Kvaloya (Sállir)

The Basics

Kvaloya’s Sami name is Sallir, or “Whale Island.” Indeed, humpback whales can be spotted here from late November to January. That’s just one aspect of the rugged wilderness you’ll find here—get ready for snow-capped peaks around 3,500 feet (1,000 meters) tall, narrow fjords, sandy beaches, lighthouses, fishing villages, and more.

That being said, the island’s eastern reaches have been developed—they’re now a suburb of Tromso with a population of some 10,000 individuals, just 10 minutes from the city. You won’t be truly off-grid until you travel westward into the forests, up a peak like Store Blåmann (the island’s highest), or to the island’s western fringes on the crashing Atlantic coast.

Things to Know Before You Go

• If you’re coming from Tromso, your Kvaloya destination can be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour away—at 285 square miles (740 square kilometers), Kvaloya isn’t exactly tiny.

• Kvaloya rarely tops 60ºF (15ºC), and half the year hovers around freezing. If you know how to dress for chilly weather, you’ll be fine.

• Keep in mind you’re 200+ miles (350 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle—in summer, expect 24 hours of daylight; in winter, expect zero.

How to Get There

You can fly into Tromso from Oslo or Bergen; from there, Kvaloya is just across the Sandnessund Bridge—access the island via rental car, bus, or group tour. To experience the region at a slower pace, you could also take a Hurtigruten cruise, which offers several applicable routes—from the 4-day Bergen–Tromso route to the 3.5-hour Arctic Capital itinerary, which includes stops at Kvaloya, the Arctic Cathedral (Tromsdalen Church), and the Fjellheisen Cable Car.

When to Get There

Because Kvaloya is so far north, “when to get there” highly depends on the activities you’re looking to experience. For humpback whales and northern lights, that’s roughly November to February. For dog-sledding and other winter thrills, look to November to March. For long summer days and cozier hiking weather, look to June to October.

Here’s Some FOMO

Lounge on an Arctic beach—Grotfjord, Sandvika, and Otervika are standouts. Catch the northern lights from cliff-lined Ersfjordbotn. Hang out with the Icelandic horses at a farm hotel. Kayak along the coast at midnight. Take a RIB boat ride along the deep waters of the Grotfjord. Check out prehistoric rock carvings at Skavberg. Wander traditional wooden houses at Hella. There’s so much to do up here around Kvaloya.