Visit to the old Trading Post Finnkroken and their Christmas Market

Our popular Advent adventure gives you the feeling of travelling back in time. And in a way we really do. Hermes II, the beautiful wooden vessel from 1917, is the perfect match for Finnkroken, a registered trading post for over 200 years, and the Reinøy island that has been inhabited for almost 10,000 years.

We start out from Tromsø on a 2-hours sailing in beautiful winter scenery. On the way you may explore the old boat, visit the captain in the wheel house, learn about Hermes II’s exiting history from our guide or just relax, enjoy yourself and take in the wievs.

When we arrive at Finnkroken the Christmas Market is open with local handcrafted products, local food and much more for sale. The cozy café on the pier oozes Christmas and tempts you with hot drinks and different treats. And don’t miss the chance to have a nice rendez-vous with the talkative locals. They love visitors!

Local hosts guide you and invite you to visit The Armauer House from 1802 and the church. We recommend you to join the tour – it’s very interesting.

Included
Step aboard Hermes II and be welcomed by a friendly and knowledgeable crew fluent in both Norwegian and English. As we sail through the scenic fjords, you’ll hear the fascinating story of the boat and its role along the northern coast. For your comfort, we offer warm indoor saloons, cozy blankets, and thermal suits. There are two guest toilets available on board, and all guests are provided with personal safety equipment. Hot drinks such as coffee, tea, and toddy are included in the tour. You’ll also get to taste a traditional Norwegian fish cake – served in hand, just like we do it up north. On this trip we sell a warm meal on the way back to Tromsø. Snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board.

Bring
We recommend dressing warmly and bringing your own personal gear. Remember to pack hat, mittens, and warm shoes to stay comfortable while enjoying the views from the deck.

Notice
The trip may be cancelled or changed due to bad weather conditions

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The experience

Experience Tromsø from the seaside and feel the atmosphere on board a unique wooden boat more than 100 years old. Enjoy the tranquility on the clear Arctic waters as we guide you through the history of Hermes II.

Enjoy the silence on board

Silence.
Silence away from the city’s hustle. Cars, shops, and people rushing about. Gentle lapping of the waves against the bow, while the engine beats faithfully in the engine room. On deck it’s open. Wide open. It doesn’t matter if you turn port or starboard—the view is magnificent. Breathtaking.

Snow-covered, majestic mountains rise above the clear Arctic waters. A gull or two follows the boat. Instinctively, they think there’s food to be had. Is it the sound of the Cummins 335 engine they recognize, or the boat’s fishing history that tempts them to search for a free meal?

During the trip, you’ll hear the exciting story of Hermes II. Hot drinks are included!

Welcome aboard

Hermes II is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and safety equipment. On board, you’ll meet highly trained, experienced skippers and hosts with advanced safety training. A trip with Hermes II is meant to be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Facilities

On deck, you can stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere, or settle down on the seating areas. Blankets and seat pads are available to keep you warm, and if you still find it a bit too chilly, we have thermal suits you can borrow.

Below deck, you’ll find a stylish and cozy lounge with seating, dining tables, bunks, a bar, and restrooms. Here, you can also watch films about the company’s boats—from dramatic deep-sea fishing in the Barents Sea to idyllic sunshine trips with Hermes II. You’ll also have access to the same screens the skipper uses on the bridge. You can follow the boat’s course, see the positions of other vessels, check the depth around Hermes II, and even look for nearby fish.

Food & Drinks eller Refreshments

Hermes II is registered as a licensed establishment with full serving and alcohol rights.
This unfortunately means it is not possible to bring your own food and drinks on board. Exceptions can be made for small children and guests with allergies.

On two of our open trips – the 2.5-hour cruise and the 4.5-hour fishing trips – we serve a hot fish cake to everyone. During the fishing trips, we prepare the catch (we usually get fish) in saltwater and serve fresh fish in true Northern Norwegian style. Coffee and tea are included, while other hot drinks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board – also during our shorter one-hour cruises.

The tailored trips are planned together with you. Here, the options are many: from a simple boat trip without food, to light servings on deck, or multi-course tasting menus. For catering, we often collaborate with Mathallen and Dragøy, but other suppliers can certainly be used as well. Get in touch, and we’ll find the arrangement that best suits your wishes and needs.

Clothing

Tromsø is located right on the edge of the Arctic. It’s cold here, but it’s even colder out at sea where you’re more exposed to the wind. We therefore recommend keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for your trip and dressing accordingly.