Before our July trip to Northern Norway, I was completely stumped about what to pack for summer in Svalbard. Looking at the weather forecast, it seemed the Arctic archipelago would feel a bit like a mild UK winter, with the occasional colder day thrown in. After reading through a lot of travel blogs and endless weather forecasts, I decided to pack light and I’m so glad I did.
While Svalbard was certainly chillier than mainland Northern Norway, it wasn’t cold enough to warrant full thermals. We had a mix of rainy, mild days and crisp, blue-sky ones but nothing like the extremes of an Arctic winter.
So, if you’re planning a summer trip to Svalbard, I thought I’d share a packing list based on what worked for me. I used everything I brought and felt my suitcase was spot on for the conditions.
What to Pack for Summer in Svalbard (female traveller)
Summer Temperatures on Svalbard
During the summer months of June to August, Svalbard experiences surprisingly mild temperatures. This is due to its positioning of the jet stream, which keeps it fairly mild during the summer months thanks to the warmer winds.
Here’s a quick overview of typical summer temperatures in Svalbard:
Average daytime temperatures is 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) and can, occasionally, reach up to 12°C or 13°C (mid-50s °F) on a sunny day. Although the sun doesn’t set, night time temperatures can dip to 2°C to 5°C (36°F to 41°F).
We found that although most days were around 7 degrees, things didn’t feel as cold as we expected due to the dryness of the air. We were also told that although it can often be drizzly on Svalbard, (which we experienced), heavy rain showers is actually quite rare. So, surprisingly, it really did feel like a classic UK winter – excluding the 24 hour daylight.
1. Light base layers
First up, for a summer trip to Svalbard, it’s essential to pack plenty of lightweight base layers – both long-sleeve tops and t-shirts. I brought along a couple of long-sleeved base layers that I’d found on Vinted from Sweaty Betty, and they were perfect for layering under a fleece.
They were also great for wearing around the hotel, (which was surprisingly warm in summer) and during hikes, especially when I started to overheat. Some of my friends had packed thermal base layers, but those ended up being a bit too warm for the season.
I’d definitely recommend sticking with simple cotton or moisture-wicking base layers instead.
2. Hiking Boots
Svalbard is a rocky, mountainous archipelago, with little in the way of smooth roads or pavements. A key essential on your Svalbard packing list, therefore, is some comfy, waterproof hiking boots. We went on a fossil hunting hike during our time on Spitsbergen, and had to travel through a fair amount of snow, ice and even through some rivers, meaning sturdy boots were definitely needed.
I also recommend ensuring your boots are fully worn-in before you wear them on Svalbard. We had a lot of girls with blister patches on after wearing their brand new boots during our hikes on the island.
Looking for hiking boot inspiration? Take a look at our guide to the best hiking boots for women in 2025.
3. Windbreaker and warmer coat
When considering what to pack for summer in Svalbard, another key essential is a waterproof windbreaker. This was something I probably wore most on the island, over the top of a base layer and fleece. Ideally, you’ll want a light weight windbreaker with a hood, that can sit comfortably over your warmer layers.
The windbreaker was great for hiking and generally walking around Spitsbergen but you will need something warmer for any activities such as boat rides. For our Walrus Safari, out on the sea and around the ice sheet, I wore a larger thermal puffer jacket from Columbia, which was ideal for keeping me nice and toasty. I was worried I wouldn’t use this enough – considering it took up a large amount of my suitcase – but I wore it during the evenings on Tromsø too and I’m glad I packed it.
4. Waterproofs
Another key essential to your Svalbard summer suitcase is waterproofs. If it’s really raining, waterproof trousers are going to save you, instead of a pair of soggy leggings. It did seem to drizzle a lot while we were on Svalbard, so also ensuring your coat is waterproof and has a hood is important.
5. Small Hiking Backpack
I wasn’t sure whether to buy a small backpack for hikes on Svalbard but I’m really glad I did. Rather than having to lug around my travel backpack, it was really handy having a small, lightweight backpack for my water, phone and an extra layer in case the weather changed. I bought mine from Mountain Warehouse for just £7.99.
I also liked the look of this foldable hiking bag – that’ll take up less space in your suitcase.
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6. Warm hat
I wasn’t expecting to need a warm hat until we went out on our Walrus Safari. With the wind whipping my hair, a wool hat was definitely needed, as my ears were freezing. I wouldn’t pack more than one, however, as it’s unlikely you’ll need to wear it on too many occasions.
7. Sunglasses
A pair of sunglasses is a key staple for your summer Svalbard packing list. On sunny days, with the glittering fjords, ice and bright blue skies, your eyes will be in need of protection. I found it particularly funny that we needed to wear sunglasses well into the night, with my sunglasses protecting my eyes from the low midnight sun. Sunglasses were also handy for protecting my eyes from the wind.
8. Swimwear
You may be wondering why you need to pack swimwear for a visit to an Arctic island but bear with me.
During my time on Svalbard, one of my favourite memories was our visit to SvalBad sauna. This is a floating sauna on the docks on the main island of Spitsbergen. As there were 12 of us on the tour, we booked out the sauna to ourselves, and spent 2 perfect hours moving between the heat of the bobbing sauna and the freezing arctic seas.
If you’re after a unique experience like this – that also leaves you feeling fantastic – I highly recommend packing your swimsuit. We also discovered that our Radisson Blu Polar Hotel had two hot tubs to use, which we also made the most of during the long, bright nights.
9. Heavy Duty Eye Mask
If you’re visiting Svalbard during the summer, it’s likely you’re visiting to see the midnight sun. We were really excited to experience this unique time on Svalbard, where the sun doesn’t set and blue skies can be seen throughout the night. What we didn’t anticipate, however, is just how disruptive it can be for your sleep.
Although our hotel did provide blackout curtains, the room still felt like early morning throughout the night, with sunlight peaking in through the curtains. This meant I kept waking up throughout the night, expecting it to be nearly time to get up. It was also really hard to get myself to sleep – my circadian rhythm out of whack without the darkness preparing me for bed.
I would highly recommend, therefore, that you invest in a high duty eye mask that is guaranteed to create darkness for you throughout the night (and is comfortable!) I bought the MyHalos eye mask before we left and I was really impressed with how comfortable it was, as well as providing complete darkness.
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10. Ear plugs
No, I’m not suggesting your room mate snores but ear plugs are another essential for your Svalbard summer packing list. During the summer months, Svalbard is bombarded by breeding birds, such as geese and the sound (night and day) can be rather loud.
I’m a religious user of Loop earplugs anyway but they were particularly handy during our time on Svalbard and blocked out the sound of honking geese. My roommate can attest to this, who was kept awake by the geese all night due to the lack of earplugs.
More fool her.
- POWERFUL NOISE REDUCTION – Packing up to 24 dB (SNR) of noise reduction into a flexible silicone earplug, Quiet 2 muffles unwanted noise in comfort and style. Get in your quiet bubble anywhere for improved sleep, deep focus, stress-free travel and beyond. Quiet 2 earplugs qualify as certified hearing protection to keep your ears safe from damaging sounds.
- ULTRA-COMFY FIT – Made from lightweight, flexible silicone, these reusable earplugs offer dreamy comfort day and night, even for side-sleepers. Comes with 4 ear tip sizes (XS/S/M/L) for the perfect fit, even in smaller ears.
- GREAT FOR SLEEP, FOCUS AND MORE – Quiet 2 earplugs offer instant noise reduction and protection for all kinds of situations, including sleep, focus, relaxation, travel, commuting, general noise sensitivity and more. Loop earplugs are easy to clean and built to last.
- EASY TO USE – Quiet 2 earplugs are easy to insert and come with adjustable ear tip sizes for optimal noise reduction and a comfortable fit throughout the day. Just pop them in, twist to secure and enjoy life at your volume. When inserted correctly, Quiet 2 earplugs shouldn't stick out.
- IN THE BOX – 1 set of Loop Quiet 2 earplugs, 4 sets of Quiet 2 ear tips (sizes XS, S, M, L – M comes pre-installed), 1 portable convenient Carry Case.
11. Lightweight Gloves
I didn’t actually end up packing lightweight gloves but I probably could have utilised them during our boat rides when visiting Svalbard. Winter gloves are definitely not needed but you may want to pop a pair of lightweight gloves in your suitcase, for any water based excursions or coastal hikes.
12. Warm hiking socks
Obviously, a flimsy pair of trainer socks are not going to cut it in Svalbard. Instead, I’d recommend packing 4-5 pairs of warm hiking socks that can keep your ankles warm and dry as you explore the island(s).
I would also have a spare pair if you’re going on any hikes, as my socks did get particularly wet. In retrospect, I would have appreciated a clean, dry pair to change in to before our next activity.
Warning: you are expected to take your shoes off in most restaurants or public spaces in Longyearbyen. So, make sure your socks are presentable!
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13. Water bottle
As a small island located in the Arctic Circle, it comes as no surprise that the tap water on Svalbard is more than drinkable. In fact, it was delicious. Save the planet (and your wallet) by packing your own water bottle to take out on a day exploring.
I recommend a thermal bottle that can keep your drink cold or hot, for those chillier days. I treated myself to a new Chillys water bottle before we left and it was ideal.
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14. One “nice” outfit for restaurants in Longyearbyen
Finally, we were pleasantly surprised to discover a number of delicious, fairly formal restaurants in Longyearbyen. Desperate to have a break from our leggings and fleeces, we enjoyed one night being slightly more “dressed up” in jeans and a nice top.
Although, this isn’t at all necessary, it was nice to do this – even if we did have to team our outfit with a pair of slippers!
Optional Accessories for Svalbard
1. Binoculars
If you really want to make the most of the wildlife on Svalbard, then you might want to consider packing some travel binoculars. I didn’t even consider packing them but they would have been incredibly useful. We were lucky enough to have a pair that we could share as a group on the Walrus Safari but obviously our time with them was limited.
It would have been handy, therefore to have my own pair for just our general hikes and walks on Spitsbergen. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to spot a polar bear (and we hope, it’s from far away!) then a pair of binoculars is essential.
2. Walking Poles
If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on Svalbard, it might be useful to bring your own walking poles. We were actually given them on our hiking tour, so you might want to firstly check if they’re supplied. If they’re not, I would highly suggest packing some lightweight sticks, as they were incredibly handy over the rocky terrain.
3. Seasickness tablets
If you suffer from seasickness and are heading out on a boat trip, you will need your seasickness tablets. Our journey over to see the walruses was an hour each way, and at times things got very, very choppy. Thankfully, I don’t suffer with seasickness but some of my friends do and they did struggle on the boat rides.
4. Lip balm
As mentioned earlier, the air is very dry on Svalbard and, as such, our lips were very dry during the trip. A small suggestion but your lips will thank me if you pop a lip balm in your toiletries bag ahead of your trip to Svalbard.
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