One of the absolute highlights of each trip around Spitsbergen (not too late in the season), is a visit to Alkefjellet, the Auk Mountain. The reason for this is very clear, this cliff rises straight up from the sea and is home to a staggering 61.000 breeding pairs of Thick-billed Murres. An absolutely fantastic place, and as the waters underneath the cliff are very deep, one can come really close with the zodiacs.

Just one warning: even though it’s well worth to look up, at all the birds flying around, it’s wise not to do so with your mouth open…