How to Take an Arctic Fjord Cruise in Tromsø (with Brim Explorer)

One thing that I think separates Tromsø from some of the other popular Arctic destinations (in Finland and Sweden) is that you have the sea. It gives Tromsø an automatic edge when it comes to tour offerings and things to do.

And one of my favorite tours is an Arctic fjord cruise in Tromsø with Brim Explorer. Their silent catamaran is a comfortable way to get on the sea and see the landscapes that surround Tromsø. It is, seriously, the perfect way to get out of the city.

Whale watching in Tromsø is not an activity that is available all winter in Tromsø. In fact, whale watching tours only run from October 24 until January 31. The rest of the winter and shoulder season offers little opportunity to get onto the water with a fjord cruise or fishing excursion.

This Brim Explorer fjord tour in Tromsø is a good way to get on the water for an affordable price. It is one of the more affordable boat tours in the city and you will have a chance to sail through the local fjords, visit the famous fish racks of Northern Norway, and try some local Norwegian delicacies (more about that below).

In this guide, I discuss what to expect on an Arctic fjord tour in Tromsø, including how to book one, what to bring with you, and some photos from my adventure! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Thanks!

Why You Should Take an Arctic Fjord Tour in Tromsø

Chances are you can take a look around the fjords of Northern Norway and say, “We don’t have this back home”. It really is something that is a must for those visiting Tromsø, especially for those visiting outside of whale watching season (end of October until the end of January).

The fjord tour is one of the more affordable tours in Tromsø and you will get away from the city, taking you out to see where you can see wildlife, mountains, and more. This Brim Explorer tour is also only 4 hours, leaving you with the rest of the day to take a northern lights tour or something else (depending on the season you visit).

How to Book a Fjord Tour with Brim Explorer in Tromsø

🗓️ Seasonality: All year-round except from October 24 to January 31 (the boat goes out whale watching then)
⌛ Duration: 4 hours
♿ Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
➡️ SEE PRICES HERE

I booked my trip through GetYourGuide, a trusted resource online that offers all tours in one place, so I can book everything without having to insert my credit card details on multiple websites and platforms. This tour can be reserved and paid for later on GYG, and they also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance with a full refund.

Another reason I love organizing and booking my tours through GetYourGuide is that they often run discounts on tours and this Brim Explorer one often goes on discount there (especially toward the end of the season).

What to Expect on This Brim Explorer Tromsø Fjord Tour

Brim Explorer is a silent catamaran that is incredibly stable on the water. I always worry about people getting seasick when I suggest tours on here because it often happens with sailboats in the Arctic, but this catamaran is fairly stable and runs smoothly on the water.

The boat goes out at 1pm (there are also 8am boat trips during certain times of the year), so you will need to meet 15 minutes prior and wait in line to board the catamaran. The meeting point (Kaigata 6 by Skarven Kro) is easy to find and in a central location.

Once you board the boat, you will receive a safety briefing and the crew will introduce themselves. I had crew members from Iceland, Finland, Norway, and other places! English was spoken on board and the boat was very easy to navigate around.

There is a large seating area on the first floor, complete with a bar that sells snacks and drinks on board for a small price.

Upstairs has more indoor seating and a deck where you can enjoy the fresh air. There is also a lot of outdoor space on the first floor. The boat is complete with toilets on both levels and the one on the first floor is accessible.

Your boat will sail through the fjord and you will get information on what you’re seeing along the way. You’ll stop in Ramfjorden for some photos and marine life viewing. The boat switches to being 100% electric in Ramfjord, which is pretty cool!

You’ll then pass Holmen Island (used as a wartime outpost in WWII) and Olavsvern, a Cold War-era submarine base.

There is also an underwater drone on board and the crew will put it under the water near Holmen Island and show you what is living right underneath the boat! They will also discuss what you see there – including some information about the destructive urchins teeming in the fjord’s waters.

From there, you’ll head to Rya, where you will get off the boat to see the fish racks and learn more about the cod industry in this part of Norway. We also had an opportunity to try some Norwegian delicacies like ‘tran’ (cod liver oil), dried cod, and more. It was really insightful for those who haven’t been to this area. I had a friend visiting me in Norway at the time and she was really excited to learn more about Tromsø on this tour!

From there, you’ll head to Tirpitz-platen (German battleship was sunk here), where you’ll also get additional information and some photo opportunities.

I did my trip in February, so there was ice on the fjord then, but you will not see ice if you’re doing this trip in autumn, late spring, or summer. But you will definitely get to see more wildlife then than I did on my trip. The migratory birds start arriving in March and stick around until September!

When on board, you will also have the opportunity to purchase lunch. When I was on the trip, the lunch was a soup. I opted out as I had dinner plans right after the boat tour, but I would definitely recommend grabbing lunch on there if you’re hungry. There are also pastries and coffee for purchase (which I did take advantage of!).

What to Pack and Wear on a Tromsø Boat Tour

Fortunately, you’re not outside the whole time, so you can dress as you would for walking around Tromsø and your other tours. I have a high tolerance to the cold since I live in the Arctic, but my friend who joined me on this trip was living in Turkey at the time and was NOT accustomed to the cold!

As a result, we bundled her up with a parka, mittens, a hat, and snow boots. As previously mentioned, I went in February… so one of the coldest months! If you’re taking the tour, then I would recommend the same.

But if you’re visiting outside of winter, just dress for the season. Boat tours are always colder than hanging around the city, and you have the potential to get rained on if the weather turns. So dress accordingly!

Brim Explorer takes cards for purchase, so bring that along if you’re planning to purchase something on the boat. If you get seasick, also pack some Dramamine or Seabands!

But the boat is wheelchair-accessible in its entirety on the first floor, so you will be able to share the same experience as everyone else (there is nothing to see on the upper deck).

Why I Like Brim Explorer Tours

I have taken tours with Brim Explorer in Tromsø and Lofoten both. They also offer trips in Svalbard (partnered with Hurtigruten) and Bodø and they are consistently high-rated and acknowledged as one of the best companies to work for.

I like that at least 50% of your journey is electric on this tour. I also love that they offer silent catamaran trips for their whale watching tours.

The boat is spacious, wheelchair-accessible, and even pet-friendly (so long as they are kept on a leash). While I never saw any pets on my fjord tours in Tromsø, I did see a dog on board a Trollfjorden tour in Lofoten!

Do you have any questions about taking a fjord tour in Tromsø with Brim Explorer? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!

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