Glide through ice-choked Arctic waters in a Zodiac inflatable, navigating between calving glaciers and scanning for polar bears, walrus, and Arctic fox on the floe edges. A raw, unfiltered encounter with the world's most legendary sea route.
What to expect
Suited up in expedition-grade dry suits and life vests, you board a rigid inflatable as your naturalist pilot threads between growlers and bergy bits. Polar bears hunting on sea ice, bearded seals hauled out on floes, and the thunderous crack of a calving glacier face are the highlights. The Zodiac's low profile allows you to drift in near-silence, letting wildlife approach on its own terms. Sessions typically run 90 minutes to 2 hours, with a maximum of 12 guests per craft.
Good to know
Pre-book directly with Quark as Zodiac sessions are capacity-capped and fill weeks in advance. Dry suit fitting occurs the morning of departure; allow 30 minutes. Return to the ship well within all-aboard windows — confirm exact timing with your expedition team on the day.