The exact departure and return times are shown on the booking confirmation that you get when you purchase a ticket 💙

‍

It depends on the tour and location, but don’t worry, all the detailed instructions will be sent to you by email before your tour begins! 💙

‍

👉 In Tromsø:

    •    Cruise guests: Your ship will dock at Breivika Port. From the gangway, you’ll follow a straight path, and at the end, you will see our minibus and guide waiting for you, holding a Blue Puffin sign.
* Please note: we pick up guests at Breivika Port only on specific days. Make sure to check the booking page to see if the tour you’d like to join is marked as cruise-friendly.

‍

    •    Non-cruise guests: We meet right in the city centre, in front of the Scandic Ishavshotel.

‍

👉 At the North Cape (Honningsvåg):

We meet right at the harbor, in front of the tourist information (not inside), next to the blue sign that says Meeting Point. Easy and convenient! The harbor in Honningsvåg is very small and simple to navigate, so we’re confident you’ll find us without any trouble.

‍

For both locations, your Blue Puffin guide will be waiting for you 15 minutes before departure to make sure everything runs smoothly. 🐧✨

‍

No worries, we’ve got you covered! ✨

All our tours, both in Tromsø and at the North Cape, are carefully aligned with your cruise ship’s schedule.

‍

👉 If your ship is tendering, we will slightly postpone the departure to make sure everyone can comfortably join.

👉 If your ship experiences a minor delay, we’ll adjust the tour departure time accordingly. We’ll get in touch with you by email or phone, so please make sure we have your correct contact details and keep an eye on your messages on the day of the tour.

‍

No, we only accept online payments in the local currency (Norwegian Kroner, NOK). This way, your booking is confirmed and secured in advance, and you can simply relax and enjoy your tour without worrying about payments on the day. 💙

‍

We know travel plans can change, that’s why we offer a flexible cancellation policy, so you can book with confidence. 💙

‍

👉 Standard policy (for all tours):

    •    Up to 7 days before departure: Full refund (minus 3% to cover transaction costs).

    •    7 days to 24 hours before departure: 20% cancellation fee.

    •    Within 24 hours or no-show: No refund.

‍

👉 For cruise ship guests:

If your ship cannot make port, we retain only 10% of the tour cost to cover part of our operational expenses; the rest will be refunded to you.

‍

Your peace of mind matters to us, and we want you to feel safe booking your Arctic adventure with Blue Puffin. 🌊✨

For more details, please visit our website at blue-puffin.com (Terms and Conditions section).

Yes, the entrance to the North Cape Visitor Centre is included in the tour price. 💙

‍

This means you’ll have access to the visitor hall with its exhibitions, the panoramic cinema, chapel, café, and shop, as well as the famous North Cape Globe outside.

‍

Group size depends on the tour, but in every case, we make sure the experience is well-organised, friendly, and enjoyable. 💙

‍

👉 Tromsø tours (daytime & Northern Lights):

You will travel in a comfortable minibus with about 14-18 guests.

‍

👉 North Cape tours:

Depending on the tour you book, you may travel in a coach (up to 49 seats) or in a minibus (14-18 guests). 

***And just a little note from us: don’t be scared of the big bus! That’s actually where Blue Puffin began, and where we built our strong reputation. Many of the kind words and glowing reviews we’ve received over the years come from guests who joined us on the coach.

We get it, a minibus might sound more cozy (and it is, in its own way), but the big bus tours are just as warm, lively, and full of stories. At the end of the day, it’s not really about the size of the bus - it’s about the guide, the atmosphere, and the magic of the North Cape. And that, we promise, you’ll get every time. 😉

‍

We want everyone to feel included and comfortable during our tours. 💙

‍

👉 Depending on the guest mix on a particular tour, it will be conducted either:

    •    entirely in English

    •    entirely in German

    •    or bilingual in English and German.

‍

👉 Spanish is also possible, depending on both the number of Spanish-speaking guests and the availability of a Spanish-speaking guide on that specific day.

‍

The Arctic weather is full of surprises: sunshine, clouds, wind, rain, and snow can all happen in the same day! That’s part of the adventure! 💙 Here’s how to be prepared:

‍

☀️ Summer tours (Tromsø & North Cape)

Temperatures are usually between 10–20°C (50–68°F), and on some days it can even feel quite warm. But don’t be fooled, the weather here is a real drama queen: one moment of sunshine, the next clouds and sideways rain, then back to blue skies again. 🌦️

Dress in thin layers so you can adjust easily, and bring a light waterproof or windproof jacket. Comfortable shoes are a must for short walks at the stops.

‍

❄️ Winter tours (Tromsø & North Cape)

Expect cold and sometimes windy conditions, usually between -5°C and -10°C (23–14°F), though with wind chill it often feels much colder. And yes, on some days it can be as “mild” as +2°C (35°F) or as extreme as –25°C (–13°F). Trust us, you really want to feel warm!

👉 Clothing advice:

Dress in layers, layers, and more layers:

• A light wool base layer close to your skin,
• A cozy fleece or mid-layer,
• A thick, cozy, and comfy sweater (preferably made of wool as well),
• A warm, waterproof/windproof jacket.
  
  

Add a hat, scarf, gloves, and winter waterproof boots, and you’re good to go. Remember: it’s always better to feel a bit too warm than to shiver wishing you had brought that extra layer.

👉 Northern Lights tours:

We provide thermal suits (please tell us your size in advance), so you’ll be comfortable while being in the wilderness. But keep in mind: you still need to dress warmly underneath.

👉 Shoes are not included (for hygiene reasons), so please bring proper winter, waterproof boots.

Yes, we may all end up looking like little penguins bundled in our layers 🐧, but trust us, it’s totally worth it. Better to waddle warmly than freeze stylishly. 😉

‍

Our tours are designed to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone; they are not physically demanding, and the bus will always be nearby and accessible.

‍

👉 On our day tours in Tromsø and at the North Cape, the walking is light and optional, so you can decide how much (or how little) you’d like to walk.

At the North Cape, for example, the main walk is from the visitor centre to the globe (about 150 meters). Most other visits involve only short, easy walks.

‍

👉 During the winter season, please be aware that the ground can be icy and snowy. Good shoes and a little preparation help a lot. That said, our guides always consider the group as a whole and adapt the pace and route to make sure everyone can enjoy the experience safely.

‍

👉  On our Northern Lights tours in Tromsø, there may be some walking in snow or uneven terrain, but always at a relaxed pace.

Since we head into the wilderness, some spots may be more demanding than others, and with the constantly changing Arctic weather, conditions can vary a lot each evening. Please remember: walking safely and slowly is your own responsibility.

Our guides are always present to help and will do their best to support you, but you should be aware of your physical capacities and let the guide know in advance if you have any concerns. Choose carefully where and how you walk (especially if there is ice) and don’t hesitate to ask the guides for help or extra attention if you need it.

In short: you don’t need to be an athlete; just bring your curiosity, stay mindful, and we’ll take care of the rest. 💙

‍

We regularly welcome guests with limited mobility on our tours. There is space in the luggage compartment of our buses for a foldable wheelchair, walker, or small mobility scooter; just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

‍

Please note, however, that our tours are not fully accessible: all guests need to be able to get on and off the bus independently, including a few steps.

‍

👉 North Cape tours: The area outside the visitor centre is covered with gravel. The distance to the famous globe is about 150 meters. While it can be managed with a wheelchair, the ease depends on the wheelchair type and weather conditions (snow, ice, or strong winds can make it more challenging). Many guests have managed it successfully, but it’s important to be aware.

‍

⚠️ Northern Lights tours (Tromsø): Unfortunately, these tours are not suitable for wheelchairs or walkers. We may have to walk in areas with deep snow and ice, where it can be unsafe to use mobility aids.

‍

We’ll always do our best to make your experience smooth and enjoyable, but a little preparation and awareness really help.💙

‍

Yes, of course! We can provide child seats and boosters upon request 💙.

To prepare them properly, we kindly ask you to let us know in advance and share the age and height of your child. 

‍

In short, from kids to grandparents, everyone is welcome as long as the adventure feels right for you. ✨

‍

There is no maximum age: we truly believe it’s all about spirit, not numbers! 💙 Many of our guests are seasoned travelers who enjoy the Arctic at every stage of life.

‍

👉 Northern Lights tours (Tromsø): Due to the special nature of this experience (night tour, wilderness, very cold temperatures, long hours), we require a minimum age of 6 years for safety and comfort.

‍

👉Only our Northern Lights tours include photos. ✨

Our guides are experienced in photography, and during the evening, they will take pictures of the aurora as well as portraits of you under the Arctic sky. After the tour, the photos will be edited and sent to you: a beautiful memory of your Arctic night!

 If you bring your own camera, our guides are also happy to share tips and show you how to capture the aurora yourself. And for smartphones, we provide phone tripods, so you can try taking steady shots of the lights.

‍

👉 For our day tours (Tromsø & North Cape), photos are not included. Of course, you’re always welcome to bring your own camera, and our guides are glad to help with a quick picture or two if you ask. 💙

‍

That’s the magic: every night is different! Because the Arctic weather is unpredictable and can change very quickly, we never fix just one destination in advance. The final route is decided about 30 minutes before the tour starts, based on weather maps, cloud movement, and the experience of your guide.

‍

👉 Why is the weather so unpredictable here?

Tromsø and the surrounding region are located between the open sea and high mountains. This unique geography creates constant shifts: one valley can be completely clear, while the next is covered in clouds or snow. Conditions can change dramatically in just a few minutes (you will see it with your eyes 😉).

That’s why flexibility is key. Sometimes we stay close to Tromsø, sometimes we drive into the fjords, and other times we may even cross into Finland. Every evening is a surprise, with one goal: to give you the best possible chance to see the aurora.

‍

Yes, if your guide sees that crossing the border into Finland offers the best chance of clear skies, we may go there. 🌍

‍

👉 It doesn’t happen every night, but it’s possible.

👉 If it does, you’ll need your passport with you, so we recommend bringing it just in case.

‍

This flexibility is what makes our Northern Lights tours special: we follow the weather, wherever it takes us, to maximize your chances of experiencing the aurora. ✨

‍

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and while we use all our local knowledge, weather maps, and experience to maximize your chances, there can never be a guarantee. Most evenings, we do see them (sometimes faint, sometimes spectacular), but about once or twice a month, the sky may stay quiet.

For this reason, the tour is not refundable if the aurora does not appear, since the evening still takes place in full, with guiding, transport, thermal suits, food, and all the care and detail we put into every experience.

👉 That said, we always try to meet our guests with kindness and flexibility:

• If the lights don’t show, we’re happy to offer you a 30–50% discount on a second tour, depending on availability and the season.
• The exact discount depends on how busy the season is, and this will be confirmed by email directly on the day of your first tour.

✨ Our tip: If the Northern Lights are a dream for you, plan to stay in Tromsø for at least 3–5 days. This gives you the best chance to catch them, since every night is different.

So while we cannot control the Arctic sky, we do everything possible to maximize your chances, and to give you the opportunity to try again if nature plays shy. 💙

‍

It depends on the tour. 

👉 Day tours (Tromsø & North Cape):

Normally, there is at least one toilet stop in the middle of the tour. If you have any specific needs, please let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to adapt.

👉 Northern Lights tours (Tromsø):

Here we head into the wilderness without a fixed itinerary. We will make a toilet stop if and when facilities are available, but it’s not always guaranteed; it depends on the direction we take. That said, in the Arctic nature, there’s always a “natural option” if needed. 😉

No matter the tour, we do our best to make sure everyone feels comfortable and cared for throughout the journey. 💙

‍

Safety always comes first. ❄️✨

Our tours run in all kinds of Arctic weather: snow, wind, rain, clouds,  because that’s part of the adventure! We only cancel if the conditions make it unsafe to drive.

👉 In that case, you will be offered either a full refund or, if possible and availability allows, the chance to reschedule the tour.

So you can book with peace of mind: if the weather is wild but safe, we go; if it’s unsafe, we stay, and you don’t lose your booking. 💙

‍

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and nobody can guarantee them on a given day. What we can promise is that we’ll use all our experience and tools to give you the best possible chance. 🌌

👉 The aurora depends on two factors:

• Solar activity, which influences how strong the aurora can be. This can only really be estimated with some certainty about an hour in advance, and even then, it is never 100% guaranteed.
  
  
• Weather conditions: especially clouds, since the aurora happens far above them. If the sky is covered, we can’t see it. There are different types of clouds: low, middle, and high, and they behave differently. Sometimes one area may be covered while a nearby valley is perfectly clear. In the Arctic, these changes can happen very quickly.
  
  

👉 Every evening, our guides carefully check weather maps, satellite data, and real-time aurora updates to decide the best direction to drive. Sometimes that means staying close to Tromsø, other times going deep into the fjords, or even crossing into Finland.

So while nobody can give you a fixed prediction, you can trust that we’ll always do our very best to maximise your chances. And remember: the landscapes, the fire, and the Arctic night itself are part of the magic, with or without the aurora. 💙

‍

The Northern Lights are magical, but they don’t always look the same as in photos.

👉 With your own eyes: Sometimes the aurora appears as soft green waves, other times it dances brightly across the sky in different colors. In very strong displays, it can be as vivid and dramatic as the photos you’ve seen online. On quieter nights, the colors may look softer to the eye.

👉 With a camera: Cameras capture more light than our eyes can, so the same aurora will always appear brighter and more colorful in photos. But a camera can’t capture the emotion, the surprise, the movement, and the 3-dimensional feeling of the Green Lady. That’s why we love experiencing it directly with our own eyes. 

The most special part? Seeing the aurora in person means feeling the Arctic night around you: the silence, the cold, the stars. No photo can replace that moment. 💙

Yes, if you’re interested in a private tour or a tailor-made experience, simply write us an email with your wishes and details. 💌

We’ll check availability and see if/how we can adapt the experience to make it work for you. Whether it’s a family outing, a group of friends, or a special celebration, we’re always happy to explore what’s possible.

‍

Blue Puffin is not a big corporate tour operator: we are a small, family-run company that has been welcoming guests in the Arctic since 2003. 🐧💙

👉 With us, you’ll feel the family vibe: our team is close-knit, and many guests say they feel like friends rather than just customers.

👉 We are truly in love with the Arctic, its landscapes, culture, and magic, and so are our guides. This passion makes us genuinely enthusiastic about every tour, and our guests often tell us they can feel it.

👉 We keep things personal and authentic: no scripts, no rushing through a checklist, but real stories, flexibility, and presence in the moment.

👉 Our size allows us to stay small and attentive; we notice the little details that make a big difference, whether it’s preparing child seats for families, adjusting a tour for the weather, or simply sharing a warm laugh on the bus.

In short, we’re homemade, not mass-produced. And we’d love to welcome you into our Arctic family. ✨

‍