Icebreaker Cruise with Ice Floating from Rovaniemi
Overview
This full-day trip takes you by shuttle bus from Rovaniemi to the Gulf of Bothnia coast for a three-hour icebreaker cruise through the frozen sea. The ship breaks a path through thick ice, and you can also try ice floating, drifting in the icy water of the Bothnian Bay under the guidance of an English-speaking instructor. You receive a cruise completion diploma. Choose the afternoon departure, our default option, or a morning one. It suits adventurous couples, friends and families with older children, and the day lasts about ten hours.
Highlights
- A 3-hour cruise aboard an icebreaker through the frozen Bothnian Bay
- Ice floating: drift in the icy water with an English-speaking instructor
- Round-trip shuttle bus from designated pickup points in Rovaniemi
- A cruise completion diploma as a keepsake
- Choose an afternoon or a morning departure
- Views of a white frozen sea that few travellers get to see
- A full day out, about 10 hours from pickup to return
Full Description
The icebreaker cruise
An icebreaker cruise is one of the most unusual winter experiences in Finnish Lapland. The ship sets out through the frozen sea and cuts a path through thick ice, so you hear the ice cracking under the hull as you pass through a flat, white landscape stretching to the horizon.
The cruise lasts about three hours, and there is time to walk the deck, take photos and watch the crew work. If you have ever wondered what it is like to sail through a frozen sea, this is a direct answer.
Ice floating in the Bothnian Bay
Ice floating is the part most guests remember. Under the guidance of the English-speaking instructor you enter the icy water of the Bothnian Bay and float among the pieces of ice. It is a strange, calm feeling, and the instructor briefs the group on how it works and how to stay safe.
Ice floating is optional, and guests with health conditions should consider whether it is right for them. Bring warm clothing and a change of dry clothes. The instructor explains each step before you enter the water, and you are never rushed, so if you decide at the last moment to stay on board, that is perfectly fine and you still enjoy the cruise.
Getting there from Rovaniemi
The cruise leaves from the coast, a good distance from Rovaniemi, so a shuttle bus does the driving for you. It picks you up from one of four designated points in Rovaniemi and returns you there, which is why the full day lasts about ten hours.
If you are looking for a day trip from Rovaniemi to an icebreaker cruise, this option saves you organising trains, taxis and tickets separately, and lets you enjoy the scenery on the road. On the road you pass frozen rivers, pine forest and small villages, and the ride is a comfortable way to rest before and after an active day on the ice, with time to watch the landscape.
Morning or afternoon departure
The afternoon departure, the default option, leaves at around 13:15, and the morning departure leaves at around 09:15. The best time for you depends on your other plans and how much daylight you want for the cruise. Winter days in Lapland are short, so both options are planned around it.
The tour does not include entry to the SnowCastle area, meals or photography services, so bring a snack if you wish and keep your camera ready. Whichever departure you choose, keep your camera ready for the moment when the bow meets the ice, since that is the most dramatic view of the entire cruise.
Itinerary
- Shuttle bus pickupBoard at one of four designated pickup points in Rovaniemi; departures are at about 09:15 or 13:15.
- Drive to the coastTravel by shuttle bus to the port on the Gulf of Bothnia.
- Icebreaker cruiseSail for about three hours through the frozen sea.
- Ice floatingTry floating in the icy water of the Bothnian Bay with the instructor.
- Cruise diplomaReceive your cruise completion diploma.
- Return to RovaniemiShuttle bus back to your pickup point, about ten hours after departure.
What's included
- Round-trip shuttle bus transport from Rovaniemi
- 3-hour icebreaker cruise
- Ice floating in the Bothnian Bay
- Cruise completion diploma
- English-speaking instructor
Not included
- Meals
- Entry to the SnowCastle area
- Photography services
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Guests who cannot tolerate very cold temperatures or cold water
- Pregnant women and guests with heart or other health conditions, who should seek advice before floating
- Anyone expecting meals or the SnowCastle area to be included
Meeting point
The shuttle bus collects you from one of four designated pickup points in Rovaniemi, as shown on your voucher after booking. Please be there a few minutes before the time on your voucher, which is about 13:15 for the afternoon option and about 09:15 for the morning option.
Important information
- Bring warm winter clothing, gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes
- Bring a change of dry clothes and a towel if you plan to try ice floating
- Meals, entry to the SnowCastle area and photography services are not included
- Bring a snack and your camera or phone
- Be at your pickup point on time, as the bus keeps to the cruise schedule
- The cruise runs in the winter season and depends on ice conditions
- Tips are not included
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the icebreaker cruise with ice floating cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Round-trip shuttle bus transport from designated pickup points in Rovaniemi is included. It is not door-to-door hotel pickup.
How long is the tour?
About ten hours from pickup to return, including the drive and a 3-hour icebreaker cruise.
Is the icebreaker cruise suitable for children?
Older children can enjoy it, but it is a long, cold day. Age categories are shown in the booking panel, and ice floating should suit the child's comfort in cold water.
Is ice floating compulsory?
No, it is part of the experience but you choose whether to take part.
What should I wear?
Warm winter clothing, gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes. Bring dry clothes if you will float.
Are meals included?
No. Meals are not included, so bring a snack or plan to buy food.
What is the difference between the options?
The afternoon option departs at about 13:15 and the morning option at about 09:15. The activities are the same.
Is the SnowCastle area included?
No. Entry to the SnowCastle area is not included in this tour.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if places remain. Choose your date in the booking panel and it shows what is available.
