Boat Tours in Tromsø: 15 That Earn the Trip North

1.Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,217 reviews · from $195Our pick

Set out from Tromsø on Brim Explorer’s hybrid-electric catamaran for a full day in Arctic fjords. Expect heated lounges, panoramic windows, English-speaking guides, and roughly 1 to 1.5 hours near whale-feeding grounds. Guides such as Connor, Bee, Adrian, and Ivan may share whale facts and local stories while you search for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and sperm whales.

“I really enjoyed this experience! The combination of bus and boat was a great arrangement, especially for someone like me who gets a bit seasick. The views from the bus were incredible and offered a completely different perspective compared to the boat. I initially brought some reading material to pass the time since it was a long journey, but I ended up just admiring the scenery and relaxing. Seeing whales multiple times was truly unforgettable! The guide was excellent, providing introductions to the places we visited and sharing fascinating stories about the whales along the way. A big thank you to the driver and captain for making the trip smooth…”

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2.Tromsø’s Top-Rated Fjord & Fishing Cruise – All-Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,017 reviews · from $142

Spend five hours aboard Capella with an English-speaking crew, cruising Tromsø’s fjords and straits, fishing in Ramfjorden, and watching for eagles, dolphins, otters, and seasonal puffins. Warm up with fish or vegan soup, hot drinks, and biscuits while guides such as Thomas, Jack, and Estefania share local stories.

“It was our last day in Tromso, and it exceeding our expectations! We had closed the Tromso chapter with an amazing memory, amazing views, experience and the people! We had chance to fishing in the fjords which might be unbelievable to imagine before. Didn't want to miss any moment, that's why we stayed outside the boat, and observed every corner in the landscape. And very lucky the weather was very bright, chill and warm. Couldn't imagine any other boat tour if you visit Tromso. The crew of the ship was also very friendly, warm and informative. We are very happy that we met these people. Eventhough I am not a…”

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3.Arctic Fjord Cruise With Stop On Land At Fish Racks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,268 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Cruise Tromsø’s fjords on Brim Explorer’s quiet hybrid-electric catamaran, with English-speaking guides, panoramic windows, outside decks, an underwater drone, and a land stop at fish racks or a local fish farm. Expect Arctic scenery, fishing history, possible eagles or dolphins, and food and drinks for purchase during the four-hour trip.

“Fantastic activity- almost felt like a hidden gem in the very busy Tromsø. A MUST do activity!”

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4.Evening Aurora Cruise (dinner optional)

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,570 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $100

Set sail from central Tromsø at 8 p.m. for a 3.5-hour Aurora hunt with Polar Adventures. Guides such as Holly, Ken, Thomas, and Hans Eric explain the lights, help with camera settings, and call you outside when the sky clears. Expect hot drinks, cookies, thermal suits, toilets, and a heated cabin, but no guarantee of Aurora.

“Excellent experience ❤️ The staff was lovely and helpful, they always tried their best to make us enjoy our time there.”

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5.Arctic Fjord Cruise in Polar Landscapes

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,442 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $120

Sail from Tromsø for 3.5 hours aboard a warm, spacious Rødne catamaran. Guides such as Daniel and Jana explain Arctic wildlife, local history, and photography while you watch for sea eagles, seals, porpoises, foxes, reindeer, and puffins. Use the panoramic cabin or outdoor decks, with coffee and tea included.

“An amazing experience with friendly staff and knowledgeable guides, recommended.”

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6.Northern Lights Cruise with 2nd Chance Guarantee

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,280 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $114

Sail from Tromsø for 2.5 hours aboard a warm, spacious catamaran with panoramic windows, outdoor viewing decks, free tea and coffee, and English or Norwegian guides. Crew members such as Jana, Valeria, Douaa, and Magnus explain the aurora, help with photos, and arrange a free second cruise if clouds block the show.

“overall experience was good both guide Jenny and Donna was very nice and we get to see the northern”

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7.Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,017 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $214

Sail from Tromsø toward Skjervøy aboard Brim Explorer, a quiet hybrid-electric boat built for whale watching. Expect 7 to 9 hours at sea, long fjord views, talks about whales and the Arctic, and roughly 1 to 2 hours searching near Kvænangen. Humpbacks and orcas are possible, never guaranteed. Bring snacks and seasickness tablets.

“If the rating could go to 10 stars, it would be 10 out of 10. The boat was comfortable, the capitan very experienced and the guide crew was super-engaging: they kept providing very interesting, educative information with a slideshow throughout the trip at regular intervals. In addition to seeing a lot of whales, which was, of course, the highlight of the trip, we leaned a lot about them and marine life. Thanks a lot to the crew for this very memorable experience.”

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8.Aurora Dinner Cruise by Hybrid-Electric Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 727 reviews · 3 hours · from $198

Set out from Tromsø’s harbor for a three-hour evening cruise on Brim Explorer’s quiet hybrid-electric catamaran. You’ll enjoy a three-course Arctic seafood dinner, heated saloons, panoramic views, local guiding, and time on deck to watch for the aurora. Vegetarian and child-friendly menus are available with advance notice.

“Such a great experience. Nice and friendly crew, great food, and explanations. Seeing the northern lights was a blast. We really loved the overall experience!”

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9.Arctic Fjord Cruise & Fishing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 464 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $156Top rated

Join Polar Adventures at 10 a.m. for a five-hour cruise through Tromsø’s fjords aboard a classic wooden boat. Guides such as Raul and Ken share wildlife and local stories while you fish for cod, watch for sea eagles, and warm up with thermal suits, hot drinks, cookies, and fish soup made from the catch. Vegetarian soup is available.

“I throughly enjoyed this Arctic experience in November. Real Arctic time. The crews were very knowledgeable and frienly. Catching a fish Cod was my highlight.”

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10.Fjord History Cruise with Snack and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 364 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $156

Spend 2.5 hours aboard Hermes II, a beautifully restored 1917 boat, cruising Tromsø Sound and nearby fjords. Norwegian and English-speaking hosts share coastal stories, point out eagles, seals, reindeer, and birds, and welcome you into the captain’s cabin. A warm fish cake, hot drinks, blankets, and thermal suits are included.

“Embarking on the Hermes II for a historical boat trip from Tromso is nothing short of enchanting, especially with guides like Natalie and Maren at the helm. Their passion for the vessel's history and the surrounding Arctic waters is infectious, turning what could be a simple sightseeing tour into an immersive experience. The Hermes II itself is a character, a beautifully maintained piece of maritime history that offers a tangible connection to the past.Natalie and Maren don't just recite facts; they weave tales that bring the stories of the Arctic to life. Sharing legends of the sea or detailing the ship's own storied past, their narratives are captivating. The views…”

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11.Electric Northern Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 346 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $124

Sail quietly from Tromsø into the fjords for up to 3.5 hours while the captain searches for clear skies and the aurora. You’ll hear English commentary on Arctic science, folklore, and Tromsø, warm up with vegan soup, and step outside for photos if the Northern Lights appear. Drinks are sold onboard.

“The cruise was relaxing and waiting for the Aurora to show as we rode out into the darkness was worth it! We were gifted with the most beautiful show and it was unforgettable! Core memory unlocked ❤️”

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12.Half Day Arctic Fjord Cruise from Tromso

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 343 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $128

Spend about four hours cruising from Tromsø through Ramfjorden and nearby fjords aboard Brim Explorer’s comfortable hybrid-electric boat. Hear local history and ecology from guides such as Francesca or Ivan, watch for seals, dolphins, birds, and fish, then step ashore at an old fishing facility on Kvaløya for a short talk and fish tasting.

“The crew was wonderful and very hard working to insure we all had a good time. Very knowledgeable about the area and history, and the drone they sent under the water to locate fish etc. was fun to watch. Nice comfortable modern boat with plenty of seating in the warm inside and enough outside area to wander and get some good pictures. We were lucky to have a nice crisp sunny day to enjoy everything. Again, can’t say enough about the crew, they were all excellent.”

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13.Fjord Fishing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 343 reviews · from $185

Spend 4.5 hours aboard Hermes II, a historic wooden boat, fishing Tromsø’s fjords with Norwegian and English-speaking guides. Captain Truls Iversen and crew share local stories, provide rods and thermal suits, and cook the day’s catch when fishing goes well. Meet at the floating pier at Stortorget.

“100% Staff is great, helpful, funny, knowledgeable Views are amazing Fish tastes fresh Anyone can enjoy it (any age or experience level) Thermo suits kept us warm Highly recommend”

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14.Northern Lights Cruise on a Cozy Vintage Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 249 reviews · 4 hours · from $100

Join guides such as Tobi or Jana at Full Steam Museum for a Northern Lights briefing, then board the veteran MS Strønstad for a four-hour fjord cruise. Stay warm with coffee and tea, visit the captain or engine room when available, and book a sauna or jacuzzi hour. The aurora is never guaranteed.

“Bad weather, can’t see northern light anymore. Guide and boat staff are really nice and friendly.”

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15.Skjervøy: Whale Watching with RIB Boat and Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 109 reviews

Join local guide Viktor and Reisafjord Xperience for a three-hour RIB safari from Skjervøy. From mid-October to February, you may see orcas, humpback whales, and fin whales feeding near the herring. Warm suits, boots, hats, goggles, and a live English or Norwegian guide are included. Bring extra gloves and neck protection.

“What an incredible experience! We might have been the only RIB to spot orcas today. Seeing these magnificent creatures up close in their natural environment was absolutely unforgettable. The captain was fantastic. His expertise made the experience even more special. I couldn’t recommend this tour enough. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure I’ll never forget! If you’re considering a whale-watching tour, this is the one to book!”

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