New Siberian Islands

The New Siberian Islands are an Arctic Russian archipelago off the coast of the Sakha Republic, forming a remote group between the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea. The islands are notable for their Arctic tundra, continuous permafrost and important paleontological deposits.

Visitors who reach the islands encounter wide expanses of tundra, coastal cliffs, and sea-ice landscapes that extend to the horizon; wildlife includes migratory birds and Arctic marine species. Travel is expeditionary in nature with no regular tourist infrastructure and limited landing sites.

Exploration and intermittent exploitation began in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the islands were visited by Russian explorers and hunters; they later drew scientific interest for geology and Pleistocene remains. Over time the islands have remained sparsely used, primarily for seasonal scientific work and occasional resource surveys.

The archipelago lies north of mainland Yakutia in the Russian Arctic, roughly north of the Laptev Sea coast of the Sakha Republic; it is several hundred kilometres from the nearest large settlements and is surrounded year-round by pack ice for much of the year.

• Access considerations: Access is strictly seasonal and logistically difficult, typically possible only by icebreaker, chartered ship or specialised Arctic expedition during the brief summer window.
• Fossil discoveries: Important paleontological site where late Pleistocene and Holocene mammal remains, including well-preserved material, have been found in permafrost deposits.

What to See#

• Lyakhovsky Islands: Southern group of the archipelago containing the Lyakhovsky Islands, including the larger Bolshoy and Maly Lyakhovsky islands; characterised by coastal permafrost, fossil-rich sediments and low-lying tundra.
• Anzhu Islands: Central Anzhu (Anjou) Islands with Kotelny as the largest island, a landscape of consolidated ice, tundra plains and seasonal flood zones.
• De Long Islands: Northern De Long group of smaller, remote islands lying furthest into the Arctic Ocean, mostly uninhabited and frequently pack-ice bound.

• The New Siberian Islands are accessible only as part of specialized Arctic expeditions when sea ice permits-do not attempt independent travel; book with reputable polar operators who handle Russian permits and logistics.
• Most cruises and landings operate in the brief Arctic summer (typically July-August) when ice conditions allow ship access and tundra wildlife is most visible.