De Long Islands

Islands Remote Arctic islands in the East Siberian Sea

A group of small, remote islands in Russia’s Arctic Sakha Republic; mostly uninhabited, they attract scientific expeditions and specialist trips interested in Arctic geology, seabirds and polar environments.

The De Long Islands are a remote group of small, uninhabited islands in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of northeastern Siberia, within the East Siberian Sea. The group is part of the Russian Arctic territory administered by the Sakha Republic.

These islands have a polar climate, limited vegetation and are visited primarily for scientific research, geological work and occasional ice operations. They were charted and named in the course of late 19th-century Arctic exploration, notably associated with the Jeannette expedition.

Located at high Arctic latitudes, the islands lie north of the Siberian mainland and are reachable only by specialized ice-capable vessels or aircraft in limited conditions.

Administration & status: The islands are administratively part of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and are uninhabited, visited only for occasional scientific and polar logistics missions.
Exploration history: They were encountered and named during late 19th-century Arctic exploration and are associated with the Jeannette expedition led by George Washington De Long.

What to See #

De Long Islands group: A small cluster of uninhabited Arctic islands located in the East Siberian Sea off the Russian Arctic coast, notable for polar climate and remote location.
Principal islands: Individual islands in the group include Jeannette, Henrietta and Bennett among others, named and mapped during late 19th-century Arctic exploration.

Tips for Visiting De Long Islands #

Only attempt a visit in the short Arctic summer window (typically July-August) when sea ice retreats; the islands are extremely remote and virtually inaccessible outside that period.
Travel only with an experienced polar-expedition operator that runs Russian Arctic voyages - independent travel isn't practical because there's no infrastructure, ports or services on the islands.
Expect no facilities: plan for self-contained camping/boat transfer logistics, bring reliable communications and a contingency plan, and allow extra days in your itinerary for weather- or ice-related delays.