Zodiac Landing at Poolepynten

Landing by Zodiac at Poolepynten, Svalbard, is always special—but this time, it was unforgettable. We arrived at the walrus haul-out in calm conditions, greeted by the incredible sight (and unmistakable smell) of dozens of Atlantic walrus lounging along the beach. Their deep bellows echoed across the shoreline, and the sheer size and presence of these marine mammals was awe-inspiring.

Atlantic walrus are huge, social creatures, with males weighing up to 1,500 kg. Armed with impressive tusks, they use them for dominance displays, hauling out, and sometimes even breaking sea ice. On land, they move in an awkward shuffle, but in the water, they’re graceful, swimming close to shore and often poking their heads up to investigate.

This visit felt especially fortunate. The last time we attempted to land here, two polar bears were present—one older bear and a younger, more ambitious one attempting (unsuccessfully) to hunt a walrus. Needless to say, that day we stayed offshore.

This time, with the beach clear and the walrus relaxed, we were lucky to spend time observing them up close. Few places offer such raw, wild encounters—Poolepynten delivered an Arctic moment we won’t soon forget.