Aqua Expeditions releases summer Arctic season
Small-ship expedition leader Aqua Expeditions has revealed full details of its new summer Arctic season, with bookings now open for 2026 voyages in Svalbard and the Arctic Circle.
Launching on 30 May 2026, Aqua Lares will offer 5- to 14-night cruises through Svalbard and the Norwegian Arctic, as well as dual-destination sailings that combine the Arctic with the Scottish Isles.
Aqua says it is the only superyacht in the Arctic Circle offering both private charters and individual cabin bookings for just 30 guests.
The vessel features 15 cabins, including three expansive Owner’s Suites ranging from 140 to 710 square feet.
It has a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio and small-group excursions supported by five private tenders, kayaks, paddleboards, mountain bikes, diving gear, and more.
“With Aqua Lares, we’re redefining what it means to explore the farthest frontiers. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about experiencing these wild places up close in a way that feels both deeply personal and luxurious,” shares Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
Svalbard & The Arctic Circle
These 5- to 14-night itineraries explore glaciers, sea ice, and remote archipelagos home to some of the planet’s most elusive wildlife.
Departing from either Longyearbyen or Tromsø, depending on the itinerary, Aqua Lares carries guests along bird cliffs like Alkehornet. At Gravneset and Smeerenburg, guests encounter whaling outposts,
Zodiacs venture into the sea ice in search of polar bears, walrus, and bearded seals, while sightings of humpback, minke, and sperm whales are possoble. On land, tundra walks reveal Arctic foxes and reindeer, with continuous daylight under the midnight sun allowing extended excursions and uninterrupted wildlife viewing.
The Scottish Isles
Bookending the Arctic season, Aqua Expeditions will offer two dual-destination sailings (9- and 14- nights) that combine Svalbard and the Arctic Circle with the Scottish Isles, exploring some of the most culturally rich destinations in the British Isles.
In Iona, considered the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, guests explore a serene island anchored by its historic abbey. Nearby, Staffa’s basalt columns and the famed Fingal’s Cave offer a geological wonder shaped by volcanic activity. The remote archipelago of St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals remnants of a self-sustaining island community and cliffs alive with seabirds. On Lewis, guests stand among the Callanish Stones — a prehistoric circle shrouded in Celtic mythology. In the Shetland Islands, Aqua Lares visits Mousa Broch, one of Europe’s best-preserved Iron Age towers Each landing is guided by naturalists with deep regional knowledge.
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