Arctic Floating Experience with Snacks Tromso
- Duration3 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
Lie back and float on the calm Arctic sea near Tromsø in a thick, insulated floating suit that keeps you warm and dry, then warm up by a campfire with hot drinks, fresh water and snacks. An English-speaking instructor looks after a very small group of up to 8 people, and van pick-up and drop-off from designated points in Tromsø are included. Choose a daytime or an evening departure depending on the option you pick. It is a memorable, gentle activity that needs no swimming skill or experience.
Highlights
- Float in the Arctic fjord in a warm rescue-style floating suit
- Very small group of up to 8 with an English-speaking instructor
- Van pick-up and drop-off from designated points in Tromsø
- Campfire, hot drinks, fresh water and snacks by the shore
- Arctic Ocean Floaters Club certificate as a keepsake
- Daytime or evening departure, depending on the option you choose
- Around 3 to 3.5 hours in total
Full Description
Floating in the Arctic Ocean near Tromsø
The Arctic floating experience is exactly what the name suggests: you put on a thick, buoyant suit, walk into the sea and simply lie back. The suit keeps you warm, dry and afloat, so the feeling is one of weightlessness while the mountains, sky and silence surround you. It is one of the most unusual things to do in Tromso and quite different from a boat or vehicle tour.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer because the suit does the work, but tell the instructor about any worries and follow the safety briefing carefully. Most guests describe the moment of floating on the cold water in the fjord as calm, relaxing and unforgettable.
The fjord setting, light and scenery
The floating spot lies in a sheltered Arctic fjord outside Tromsø, where steep, snow-covered slopes fall straight into the water. In winter the sea temperature is only a few degrees above freezing, yet the suit insulates you so well that the cold is not a problem.
Daytime departures give soft Arctic light and long views along the fjord. Evening departures bring darkness, stars and, on clear nights with solar activity, a chance to glimpse the northern lights, although no sighting can be guaranteed. The stillness on the water is remarkable, and many guests say the cold, clear air and the wide sky are what they remember most.
Campfire, hot drinks and snacks by the water
After your float, the instructor leads you to a campfire on the shore. You dry off, change and warm your hands while hot drinks, fresh water and simple snacks are served. This social part of the tour is a favourite because it gives you time to talk with the small group and share photos. Bring a warm hat and dry socks, because changing quickly after the float makes the campfire even more enjoyable.
Every guest receives a certificate confirming membership of the Arctic Ocean Floaters Club, a nice souvenir of your Tromsø winter adventure. Photos taken by the group and by the instructor are easy to share afterwards.
Van pick-up in Tromsø and daytime or evening departure
This tour includes pick-up and drop-off by van from designated points in Tromsø, so you do not have to organise your own transport to the shore. The exact pick-up point and time are confirmed after booking.
Two options are available. The default option is the daytime experience of about three hours; the other is an evening experience of about three and a half hours. The differences are the departure time, the light and the chance of night sky views, while the floating itself is the same. Tell us at booking which option you prefer so we can show the right times.
Itinerary
- Van pick-up in TromsøMeet at your designated pick-up point in the city centre and travel by van to the fjord.
- Safety briefing and suit fittingThe instructor explains how the suit works and helps you into it, about 20 minutes.
- Arctic floatingWalk into the water and float on your back in the calm Arctic fjord for around 30 to 45 minutes.
- Campfire with hot drinks and snacksWarm up beside the fire, enjoy hot drinks, fresh water and snacks and receive your Floaters Club certificate.
- Return to TromsøTravel back by van and be dropped off at a designated point in the city.
What's included
- Pick-up and drop-off at designated points in Tromso
- Instructor (English)
- Rescue suit for floating
- Campfire
- Snacks, hot drinks and fresh water
- Floating certificate
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- A half-day plan — about 3 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- People who are afraid of open water or cold water
- Travellers with heart or breathing conditions unless approved by their doctor
- Pregnant travellers
- Anyone unable to walk into the sea over uneven, rocky ground
Meeting point
Van pick-up and drop-off are included from designated points in Tromsø. The pick-up locations and exact time are confirmed after you book, and they depend on whether you choose the daytime or the evening option. Please be at your pick-up point at least 10 minutes early.
Important information
- Wear warm, easy-to-remove clothes; the floating suit and safety equipment are provided.
- Bring a towel, a warm hat and a change of dry underwear and socks for after the float.
- Tell the instructor about any medical conditions, and follow the briefing carefully.
- Weather and sea conditions decide the exact location and timing; the instructor may adjust the plan for safety.
- Northern lights are possible on the evening option only in clear, active conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
- Check availability in the booking panel to see start times for your date.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Arctic floating experience cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, daytime or evening. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option and group size.
Is hotel pickup included?
Van pick-up and drop-off are included from designated pick-up points in Tromsø city. They are not door-to-door hotel transfers, and the exact point and time are confirmed after booking.
How long is the floating experience?
The daytime option takes about 3 hours and the evening option about 3.5 hours, including transfers, the briefing, the float and the campfire.
Is Arctic floating suitable for children?
It can suit children who are comfortable in water and fit the suit sizes available. Please tell us the ages of children when booking so we can confirm with the instructor.
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. The suit keeps you afloat, so you do not need to swim. You should, however, be comfortable being in the water and follow the instructor's advice.
Will I be cold in the water?
The suit is designed to keep you warm and dry. Your face and hands may feel the cold air, so bring warm clothes for the moments before and after the float.
What is included in the tour?
The tour includes van pick-up and drop-off, the guide, the floating suit, a campfire, hot drinks, fresh water and snacks, and a certificate.
What is the difference between the options?
The daytime option is about 3 hours in daylight, while the evening option is about 3.5 hours after dark with a possible chance of northern lights. The floating and campfire are the same.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes if there are places left. Groups are limited to 8, so choose your date in the booking panel to check current availability.
Is floating in the Arctic worth it?
Guests find it a calm, unusual experience unlike any other winter activity in Tromsø, and the campfire and certificate make it a memorable half-day.
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