Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Explore the Arctic With Quark Expeditions

Last updated:: 8:00 PM ET, Thu March 26, 2026

For travelers seeking an extraordinary adventure, the Arctic in summer offers an experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. Quark Expeditions, a leader in polar travel, is inviting guests to discover this remarkable region through a selection of curated voyages designed to showcase the best of the Arctic season.

Svalbard

One of Quark's most beloved destinations is Svalbard, an archipelago in the Norwegian Arctic renowned for its dramatic tundra landscapes and abundant wildlife. The 11-day Svalbard in Summer: Tundra, Whales and Wildlife voyage takes guests into the heart of the Arctic as it bursts into life. During the summer months, wildflowers blanket the terrain, polar bears roam freely and walruses, Arctic foxes and beluga whales may all be spotted along the way. With warmer temperatures, receding snow and the phenomenon of endless daylight, travelers have ample opportunity to explore by foot and by Zodiac, immersing themselves fully in one of the planet's most remote environments.

Solar Eclipse

This summer also brings a once-in-a-generation celestial event to the Arctic: a total solar eclipse visible from the region on August 12, 2026 — the first of its kind north of the Arctic Circle since 2015. To mark the occasion, Quark has developed two specially curated eclipse itineraries departing from Iceland. The 13-day Iceland to Greenland: The Total Solar Eclipse voyage aboard the helicopter-equipped Ultramarine has sold out, but the 17-day Total Solar Eclipse voyage aboard Ocean Explorer still has availability. Spanning 2,200 nautical miles, this longer journey takes guests through Iceland's Westfjords, Northeast and South Greenland and two of the world's northernmost capitals. Renowned eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler will be onboard throughout.

For travelers ready to go further, Quark Expeditions is ready to take them there.