Sommarøy at a glance
Sommarøy is a small fishing community beyond Kvaløya, the large island west of Tromsøya. The Sommarøy Bridge links Kvaløya with the village. The local tourism portal gives the drive from Tromsø as about one hour, using the connection to Kvaløya and road 862. That is a rule of thumb, not a promise for a winter evening with snow or wind.
The area is known for white sand beaches and open sea views. The beaches are in the wider Kvaløya and Sommarøy area, and not all of them are on the island of Sommarøy itself. This is an independent guide, and it does not run any of the trips mentioned.
Three ways to get there
Times and prices where a source gives them. A dash means no reliable figure.
| Option | Time | Price in 2026 | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | About 1 hour | – | Winter roads, wind and daylight; parking rules |
| Public bus, line 420 | – | – | Timetable and the last return bus before you go |
| Guided day trip | 5–6 hours | From NOK 990 adult, NOK 890 child (4–15) | Meal not included; seats are first come, first served |
The bus line runs through the southern part of Kvaløya. A published travel time of 45 minutes that you may see online belongs to a different stop, so do not use it for Sommarøy. Check the current timetable and the last way back before you rely on the bus.
Our picks: Sommarøy day trips
Two guided trips from Tromsø to the island and the fjords on the way.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sommarøy and fjords by coach with a salmon picnic
A guide team, a coach with toilet, fjord stops, a salmon picnic (vegetarian possible), photos, coffee and tea, and a towel for an optional swim.
Check availability →
Sommarøy islands and Arctic fjords tour
A guide, a minibus or a coach depending on the option, and a fjord drive with photo stops. The meeting point depends on the option you pick, and lunch is not listed as included.
Check availability →Sommarøy and fjord tours from Tromsø
Day trips to Sommarøy and the fjords around Kvaløya, with live prices and availability.
The guided day trip in detail
One operator lists a fjord tour to Sommarøy of about 5 to 6 hours, from NOK 990 for adults and NOK 890 for children aged 4 to 15. Since September 1, 2026 the meeting point is the operator's counter at the Prostneset bus station, at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. An older summer address on Sjøgata is no longer used, so ignore it if you see it in an old listing.
Food is not included, so bring your own food. There is no free seat reservation, and seats are given in the order people arrive. Come on time. These are the terms of one provider. Other tours have their own times and conditions, and you can compare them in the block above or on our Tromsø tours page.
Beaches and the village
The tourism portal describes white sand beaches in the area and names Grøtfjord, Sandvika and Otervika. They lie in the wider Kvaløya and Sommarøy region, so check on a map which one is on your route. Do not assume that every beach is a short walk from the bridge.
Sommarøy is a fishing village, and the photos of its fishing huts in winter light are what many people come for. If you drive, use proper parking areas only and keep private land and driveways free. Do not stop on the carriageway for photos, and hazard lights are not a license to park.
Swimming: take care
No current official bathing status is published for Sommarøy, and no general swimming ban exists either. The sea is Arctic water, so go in only if you know what cold water does to you. The municipality advises against swimming for one day after heavy rain at the city's monitored sites, which is a sensible rule of thumb elsewhere too. Water quality values on the municipality's page cover only a few lakes near Tromsø.
Summer or winter: two different trips
The village offers two quite different seasons, and they do not overlap. In summer the sun does not set for weeks. In Tromsø the whole sun disc stays visible at night from May 20 to July 22, according to the Norwegian weather service Yr. The exact local view on the coast depends on the horizon. Details are on our midnight sun page.
Aurora can be seen from about late August to early April, in the dark hours and with clear sky. A photo of aurora over the lights of Sommarøy is possible on a good night, but nobody can promise one, and cloud can end the evening. In the bright summer sky the lights are not visible. Planning notes are in our northern lights guide. Do not plan one night to deliver both: they belong to different months.
Planning the day
Allow a full half day or more including the drive. If you travel by bus, confirm the return before you leave town. If you go on your own, fill the tank, bring warm layers in the cold months and tell someone your route. Other outings on Kvaløya, such as dog sledding, are described on the dog sledding page, and more ideas are in things to do in Tromsø.
If you want to see more of the northern Norwegian coast and its islands, Senja and Lofoten are covered in their own guides. For sleeping near Tromsø or on Kvaløya, see where to stay in Tromsø, and check the travel time back to town for any address.
Sommarøy: frequently asked questions
How far is Sommarøy from Tromsø?
The local tourism portal gives about one hour by car. That is an estimate. Winter driving conditions can make the trip longer.
Can I get to Sommarøy by public bus?
Bus line 420 runs from Tromsø via Hella and Brensholmen to Sommarøy. Travel time, frequency and the last return are not given here, so check the current timetable before you go.
How much is a guided day trip in 2026?
One listed fjord tour is from NOK 990 for adults and NOK 890 for children aged 4 to 15. It takes 5 to 6 hours, leaves from the Prostneset bus station at 10 am (meet 9:45 am) and does not include food.
Are the beaches on Sommarøy itself?
Not all of them. The named beaches Grøtfjord, Sandvika and Otervika are in the wider Kvaløya and Sommarøy area.
Can I see the northern lights at Sommarøy?
Aurora is possible from about late August to early April on dark, clear nights. There is no guarantee, and the lights are not visible in the bright summer sky.
Can I see the midnight sun at Sommarøy?
Midnight sun is a summer phenomenon. In Tromsø the whole sun disc is visible at night from May 20 to July 22. The view on the coast also depends on the horizon and the weather.