Arctic – Svalbard Archipelago
Arctic Island Moffen
The small island of Moffen lies in the Arctic Ocean just above the 80th parallel and is part of the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. The crescent-shaped island is only about 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, but it nevertheless offers two animal highlights.
Firstly, this Arctic island is a well-known resting place for walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) and secondly, the sallow gull (Larus sabini), one of the rarest breeding birds in Spitsbergen, nests on Moffen. Other bird species such as brent geese, Arctic terns and eider ducks also breed there.
Moffen is a popular stopover for cruise ships in Svalbard and for many travelers the place where they cross 80 degrees north for the first time.
Walrus colony on Moffen Island: Large groups of these impressive animals often lie there. Hundreds of walruses on the beach are not uncommon on this Arctic island.
The small Arctic island can only be visited in summer, however, because in winter it is surrounded by pack ice. During the summer months (until mid-September), however, landing is not permitted in order to protect the breeding birds. Tourists on sea voyages therefore observe walruses and seabirds on the island of Moffen from the deck of their cruise ships.
The AGE™ Spitsbergen Cruise Experience Report: “Under the midnight sun, sailing past calving glaciers” takes you on the first leg of our sea voyage through Spitsbergen on the Sea Spirit.
Our Svalbard travel guide will take you on a tour of the various attractions, sights and wildlife viewing.
Learn more about walruses and other animal species in Svalbard in the AGE™ article Animals of the Arctic.
Tourists can also discover Spitsbergen with an expedition ship, for example with the Sea Spirit.
Explore the arctic islands of Norway with the AGE™ Svalbard Travel Guide.
Svalbard travel guide • Svalbard trip • Moffen Island • Spitsbergen cruise report
Where is the island of Moffen in the High Arctic? Svalbard map
What is the weather like on the island of Moffen, Svalbard?Svalbard travel guide • Svalbard trip • Moffen Island • Spitsbergen cruise report
Stange Rolf (Last updated 02.03.2019) Sabine's gull (Larus sabini or Xema sabini). [online] Retrieved on 13.08.2023, from URL: https://www.spitsbergen-svalbard.com/spitsbergen-information/wildlife/sabines-gull.html