early days of Arctic Sense began with an incredible reunion.

We had the privilege of spending some time with Hvaldimir the beluga whale along the Norwegian coast. Although still a wild animal, Hvaldimir is extremely inquisitive - seeking social and physical interactions with humans.

We hope to see Hvaldimir for the coming years and are grateful for the experience of meeting such an incredible animal.

📷 by @tordkarlsen

#barbaboat #arcticsense2021 #hvaldimir #beluga #whale #norway #norwaywhales #arcticwhales #arcticresearch #curiouswhale

Barba Norway

Laberget 72 | 4020 Stavanger | NORWAY

2021 © Barba.no

Designed by Sveinung Karlsen

Our work

Our Mission
Expeditions
Join the Crew
Privacy Policy

Menu

Our Mission
Expeditions
Join the Crew
Privacy Policy

Our Mission
Expeditions
Join the Crew
Privacy Policy

Menu

Our Mission
Expeditions
Join the Crew
Privacy Policy

Share this page

Share on facebook

Share on twitter

Share on email

Share on whatsapp

Follow us

Our Expedition Vessel

Arctic Sense 2021

Past Expeditions

Mission Partners

Scientific Partners

Collaborating Partners

Technical Partners

Friends of Barba

Get video and photo updates

I've read and accepted the privacy policy