Hurtigruten & Havila in Ålesund: Winter Tours to Book

If your Hurtigruten or Havila ship stops in Ålesund between November and May, you can book a guided outdoor tour directly with Uteguiden and walk from the quay to the meeting point. Choose from a 2-hour winter kayak tour, a 1-hour coastal RIB safari or a 4-hour fishing trip. Check your own ship's port times first, then pick a departure that leaves a comfortable margin before you need to be back on board.

Three winter tours that fit an Ålesund port stop

Ålesund is one of the most rewarding stops on the Norwegian coastal route: an Art Nouveau town built on islands, with the open sea, skerries and mountains all within view. In winter the light is low and soft, the town is quiet, and the water is often calm between the islands. You do not need to arrange anything through the ship. All three tours below can be booked online directly with us, and the meeting points are in the town centre.

• Winter kayak: 2 hours, usually starting at 10:00, meeting point Notenesgata 3.
• Coastal safari by RIB: 1 hour, several winter start times, meeting point Dronning Sonjas plass by Brosundet.
• Fishing trip: 4 hours, starting at 10:30 or 15:00, meeting point Ålesund RIB Center at Dronning Sonjas plass.

1. Winter kayak in Ålesund (2 hours)

Paddling between Ålesund's islands in winter is a calm, close-to-the-water way to see the town's Art Nouveau facades and the surrounding coastline. You paddle in double kayaks with a guide, in a small group of maximum 8 participants. The tour is graded easy.

Key details

• Duration: 2 hours
• Start time: almost always 10:00 (departures November–May)
• Meeting point: Notenesgata 3, about 3–5 minutes' walk from the cruise pier. Depending on where your ship berths, allow a little extra time.
• Included: double kayak, all kayak equipment (paddle, buoyancy aid, spray deck), drysuit and boots, gloves
• Requirements: normal fitness, comfortable in water and able to swim, maximum 120 kg, sober

What to wear in winter

The drysuit keeps you dry, but warmth comes from what you wear underneath. Bring wool base layers for upper and lower body, wool socks, a mid-layer in wool or fleece, a warm hat and a water bottle.

See dates and book the winter kayak tour in Ålesund

2. Coastal safari by RIB from Ålesund (1 hour)

If your time in port is short, the RIB safari is the most compact option. A rigid inflatable boat takes you out from the centre of Ålesund along the coast and among the skerries, with a maximum of 12 participants.

Key details

• Duration: 1 hour
• Winter start times: 11:00, 13:00, 13:30 or 14:30, depending on the date
• Meeting point: Dronning Sonjas plass (Notenesgata 5) by Brosundet, in central Ålesund, on the same street as the kayak meeting point
• Price: from 999 NOK
• Included: flotation suit, life jacket, goggles
• Requirements: minimum height 140 cm, normal fitness, sober. Not recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with back, neck or heart problems.

What to wear in winter

Wear waterproof shoes and comfortable clothes, and bring a hat and gloves on cold days. The flotation suit goes on top. Bring a camera.

Book the coastal safari by RIB from Ålesund

3. Fishing trip in Ålesund (4 hours)

The fishing trip runs all year on MS Gamle Havstein with an experienced skipper and crew. No experience is needed: you get all the equipment and guidance on board. If you catch something, you get a taste of fresh fish prepared on board.

Key details

• Duration: 4 hours
• Start times: 10:30 or 15:00 (check the booking calendar for your date)
• Meeting point: Ålesund RIB Center, Dronning Sonjas plass, 15 minutes before departure
• Price: from 1 790 NOK
• Included: all fishing equipment, guidance, warm flotation suits to borrow on board, a taste of fresh fish if there is a catch
• Age: from 5 years
• Group size: minimum 4, maximum 12. If fewer than 4 are booked, you will be offered a new time or an alternative tour.

What to wear in winter

Warm clothes, good shoes, a hat and gloves. Four hours on deck in winter feels long if you are under-dressed, so add an extra layer.

Book the fishing trip in Ålesund

How to fit a tour into your time in port

Port times on the coastal route vary by ship, season and direction, so we do not list them here. Check the arrival and departure times for your own sailing, and then work backwards:

• Short stop: the 1-hour RIB safari is the easiest to fit in.
• A few hours: the 2-hour winter kayak tour at 10:00 can work if your ship is in port through late morning.
• Longer stop: the 4-hour fishing trip needs the most time.

Add time for walking from the ship to the meeting point, for getting into suits and equipment, and for walking back. Arrive at the meeting point in good time (for the fishing trip, 15 minutes before departure). Only choose a departure that leaves a clear margin before you must be back on board. If in doubt, choose a shorter tour.

Weather, cancellations and delays

All our tours depend on the weather, and the guide makes the final safety call on the day. Light rain rarely leads to cancellation, as you are given the protective equipment you need. If we cancel a tour, you get a full refund or a new time.

Our refund terms apply when you book directly with us. If your ship is delayed or its schedule changes, contact us as soon as possible at travel@uteguiden.com or +47 40 55 46 70.

Visiting Ålesund in summer instead?

This guide covers the winter season on the coastal route. If you are arriving on a cruise ship in summer, read our guide to what to do in Ålesund on a cruise stop, or browse everything we offer in Ålesund.

Frequently asked questions

Will I make it back before my Hurtigruten or Havila ship leaves Ålesund?

That depends on your ship's port time, which varies. Check your own ship's times, then choose a tour and departure that leave a good margin: the RIB safari lasts 1 hour, the winter kayak 2 hours and the fishing trip 4 hours. Add walking time both ways.

Where are the meeting points in Ålesund?

The winter kayak starts at Notenesgata 3, about 3–5 minutes' walk from the cruise pier. The RIB safari and fishing trip start at Dronning Sonjas plass by Brosundet in central Ålesund.

What should I wear for a winter tour in Ålesund?

For kayaking, wear wool base layers, wool socks, a wool or fleece mid-layer and a warm hat; drysuit, boots and gloves are provided. For the RIB and fishing trip, wear warm clothes, good or waterproof shoes, a hat and gloves; flotation suits are provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

All tours are weather dependent and the guide makes the final safety decision. Light rain rarely cancels a tour. If we cancel, you get a full refund or a new time.

Can I book the tour myself instead of through the ship?

Yes. You book online directly with Uteguiden and walk from the quay to the meeting point. Our refund terms apply when you book directly with us.

Are the tours suitable for children?

The fishing trip is from 5 years. The RIB safari requires a minimum height of 140 cm. For the winter kayak, participants must be comfortable in water and able to swim; contact us about children before booking.

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