Lofoten Handbook

Trollfjord and sea eagle boat trips from Svolvær

RIB, charter boat and hybrid-electric cruises run from Svolvær up Raftsundet into Trollfjorden, a fjord arm about 2.5 km long and about 100 m wide at its mouth, with white-tailed eagles common along the way. Trollfjorden has no road; the only way in is by boat.

Last verified 16 September 2026

Svolvær

Why do it

Steep mountains above 1,000 m close in on a narrow fjord, and operators describe a large white-tailed eagle population in Raftsundet, with close sightings likely.

Where

Departures from the quayside and town square in Svolvær. RIB trips run up Raftsundet into Trollfjorden; Lofoten Explorer also names the Øyhellsundet strait on its route. Store norske leksikon notes that Trollfjorden cuts into Austvågøya from Raftsundet and lies in Hadsel municipality, so it belongs administratively to Vesterålen. Henningsvær has a separate sea eagle RIB safari with Lofoten Opplevelser.

Best time

Year-round for several RIB operators (XXLofoten and Lofoten Explorer state daily departures through the year; RIB Lofoten has summer and winter versions). MS Øykongen sails daily in summer. Visit Lofoten notes several summer departures from Svolvær.

How long it takes

RIB trips about 2 hours (RIB Lofoten, XXLofoten, Lofoten Explorer, Go2Lofoten); MS Øykongen about 3 hours; Brim Explorer Silent Trollfjord Cruise about 3 hours; Lofoten Opplevelser Henningsvær sea eagle safari 2 hours.

Who it suits

Listing age fields: RIB Lofoten 6 (summer) and 4 (winter); XXLofoten 8; Go2Lofoten 6. XXLofoten and Go2Lofoten do not recommend RIB trips for pregnant people or those with back problems. Larger boats (Brim Explorer, MS Øykongen) have indoor space; Brim's listing is marked child friendly.

Operators

  • RIB Lofoten: RIB sea eagle safari to Trollfjord from Torget, Svolvær; up to 12 others on board; flotation suit, life jacket, goggles, gloves; summer and winter versions; listed NOK 975.
  • XXLofoten: Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden via Raftsundet; about 2 hours; daily departures year-round; check in 30 minutes before; listed NOK 1,295.
  • Lofoten Explorer: Trollfjord & Sea Eagle RIB Safari from Svolvær quayside, departures 10:30 and 13:00, every day of the year; about 2 hours; listed NOK 1,195.
  • Go2Lofoten: Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB, 2 hours; the listing states that the eagles are fed; listed from NOK 700.
  • Brim Explorer: Silent Trollfjord Cruise on a hybrid-electric boat from Svolvær, about 3 hours, indoor lounges, food and drink for sale; listed NOK 1,390.
  • MS Øykongen: Charter-boat Trollfjord trips from the harbour by the town square, daily in summer, about 3 hours.
  • Lofoten Opplevelser: Nature and sea eagle RIB safari from Henningsvær (not Trollfjord), meet 14:15, 2 hours; may visit a grey seal colony; listed NOK 995 adults, NOK 795 under 12.

Practical information

  • Visit Lofoten also names sailing trips to Trollfjord with Pukka Travels and World Sea Explorers, charter trips with Lofoten Charterboat, and Hurtigruten ships, which go into Trollfjorden between Stokmarknes and Svolvær (Store norske leksikon).
  • On RIB trips, operators supply flotation suits; bring a hat, gloves and warm shoes, and in winter a down jacket under the suit (Visit Lofoten; XXLofoten).
  • Routes can change or be cancelled at short notice because of weather (Lofoten Explorer).
  • The Battle of Trollfjord took place in 1890 (Store norske leksikon).

Where to stay in Svolvær

  • Anker Brygge

    Rorbu in Svolvær

    Rorbu cabins and suites on Lamholmen, a small island in Svolvær harbour, around a former fish factory that now holds Restaurant Kjøkkenet, the Bryggebaren bar and suites. The site dates the main building to about 1860, though one line on its restaurant page says 1880.

    • Waterfront
    • Sea view
    • Couples
    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

  • Fast Hotel Lofoten

    Hotel in Svolvær

    A 25-room self-service hotel in a quiet residential street in Svolvær, about 500 m from the town square and beside the Svinøya bridge, run by Fast Hotels without a reception.

    Price
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  • Fast Hotel Svolvær

    Hotel in Svolvær

    A 49-room self-service budget hotel next to Svolvær town square and Lofoten Kulturhus, with code entry instead of a reception and single, double, triple and family rooms.

    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

Itineraries that include it

Questions

How do you get to Trollfjord from Svolvær?
By boat only; there is no road. RIB safaris, charter boats and a hybrid-electric cruise leave from Svolvær harbour.
How long is a Trollfjord RIB safari?
About 2 hours on RIB trips from Svolvær; larger boats such as Brim Explorer and MS Øykongen take about 3 hours.
Do Trollfjord trips run in winter?
Yes. XXLofoten and Lofoten Explorer state year-round departures, and RIB Lofoten has a winter version.
Is Trollfjord in Lofoten?
It cuts into Austvågøya, which is counted as part of Lofoten, but lies in Hadsel municipality and so belongs administratively to Vesterålen.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.