Tromsø Fishing & Fjord Cruise: Catch cod in Arctic waters
The boat's engine stalls twice before we leave the pier, but that's when you know it's real
You board a working fishing boat in Tromsø and spend four hours on the fjord with a rod in your hands, a heated cabin below if you need it, and free thermal suits to stay warm. If the catch is good, you eat fresh fish and flatbread on board. If it's slow, you get the quiet and the views instead. The boat departs from the pier near the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora, and everything (rods, suits, hot drinks) is included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Fishing and fjord cruise from Tromsø
- Board the Hermes II boat
- Set course for fishing spots
- Fish or enjoy the scenery
- Explore the boat and learn its story
- Take photos at scenic spots
- Relax in heated lounge below deck
- Use warm suits provided
- Enjoy hot drinks included
What’s included
Fishing rod (or bring your own), thermal suit and warm blankets for free use, personal safety equipment, hot drinks (coffee and tea), and fresh fish with butter and flatbread if the day's catch is good. Access to the heated lounge below deck and the boat's full deck space for photos and views.
Times
- Every day except Monday and Wednesday 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Hermes II
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The experience
The Hermes II doesn't look like much from the dock: a working fishing boat with a history, not a polished tour vessel. You board at pier 10 by the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora (or pier 12 from late August), and the captain is already checking lines and talking to himself about the weather. Half the group brought their own rods. The rest of us grab one from the pile near the cabin. The boat smells like salt, diesel, and something honest. We cast off into the fjord around Tromsø, and within twenty minutes you're far enough out that the town disappears behind the mountains.
The fishing itself is the thing nobody tells you about. It's not constant action, it's long stretches of quiet water, your line in the cold, waiting. The captain knows where the cod are, and he'll cut the engine and drift, or motor to a new spot if nothing bites. Some people catch something. Some don't. That part is real. What's also real is the heated lounge below deck if you get cold, the thermal suits and blankets they hand out for free, and the fact that you're actually fishing in an Arctic fjord, not pretending to. Your camera will get a lot of use. The light up here is strange and good, and the mountains don't stop.
If the boat lands a catch, they cook it on board. Fresh fish, butter, flatbread, served the northern Norwegian way, which means simple and hot. Coffee and tea are included. There's also local food and drinks for sale if you want something else. The whole trip runs about four hours, and by the end of it you've either caught something or you haven't, but either way you've been on a real working boat with people who know this water. The Hermes II has a story. Ask the captain about it if you want to know. Most people do.
Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to fish the Arctic without arranging their own boat or gear. The captain handles the navigation and knows where the cod are, which is what turns a half-day into something you'll actually remember.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Norwegian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Do I need to know how to fish to join?
No. The captain will show you how to cast and where to drop your line. You can also bring your own rod if you prefer, or skip fishing entirely and just enjoy the boat and scenery.
What if I don't catch anything?
The trip is worth it for the fjord, the boat, and the experience. Fresh fish is only served if the boat lands a catch that day. It's not guaranteed, and that's part of what makes it real.
How long is the trip?
About four hours total, including the time to motor out to the fishing grounds and back to the pier.
Is it cold?
Yes. Thermal suits and blankets are provided free of charge, and there's a heated lounge below deck. Bring warm clothes anyway: hat, gloves, and warm socks especially.
Where do we meet?
At the boat itself. From June 1 to August 21, departure is from pier 10 by the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora. From August 22 onward, it's pier 12 by Kystens Hus at Stortorget 1.
What's included?
Fishing rods (or bring your own), thermal suits, blankets, safety equipment, coffee and tea, and fresh fish with butter and flatbread if there's a catch.
Is there public transport nearby?
Yes, public transportation options are available near both departure points.
Tromsø Fishing & Fjord Cruise: Catch cod in Arctic waters
4h 30m · EN +1
from US$ 216 per person
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