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Hermes II · Pier 12, Kystens Hus, Tromsø

Fishing from a 1917 wooden boat

Hermes II is a restored wooden boat from 1917, and on this 4.5-hour trip the captain takes her to his fishing spots in the fjords around Tromsø. Book it for the atmosphere: rods over a wooden rail, a warm fish cake from a local fishmonger, and your haddock or cod served with butter and flatbread.

About this experience

Hermes II was built in 1917 and restored as a passenger boat, and she looks it: an orange wooden hull, a wheelhouse, and a deck you can walk around. She leaves from pier 12 on the sea side of Kystens Hus, Stortorget 1, right in the centre. You board at the boat, 15 minutes before departure. There's no hotel pickup.

The captain heads for the grounds he trusts that day. Up to five rods fish at once, so on a busy trip the group takes turns, and you can bring your own rod or borrow one. Between turns there's coffee, tea or toddy and a warm fish cake from Dragøy, a local fishmonger. If the fish bite, the crew cooks the catch the northern Norwegian way and serves it with butter and flatbread. Guests report cod and haddock.

Be clear about the trade-off with Polar Adventures' fishing cruise: that one is cheaper at $177 and turns the catch into soup, this one costs $212 and gives you the boat. The rotation means you won't hold a rod for the whole 4.5 hours. Thermal suits, blankets, two toilets and heated saloons below deck make the waiting easy. Other drinks are for sale.

A wooden boat from 1917, restored and still working
Up to five rods fishing at once, own rod welcome
A warm fish cake from the local fishmonger Dragøy
Fresh catch with butter and flatbread when the fish bite
Thermal suits, blankets and two toilets on board

How the day runs

15 min beforeBoard at pier 12
Find Hermes II at the sea side of Kystens Hus, Stortorget 1, and board directly.
First hourOut to the fishing grounds
The captain picks the spots; the hosts tell the story of the boat on the way.
About 2.5 hoursFishing in turns
Up to five rods at once. Off the rod, warm up below with coffee, toddy and a fish cake.
If there's a catchFish with flatbread
The crew cooks the fresh fish and serves it with butter and flatbread.
About 4.5 hoursBack at Kystens Hus
Return to pier 12 in the city centre.

Hermes II, an orange wooden boat, reflected in still water

A guest holding a cod by the wheelhouse of Hermes II

Cod laid out on the wooden deck of Hermes II

What's included

Included

Norwegian- and English-speaking hosts
Rods and fishing equipment
Thermal suits and warm blankets
Warm fish cake from Dragøy
Coffee, tea or toddy
Fresh fish, butter and flatbread if there's a catch
Heated saloons, two toilets and safety gear

Not included

Hotel pickup
Other drinks (for sale on board)
A rod to yourself on a full trip
A guaranteed catch

Who it suits

Book it if

You'd like to fish from a boat with a story
You're travelling with kids who want to catch something
You have your own rod and want to use it in the Arctic
You like small boats and wooden decks more than glass cabins

Skip it if

You want a rod in your hands for the whole trip
You need hotel pickup
You'd rather not fish at all: the 2.5-hour history cruise uses the same boat
You want the lowest price for fishing: Polar Adventures is $35 cheaper

What guests say

★★★★★
Excellent trip that was well appreciated by my son who found the experience on an old fishing boat very atmospheric
Christopher · Oct 2026

★★★★★
Great tour on a historic boat in Tromsø! We were able to catch and eat some haddock!
Rangel · Oct 2026

★★★★★
A truly perfect experience. The children rated it as the best activity in Norway. Each group gained something.
F · Aug 2026

★★★★★
The crew was well-prepared, welcoming and did all day can to find best spots for us to catch fish.
Jan · Aug 2026

Tips before you book

Be at pier 12 a full 15 minutes early. You board at the boat, and it doesn't wait.
Got a travel rod? Bring it. You'll fish more if the group's spare rods are taken.
Put the thermal suit on before your turn, not after. Hands go numb fast on the rail.
Bring cash or a card for extra drinks. Only coffee, tea and toddy are included.
Go hungry. The fish cake comes early, and the catch comes later if luck holds.

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Frequently asked questions

How many people can fish at once on Hermes II?

Up to five rods at the same time. If more guests want to fish, the hosts split you into groups that take turns.

Can I bring my own fishing rod?

Yes. The listing says you can bring your own or borrow one of the boat's rods.

What do you eat on the Hermes II fishing trip?

A warm fish cake from the local fishmonger Dragøy with coffee, tea or toddy. If there's a catch, the crew serves fresh fish with butter and flatbread.

Where does Hermes II leave from?

Pier 12 on the sea side of Kystens Hus, Stortorget 1, in central Tromsø. Board at the boat 15 minutes before departure.

Ready to book

Book Hermes II Fishing Cruise

Fishing from a wooden boat built in 1917, with thermal suits, a warm fish cake and the catch served with flatbread.

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Compare with

Arctic Fjord Cruise & Fishing ExperienceRods, eagles and soup made from the catch: four to five hours in Ramfjorden on a small boat, with hotel pickup.★ 4.7 · 4 to 5 hours · from $177

Fjord History Cruise on Hermes IIThe short one: 2.5 hours on a 1917 wooden boat through Tromsø Sound, with a warm fish cake and a toddy.★ 4.9 · 2.5 hours · from $144

Summer Evening Fjord CruiseThree hours in the light of a summer evening: sea eagles, a fishing pot to haul and bottomless hot drinks. Cheapest trip here.★ 4.7 · 3 hours · from $125