National park · Norway
Bear Island (Bjørnøya) National Nature ReserveBjørnøya nasjonalpark
Visit Bear Island if you can secure a landing permit and a boat; spend a day hiking the east‑side coal ruins (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) in summer, or skip it if you lack a permit or a satellite communicator.Visit Bear Island if you can secure a landing permit and a boat; spend a day hiking the east‑side coal ruins (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) in summer, or skip it if you lack a permit or a satellite communicator.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
178 km² (69 sq mi)69 sq mi (178 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
- Svalbard ↗Outside settlements you must carry a rifle and know how to use it; most visitors join guided groups instead.
- Svalbard ↗Svalbard has no border controls, but all scheduled flights leave from mainland Norway, so you pass Norwegian immigration first.
- Svalbard ↗All man-made objects older than 1946 are protected; do not move or take artefacts.
At a glance
- Country
- Norway
- Area
- 178 km² (69 sq mi)69 sq mi (178 km²)
- Area listed as 178 km²; some sources report slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Longyearbyen
Bear Island (Bjørnøya) is a remote Arctic nature reserve in Svalbard, noted for its dramatic cliffs, historic coal‑mining ruins at Tunheim, and seasonal seabird colonies; access requires a landing permit and self‑reliance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 2002Declared a nature reserve covering the island and surrounding waters.
Size and age
178 km² (69 sq mi)69 sq mi (178 km²) · national park since 2002
Area listed as 178 km²; some sources report slightly different figures (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Longyearbyen.
Why go
- Remote Arctic island with dramatic cliffs and bird colonies.
- Remnants of historic coal mining at Tunheim.
- Opportunity to see polar bears from a safe distance.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanPolar night, extreme cold.
- FebVery limited daylight.
- MarIncreasing daylight, still cold.
- AprMelting ice, unpredictable weather.
- MayLong daylight, birds nesting.
- JunMidnight sun, best hiking conditions.
- JulWarmest month, clear skies.
- AugLate summer, good visibility.
- SepShortening days, still mild.
- OctEarly darkness, storms possible.
- NovRapid darkening, cold.
- DecPolar night, severe weather.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds (guillemots, kittiwakes, murres)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Polar bears (rare ice‑drift sightings)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Arctic foxesJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Longyearbyen (Svalbard main settlement)
Charter boat or cruise ship; Hurtigruten Expeditions includes a stop at Bear Island on some itineraries.
≈6–8 h by sea
Open the page →
From Mainland Norway (e.g., Tromsø)
Private yacht or expedition vessel; very few scheduled services.
≈12–15 h depending on weather
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Meteorological station (Herwighamna) | Small settlement with a few buildings and a short road network. | Open to permit‑holders; limited facilities. |
| Tunheim coal‑mining ruins | East‑side area with abandoned tracks and building foundations. | Accessible on foot; no trails marked. |
| Bird‑cliff coastal zone | Steep cliffs hosting large seabird colonies. | Restricted during breeding season; permit may limit approach. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of Bear Island; exact positions of facilities may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing permit (Governor of Svalbard) | Free | group | Permit required for any landing; cost may apply (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Landing permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Landing permit
- All visitors must have an approved permit from the Governor of Svalbard; landing without one is illegal.
- Fires
- No open fires; bring all waste back to the mainland.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission (check).check
- Wildlife disturbance
- Keep at least 100 m from bird colonies and any polar bears.
- Camping
- Camping is prohibited; stay only in permitted cabins.
Where to stay
In the park
Tunheim cabins
Simple wooden cabins; must be booked through the island administration.
Near the park
Longyearbyen
Hotels and hostels on the main Svalbard settlement, 70 km (43 mi) by boat.Hotels and hostels on the main Svalbard settlement, 43 mi (70 km) by boat.
Safety
Isolation high
Polar bear encounter medium
Medical emergency high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Only short, unpaved roads near the station; no wheelchair access.
- All walking is on uneven, rocky terrain.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all trash; no waste facilities on the island.
- Use only approved cabins and respect permit limits.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bear Island?
Entry itself is free, but you must obtain a landing permit from the Governor of Svalbard; any fees are set by the authority and may apply (check).
What are the best hikes in Bear Island?
The short walk among the Tunheim coal‑mining ruins (≈2 km) and the coastal bird‑cliff viewpoint are the main land‑based routes; both are unmarked and require a permit.
When is the best time to visit Bear Island?
Mid‑summer (June–August) offers the midnight sun, milder weather and active bird colonies; early summer (May) is also suitable, while winter months are avoided.
Can I camp on Bear Island?
No. Camping is prohibited; you must stay in the limited cabins at Tunheim or return to Longyearbyen.
Do I need special equipment for safety?
A satellite communicator, warm Arctic clothing, and a reliable evacuation plan are essential; there are no medical or rescue facilities on the island.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Bear Island (Bjørnøya) National Nature Reserve
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