Arctic Norway Expedition Log: Tromsø Archipelagos (Senja, Kvaløya, Sommarøy, Håja) — 2024 & 2025 Review
Sea kayaking above the Arctic Circle has a way of resetting your sense of scale. In 2024, Sea Kayaking Wales returned to Arctic Norway for an expedition that traversed the wild islands of Senja and Kvaløya, with time amongst the white-sand skerries and turquoise shallows of Sommarøy and nearby islands. In 2025, we built on that momentum with even more ambition, fielding two dedicated expedition teams in Arctic Norway.
This post is a practical, paddler-focused look at what the Tromsø Archipelagos route feels like, plus a simple review of what we learned across 2024 and 2025.
The Tromsø Archipelagos route at a glance
This is classic Arctic Norway sea kayaking: dramatic peaks dropping into the sea, sheltered island networks, and open crossings that keep you honest.
A typical journey links sections of:
Senja (big mountains, wild west coast feel)
Sommarøy archipelago (white beaches, skerries, clear water)
Håja (iconic steep-sided island)
Kvaløya and nearby islands (bigger coastline, more committing feel)
2024: Senja & Kvaløya expedition (what stood out)
Our 2024 expedition delivered the full Arctic Norway experience: exposed coastlines when conditions allowed, and a steady rhythm of wild camps, shared meals, and long summer light.
Highlights reported by participants included:
Stunning daily scenery and a coastline that feels like a “supercharged” Skye
Clear water and frequent chances to swim
White beaches and turquoise seas around the smaller islands
A strong sense of team spirit across 11 days and around 225 km of paddling
The 2024 route also underlined a key truth about Norway: plans are always weather-dependent, and the best days come from good judgement and flexible leadership.
2025: two Arctic Norway teams (what changed)
In 2025, SKW expanded to run two dedicated expedition teams:
A Hammerfest / Sørøya team (a more remote, more committing expedition objective)
A Tromsø Archipelagos team (a classic multi-island journey building on 2024 experience)
For the Tromsø Archipelagos group, 2025 was about refining the flow: keeping the route adventurous while making the logistics and pacing smoother for the team.
10-day expedition log (Tromsø Archipelagos, 2025)
Below is a readable day-by-day log format (great for anyone considering joining a future trip).
Day -1: Arrival in Tromsø
Meet in town, sort last-minute kit and food, and get everyone aligned on the plan, safety, and group routines.
Day 1: Setting off for Senja
Travel out to Senja, pack boats, and launch for a short first paddle to the opening wild camp.
Day 2: The long west coast traverse
A bigger day that tests endurance and teamwork, with changeable weather and lively sea conditions. A proper “we earned this camp” finish.
Day 3: To the Bergsøyan archipelago
A coastal journey into a stunning island network known for clear water, white sand, and birdlife.
Day 4: Islands exploration + Skaland resupply
A day weaving through sheltered channels and hidden coves, with an optional practical hop to restock.
Day 5: Relocate for new waters
A short paddle to finish the Senja section, then a vehicle move to set up the next chapter.
Day 6: Crossing to Sommarøy
A longer crossing day into the Sommarøy archipelago: classic Arctic Norway colours, skerries, and beaches.
Day 7: Sommarøy to Håja (via Tussøya)
A scenic island-hopping day with a dramatic camp backdrop beneath Håja.
Day 8: Hiking Håja’s summit
A rest-from-paddling day with a big viewpoint reward: a different perspective on the route you’ve travelled by sea.
Day 9: South towards Kvaløya
A steady journey day as the scenery shifts again and the sense of completion builds.
Day 10: Return leg and homeward travel
A final paddle to close the loop, then load boats and head back towards Tromsø.
What you actually get from this trip (beyond the photos)
People often come for the midnight sun and the landscapes. They leave with:
Better expedition routines (packing, camp systems, group flow)
Stronger decision-making in real conditions
More confidence with open crossings and coastal navigation
A close-knit team experience that’s hard to replicate anywhere else
Join the Tromsø Archipelagos expedition
Find trip details and register your interest here:
https://seakayakingwales.com/senja-kvaloya-sommaroy-haja-vengsoya-norway/
See all Arctic Norway expeditions
https://seakayakingwales.com/expeditions-and-away-trips-1#arcticnorway