When the polar night comes to an end, northern Norway enters a very special period: daylight returns quickly, the mountains remain completely snow-covered and the nights are still long enough for the Northern Lights. From our lodge on Kvaløya, we explore the fjords by sea kayak, on snowshoes and by dog sled.
The Norwegian Arctic as daylight returns
Around 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the main gateway to northern Norway. Yet only a few kilometres from the city, fjords, mountains, snow and small coastal communities take over.
Our base camp is on Kvaløya, one of the large islands west of Tromsø. From the lodge, a van equipped to carry the kayaks lets us reach the most suitable area each day: Kaldfjorden, Ersfjorden, Grøtfjord, Tromvik, Sommarøy or other bays depending on the weather, sea conditions and snow.
The coastal climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream. It is still very much winter, but more maritime than inland: temperature, wind and precipitation can change quickly. That is part of what gives the region its character.
Trip at a glance
Norway · Tromsø · Kvaløya · Sommarøy · Arctic fjords
Available on request
The period is chosen according to the return of daylight, snow conditions and the availability of the lodge and local partners.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Level
- Level 2 — Intermediate
- Sea kayaking
- 4 main paddling days + possible short session on Day 2
- Accommodation
- 5 lodge nights + 2 hotel nights in Tromsø
- Price
- €1,850 / person
- Other activities
- Snowshoeing · Northern Lights · dog sledding
- Guiding
- French state-qualified guide · sea and mountain professional
The programme is deliberately flexible. In winter, the guide adapts each day to sea conditions, wind, snow, visibility and road conditions.
The Kvaløya lodge as our base camp
Unlike a self-supported kayaking journey, we return to the same lodge every evening. This format is particularly well suited to winter: each morning we choose the fjord offering the best conditions, then return to a warm and comfortable base.
The van and trailer give us access to several sides of Kvaløya. If the wind makes one area unsuitable, it is often possible to switch coastlines completely and find more sheltered conditions elsewhere.
The lodge creates a genuine group atmosphere: a kitchen, meals prepared on site, space to dry clothing, equipment ready for the following day and views over the mountains and fjords.
Understanding winter sea kayaking
What does a winter sea-kayaking day look like?
The guide chooses the fjord according to wind, sea state, daylight and access conditions. The kayaks are transported by van and trailer to the launch point. Paddling time is adapted to the temperature, the group and the conditions of the day.
Is the cold difficult to manage while kayaking?
We kayak wearing a drysuit, neoprene booties and hand protection. The drysuit keeps you dry; warmth comes from the layers worn underneath. With suitable equipment and a sensible pace, the cold is very manageable.
Can we encounter whales or orcas?
Cetaceans are present in the wider Tromsø region in winter and an encounter remains possible, but their presence and location vary. We therefore do not build the programme around a promise of sightings: they are an additional opportunity when conditions and wildlife allow.
The photographs below show encounters from previous trips. They illustrate what may be possible, never a guarantee of a sighting.
Very different fjords within just a few kilometres
Kaldfjorden offers long views between snow-covered mountains. Ersfjorden is much more enclosed, dominated by peaks rising above 1,000 metres. Farther west, Sommarøy changes the atmosphere again, with small islands, beaches and water that can appear surprisingly turquoise in the winter light.
Grøtfjord, Tromvik and the small bays of Kvaløya complete this remarkable playground. The aim is not to tick off a list of fjords, but to choose each day the one offering the best balance of scenery, paddling and conditions.
Northern Lights & snowshoeing
At this time of year, daylight increases rapidly from day to day while the evenings remain long. When the sky is clear, Kvaløya is an excellent place to enjoy the Northern Lights.
Snowshoes allow us to leave roads and artificial lights behind and reach wilder viewpoints. Some outings take place late in the day or in the evening, by headtorch.
As with any natural phenomenon, the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed. We simply try to maximise our chances by adapting the timing and location to the evening conditions.
A day of dog sledding
The journey also includes a day of dog sledding in the interior of Kvaløya. It is a very different way to discover the island: leaving the fjords behind, entering snow-covered valleys and learning to drive your own dog team.
The outing is organised with Tore Albrigtsen, an experienced Norwegian musher who has taken part in major northern sled-dog races, including the Yukon Quest. The specialised warm equipment required for the activity is provided locally.
A typical 8-day programme
This programme illustrates the usual flow of the journey. The order of the sea-kayaking, snowshoeing and dog-sledding days may be changed according to weather, snow, sea conditions and partner availability.
Day 1 — Arrival in Tromsø
Arrival in Tromsø, check-in at a 3- or 4-star hotel and a first free evening in town.
Day 2 — Kvaløya, settling in & first paddle
Transfer to the lodge in mid-morning, settle in, prepare the equipment and, when conditions are suitable, a short first paddle around the nearby islets. A snowshoe outing may complete the day and continue after dark if the sky is favourable for the Northern Lights.
Day 3 — Kaldfjorden
First full sea-kayaking day in one of the island’s more accessible fjords, surrounded by snow-covered mountains.
Day 4 — Sommarøy
Exploration of the islands and channels around Sommarøy. The maritime scenery changes completely: small islands, pale beaches, mountains and winter light. Snowshoeing may be possible later in the day.
Day 5 — Ersfjorden
Paddling in a spectacular fjord framed by peaks rising above 1,000 metres. The exact route is adapted to the wind and sea state.
Day 6 — Tromvik, Grøtfjord or another area of Kvaløya
Another day of sea kayaking, with the area chosen according to the best conditions. The aim is to discover another side of the coast rather than force a pre-planned location.
Day 7 — Dog sledding & return to Tromsø
Dog-sledding day in the interior of Kvaløya, followed by a return to Tromsø in the late afternoon and a night in a hotel.
Day 8 — Tromsø & departure
Depending on the flight time, free time in Tromsø with the possibility of visiting the Polar Museum before departure.
A living coastal culture
Between launch sites, our journeys also reveal the villages and heritage of northern Norway. Fishing remains deeply rooted in this maritime culture: harbours, traditional houses and cod hanging to dry are reminders that these fjords have been lived in and worked for generations.
Map of the main areas
The journey is based around Tromsø and Kvaløya, with several possible areas depending on conditions: Kaldfjorden, Ersfjorden, Grøtfjord, Tromvik and the Sommarøy archipelago.
Why choose this journey?
- Sea kayak in the heart of the Arctic winter, in fjords surrounded by snow-covered mountains.
- A comfortable base camp that allows us to change areas from day to day.
- A small group, well suited to flexible winter logistics and personal guiding.
- Complementary activities: snowshoeing, Northern Lights and dog sledding.
- The return of daylight after the polar night, a very special time in northern Norway.
- Specialist French guiding in sea kayaking and mountain environments.
Accommodation & meals
Nights 1 and 7 are spent in a 3- or 4-star hotel in Tromsø, with breakfast. The 5 nights in between are spent at the lodge on Kvaløya, generally in twin or double rooms.
At the lodge, we have access to a kitchen and meals are prepared in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Meals are included from lunch on Day 2 through lunch on Day 7. Dinner on Days 1 and 7 in Tromsø is not included.
Equipment & cold-weather preparation
What equipment is provided?
Sea kayaks, paddles, PFDs, drysuits, spray skirts, neoprene booties and mitts, dry bags, snowshoes and the technical equipment required for the winter activities are provided.
What personal equipment should I bring?
Pack as you would for a week of skiing or winter mountain activities: a warm jacket, windproof and waterproof outerwear, thermal base layers, fleece layers, warm socks, a warm hat, gloves, eye protection and high-cut footwear suitable for snow.
For kayaking, bring several adjustable layers to wear beneath the drysuit. It is easier to remove one if you become too warm than to be short of insulation when temperatures drop.
Do I need to bring equipment for dog sledding?
You may use your own clothing, but the local partner also provides a warm outer suit and boots suitable for the activity.
The Road Book: preparing for the journey in detail
This page presents the spirit of the journey and its general organisation. The Road Book goes further: personal equipment, cold management, drysuit use, transfers, formalities, accommodation, meals, insurance and practical details.
Request it if you are seriously interested in the journey: it is the reference document for preparing a winter trip in the Norwegian Arctic.
Dates, price & inclusions
Available on request
Reference price: €1,850 / person.
The package includes in particular:
- 5 nights at the lodge on Kvaløya;
- 2 nights in a 3- or 4-star hotel in Tromsø with breakfast;
- meals from lunch on Day 2 through lunch on Day 7;
- the sea-kayaking and winter technical equipment included in the programme;
- guiding by a French state-qualified instructor;
- local transport required for the activities;
- one dog-sledding day and the specialist equipment provided by the partner.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following are not included:
- flights to Tromsø;
- airport / hotel transfer in Tromsø;
- dinner on Day 1 and Day 7;
- drinks, gratuities and personal expenses;
- personal insurance;
- anything not explicitly stated as included in the selected offer.
FAQ — Essential information
How long is the journey?
The journey lasts 8 days and 7 nights: 2 nights in Tromsø and 5 nights at a lodge on the island of Kvaløya.
What level is required?
The journey is rated Level 2 — Intermediate. You should be comfortable in a sea kayak and able to paddle for several hours in a winter environment. The programme is always adapted to conditions.
How many sea-kayaking days are planned?
The reference programme includes 4 main sea-kayaking days, with the possibility of an additional short first session on Day 2 after settling into the lodge.
Can we see whales or orcas?
Cetacean sightings are possible in winter in the Tromsø region, but they are never guaranteed and their location can vary. This is not designed as a whale-watching trip: sea kayaking, winter landscapes, the Northern Lights and the other activities remain at the heart of the journey.
Can we see the Northern Lights?
The winter period around Tromsø is favourable for seeing the Northern Lights when skies are clear. Snowshoe outings can make use of the evenings to seek the best viewing windows, although the phenomenon can never be guaranteed.
What sea-kayaking equipment is provided?
Sea kayaks, paddles, PFDs, drysuits, spray skirts, neoprene booties and mitts, and dry bags are provided. Snowshoes and the technical equipment required for the winter activities are also included.
What should I wear under the drysuit?
The drysuit keeps you dry but does not provide enough insulation by itself. Bring several warm, adjustable layers: thermal base layers, fleece, warm socks and a warm hat. A detailed packing list is provided in the Road Book.
Where do we sleep during the journey?
Nights 1 and 7 are spent in a 3- or 4-star hotel in Tromsø. The other 5 nights are spent at a lodge on Kvaløya, used as the base camp for the activities.
Is the day-by-day programme guaranteed?
No. In winter, wind, sea state, snow, visibility and road conditions can change the order of the days. The guide chooses the most suitable area and activity each day.
Would you like to discover Norway in winter?
This journey is available on request.
Send us your preferred period, your sea-kayaking experience and the number of participants.