Sailing expediotion to Novaya Zemlya

Sail the entire perimeter of Novaya Zemlya under the midnight sun, threading your way through sea-ice floes and along sheer granite coasts. Daily Zodiac excursions land you on remnant Pomor-era villages and abandoned Soviet stations. Encounter walrus, ringed seals and—if fortune allows—the elusive polar bear. By day you push north with the wind; by night you camp beneath tents rigged on the ice edge or bunk aboard a warm, ice-tested steel yacht. This is true autonomy in extreme seas: no engines needed, just sail, skill and the promise of Arctic wonder.

Key highlights

• Full circumnavigation of Novaya Zemlya archipelago under sail
• Ice-edge passages amid drifting floes and endless daylight
• Shore landings at abandoned Pomor villages and research outposts
• Zodiac wildlife forays: walrus colonies, seal haul-outs, possible polar-bear sightings
• Collaboration with onboard scientists for real-time data collection
• Autonomous sailing in ice-choked seas—no icebreakers required
• Encounters with indigenous Nenets reindeer herders in their winter camps

Your base for the expedition is PETER I, a 18.5 m steel sail-and-motor yacht purpose-built for high-latitude voyages. Fully refitted after joining the RUSARC fleet in 2009, she holds the world record for the first circumnavigation of the North Pole via both the Northwest and Northeast Passages in a single season. Guest numbers are capped at seven, so every berth feels spacious even in polar conditions. 

Cabin layout – one master cabin, two double cabins and a single cabin are reserved for guests; a separate quad cabin and crew quarters keep personal gear and operations out of your way. A heated recreation saloon lets the group review charts or simply warm up with tea after a watch.

Facilities – 1 head and a separate hot-water shower, a fully-equipped galley, dedicated drying closet, diesel heater, 3 kW inverter and 220 V generator—plus satellite comms for daily weather and home check-ins.

Safety & support – SOLAS-rated life-saving gear for twelve, modern navigation suite, and an aluminium dinghy for shore transfers ensure operations stay safe and flexible in remote anchorages.

Outside deck – wide steel decks, a sheltered cockpit and a powerful rig (23.5 m mast) give stable footing for wildlife spotting or photographing ice formations.

High-resolution interior and deck photos are available in the fleet gallery linked on the PETER I page—perfect for giving future guests a feel of life aboard before they even step onto the pier.