Ice Diving in Arctic Norway

This trip takes you to a frozen fjord at the top of the European continent - latitude 70° north. The winter climate here offers perfect conditions for ice diving and a true Arctic adventure in company of reindeer, huskies and the Sámi people.

Even though ice diving is the main focus on the trip, there will be great opportunities to get closer to the Norwegian wildlife and nature in one of the most remote parts of the country. With less than 10,000 citizens in the whole region you have a golden opportunity to get away from it all...

Check out the photo gallery for pictures and info from on of our previous trips.

Ice Diving course

To make our ice diving experience as safe as possible, we are proud to be the first tour operator to offer the IANTD Ice Diver course. This is currently the most comprehensive ice diver education available to recreational divers (PADI Ice Diver certification offered at an additional cost).

During the course you will learn the skills needed to participate in ice diving activities. This will include how to make holes in the ice, emergency procedures and tendering. The latter is very important as the usage of rope is normally the only way for the surface crew to communicate with the divers.

Prior to the trip you will receive a document containing information about what type of equipment and clothing you need to bring, together with tips on how to avoid regulator free flows.

Wartime wrecks under ice

Not many places can offer wreck diving under ice, and certainly not in the ocean on wrecks from the Second World War. The German cargo ship D/S Johan Faulbaum was sunk by fighter bombers during a Russian air raid in 1944. There were no casualties, and the wreck lays in 10-35 metres of water.

The second wreck located just outside the dive centre is the US built Curtis P40 Warhawk. The fighter was given to the Russian Air Force, and was shot down during an air raid on Kirkenes 17 June 1944. The Russian pilot Ivan Georgievich Logutov ditched the plane on the calm Jardfjord and managed to survive.

With the exception of Malta, Kirkenes suffered the highest number of air raids during WW2, counting 328 in total. The Germans posted more than 30,000 soldiers here during their attempts to take the Russian city of Murmansk, and Kirkenes was later the first Norwegian city to be liberated by the Red Army. When the Germans were forced to retreat after four years of occupation, all buildings were set on fire as they moved south, making the Russian advance more difficult... less than 20 houses were left intact.

Huge King Crabs

The Red King Crab originates from the Camchatca region on the East coast of Russia, and was intentionally introduced into the Barents Sea in the 1960's to provide food for the local population.

During the last few years, scientists have expressed a growing concern about the growth in population and expansion of the King Crab. They can grow to around 1.5 metres in diameter and 12 kilos in weight. Mature crabs have no natural predators (apart from humans) and the current population in the Barents Sea region is estimated between 12-16 million.

One evening during the trip, we will enjoy the true delicacy of the King Crab. We can guarantee that you won't find any fresher King Crab served elsewhere in the World. Just this meal alone brings people all the way from Japan where this delicacy is too expensive for most people to buy - the flights to Norway are cheaper!

Trekking with huskies

Dogs and sleighs are a natural part of the Arctic life. The most popular dog is the Alaskan husky, a crossbreed known for its speed and enormous endurance. It is also easily trained, friendly and social with a strong instinct to pull sledges.

During the stay we will meet this magnificent animal, and go dog sleighing into the Passvik valley. After a night sleeping outdoor in lavvo tents, we prepare the dogs and return to the kennel.

The Wildlife

The nature in this region is very special, and is home to many indigenous plants and animals. The forest in Passvik is a part of the Siberian Taiga, one of the largest boreal forests in the World. Reindeer and Elg (Moose) are often seen here, and on a lucky day you might even get a glimpse of a wolverine (skunk bear), lynx or a wolf.

The Passvik Valley is known not only for its brown bears, but also the dry climate. The summers are short, and the winters long and cold. During winter, the temperature can drop below -50°C and in summer reach a pleasant 30°C. The Midnight Sun can be seen from mid May to mid July, and this is also the land of the Northern lights.

Dive centre with a difference

Eating breakfast looking out over the fjord through the panoramic windows is an unbeatable way to start your day. As the sun rises in the horizon you start to prepare for another day in the Arctic.

Several wooden buildings surrounded by stunning scenery makes up the dive centre where you will be accommodated in twin rooms on the first floor of the main building. There are two communal bathrooms in addition to a shower room on the ground floor.

Located just steps away from the frozen fjord, you can get kitted up protected from the cold. The course dives will be within walking distance, whilst snow scooters (skidoo) will take you to the other dive sites on the ice.