King Crab Safari
Kongekrabbesafari
Head out with fishermen by boat or chop through frozen fjords to haul crab pots, then feast on freshly cooked Barents Sea king crab, all you can eat.
In the 1960s, Soviet scientists introduced Kamchatka king crabs to the Barents Sea. Today they thrive in large numbers in the Varanger Fjord and have become Kirkenes' signature attraction. A king crab safari usually lasts about 3–4 hours. In winter, you ride a snowmobile or sled to the frozen fjord, chop through the ice, and haul up the pots. In summer, you head out to sea by speedboat. Fishermen explain the process on the spot, then bring the crabs back to a wooden cabin to boil, served with bread and drinks, all you can eat. Many companies depart from the harbor area or the Snowhotel. Hurtigruten cruise ships also run short trips during port calls. Book early in peak season.
Opening hours
Per itinerary, multiple sessions daily
Nearby sights
- Liberation Monument
- Andersgrotta Bunker
- Borderland Museum
- Storskog Border Crossing
- Kirkenes Snowhotel
- Pasvik Valley
- Høyde 96 Observation Tower
- Bugøynes