That view, by the way, is made all the more impressive by the distant mountain peaks. The old lighthouse provides a raised vantage point, while there's picnic tables to rest and enjoy the view. These deep cylindrical holes in rocks were formed during the last ice age by swirling stones in meltwater rivers through the ice. It's also worth looking for the geological features known as giant's kettles. At the water's edge, you will immediately see the surprising speed of the water–if you're there at the peak time, of course. The short walk down to the water from the parking lot is very pleasant including several well-kept cabins. The two most popular are from the shoreline down from the parking area and on top of the bridge. If you are travelling there on land, there are several great vantage points to appreciate the maelstrom. It's also the likely reason that humans settled here 10,000 years ago, the earliest known settlement in and around Bodø. This attracts great numbers of birdlife to feast on the easy pickings. The churning water lifts fish and other seafood close to the surface. And also dangerous! These mighty whirlpools can be up to 10 metres in diameter and 4-5 metres deep. Constantly changing in shape, they are mesmerising.
When the tide is at its strongest, the height difference can be up to one metre, and is easily seen by the human eye.īut the area is best known for the distinctive whirlpools created by the fast-flowing water. The height difference between the two ends of the strait is remarkable. Every six hours, tides push or pull the water through the straight at immense speed, up to 37 kph at its strongest. With wide bodies of water on both sides, the strait is a major bottleneck for the tidal water. At its narrowest, the strait is just 150 metres wide. Saltstraumen is a narrow strait that connects the Saltfjord to the large Skjerstadfjord between the islands of Straumøya and Knaplundsøya. Hopefully that video gave you a better feel for what the area is like when the current is at its strongest. Pictures and words don't do the area justice, so on my last visit I made this video. Both times I've been lucky enough to be guided by a local (thanks, Ray!) so didn't have to worry about when to go or where the best places were to see the action.īut for those of you who will be making an independent trip, you'll need to plan to ensure you're there are at the best time, whether you're travelling there over land or by fast RIB boat. I've been twice now at different times of the year. I have to admit I was sceptical the first time I went, but seeing the real thing in person is a truly impressive experience. Water flows through the narrow strait at immense speed, creating a remarkable maelstrom that has to be seen to be believed. The tidal current and whirlpools of Saltstraumen near Bodø in Northern Norway is one such example. But there's plenty of hidden surprises too. From the epic mountain ranges to the glacial fjords, nature lovers are never short of something to see and do.
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Here's why you should visit the Saltstraumen maelstrom, and how to get there. Near Bodø in Northern Norway, the world's strongest tidal current is an impressive sight.
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