Coastal Adventure and Whale Safari

Join us for the highlights of the Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes, before returning southbound to the Arctic city of Tromsø where we embark on a unique and exciting whale safari, based in the remote island settlement of Sommarøy.

This new itinerary takes us on the first eight days of the Round Voyage on the Coastal Express from Bergen, enjoying the sights, scenes and sounds along the way.

We have the opportunity of joining the excursions offered during this time: for wildlife lovers we particularly recommend the Saltstraumen Sea Eagle Safari from Bodø and the bird watching trip at Gjesvær, near the North Cape, on our journey north.

Having enjoyed the coastal voyage from Bergen, we disembark in Tromsø on the southbound arrival. We spend one night in our comfortable quayside hotel before meeting our representative in the hotel reception at 10.00 for our brief stroll to the excellent Polaria Museum.

Here we explore the incredible landscapes, wildlife and heritage of the Arctic region though an interactive combination of film, displays and marine life.

Returning to the quay, we board our small, fully equipped boat which will take us on our search for some of the world’s most magnificent creatures on our whale safari. While we can not guarantee sightings of these animals in their natural habitat, this area is frequented by minke, sperm and humpback whales as well as dolphins, porpoise, otters and seals. Thousands of seabirds circle overhead, and if we are lucky we may also spot sea eagles.

Our whale safari brings us to the small island community of Sommarøy, where we spend two nights on a half board basis at the Sommarøy Hotel. This bustling seafaring settlement has been host to fishing and hunting for centuries, and the importance of the former can still be witnessed at the busy quayside warehouses and among the many boats in the harbour.

Our hotel, built in the traditional Norwegian style opened in 2001 and is ideally situated near to the harbour and ten minutes walk from the store and post office. The restaurant – which has an open air section right on the waterfront – serves traditionally prepared meals from local produce.

The sheltered bays, narrow waterways and white beaches in the area are idyllic and our next day is left free so that we can take advantage of whatever our mood desires - further sea safaris, fishing trips and boat hire may all be booked locally. Then, after an exciting day out, why not relax in the hotel’s shore cabin with its wood-fired sauna and giant hot tub?

Finally we leave this peaceful, unspoiled haven and return to Tromsø where our homeward flight via Oslo awaits.

NEW: take a virtual cruise along the Norwegian Coast using the special Google Earth tours we have created

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This cruise is operated in conjunction with Norwegian Coastal Voyages, ATOL 3584, ABTA V7545.

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