Prins Karls Forland Walrus Colony
Dive site
Sarstangen haul-out on the western shore of Prins Karls Forland protects one of Svalbard's most accessible walrus colonies. In summer, hundreds of animals rest on the beach and occasionally slip into the shallows, making this the best site in the Arctic to share water with walrus. Ringed seals and bearded seals patrol the surrounding kelp beds and the seafloor is a thick carpet of sea cucumbers and brittlestars. Requires expedition operator and polar bear guide.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 20 m
Open water and up
Current
Variable
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
12 to 22 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
-1 to 5°C
Drysuit with Arctic undersuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
| Vis (m) | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Ringed seal
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Arctic sea cucumber
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Walrus
Rare
Now and then
Bearded seal
Rare
Now and then
Field journal
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