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Saltstraumen

Right outside of Bodø, just north of the Arctic Circle, you can experience Saltstraumen, a unique and amazing natural attraction. Saltstraumen is the world´s strongest maelstrom and is a spectacular and somewhat intimidating phenomenon to behold!
Written by
The Fjord Tours team
2 min readUpdated: Feb 27, 2026
A group in a small boat creates swirling water patterns as they speed through the sea, viewed from above.
When visiting Saltstraumen you can refer to a specific current table to find out when the current is at its strongest. Like all tidal currents, Saltstraumen is strongest just after the new and full moon. There are several ways of experiencing Saltstraumen either from land, from the bridge Saltstraumbrua or the most intense way; from a RIB-boat on the water.
The area in and around Saltstraumen offers an abundance of animal and sea life. The current is extremely abundant in fish and seabirds flock to the area because of this. The area is also naturally extremely popular among sports fishermen and divers.
Stone Age settlements have also been found on both banks of the Saltstraumen, as well as cultural monuments from the Iron Age. These early human settlements were probably set up here because of the abundant marine biodiversity associated with the tidal current.
You may perhaps know that the Norwegian broadcaster NRK is known for making so-called slow-tv. Because of the fascinating natural phenomenon that Saltstraumen is, they made a 12-hour long live show about Saltstraumen.
Two people stand on a rocky outcrop near a large bridge, overlooking the water below under a cloudy sky.

Facts about Saltstraumen

  • Saltstraumen is the worlds strongest tidal current
  • 400 million cubic meters of water pass through the strait every 6 hours
  • Stone Age settlements have been found on both sides of the strait
  • The remains of a 10,000-year-old hunter settlement in the area is the oldest known traces of human settlement in Bodø, as well as one of the oldest archaeological discoveries in Norway
  • The height difference between the sea level and the fjord which the water passes in and out of can be up to 1 meter
  • The largest documented coalfish caught by rod in Saltstraumen was 22.7 kilograms (50 lb)

Life in the arctic

Mother polar bear with two cubs on ice, bathed in soft golden light, creating serene, peaceful atmosphere.

Animals in the arctic

It should come as no surprise that the Arctic region is one of the toughest places on earth for wildlife to live. Humans have been able to adapt fairly well to living in this part of the world due to the ability to wear clothing and reside in heated structures throughout the majority of the winter. However, for the animals that are forced to stay outside and venture through the Norwegian fjords and other areas of the Arctic, the climate is much more inhospitable.

Small town covered in snow at night, warm-lit houses, streetlights casting soft glow, with snowy mountain range in background.

The Arctic Circle

Sitting at Earth’s most northerly latitudes, you can think of the Arctic as the planet’s hat. The main focus of this area is, of course, the North Pole, however there is so much more to it than that. Surrounding the North Pole is the Arctic Circle which stretches out into different countries, forming a line around the top of the Earth. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating part of the world.

Person with red hair photographs misty Sognefjord landscape from boat.

Arctic photography

It’s no secret that the raw, untouched beauty of the Arctic has inspired many photographers over the years. A Google search of ‘Arctic photography’ will reveal thousands of stunning photographs from professional and amateur travel photographers.

Svalbard - the blue hour

Norwegian arctic art

It’s hard not to be inspired by the breathtaking landscape in Norway. This is especially the case in the arctic regions of Northern Norway where the scenery is particularly spellbinding. It should therefore come as no surprise that there is also a thriving art scene in the Northern country.