Norway: Lofoten & the Arctic Circle

Duration

7 Days

Embarkation

Bodø (Bodø Marina)

Disembarkation

Tromsø (Tromsø Marina)

Best season

June – August

Total distance

230 NM

Overview

Norway's Lofoten Islands are among the most dramatic landscapes on Earth — jagged peaks rising straight from the Arctic Ocean, traditional fishing villages clinging to rocky shores, and the midnight sun bathing everything in golden light. This 7-day expedition takes you from the Lofoten archipelago to the Arctic capital of Tromsø.

Highlights

• Lofoten's dramatic peaks
• Midnight sun (June–July)
• Trollfjorden narrow fjord
• Whale watching (orcas & humpbacks)
• Svolvær's fishing village charm
• Northern Lights (September)

Day by day

1. Day 1: Bodø — Gateway to the Arctic

   Bodø

   Morning: Arrive at Bodø Airport and transfer to the marina. Board your expedition yacht above the Arctic Circle.

   Afternoon: Explore Bodø — the Norwegian Aviation Museum and the Saltstraumen maelstrom, the world's strongest tidal current.

   Evening: Dinner aboard as the yacht departs for the Lofoten Islands. In summer, the midnight sun means 24 hours of daylight.

2. Day 2: Svolvær — Heart of Lofoten

   Bodø → Svolvær · 55 nm

   Morning: Cruise across the Vestfjorden to Svolvær, the 'capital' of the Lofoten Islands. The approach through the islands is spectacular.

   Afternoon: Explore Svolvær's art galleries, the Magic Ice Bar, and the traditional rorbuer (fishermen's cabins). Hike to the Svolværgeita (Svolvær Goat) for panoramic views.

   Evening: Dinner at Børsen Spiseri, a restaurant in a restored fish warehouse on the harbour, serving the freshest Arctic cod and king crab.

3. Day 3: Trollfjorden — Narrow Passage

   Svolvær → Trollfjorden · 20 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Trollfjorden, a narrow fjord flanked by 1,000-metre vertical walls. The passage is just 100 metres wide at its narrowest — a thrilling experience by yacht.

   Afternoon: Continue to Henningsvær, the 'Venice of Lofoten' — a fishing village built on several small islands connected by bridges. Visit the Kaviar Factory art gallery.

   Evening: Anchor in a sheltered bay and enjoy the midnight sun — at this latitude, the sun doesn't set from late May to mid-July.

4. Day 4: Reine — Norway's Most Beautiful Village

   Trollfjorden → Reine · 30 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Reine, consistently voted Norway's most beautiful village. The red rorbuer cabins against the dramatic mountain backdrop are iconic.

   Afternoon: Hike to Reinebringen viewpoint for the classic Lofoten panorama. Kayak among the islands and fish for Arctic cod.

   Evening: Dinner at Gammelbua, a traditional restaurant in a 19th-century fisherman's cabin, serving stockfish and local specialities.

5. Day 5: Vesterålen — Whale Country

   Reine → Vesterålen · 45 nm

   Morning: Cruise north to the Vesterålen Islands, where the continental shelf drops into the deep Norwegian Sea — prime whale territory.

   Afternoon: Whale watching — sperm whales are resident year-round, and humpback whales and orcas visit seasonally. The deep waters also attract pilot whales and dolphins.

   Evening: Anchor off Andøya and enjoy dinner with the midnight sun reflecting off the calm Arctic waters.

6. Day 6: Senja — Norway's Hidden Gem

   Vesterålen → Senja · 40 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Senja, Norway's second-largest island and one of its best-kept secrets. The dramatic west coast is known as the 'Devil's Jaw'.

   Afternoon: Explore the fishing villages of Husøy and Mefjordvær. Hike to Segla peak for one of Norway's most spectacular viewpoints.

   Evening: Dinner aboard in a sheltered bay, with the jagged peaks of Senja reflected in the still water.

7. Day 7: Tromsø — Arctic Capital

   Senja → Tromsø · 40 nm

   Morning: Cruise to Tromsø, the 'Gateway to the Arctic' and the largest city in Northern Norway.

   Afternoon: Visit the Arctic Cathedral, the Polar Museum, and take the cable car to Storsteinen for panoramic views of the city, fjords, and mountains.

   Evening: Farewell dinner at Mathallen Tromsø, a food hall featuring the best of Arctic cuisine — reindeer, king crab, and cloudberries. Disembark the following morning.