A raw, roadless Arctic national park where walruses haul out on gravel beaches and polar bears roam the tundra — reachable only by Zodiac, accessible only to small expedition ships.
There is no pier or infrastructure — all landings are by Zodiac inflatable boat onto open beach.
💡 Pro move: As of 2025, Norwegian regulations restrict Svalbard national park landings to ships carrying 200 or fewer guests, with a max of 39 people ashore at one time at a 1:12 guide ratio.
Forlandet Island has no port infrastructure — all cruise visits use Zodiac landings on natural beaches.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition cruise lines (Hurtigruten, Lindblad, Aurora, Poseidon, etc.) | Poolepynten or Fuglehuken beach📍 | Tendered |
| Large mainstream cruise ships | No access — national park regulations prohibit vessels over 200 guests📍 | Tendered |
All activities are led by your ship's expedition team and included in your cruise — there are no independently bookable shore tours on this uninhabited island.
The island's most iconic landing. A resident colony of male Atlantic walruses hauls out on this east-coast gravel spit year-round. Walk in single file, whisper, and keep 30 m distance as guides position the group for close-up views of hundreds of tusked, grunting walruses.
Find Svalbard expedition cruises →The island's northernmost point is a towering seabird colony with thousands of Brünnich's guillemots, kittiwakes, and glaucous gulls. It was here that Willem Barentsz sighted and named the cape 'Vogelhoek' (Bird Hook) on 28 June 1596 for its vast bird colonies, during the expedition that discovered Svalbard.
Find Svalbard wildlife tours →When landing conditions are poor, the expedition team runs Zodiac cruises along the island's dramatic coastline — scanning for polar bears on ice, walruses in the water, and harbour seals basking on rocks beneath the Grampianfjella peaks.
Find Arctic Zodiac cruises →A beloved expedition tradition — brave passengers strip to swimwear and plunge into near-freezing Arctic waters under the watch of guides. Bragging rights guaranteed; hypothermia risk minimal with the quick in-and-out format.
Find Svalbard expedition cruises →The coastline is dotted with 17th-century whaling station ruins and preserved trapper cabins from the era of Norwegian Arctic hunters. Expedition guides provide historical context on this gritty chapter of Svalbard's past.
Find Svalbard history tours →All walking is on open tundra, gravel beach, and shingle — no marked trails, always guided due to polar bear risk.
A slow, guided walk along the gravel spit to observe the walrus colony. The expedition team sets the route based on where the walruses are hauled out that day. Expect loose shingle, large driftwood logs washed in from Siberia, and a strong smell of walrus.
📍 Open in MapsA guided hike across open Arctic tundra to the bird cliffs and historic Barentsz cape at the island's northern tip. Terrain is uneven — boggy in places, rocky near the cliffs. Not suitable for passengers with mobility limitations.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Forlandet Island, Svalbard, Norway (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°F / -6°C | 15°F / -9°C | 12 |
| Feb | 21°F / -6°C | 14°F / -10°C | 13 |
| Mar | 18°F / -8°C | 11°F / -12°C | 14 |
| Apr | 23°F / -5°C | 16°F / -9°C | 11 |
| May | 30°F / -1°C | 26°F / -3°C | 10 |
| Jun | 38°F / 3°C | 35°F / 2°C | 6 |
| Jul | 46°F / 8°C | 41°F / 5°C | 10 |
| Aug | 44°F / 7°C | 40°F / 4°C | 10 |
| Sep | 38°F / 3°C | 34°F / 1°C | 14 |
| Oct | 31°F / -1°C | 25°F / -4°C | 12 |
| Nov | 26°F / -3°C | 19°F / -7°C | 13 |
| Dec | 23°F / -5°C | 14°F / -10°C | 12 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Forlandet Island, Svalbard, Norway. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.