Exploring The Remote: Travel Guide To Wrangel Island

Located in the Russian Arctic, Wrangel Island is an isolated and rarely visited destination, known for its diverse wildlife and remote location. The island is only accessible by tourist cruise ship, with ships departing from the Port of Anadyr, a small northern town accessible by flights from Moscow or Nome, Alaska. An alternative option is to travel via an icebreaker or maintenance vessel, although this is not recommended. The island is a protected sanctuary, and an official permit is required for entry. The best time to visit is during the short summer months of July and August when sea ice conditions allow cruise ships to enter.

Tourist cruise ships depart from the Port of Anadyr

Tourist cruise ships to Wrangel Island depart from the Port of Anadyr, the administrative capital of Chukotka, which is accessible via direct flights from Moscow. The journey to the island typically takes place on an ice-class expedition vessel, with tourists landing on uninhabited islands and the wild coast of the Chukchi Peninsula.

The cruise ship journey to Wrangel Island usually lasts around 15 days, with two departures per year in late July and mid-August. The first few days of the cruise are spent sailing through the Bering Strait, which separates Russia from the United States, and into the Chukchi Sea, where Wrangel Island is located. The ship then spends several days exploring the island, including guided walks and Zodiac tours to observe the island's abundant wildlife. The return journey to mainland Russia includes a stop at a local indigenous Chukchi village.

The Wrangel Island cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most remote and well-protected wilderness reserves on Earth. The island is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including polar bears, Pacific walruses, musk oxen, reindeer, and various bird species. It is also a significant polar bear denning site and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The cost of the cruise varies depending on the selected cabin type, with prices ranging from USD 9,136 for a triple cabin with a shared bathroom to USD 24,661 for an owner's suite. The cruise includes accommodation, meals, shore excursions, lectures, and port charges. However, it is important to note that additional costs such as airfare to Anadyr, personal expenses, and optional activities may not be included in the base price.

You can fly to Anadyr from Moscow or Nome, Alaska

To get to Wrangel Island, you'll need to first travel to the town of Anadyr, the administrative capital of Chukotka, from which cruise ships and expedition icebreakers depart for the island. Anadyr can be reached by direct flight from Moscow, which takes around 7-8 hours.

Alternatively, you can fly to Anadyr from Nome, Alaska, a route that takes just 1 hour and 31 minutes. This option also allows you to extend your trip to Nome, a quirky town where you can experience real Alaskan life.

It's important to note that access to Wrangel Island is extremely limited. Tourist cruise ships may only visit during the brief summer months of July and August when sea ice conditions allow. Therefore, it's crucial to plan your trip accordingly and ensure you have the necessary permits.

The best time to visit is during the short summer when the Arctic Ocean melts

The best time to visit Wrangel Island is during the short summer when the Arctic Ocean melts. This usually occurs in July and August, and even then, tourist access is dependent on sea ice conditions. The summer months offer the best opportunity to navigate the icy waters and experience the island's unique wildlife and rugged terrain.

During this brief window, tourist cruise ships are able to sail from the Port of Anadyr to Wrangel Island. This port is accessible via direct flights from Moscow or charter flights from Nome, Alaska. The journey to the island itself is an adventure, with passengers sailing through the narrow Bering Strait, which separates Russia from the United States.

Once you reach Wrangel Island, you'll be greeted by a stunning yet harsh landscape. The island is home to a diverse array of Arctic flora and fauna, including polar bears, Pacific walruses, musk oxen, and snow geese. The summer season offers the best opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitat. The polar bear dens, in particular, are a highlight for visitors, as the bears are often spotted scavenging for food along the beaches.

In addition to its wildlife, Wrangel Island boasts a rich history and cultural significance. It was once inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Yupik and Chukchi, and was the site of early European exploration and expeditions. Today, it is a protected nature reserve, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

For those seeking a truly remote and adventurous travel experience, Wrangel Island is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. The summer months provide a narrow window of opportunity to explore this isolated Arctic paradise.

It's a Russian state-protected sanctuary, so an official permit is required to enter

Wrangel Island is a federally protected nature sanctuary in Russia, and as such, an official permit is required to enter. The island is only accessible by a tourist cruise ship, and ships depart from the Port of Anadyr, a small northern town you can fly to from Moscow or Nome, Alaska (charter only). An independent traveller may attempt to reach the island onboard an icebreaker or another maintenance vessel, though this is strongly advised against. Tourist cruise ships may only visit when sea ice conditions allow during the brief summer months of July and August. Only a few fortified, expedition icebreakers are properly equipped and licensed to take passengers to the reserve.

The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve is a "zapovednik" (a "strict nature reserve"), and as such, human activity is extremely limited. The island receives the highest level of protection, excluding virtually all human activity other than conservation research and scientific purposes. It is home to an array of diverse wildlife, including polar bears, Pacific walruses, bearded seals, walruses, musk oxen, snow geese, and Arctic foxes. It is also believed to be the last refuge of the woolly mammoth, which survived on the island until around 2000 BC.

To obtain a permit to visit Wrangel Island, you must contact the Russian authorities. This is not an easy process unless you know someone. The only real way to get there is by expedition ship. You can sail across the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia, a journey very few people get to take. There are several tour operators that offer Wrangel Island tours, including Heritage Expeditions, which operates tours in July and August that include visits along the Chukotka Coast. Other small expedition ships are also starting to make this journey.

The island is home to rare wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, and musk oxen

The remote and rugged Wrangel Island is a sanctuary for rare wildlife species, including polar bears, walruses, and musk oxen. Located in the Arctic Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Siberia, this isolated island boasts an impressive array of biodiversity.

Polar bears, in particular, have a strong connection to Wrangel Island. It is known as the "Polar Bear Maternity Ward" due to the high number of dens found on the island each year. The bears use the island as a resting place during the summer when the sea ice melts, and as a denning site for pregnant females. With the Arctic's changing climate, Wrangel Island may become an even more critical haven for these bears. The island has the highest density of polar bear dens in the entire Arctic region, making it a top attraction for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers eager to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

In addition to polar bears, Wrangel Island is also home to the world's largest population of Pacific walruses. In ice-free years, up to 100,000 walruses gather on the island's beaches, forming the most concentrated population of these marine mammals on Earth. The waters surrounding the island are a feeding ground for grey whales, and it is also a major feeding ground for grey whales migrating from Mexico. Orcas, belugas, bowhead, and minke whales are regular visitors to the protected waters as well.

The island is also a haven for musk oxen, which were reintroduced to the island in 1975. These shaggy, lumbering creatures roam the coastal plains and tundra slopes, sharing the island with smaller predators like the Arctic fox.

Wrangel Island is a nature reserve of international significance, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Arctic, with a variety of plant, insect, and bird species. Over a hundred migratory bird species nest and breed on the island, including the only population of snow geese in Asia.

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