Brim Explorer · Kaigata 6, Tromsø
Brim Explorer's electric boat leaves the centre of Tromsø and heads north, south or west, wherever the clearest weather of the night is forecast, while you wait in heated lounges. Pick it for a quiet, modern boat, guides who talk you through the science and the myths, and a hot vegan soup on the way back.
Brim Explorer runs this evening cruise on a quiet electric boat: 3 hours from Kaigata 6, on the waterfront in central Tromsø. The route is not fixed. The crew picks the direction with the clearest forecast for the night and heads north toward Kvaløyvågen, south to Ramfjorden, or west along the southern part of Kvaløya. The captain and crew watch for clear skies or a gap in the cloud layer as you sail. It has 4.2 stars from 370 reviews. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before.
You wait for the lights in heated lounges, with a cafe for drinks and snacks. The guides share stories of the aurora from around the world and the science behind it, and when the lights appear, you put on your warm clothes and go out on deck. The operator is honest about the aurora. Some nights she dances in colour, other nights she is faint or not there at all. Guides help you take pictures with your camera. On the way back you get the lights of Tromsø and the Arctic Cathedral from the water, and a bowl of vegan soup to warm up.
Tap water and the soup are included; other drinks are sold on board. There is no retry offer if the night stays cloudy, which is the main difference from the second chance cruise. Guests say the boat is warm and comfortable, and some saw the lights soon after leaving the harbour.
Meet at the Brim Explorer terminal on the Tromsø waterfront.
The crew sails north toward Kvaløyvågen, south to Ramfjorden or west along Kvaløya, by the night's forecast.
Relax in the heated lounge, buy a drink at the cafe and listen to the guides talk about the aurora.
Put on your warm layers and step outside. The guides help with camera settings.
Warm up with vegan soup as the boat returns past the Arctic Cathedral to Tromsø.
★★★★★Before we had even left the port the light show had begun. After a quick safety briefing we all headed out of the warm lounge to marvel at the magical green lights in the night sky. So beautiful. Very comfortable cruise. Delicious soup. Toilets onboard. [...] Would highly recommend if you're after both comfort and the lights.
★★★★★Warm seating and spicy soup was perfect for keeping warm with a chance of seeing the lights. The presentation on the science and history of the lights was interesting too
★★★★★Fantastic boat trip, We had brilliant views of the Northern Lights and had plenty of time to photograph and admire them. The boat was very comfortable and warm and gave great views of Tromsø and the surrounding area at nighttime.
★★★★★Beautiful excursion. Being out at sea at night and seeing the aurora is a wonderful feeling. The soup served on board with bread is delicious. Kudos also to the captain, who navigated the frozen sea in complete safety.
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It depends on the forecast. The boat heads north toward Kvaløyvågen, south to Ramfjorden or west along the southern part of Kvaløya, wherever the clearest weather is predicted.
A vegan soup and tap water are included. Other drinks and snacks are sold at the cafe on board.
No retry is offered on this cruise. For a free second trip, look at the second chance cruise from the Nerstranda quay.
3 hours, from Kaigata 6 in central Tromsø.
Ready to book
A silent electric boat that sails toward the clearest forecast, with soup on the way back.
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