The beautiful town of Skjervøy is found in the heart of Northern Norway in the North Troms region. During the winter months, it’s one of the best places in Norway to go whale watching, with several species visiting the area.
While the whales are the main draw to the town, the area is a bit of a hidden gem. Surrounded by incredible scenery and epic Aurora viewing opportunities, the Skjervøy municipality is a wonderful place to visit in Northern Norway.
It’s possible to visit Skjervoy as part of a whale watching day trip from Tromso, but it’s well worth spending a night or two in this traditional coastal town. Not only will this give you a buffer if your whale watching tour is cancelled, but it allows some extra time to explore the area.
Thanks to an extreme Arctic storm disrupting all my plans, I spent ten days in Skjervoy. This gave me plenty of time to explore the town and experience everything it has to offer.
Here, I’ve shared a quick guide to visiting Skjervoy, including how to get there, the best things to do, where to stay and where to eat.
How to get to Skjervoy
Despite being well above the Arctic Circle, getting to Skjervoy is relatively straightforward (at least if the weather plays ball).
By public transport from Tromso
If you’re looking at how to get from Tromso to Skjervoy without a car, you’ll be pleased to hear the two locations are well-connected.
The easiest way to get to Skjervoy from Tromso is to take the express boats by Svipper (boat number 3). There is a ferry most days, and you can book your tickets on the app. The boat ride takes about two hours. It’s by far the easiest and quickest way to get to Skjervoy.
It’s not uncommon for the boat to be cancelled in rough seas, so it’s worth building in some buffer time to allow for poor weather.
The other option is to take a bus. Along with the boat, Svipper also operates buses between the two destinations.
You can take the 150 bus from Tromso to Sorelva, then change to the 155. The bus drivers coordinate to ensure you make the second bus.
Note: There is usually only one or two buses a day. It’s essential to check the Svipper app for the latest information in case anything has changed.
Best Arctic also runs a direct seasonal bus between Tromso and Skjervoy. This is an excellent option for those travelling to Skjervoy and whale-watching on the same day. The bus often sells out, so be sure to book in advance.
The Hurtigruten’s Port-to-Port
If you want a memorable experience, consider using Hurtigruten’s port-to-port service to travel between Tromso and Skjervoy.
This four-hour journey is on one of the Hurtigruten’s famous boats. Most boats have nice restaurants, viewing areas, and even hot tubs.
You can check the latest schedule on the Hurtigruten website and use their hop-on, hop-off service to travel up the Norwegian coastline.
It’s more expensive than the express boat but a nice experience.
By car
If you’ve hired a car in Norway, it’s possible to drive between Tromso and Skjervoy.
The quickest route takes about four hours, and involves taking a car ferry between Breidvik and Svensby. The ferries run hourly, and you don’t need to book beforehand.
If you’re visiting Norway in the winter, I’d only recommend doing this drive if you’re confident driving in extreme weather. The roads are often covered in snow, with high winds and potential risks of avalanches.
Accommodation in Skjervoy
Accommodation is quite limited in Skjervoy. It’s a small town that has only recently seen a tourism boost thanks to the whales.
For the most part, people only visit Skjervoy for the day, so there’s not a massive range of accommodation options.
The main hotel in Skjervoy is Hotell Maritime. This is where I spent most of my nights in Skjervoy. It’s a nice hotel with modern rooms, an on-site bar and a restaurant serving various dishes. There is a minimum booking of two nights.
Another great option is the På Hjørnet Gjestehus. There is the option of a double room or a studio with a small kitchenette.
Skjervoy Lodge is another option. It’s a bit further away from the town centre, but still within walking distance.
I also spent a night in this fantastic apartment. It has two bedrooms, incredible views and a well-equipped kitchen. I can’t recommend it enough.
If none of the above are right for you, there are a few options on Airbnb.
Best things to do in Skjervoy
Embark on a whale watching adventure
The epic whale watching in Skjervoy is arguably what put this local town on the tourist map.
Thousands of whales visit the nearby fjords each year to feed on Arctic herring. With orcas, humpback whales, fin whales and even sperm whales in the area, whale watching in Skjervoy is like nowhere else on the planet.
To see the best of the whale action, you’ll need to visit Skjervoy between mid-November and mid-January.
I’ve already shared some of the best whale watching tours in Skjervoy. But, my personal favourites are Dervola for a small boat experience or Arctic Explorers for a RIB boat adventure.
Explore the Norwegian Fjords in the Midnight Sun
Most people think Skjervoy is only a winter destination, but there are still plenty of things to do during the summer.
While most of the whale watching takes place in the winter months, it’s still possible to explore the fjords and search for wildlife during the summer.
You might not encounter hundreds of whales, but the area is still a haven for marine animals and birds. This tour is a great option and runs throughout the summer.
Skjervoy also experiences the Midnight Sun, meaning the sun doesn’t fully set during the summer. To experience this magic, consider a Midnight Sun boat trip through the fjords.
Chase the Northern Lights
Skjervoy is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights. Its location well above the Arctic Circle and minimal light pollution makes it a great place to see the incredible Aurora Borealis.
I saw the Northern Lights several times here and didn’t even have to leave the hotel car park.
However, it’s worth walking away from the main town to reduce the light pollution. There’s a football field called Leroy Arena, which is a great option. It’s only a few minutes from the hotel, although it’s up a pretty steep hill.
If you have a car and are happy to walk in deep snow, consider walking to the Aurora Viewing Point.
Another option is the footpath near Eidevannet Lake, right behind the main town.
Hike through the stunning Arctic Landscapes
Skjervoy is surrounded by the incredible beauty of the Norwegian Fjords. One of the best ways to experience this is to grab a pair of hiking boots.
If you have a free morning or afternoon in the town, there are a couple of short hikes within walking distance.
A beautiful footpath runs off ‘Klaus Dreyers Vei’s road. It takes you past a lake, and there’s a little hut where it’s possible to have a campfire.
If you follow the footpath through the forest, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Norway’s fjords.
I did this hike in the winter without snowshoes. It seems to be a well-trodden path popular with locals (we saw several dog walkers).
Another great hike in Skjervoy is the Aurora Viewing Point. It’s a short, steep walk with incredible panoramic views from the top. You might find it beneficial to take a taxi to the starting point. However, you can walk from the town if you have the energy.
I did this hike in the winter without trouble, but wading through the deep snow wasn’t the easiest (or safest). You can do it during the day, or it’s a great spot to see the Northern Lights.
Check out some more summer hikes in Skjervoy.
Try your hand at snowshoeing under the Northern Lights
Come winter, Skjervoy turns into a magical winter wonderland. One of the best winter activities in Norway is to go snowshoeing.
These handy pieces of equipment attach to your shoes and make walking on the snow a gazillion times easier.
Explore 70 Degrees offers an evening snowshoeing tour to the Aurora Viewing Point, with the hope of seeing the Lights dancing in the sky above.
Relax in a sauna
The Skjervoy Fiskecamp has a relaxing sauna where you can warm up after whale watching.
It’s a small sauna, so it’s important to book in advance, but it’s well worth visiting if you can.
Learn about Skjervoy’s history
Skjervoy is home to one of the oldest wooden churches in the Troms region. Built in 1778, the church is important to the town’s history.
It’s the perfect spot for anyone interested in Norwegian architecture and local culture. Plus, it offers a lovely view of the surrounding area.
The church is sometimes open to explore inside, but it’s just as impressive from the outside.
Visit a local salmon farm
Skjervoy is home to the Aurora Salmon Centre. It’s an excellent place for those interested in learning more about the Norwegian Salmon fishing industry.
There are tours of the farm which you can book in advance.
Go shopping
If you only have a couple of hours in Skjervoy, it’s well worth having a walk along the high street and checking out some of the shops.
There’s a lovely little gift/home shop that was very Christmassy when I visited. There are also several outdoor shops selling all the top brands.
Where to eat
There are limited options when it comes to eating out in Skjervoy. There are two main restaurants which are popular with both tourists and locals.
Hotell Maritime has a restaurant serving pizzas, burgers, salads and a few pasta dishes (the halloumi wrap is SO good). The kitchen is normally closed on a Wednesday as they host a buffet, so it’s worth checking what options they have in advance.
På Hjørnet Kafè is another excellent option! It serves small plates and cakes during the day and also offers larger meals such as pizzas and burgers.
Next door is Mix, the local takeaway spot with seating. I had a burger from here which was great.
If you have your own cooking facilities, the town has two supermarkets where you can buy most things. There’s a mid-size Xtra in the town’s centre, which has all the basics including fruit and veg, meats and cheese. There’s a larger supermarket called Bunnpris just on the outskirts of the town too.
As Skjervoy is so far north, I did find the supermarkets to be understandably more expensive than in Oslo or Tromso. However, it’s still possible to eat on a budget. Both shops had a range of gluten and dairy free products, as well as options for vegetarians.
Other tips for visiting Skjervoy
Prepare for the polar night | Skjervoy is well above the Arctic Circle. Between late November and late January, the area experiences the Polar Night, meaning the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. There’s some twilight during the day, but you won’t have full daylight.
It’s quite expensive | We all know that Norway is expensive, but the further north you travel, the more expensive it can be.
There’s a lot of snow | The Skjervoy area receives A LOT of snow. I’ve never seen snow that deep before in my life. It makes exploring all the more adventurous.
Don’t take risks | Skjervoy is in the Arctic and there can be some very extreme weather. I got caught in an Arctic storm that lasted for several days. The wind was so strong and I’ve never experienced cold like it. Don’t take any risks, especially when it comes to driving and exploring the outdoors.
Be flexible | Travelling somewhere so extreme means being flexible. Weather can, and likely will, disrupt your plans (especially in the winter). Build in some buffer days and be prepared to change your plans.
Summary: Is Skjervoy worth visiting?
If you plan to go whale watching from Tromso, it’s well worth spending a night or two in Skjervoy. This gives you some buffer time in case the whale safaris are cancelled, breaks up a long day of travel and allows you to explore the local area.
If you’re not planning to go whale watching, I’m not sure I would go out of my way to visit here in the winter.
However, it’s a great destination to add to a summer road trip in Norway! With panoramic views of the beautiful fjords, rare wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s a great addition to your itinerary.
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