Preparation

Den Norske Los, Vol. 7 (available online in Norwegian and English), contains a separate chapter on Jan Mayen with a detailed description of the coastline. Note that this volume has not been updated since 2018 and therefore does not reflect the current Nature Reserve restrictions.

Challenges

Visiting Jan Mayen by yacht is demanding. The island lacks sheltered harbours and secure anchorages, and strong winds, exposed beaches, heavy seas and surf frequently make landing difficult. Conditions are harsh and unpredictable, and vessels should be prepared for winter weather and severe storms at any time of year. Mt. Beerenberg is known to generate sudden and violent katabatic winds.

Only highly experienced crews in well-found offshore vessels should consider a passage to Jan Mayen.

Search and rescue capabilities are extremely limited. Helicopter evacuation cannot be relied upon due to the long distances to mainland Norway and Iceland, and there is no dedicated SAR capacity on the island. No medical services are available to visitors.

Sea temperatures are low. Survival suits are strongly recommended for dinghy operations, and all equipment should be carried in fully waterproof bags.

Although Mt. Beerenberg can be visible from a considerable distance in clear weather, it is frequently obscured by cloud, mist or precipitation. Fog occurs during up to 20 % of time in the summer months.

Ice

Jan Mayen is normally ice-free between June and November, except in years when polar storis (multi-year pack ice) drifts westward from east Greenland and blocks surrounding waters well into late spring.

For this reason, sailing to Jan Mayen before late June or early July is not recommended, as new ice may still form unless sea temperatures remain above 3 °C.

Polar Bears (Isbjørner)

Polar bears occur on Jan Mayen only during the winter months.

Expedition Charters

Seil Norge organises skippered expedition voyages to Jan Mayen, primarily focused on ascents of Mt. Beerenberg, operating from Svalbard.