Picture this: you are holding tight in a speeding RIB boat only inches above the Arctic water, wearing a thick survival suit, and heading into the shadow of the vast, majestic huge rock that is the North Cape.
Arctic birds swoosh past you, the rugged waters deep greyish blue, wind in your face, while you scout the horizon for orcas, seals, or whales across the dark blue surface. Sounds surreal?
Welcome to the northernmost point of mainland Europe!
I spent a six-month summer season based in “the gateway to the North Cape,” the small town of Honningsvåg on Magerøya Island, and got to explore this barren, tree-less island very bright months (yep, there is midnight sun for two months at this latitude).
One of the best things I did was to join this up close and personal RIB safari below “the cape” from Honningsvåg, also known as “the gateway to the North Cape.”
North Cape Wildlife RIB Safari From Honningsvåg
Most travelers visit the North Cape plateau over land and across the unique, barren nature of Magerøya Island (which literally means “skinny island”).
The first time I got myself out to the plateau while I stayed in Honningsvåg it was early April on a stunning bright, cold, and clear day.
I actually had the plateau and the famous globe almost to myself, as there are not many travelers here during the low season. At this time, the vast plains were still covered by snow gushing across the road, and once I arrived, the views of the infinite horizon beyond the vast rock were truly mesmerizing.
You can admire the views from here for as long as you want. At the end of this article, read more about how to get her by land.
However! If you want to do something a bit different and way more fun, you should join a fast RIB safari that takes you below the Cape.
Best Way To Visit “The Cape” Solo
Most solo travelers are on a budget and try to keep costs down by exploring on their own. As a seasoned solo traveler myself, I totally get that.
However, in the Arctic, some experiences should be (even must be) done with a local guide, and this tour is one of those experiences. I can wholeheartedly say that if you should invest in a tour up here, this is a really good choice.
On this RIB safari, you will first circle the small islets in the waters around the North Cape, full of Arctic birds searching for orcas, seals, and whales, and then you will head into the shadows below the North Cape Plateau.
While you are under here, the massive rock looms over you in its regalness, and if you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of the iron globe sitting right on the edge high above and the tiny people surrounding it.
The North Cape King Crab & Wildlife RIB Safari From Honningsvåg
The actual RIB safari starts from Honningsvåg, the “island capital” of Magerøya, which is also the northernmost island in Norway (and Europe).
There, a small company called North Cape Experience offers this fast-paced tour, in addition to other cool adventures on land, like the VIP small group trip to the North Cape with a private guide or ATV tours slightly off-the-beaten-path.
In Honningsvåg, you will meet Captain Jonathan and the guys at North Cape Experience just outside the tourist information at the harbor where all the cruise ships are docking.
From there, you will head to their office, slash base camp, for a safety briefing, survival suit-fitting, and fun stories about life in the Arctic.
RIB Safari Preparations
As you see above, I am super comfortable and ready for the Arctic wind on the waters outside the northernmost point of mainland Norway (and don’t worry, you will get assistance to put all this on correctly if you need it!
Once the equipment is in order, your guide will walk you through the safety briefing and explain what you can expect to see and the dos and don’ts while in the boat.
Exploring The Fjords Around The North Cape
Now, after spending a lot of time up north above the Arctic Circle in Norway, let me tell you upfront that what kind of experience you will have is entirely up to the weather gods of the north.
The weather in polar Norway is unpredictable at best, and it can change in minutes.
So be mentally prepared for anything, and adopt the Norwegian outlook on this matter, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Once you have your head sorted about this and manage your expectations, all I need to say is enjoy the ride.
You will whoosh across the sea with the crisp air and stunning nature on all sides, drive slowly super close to the various islets in the fjord and see and hear the wildlife up really close.
Also, note that what wildlife you will encounter will depend on the time of year you are traveling.
The North Cape is not going anywhere, obviously, but if you want to see the wildlife at its most frenetic and have the chance to spot orcas or other whales, make sure you travel here during spring.
Heading Into The Shadow Of The North Cape
After exploring the fjords on the western coast of Magerøya, you will finally head towards the waters below this steep, majestic rock on the top of Norway.
I am not joking when I say “the shadow of the North Cape”, as when we are getting closer to the massive cliff, we really are driving into the shadows of the cape.
The stone wall looming over us is so vast, rocky, and rugged it is almost a little intimidating.
All the life that you saw on the small islets getting here seems nowhere to be found, and you have to tilt your head all the way back to try to get a glimpse of the top of the rock from below which is almost impossible.
The waters are dark and hitting the rocks where the wall meets the ocean, and I can promise you that this is a super effective place to feel the grandeur of nature and how small you are.
Phew!
The Old (Steep) Entrance To The North Cape
After admiring this majestic wall in almost complete silence, we are heading back out into the sunlight, and on our way back to the harbor in Skarsvåg, we stop by the old way to the North Cape.
This bay is where you would arrive until the 1950s if you wanted to visit this northernmost rock of Europe, and you had to experience the view by first climbing the crisscrossing path from sea level up to the plateau and walking the last few hundred yards to the end of the plateau.
It is so much easier today when the road goes all the way out to the plateau and the North Cape Hall, an impressive center built on the plateau where you find a museum of the history of the North Cape.
You can see what distinguished guests have visited over the years and a movie of the seasons here on Magerøya that all have their quite unique charm – some wilder than others.
There is also a cafe, gift shop, restaurant, and bar here where you can chill in the cozy warmth behind large windows and enjoy the view of the cape and the globe from the inside while having a waffle and hot cocoa.
Amazing Dining in Skarsvåg
What is really cool about Norway is that you will find these amazing restaurants in the most unlikely of places because really good chefs are sometimes also adventurous and travel to remote, spectacular locations to start a restaurant!
Skarsvåg is one of these places, located between the North Cape and Honningsvåg.
That is why you find Daniels House here, welcoming travelers in the summer season (impossible to run in winter, as the roads frequently are closed and snowstorms isolate the villages).
So, if you are visiting in late spring, summer, or early autumn, make sure you plan for a dinner at Daniels House, and take my advice; book in advance!
This is a super small restaurant where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal while relaxing in what used to be a private house back in the day, where they have still kept the amazing fisherman home atmosphere.
Trust me, you will not get fresher seafood combined with this vibe anywhere else for miles.
The Iconic North Cape On Magerøya Island
You may have heard that the North Cape is the northernmost point in Arctic Norway, but do you know it is also the northernmost point in the whole of Europe – on top of Europe, you might say?
For centuries, thousands and thousands of people have ventured here to experience the magic feeling of gazing over the sea, where nothing but deep, dark blue waters stretch ahead to the North Pole.
One of the first “tourists” to visit the North Cape was a guy called Francesco Negri, an Italian priest and traveler. He journeyed there in 1664 (while Norway was still part of Denmark), making him one of the earliest documented visitors to this remote Arctic landmark.
Negri was fascinated by the northernmost areas of Europe and spent years traveling through Scandinavia before reaching the North Cape.
His stories tell tales of the harsh Arctic conditions and the region’s awe-inspiring nature, making him a pioneer of Arctic tourism long before it became accessible to you and me. Do you still want to go?
Map Of Magerøya & The North Cape
Wrap-Up RIB Safari Under The North Cape
As a closing remark, if you want to have a slightly fast-paced, special off-the-beaten-path experience with the majestic North Cape, you are going to enjoy this RIB safari from Honningsvåg.
During my six months on Magerøya Island, this trip was one of the top three highlights of my stay, mind you, we were super lucky and got a trip on a perfect day with bright blue skies and sunlight.
Our trip was in early September, so we did not see any orcas or whales on our tour, and the birds were not as many and not as busy as during hatching season in the spring, but it was still an amazing experience.
I hope you have found some inspiration here to see the North Cape in a different way, and I feel I can almost promise you that you will not regret a day like this on the water!
