Parryøya

Island Arctic island near Svalbard

Main image

Parryøya is a small Arctic island in the Sjuøyane (Seven Islands) group of the Svalbard archipelago, administered by Norway. It lies well above the 80th parallel north and is a remote high-latitude island.

The island is visited only on guided polar-expedition cruises and scientific trips, not for general tourism. Terrain is rocky with coastal cliffs and scree; common wildlife observations in the area include seabird colonies and polar bears seen from boats or safe distances. There are no visitor facilities on the island and landings are limited or seasonal.

Parryøya was charted during the era of Arctic exploration and carries a name associated with early British Arctic explorers. It has never supported permanent settlement and has been used mainly for occasional scientific work and as part of navigational charts.

Sits in the high Arctic north of Nordaustlandet in Svalbard, roughly a few hundred kilometres north of Longyearbyen, surrounded by pack ice for much of the year.

  • Access and restrictions: Located inside the Sjuøyane group of islands north of Nordaustlandet, access is by expedition vessel only and landings are often restricted for safety and wildlife protection.
  • Wildlife: Habitat for Arctic wildlife including seabird colonies and polar bears, so guided visits follow strict safety protocols.
Parryøya
80.6500, 20.6940

How to Get to Parryøya #

Parryøya is reached only by polar expedition vessel during the Arctic summer. Ships typically depart from Longyearbyen (Svalbard) or from Norwegian ports for longer itineraries. Landings are subject to ice, permits and the captain’s discretion; independent travel is not possible.

Tips for Visiting Parryøya #

  • The Parryøya area is remote Arctic tundra; if approached by expedition, travel only with experienced polar guides and ship operators.
  • Bring binoculars for walrus, polar bear or seabird sightings from a safe distance; follow all polar wildlife protocols.

Best Time to Visit Parryøya #

Accessible only as part of Arctic expeditions; brief summer season for visits.

Arctic summer
June-August · −2 to 5°C
Midnight sun and relative accessibility by expedition vessels; most wildlife and seabird activity occurs now.
Late summer-early autumn
September · −5 to 2°C
Ice can shift and close passages; weather turns stormier and colder.

Weather & Climate near Parryøya #

Climate

Parryøya's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -20°C to 3°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAprilJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
Warmest Month
-37°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -19°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-16°
Feels Like Freezing
-16°C
Temperature
-19° -12°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -14°C and lows of -20°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-17°
Feels Like Freezing
-17°C
Temperature
-20° -14°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -13°C and lows of -20°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-17°
Feels Like Freezing
-17°C
Temperature
-20° -13°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-15°
Feels Like Freezing
-15°C
Temperature
-18° -12°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
21.5h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -9°C. The driest month with just 14 mm and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-9° -5°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
24.0h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -2°C. The driest month with just 14 mm and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-2° -1°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
24.0h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
24.0h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
23.8h daylight

September

September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-3° -1°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
14.5h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-9° -5°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
3.4h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-14° -9°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-15°
Feels Like Freezing
-15°C
Temperature
-18° -12°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

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