Tromsø

Gateway to the Arctic

Today—just like in the 1800s and 1900s—Tromsø is the launch point for Arctic expeditions. Back then, this was the place to find ships, men, provisions, gear and invaluable knowledge about the icy waters of the north. Fridjof Nansen did exactly that in 1893 and Roald Amundsen followed in 1902—both recruiting some of their finest crew here. Tromsø remains the capital of Arctic adventures, home to the Polar Institute, and expedition leaders who gather in just about every bar around the harbor. It’s vibrant—in the most exotic way.

Paris of the North

Tromsø has had this nickname since the mid-1800s thanks to its surprisingly international and vibrant buzz. One reason was the early, large-scale export of fish, which created strong ties to the continent, and brought goods, fashion and culture back to Tromsø. From then on, the narrow streets of this Arctic island were filled with not only ice ocean fishermen and explorers, but with chic people, drink in hand, laughing around café tables. Vibrant like Paris, only with more fresh, direct (and, at times, delightfully foul) vocabulary. Today, Tromsø still lives up to its nickname—the atmosphere around town is more vibrant than ever, with cultural events, more shops, more cafés, more restaurants—and more explorers like you. Since many of our trips start or end in Tromsø, you may well consider extending your stay, to explore this truly unique place!

Our trips in Tromsø

We just love Tromsø, and offer a huge variety of trips to, from, and around this Arctic gateway—all year long. Several of our skippers, ski guides and crew have fallen so deeply in love with the place, they’ve moved here permanently. That vibe carries on board and gets real as we set sail for some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Blending in with the Arctic wildlife that keeps changing throughout the seasons, bringing you the gifts of nature like nowhere else.