Pick your fjord boat

Which fjord cruises leave from Tromsø?

Seven on this site: one catamaran day cruise, two Polar Adventures trips, two on the wooden boat Hermes II, one sailing yacht and one electric night cruise.

Here they are, cheapest first. All of them leave from the central harbour, and all cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Which boat is best: catamaran, wooden boat, yacht or small boat?

The catamaran is the most comfortable, Hermes II has the most character, the yacht the most space per guest. The small Polar Adventures boats put you closest to the water.

• The Rødne catamaran (MS Rygerdronningen) has a heated cabin with leather seats and panoramic windows, open decks and Wi-Fi. Visit Tromsø says the twin hulls give a stable ride. It is the boat for parents with small kids and anyone who feels the cold. Rødne's own page lists departures in February and March, so in other months check the date picker first.
• Hermes II is a wooden cargo boat built in 1917 and restored from 2016 to 2019. Heated saloons, two toilets, thermal suits on loan. One guest's son found the old fishing boat "very atmospheric", and that is the point.
• The sailing yacht Stella Oceana is 33 metres long, ice-class, and takes 12 guests at most. Heated saloon, two outdoor decks, blankets and binoculars.
• The Polar Adventures boats are smaller, with indoor seating and open deck space. The all-inclusive option uses the smallest one, with groups the listing puts at 40 to 80% smaller than on the big boats.

What food is included on a Tromsø fjord cruise?

It ranges from free coffee to a full bowl of soup. Only the yacht, the fishing cruises and the night cruise serve a real meal in the price.

• Coffee and tea only: the Rødne catamaran. The kiosk sells locally baked treats, snacks and drinks.
• A warm fish cake: both Hermes II trips, from the local fishmonger Dragøy, with coffee, tea or a hot toddy. On the fishing trip your catch is fried with butter and flatbread, if there is a catch.
• Fish soup: the Polar Adventures fishing cruise, made from what you pull up, on the all-inclusive option only. The classic option sells soup, snacks and hot drinks.
• Reindeer soup with bread: the sailing yacht, with a vegetarian version on request.
• Vegan soup: the northern lights cruise, plus tap water; other drinks for sale.
• Snacks and bottomless hot drinks: the summer evening cruise.

No alcohol is sold on the Polar Adventures fishing trip. On the Hermes II history cruise, cold drinks including alcohol are for sale.

Where do the fjord cruises leave from?

From the central harbour: four named piers plus the yacht's berth, all a short walk from Stortorget square. Check your pier the night before: they are not the same.

• Nerstranda: the pier behind the Nerstranda shopping centre, for the Rødne catamaran. Meet at 10:40 for the 11:00 departure; you are back around 14:30.
• The yacht: World Sea Explorers' berth in the central harbour; the exact spot is in your booking.
• Pier 12, Kystens Hus: the sea side of Kystens Hus, Stortorget 1, for both Hermes II trips. Be there 15 minutes before.
• Skarven pier, Kaigata 6: next to the Skarven Kro restaurant, for Brim Explorer's northern lights cruise.
• Killengreens gate 7-11: the Polar Adventures office on the front pier, next to the Radisson Blu and Scandic Ishavshotel.

The Polar Adventures trips include hotel pickup. The Rødne listing on GetYourGuide also mentions pickup, but Rødne's own page only names the pier, so trust your confirmation email.

How long is a fjord cruise, and which is the shortest?

Between 2.5 and 5 hours. The Hermes II history cruise is the shortest at 2.5 hours; the Polar Adventures fishing trip the longest at 4 to 5.

Three hours is enough to get past the city, see the Arctic Cathedral from the water and reach the first quiet fjord. The 4.5-hour trips buy you lunch and time with a rod, or the yacht's deck. If you only have a morning, or kids with a short fuse, start with the 2.5-hour cruise and keep the afternoon free.

Add 15 minutes before departure to find your pier and board.

Tromsø from the sea in 2.5 hours on a boat from 1917, with a fish cake, a hot toddy and the story of the Tirpitz.

★ 4.9 · 2.5 hours · from $144

Explore the Hermes II history cruise → Tour details

Which fjord cruise includes fishing?

Three do: the Hermes II fishing cruise, the all-inclusive Polar Adventures option, and the summer evening cruise with a small fishing pot.

Aboard the Hermes II fishing cruise up to five rods fish at once; bigger groups take turns, or you bring your own rod. Guests report haddock, and the boat's photos show big cod. On the Polar Adventures cruise only the all-inclusive option fishes, and the crew cooks the catch into soup on board. Guests describe sea eagles swooping in to collect fish.

The evening cruise is gentler: coastal fishing with traditional methods at a few stops, and you haul a pot. Nobody promises fish on any of them.

How much does a fjord cruise cost in Tromsø?

From $125 for the summer evening cruise to $282 for the yacht. Most cruises cost between $132 and $212 per adult.

Booking direct in kroner lands close to the online price, depending on the exchange rate. The published direct prices:

Two things move the price. Hermes II charges more from January to March. Brim adds a Christmas rate from 11 December to 10 January. The online from-prices tend to sit still. What online booking adds is free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and all the reviews in one place.

The best value on the water: 3.5 hours, a heated cabin with panoramic windows, a live guide and free coffee.

★ 4.7 · 3.5 hours · from $132

Explore the classic Arctic fjord cruise → Tour details

Which fjord cruise should I pick?

First time and want comfort: the catamaran. Want to fish: Hermes II. Want a meal and space: the yacht. Here at night: the electric aurora cruise.

• Families with small children: the catamaran (child price, toilets, changing tables) or the short Hermes II cruise.
• Keen to fish: Hermes II for the old boat and the flatbread, Polar Adventures for soup and pickup.
• A special day for two: the sailing yacht, and pay for the hot tub upgrade.
• Wheelchair users: the northern lights cruise is listed as wheelchair accessible. The Polar Adventures trip takes folding wheelchairs only. The yacht is not suitable.
• Summer visitors: the evening cruise in the midnight sun.

Still torn on timing? Read the best time for a fjord cruise.

Frequently asked questions