About — Est. 2013

Born of the fjords, raised on the wind.

We are a small crew of Tromsø locals, sharing the waters we have known our whole lives — slowly, safely, and with deep respect for the Arctic.

01 — Our story

Arcticat began with a single boat, three friends, and a stubborn belief that the best way to know Northern Norway is from the deck of a vessel — not behind a window.

What started in 2013 as weekend trips for friends has grown into a year-round operation, but our philosophy hasn't shifted. We still keep groups small. We still skipper our own boats. We still pour the coffee ourselves.

Tromsø is more than a starting point on a map. It's a city that has taught generations how to read the sea — when to push out, when to turn back, where the cod are running and where the eagles nest. We carry that knowledge with us every time we leave the harbour.

02 — What we stand for

Three things we refuse to compromise on.

①

Small groups. Always.

A crowded boat is a hurried boat. We cap our trips at six guests so every person gets time with the captain, time at the rail, and time to actually be somewhere instead of just passing through it.

②

Respect for the water.

We follow strict catch limits, avoid sensitive nesting grounds, and run engines that meet the latest emissions standards. The Arctic is not a backdrop — it's our workplace, our larder, and our home.

③

Authenticity over spectacle.

We won't promise you whales we can't guarantee or Northern Lights we can't summon. What we promise is an honest day on the water — the real Tromsø, the way we have always known it.

03 — The crew

Faces you'll see at the helm.

LH

Lars Henriksen

Founder · Captain

Born on Kvaløya, sailing since the age of nine. Lars holds a Master Mariner certification and has logged more than 18,000 hours in Norwegian coastal waters.

IB

Ingrid Bakke

Captain · Marine Biologist

Marine biologist by training, captain by calling. Ingrid leads our fjord and wildlife tours, with a particular soft spot for sea eagles and orca pods.

SO

Sondre Olsen

First Mate · Guide

Tromsø-born and fluent in five languages. Sondre runs the deck on most fishing trips and has an uncanny sense for where the halibut are hiding.

04 — Our vessel

M/S Arcticat

42 ft · Steel hull · Built 2019

Our vessel is built for these waters — not just for comfort, but for the conditions. A heated cabin, a spacious aft deck, and certified safety equipment for every guest on board.

  • Length12.8 m
  • Capacity6 guests
  • Cruising speed22 knots
  • CabinHeated, seating for 8
  • SafetyCoastguard certified

05 — Come meet us

Step aboard.

Have questions? Curious about a custom trip? We answer every message ourselves — usually within a day.

hello@arcticat.no Browse tours