Doug O'Neill

The colorful Saxifrage, Bearberry and Mouse-eared Chickweed are among the Arctic tundra plants that have learned to adapt and thrive in the Arctic tundra.

Common Arctic cruise departure ports include Reykjavik, Iceland; Longyearbyen, Norway; Murmansk, Russia; and Resolute in Nunavut, Canada, among others.

The Westfjords Peninsula in northwestern Iceland is where to see an Arctic fox in Iceland. It’s home to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, which protects foxes.

The best time to see Emperor penguins in Antarctica is in October and November when the Snow Hill Island penguin colony is more accessible by polar ships.

The truly best places to visit in the Arctic Circle include Greenland, Arctic Norway, Canadian High Arctic and Russia’s remote archipelagos, among others.

The coastal cliffs are where to see puffins in the Faroe Islands, especially on the island of Mykines where tens of thousands of puffins return every year.

Joining a multiple-night Arctic voyage led by the most experienced expedition guides trained in polar expedition travel is how to see the Northern Lights.

Wildlife enthusiasts who want to know how to see polar bears in Svalbard should consider an expert-led Arctic expedition with experienced guides onboard.

Booking a polar expedition with penguin experts onboard the vessel and an expedition team experienced in polar travel is how to see penguins in Antarctica.

The best time to visit Iceland for whale watching is from May to September, you can book a polar expedition that also includes whale watching in Greenland.

The best place to see polar bears and Northern Lights would be in areas close to the Arctic Circle, such as Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and Spitsbergen.

The warmer temperatures in May mean there are lots of Arctic wildlife to be seen in the Arctic.

An Arctic voyage is the ideal way to escape the crowds. Arctic destinations such as Spitsbergen offer a break from hordes of tourists, a place where few travelers venture forth.

Inspirational reading for polar travelers

Penguins get their names in a variety of ways. Learn how Macaroni, Adélie, Chinstrap, Emperor and Magellanic penguins earned their names.

Generations of polar adventurers have relied on the expertise and achievements of earlier explorers. Likewise, Quark Expeditions today draws on three decades of polar exploration to guide them.

In 2013, explorer Tim Jarvis and crew recreated Shackleton’s 1916 journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia. A modern day epic!