Sommarøy, the summer island

Sommarøy lies at the far western end of Kvaløya, about an hour’s drive from Tromsø. It is a working fishing village with a large local fleet and fish processing, and visitors come mainly for activities at sea and for the white beaches. In winter it is one of the most popular short day trips, by car, by bus or on a guided tour.

Getting there

From Tromsø you cross the bridge to Kvaløya and follow road 862 all the way to Sommarøy. Without a car, bus 420 runs from Tromsø via Hella and Brensholmen to Sommarøy. The bus timetable changes, so check it in the Svipper app. Guided trips take the same road, with stops along the fjords of Kvaløya on the way.

The name means summer island. According to Store norske leksikon the island was first settled only in the summer months.

The beaches

Kvitnesvika and Steinsvika lie on a small islet at Sommarøy. Visit Tromsø describes white sand and clear water, and the feeling of being far from everything. There is parking, and the beaches are about an hour from Tromsø.

The view from Hillesøytoppen

On the neighbouring island of Hillesøy, a clear path leads from the youth hall (ungdomshuset) up to Hillesøytoppen, 211 metres above the sea. Visit Tromsø’s hiking map describes a railing all the way to the top and a view over the islands of Hekkingen, Edøy, Tussøy, Sommarøy and Senja. Parking is at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel or at the tunnel entrance on Hillesøy. In winter, take ice spikes for the path.

What to do in winter

• Sea safaris: Sommarøy Arctic Hotel and Yggdrasiltunet offer them in winter.
• Saunas and hot tubs: Visit Tromsø lists rentals with a view on Sommarøy, Kvaløya and Vengsøya. Jeshua AS runs a sauna trip by coach to the coast near Sommarøy.
• Northern lights: Sommarøy is far from the city lights. Look at the forecast before you set off in the evening.

More about saunas around Tromsø is on our page on saunas.

When to go

In the polar night, from about 27 November to 15 January, the sun does not rise, and on a trip to Sommarøy much of the midday twilight goes on the drive. From February the days lengthen quickly, and by 1 March the sun is up from 07:11 to 16:43. If you want to see the beaches in daylight, February and March are the better months. On the way you pass the fjords of Kvaløya, and from Brensholmen the ferry crosses to Senja.