Fjord Tour from Tromsø: Sommarøy and Kvaløya by Road, or a Fjord Cruise?
Updated October 13, 2026 · 6 min read
For most visitors, book the Sommarøy Fjord Expedition Tour & VIP Salmon Picnic: €72.10 per person, 4.5 to 5 hours, 4.7 stars from 5,259 reviews. It is a coach tour, not a boat: you travel by road to the fjords and the white beaches of Sommarøy. If you want to be on the water: the Arctic Fjord Cruise in Polar Landscapes is a 3.5-hour catamaran cruise at €115.12. For a small-group option and the best rating: the Arctic Roadtrip: fjords tour with scenic picnic holds 4.9 stars at €131.03.
The word “fjord” covers three different days out of Tromsø: a drive west to Kvaløya and Sommarøy, a catamaran cruise close to the city, or a boat trip with fishing. They differ in how much you see, how much you sit, and how much the price has to do with the scenery.
| Tour | How you travel | Duration | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sommarøy Fjord Expedition Tour & VIP Salmon Picnic | coach, toilet and Wi-Fi on board | 4.5–5 hours | €72.10 | 4.7 (5,259) |
| Fjord Adventure with Lunch and Photos | guided road trip, Kvaløya and Sommarøy | 5 hours | €65.51 | 4.8 (838) |
| Sommarøy Fjord Tour with Scenic Picnic | minibus, guide and driver | 4 hours | €120.27 | 4.8 (1,327) |
| Arctic Roadtrip: fjords tour with scenic picnic | road trip, small group available | 5 hours | €131.03 | 4.9 (1,694) |
| Arctic Fjord Cruise in Polar Landscapes | catamaran | 3.5 hours | €115.12 | 4.7 (1,960) |
| Arctic Fjord Cruise | hybrid-electric catamaran | 4 hours | €139.45 | 4.5 (2,642) |
| Arctic Fjord Cruise & Fishing Experience | boat, with or without fishing | 4–5 hours | €173.15 | 4.7 (5,258) |
Sommarøy and Kvaløya by road
The road tours go west from the city over the island of Kvaløya to the white-sand beaches and fishing villages of Sommarøy. You stay in a vehicle for most of the time, with stops at viewpoints and a picnic or lunch by the sea. The listings name sea eagles, reindeer, moose and otters as chances, not promises.
The best-known tour costs €72.10 and comes with a salmon picnic and a swimming option in Sommarøy’s waters (a towel and a certificate are included, a sauna is an optional extra). The listing says clearly that it is a coach tour, not a boat. The €65.51 road trip is the lowest-priced of the group and includes a seaside lunch, with a 4.8 rating from 838 reviews. If you prefer a smaller vehicle, the minibus tour at €120.27 and the road trip at €131.03, which offers a small-group option, cost about €48 and €59 more; the first includes photographs of you and a light lunch, the second photographs and a homemade light lunch.
Bring swimwear and a towel only if you want to swim: the €120.27 listing suggests it, and the water is the Arctic Ocean.
The cruises stay close to the city
The catamaran cruises are 3.5 to 4 hours long and stay in the fjords and straits near Tromsø; neither itinerary lists Sommarøy. The €115.12 cruise offers a warm saloon with panoramic windows, leather seats, outdoor platforms, free coffee or tea, free Wi-Fi and hotel pickup and drop-off; it notes that on the coldest days there may be ice in the fjord and the captain picks another route. The hybrid-electric tour at €139.45 sails silently, deploys an underwater drone to show the kelp forest (weather permitting) and serves small tastings of local seafood; drinks and lunch are for purchase.
The fishing version is a different day
The €173.15 listing offers two versions. The all-inclusive version has a smaller boat, fishing, fish soup, bread and hot drinks, with thermal suits included. The classic cruise uses a slightly larger boat at a lower ticket price and you buy coffee, fish soup and snacks on board. The operator says the higher price reflects the smaller group and what is included. Check which version the option you pick belongs to before you pay.
Who should choose what
Choose a road tour if you want beaches, mountains and villages, you are comfortable with a coach or minibus, and you prefer a low price. Choose a cruise if you get more from being on water or if the weather is poor for walking at roadside stops; a cruise at €115.12 or €139.45 still gives you fjord scenery, but not the white beaches. Choose the fishing version only if you want to fish.
Two details apply here. The road trip at €131.03 states that it runs year-round; for the others, look at the dates offered for the season you plan to travel. And the wheelchair accessible tag appears on the listings for the €139.45 and €173.15 cruises; have the operator confirm access to the boat and the saloon.
How to choose
Book the €72.10 coach tour for a low price and one of the largest review counts. Book the €131.03 road trip for the best rating and a small-group option. Book the €115.12 cruise if a boat matters more to you than the beaches. For whales, which need a much longer day, see our guide to whale watching from Tromsø. All fjord options are listed under fjord tours from Tromsø.
