Wrangel Island Russia
Russia
Frequently Asked Questions
Between the East Siberian Sea and the Chukchi Sea, crossed by the 180th meridian. There is no pier and no village: only expedition ships attempt the approach, and landings are by zodiac onto grey shingle beaches.
It is a strict nature reserve inscribed on the World Heritage list for its exceptional Arctic biodiversity. The ice ages spared it, which explains flora and fauna of a richness unmatched at these latitudes.
Yes. The planet's last woolly mammoths died out here roughly four thousand years ago, when the Egyptian pyramids were already standing. Their tusks still surface in the island's valleys.
No, and the sea ice always has the last word. Each outing is decided that morning, based on sea state, fog and bear presence, after the expedition team's weather briefing. It is one of the rarest calls in the Arctic.
The odds are real: the island has the highest density of polar bear maternity dens anywhere in the Arctic. In summer, sightings happen from the boats or at a respectful distance, binoculars in hand, supervised by the ship's naturalists.
In years when the ice retreats, tens of thousands of Pacific walruses gather on certain beaches. Inland: a vast snow goose colony, snowy owls nesting on the ground, musk oxen, and cliffs humming with guillemots and kittiwakes.
Only the reserve rangers, in a few isolated cabins. They accompany the landings and count the bear dens each winter. There are no shops, no marked trails and no accommodation.
Rarely. That even steeper block of cliffs is usually admired from the bridge, ringed by seabirds. The ship approaches when the sea allows, without putting boats in the water.
During the short Arctic summer window, July and August. Outside those weeks the ice closes access completely and no ship attempts it.
Binoculars above all: observation happens at a distance. Then layered clothing, gloves and a waterproof shell. Boots and parka are usually provided by the ship, and wildlife distance rules are strictly enforced.
