Aqua-Firma Announce 2013 Dates for North Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages

St Austell, United Kingdom, March 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- As the 2012 Arctic Summer season approaches, polar experts Aqua-Firma are already full steam ahead in planning their 2013 departures. In June 2013, Aqua-Firma will be climbing aboard a traditional 102 year old sailing schooner to embark on two expert led Sailing Voyages to North Spitsbergen - one of the most biologically rich parts of this Arctic archipelago.

Although these voyages run across the Summer Solstice, there is still likely to be a considerable amount of sea ice in Northern Spitsbergen, which usually makes for relatively early voyage encounters with polar bears. In recent years, June has also been proving particularly good for opportunities to see whales including blue whales, humpbacks, minkes, fin and the completely white beluga whales, often seen in large pods close to the shore.

Birds can be witnessed nesting here in colonies exceeding one hundred thousand, which come to this coast every year to breed and feed in the rich coastal waters. A particular point of interest is the sheer cliffs of Trygghamna, where guillemots and their chicks can be observed in their thousands. Predatory Arctic foxes can sometimes be observed pacing along the base of these cliffs and lying in wait for any unlucky fledglings which have fallen short of the sea. Other species include eider ducks, puffins, penguin-like little auks and Arctic terns which protect their nests aggressively, so be ready to beat a retreat if you step too close.

With 24 hours of sunlight, opportunities to encounter and photograph Northern Spitsbergen’s flora and fauna in their full glory are endless. The charismatic and sturdy sailing vessel provides warm and comfortable accommodation, hearty meals and offers passengers the chance to engage in hoisting the sails. The ample deck space provides the perfect spot from which to survey a landscape combining mountains, deep fjords, sea ice, dozens of glaciers and low Arctic tundra.

Inspiring evening presentations, explorative onshore nature walks enable passengers to delve further still into the Arctic wilderness as well as discovering areas of cultural and historical importance. The research station at Ny Ålesund is one guaranteed stopping point, which is where one can see the airship mooring used by polar explorers Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile on the first successful mission to the North Pole.

For further information about Aqua-Firma’s Arctic Sailing Voyages, please visit www.aqua-firma.com.

Notes to Editors

1. North Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages 2013

12 day / 11 night Midnight Sun Departures
June 10th - 21st, 2013
June 21st - July 2nd, 2013
Price: £2,850 sharing

2. North Spitsbergen Sailing Voyages 2012

12 day/11 night Midnight Sun Departures
June 10th - 21st, 2012
June 21st - July 2nd, 2012
Price: £2,790 pp sharing

11 day / 10 night late summer voyage:
Sept 11th - 21st, 2012
Price: £2,490 pp sharing

8 day / 7 night Aurora borealis voyage:
Sept 28th - Oct 5th, 2012
Price: £1,750 pp sharing

Aqua-Firma can arrange all international flights if clients need.

2. Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients' polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this via a Rainforest4Climate programme set up in partnership with Rainforest Concern.

3. Aqua-Firma the company is fully ATOL bonded (bond no. 6947) and able to arrange flights, accommodation and additional activities before and after a voyage.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at
Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email
ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk

###