See also our travel advisories for Arctic countries (Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, USA)

The Arctic Environment
The Arctic is remote, with large distance between landmasses, a low population base, and limited infrastructure and search and rescue capability. The oceans are unpredictable and dangerous.  Similarly, conditions on land can be hazardous. There is unpredictable wildlife, and polar bear attacks have been known to occur in areas where they live.

Weather conditions in the Arctic can be severe and can change rapidly. In the winter months (November through to February) the sun remains very low in the sky or does not rise at all resulting in little or no daylight hours. Average temperatures tend to be below freezing, with January temperatures averaging between -36 °C at the North Pole to 7 °C at some locations on the periphery of the Arctic Circle. In the summer months (June to August) the sun either does not set or there are few hours of darkness. Summer temperatures can vary from an average of -6 °C at the North Pole to 19 °C at the periphery of the Arctic Circle. The average temperature of the ocean water across the Arctic remains fairly constant at approximately -1.8 °C. See https://nsidc.org/learn/parts-cryosphere/arctic-weather-and-climate for more information.

Near the oceans (for example, coastal Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland) the winters are stormy with significant amounts of snow and rainfall. The summers tend to be cool (the average temperature is approximately 10 °C) and cloudy.

New Zealanders traveling to the Arctic are advised to monitor local and international weather reports to keep up with developments.

Arctic Cruises
One of the main ways to experience the Arctic is by cruise ship. The Arctic waters can be uncharted and ice covered particularly in the winter months, and experience unpredictable weather, ocean flows, and strong currents. As the average temperature of the ocean water is approximately -1.8 °C anyone going overboard has a low survival time if not wearing protective equipment. If there is a cruise ship incident, it can take several days for search and rescue or health assistance to arrive. There have been several reports of cruise ship incidents over the previous few years.  

It is important to assess the experience and credentials of cruise ship operators and to be aware of what health expertise and medical equipment is available on board.

Health and Safety
New Zealanders travelling or resident in the Arctic should hold a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes provision for medical evacuation and search and rescue cover by air. It is important for New Zealanders to understand the nature of physical activity required on an Arctic journey given the extreme environment, and to talk to their doctor before embarking on travel.

There are limited medical facilities in the Arctic due to the remoteness of the terrain and the low population base. Medical facilities may be long distances away and weather conditions could impact their accessibility. There are limited medical specialities available, and facilities have limited capacity to deal with a mass casualty event (such as a major cruise ship incident).

General Travel Advice
The Arctic landscape is fragile and environmentally conscious tourism is important. Many cruise operators adhere to the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators guidelines for responsible tourism (see Visitor guidelines - AECO).