Maelstrom safari

We set off towards one of the world’s most perilous stretches of sea, infamous and feared by seafarers for thousands of years. Mentioned by Pytheas the Greek over 2000 years ago, and by world famous authors like Jules Verne, Herman Melville and Edgar Allan Poe. They write about the Great Maelstrom, a vortex that dragged anything that came too close down to the bottom of the darkest depths. Boats were smashed to smithereens, huge whales howled in fear as they met a terrible and violent end in the swirling waters of the Maelstrom. There were no limits to people’s imaginations in those days – yet, no smoke without fire, you might ask? We will take you out there so you can see for yourself!

On the way we visit a number of fascinating, abandoned settlements:

The roadless Ånstad, which in its heyday was one of the biggest fishing villages in Lofoten. Now only the foundations remain, together with a fantastic stone-built landing installation – a fascinating place that lets your imagination run free. 

We also pay a visit to Hell on the rugged far side of islands. Abandoned settlements where even today you can get a feeling of what it was like to live off the sea a hundred years ago. In Refsvika there is also a gigantic coastal cave where Stone Age man decorated the walls with cave paintings over 3000 years ago.

We will also take a detour to the Svarvan and Buholman skerries out in the Maelstrom, where we will find a colony of gannets and other seabirds, and an emergency cabin built by the fishermen of Værøy to help save those who could not make it back from the Maelstrom when a sudden storm took them by surprise.

The boat captain will meet you at the dock 30 minutes before departure for a safety briefing.

The trip is carried out assuming a minimum of 6 people. Max. 12 people.