World Sea Explorers · Sjøgata 35, Tromsø
Stella Oceana is a 34-metre expedition sailing yacht that takes 12 guests at most into the fjords around Tromsø for four hours, with reindeer stew for dinner and a hot tub on deck. Pick it if you want the evening to feel special even when the sky stays cloudy, because the dinner and the hot tub happen either way.

This is the small, slow and comfortable way to look for the aurora. World Sea Explorers sails Stella Oceana, a 34-metre expedition sailing yacht, from Sjøgata 35 in Tromsø, with a maximum of 12 guests. The local captain picks the route through the fjords by the weather and conditions of the night. You step out onto the decks to watch the sky and take photos, then go back into a warm saloon with books, games, blankets and pillows. It has 4.8 stars from 137 reviews, a smaller count than the big boats, but a high score. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Dinner is a homemade Norwegian reindeer stew with bread, and a vegetarian or vegan stew is available with at least 24 hours' notice. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water and cookies are self-serve, and you get one alcohol-free welcome drink. The highlight is the private hot-tub time: each booking group gets about 30 to 45 minutes in the outdoor hot tub, under the Arctic sky. There is a changing room, a shower and a hair dryer on board. Guests say they watched the lights from the water.
The cruise is alcohol-free, and you cannot bring your own. Bring swimwear (it is not sold on board) and rent a towel for NOK 50 or bring one. Shoes and outdoor clothes come off before you go inside. The yacht needs at least 6 guests to sail. If that minimum is not reached, the operator may offer a new date or a full refund. It is not suitable for wheelchair users. No boat can promise the lights. Visit Norway calls them a natural phenomenon, just like the weather.
Meet the crew of Stella Oceana in central Tromsø and leave your shoes at the door.
The captain chooses the route by the weather, away from the city lights.
Dinner is served in the warm saloon, with coffee, tea and hot chocolate to help yourself.
Your booking group gets about 30 to 45 minutes in the outdoor hot tub under the sky.
Step out to watch and photograph the aurora, then warm up inside again.
The yacht returns to the quay after four hours on the water.
★★★★★Excellent - fab hosts, saw the Northern lights from the hot tub and the reindeer stew was delicious!!
★★★★★Captain Kennet, what a lovely gentleman. We were a group of 12 travelers and the captain likes to keep his groups small so we can all enjoy the yacht. He told us the history of this lovely yacht. Each couple could pick a time to enter the hot tub for 40 mins. Amazing. [...] Definitely recommend this experience.
★★★★★Absolutely amazing! A highlight of our trip. I highly recommend World Sea Explorers. Our night cruise was intimate [...] the reindeer stew was delicious, and the ambience was perfect. The skipper and crew were so kind and eager to ensure the experience was one to remember. The clouds blocked most views of the northern lights, but we had such a wonderful time that it didn’t matter. [...]
★★★★★Incredible experience! Kennet was a fantastic captain and so enthusiastic about making sure his guests were happy. Delicious food and the hot tub was a perfect temperature to enjoy the lights. The boat is beautiful and very sturdy so you don’t feel too much movement. [...]
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Yes. A homemade reindeer stew with bread is included, with a vegetarian or vegan stew on request at least 24 hours ahead.
Each booking group gets about 30 to 45 minutes of private time in the outdoor hot tub.
No. The cruise is alcohol-free, and guests may not bring alcohol on board. You get one alcohol-free welcome drink.
12 at most. The yacht needs at least 6 guests to sail, and if that is not reached the operator may offer a new date or a full refund.
Ready to book
A 34-metre yacht for 12 guests at most, with reindeer stew and a private hot tub under the sky.
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