Summer kayaking in Tromsø: paddling under the midnight sun
A small choice of tours, but a rare kind of light: on the water at midnight with the sun still up.
From roughly 19 May to 27 July the sun does not set over Tromsø. The summer kayak offer is much smaller than the winter one: on Sommarøy, an island west of Tromsø, 69Nord runs trips in Hobie kayaks with pedal drive and a sail, among them a midnight-sun paddle. The Steam Tours fjord paddles on Kvaløya run all year. These are the tours you can book.
Summer kayak tours from Tromsø
Sorted by number of reviews. Re-sort by tapping a column header.
| Photo | Tour | Format | Duration | Getting there | Min. age | Season | Reviews ↕ | Price ↕ | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Half-day Hobie Kayak Trip, Sommarøy 69Nord Sommarøy | Pedal-and-sail kayak | 3 h | Meeting point on Sommarøy | From 10, with an adult | Not stated, see the calendar | ★ 5.0 (2) | €149 per person | Book now |
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Midnight Sun Hobie Kayak Trip, Sommarøy 69Nord Sommarøy | Pedal-and-sail kayak · midnight sun | 3 h | Transport to Sommarøy included | From 10 | Midnight-sun season, dates in the calendar | New tour, no reviews yet | €172 per person | Book now |
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2-Hour Small-Group Fjord Kayak Steam Tours | Sea kayak in a drysuit | 2 h, about 90 min paddling | Own way to Kvaløya, free parking | From 14 | All year | New tour, no reviews yet | €84 per person | Book now |
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Fjord Kayak Tour with City Transfer Steam Tours | Sea kayak in a drysuit | 220 min, about 90 min paddling | Minibus from Prostneset included | From 14 | All year | New tour, no reviews yet | €110 per person | Book now |
Kayak tour prices in this table come live from GetYourGuide and include taxes and booking fees. Whether transport to the water is included differs from tour to tour.
The midnight-sun trip on Sommarøy
69Nord’s midnight-sun trip is a three-hour evening paddle around Sommarøy in the low light of the Arctic summer. Transport to Sommarøy is included, groups have up to 8 participants, and children from age 10 can join. The operator asks you to bring clothing for the weather plus a hat and a neck warmer. The product page does not list operating dates; the booking calendar shows which evenings can be booked. It has no reviews yet.
Hobie kayaks with pedal, sail and paddle
Both 69Nord trips use Hobie kayaks, which have a pedal drive and a sail in addition to the paddle. With the pedals, your legs do much of the work. The half-day trip runs for three hours from the 69Nord outdoor centre on Sommarøy, also with up to 8 participants and open to children from 10 with an adult. Its product page does not state a season, so check the booking calendar for summer dates. The product page names the meeting point on Sommarøy; check it for how to get there.
All-year fjord paddles on Kvaløya
Steam Tours paddles from Steam Pier on Kvaløya, about 25 minutes from the centre, in every season. In summer it is the same format as in winter: a guided sea-kayak tour in a full drysuit with about 90 minutes on the water and up to 6 paddlers, followed by a hot drink and pastry in the café. You either drive there yourself and park for free, or book the version with a minibus from Prostneset. Both require that you can swim and are open from age 14. Neither has reviews yet.
Summer days in Tromsø are mild, but the sea stays cold, roughly 10–12 °C in late summer, colder earlier in the season. Evenings on the open water feel cooler than the forecast suggests. Bring layers, a windproof top, a hat and a neck warmer; the what to wear page has the details.
After the midnight sun
From late July the sun sets again, but there is no real darkness until mid-September. The Steam Tours paddles continue through autumn, and the winter tours with seals and sea eagles are built for the dark season. Our best time page shows the whole year at a glance.
What a summer paddler says
From the booking page of the half-day Hobie kayak trip, written in August. The midnight-sun trip and the Steam Tours paddles have no reviews yet.
“I had an amazing experience with Olivier as our guide for the Hobie Kayak tour! He was extremely friendly, professional, and knowledgeable … making us feel comfortable and safe on the kayak, and showing us the beautiful surroundings.”
Reviews written by paddlers after their kayak tour, from GetYourGuide.
FAQ
Can I kayak under the midnight sun in Tromsø?
Yes. 69Nord runs a midnight-sun trip in Hobie kayaks on Sommarøy, west of Tromsø, with transport to the island included. The product page does not list dates, so check the booking calendar.
When is the midnight sun in Tromsø?
Roughly from 19 May to 27 July the sun does not set.
What is a Hobie kayak?
A kayak with a pedal drive and a sail as well as a paddle, so your legs do much of the work. The 69Nord trips on Sommarøy use them and are open from age 10.
Are there kayak tours in Tromsø in summer without going to Sommarøy?
Yes. The Steam Tours fjord paddles on Kvaløya run all year, with about 90 minutes on the water. You get there on your own (free parking) or with a minibus from Prostneset.
Do I need a drysuit in summer?
The Steam Tours paddles provide a full drysuit all year. The 69Nord product pages list a safety vest and a waterproof bag; dress in layers for wind and spray, because the sea stays cold.
Compare every kayak tour from Tromsø
Winter, all-year and summer tours side by side.
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