Icebreaker Sampo Cruise & Ice Floating in Kemi
Embark on one of the most unique winter activities in Finnish Lapland on this icebreaker cruise and ice floating experience in Kemi!
Practical information
On this excursion, you'll depart from Kemi and embark on an icebreaker cruise and ice floating experience in Kemi. The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and a half.
Course of events
Please see the special terms for exact timings.
Morning Cruise
- Pick-up from your specified location in Kemi
 - Transfer to the SnowCastle area
 - Check-in for the cruise
 - Shuttle bus transfer to the harbour in Kemi (approximately 15 minutes)
 - Board the Sampo Icebreaker ship
 - Meet the crew
 - The icebreaker cruise begins!
 - Sail along the frozen Gulf of Bothnia (total time approximately 3 hours and a half)
 - Guided tour of the vessel, walk on the ice, and ice floating experience
 - Return to the harbour in Kemi
 - Shuttle bus transfer to the SnowCastle area (approximately 15 minutes)
 - Free time to visit the SnowExperience365, SnowCastle Winter Park and Gemstone Exhibition (approximately 30 minutes)
 - Return transfer to the original pick-up point in Kemi
 
The total duration of the day program is 5h - 7h25 depending on the departure point.
Afternoon Cruise
- Pick-up from your specified location in Kemi
 - Transfer to the SnowCastle area
 - Check-in for the cruise
 - Free time to visit the SnowExperience365, SnowCastle Winter Park and Gemstone Exhibition (approximately 1 hour)
 - Shuttle bus transfer to the harbour in Kemi (approximately 15 minutes)
 - Board the Sampo Icebreaker ship
 - Meet the crew
 - The icebreaker cruise begins!
 - Sail along the frozen Gulf of Bosnia (total time approximately 4 hours)
 - Guided tour of the vessel, walk on the ice, and ice floating experience
 - Enjoy buffet-style lunch
 - Return to the harbour in Kemi
 - Return transfer to the original pick-up point in Kemi
 
The total duration of the afternoon program is 6h - 8h20 depending on the departure point.
Activity requirements
The minimum height requirement for the ice floating is 140 cm (4'6") to fit inside the flotation suit.
Special terms
Please note the pick-up and cruise timings below. Pick-up is included from listed accommodations ONLY. The port is a privatised area, so pick-up is mandatory.
Morning Cruise
Pick up from Kemi
07:10 Hotel Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi)
07:15 Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6, Kemi)
07:20 Kemi Railway Station (Rautatiekatu 3, Kemi)
Please wait outside your pickup point for the bus.
07:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
07:30–08:15 Check-in for the cruise and optional breakfast at Restaurant Lumihiutale (available by advance reservation only)
08:30 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
08:45 Arrival at the harbor
09:00–12:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise
12:45 Departure from the harbor
SnowCastle of Kemi area
13:00-14:00 Arrival at SnowCastle area and optional lunch at Restaurant Lumihiutale (extra service, book in advance or purchase tickets at the SnowCastle reception)
13:00-14:00 Additional time for visiting exhibitions. Entrance to exhibitions is included in the cruise price
14:15 Departure from the SnowCastle area
Drop off to Kemi
13:35 Hotel Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi)
13:40 Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6, Kemi)
13:45 Kemi railway station (Rautatiekatu 3, Kemi)
Afternoon Cruise
Pick up from Kemi
10:55 Hotel Scandic Kemi
11:00 Hotel Merihovi
11:05 Kemi Railway Station
Please wait outside your pickup point for the bus.
11:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
11:30–12:45 Check-in for the cruise and additional time for visiting exhibitions. Entrance fee to exhibitions including in the cruise price.
13:00 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Arrival at the harbor
13:30–17:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise and lunch
17:45 Departure from the harbor
Drop off to Kemi
18:00 Kemi Railway Station
18:05 Hotel Merihovi
18:10 Hotel Scandic Kemi
Lunch buffet on board includes only to the Sampo Afternoon cruise. Sampo Morning cruise do not includes lunch.
Spoken languages:
EnglishIncluded
- Crew
 - Transfers
 - Ice floating equipment
 - Entrance to the SnowExperience365 Exhibition Room
 
Excluded
- Additional beverages and snacks (available to purchase)
 - Entrance to the SnowCastle Winter Park
 
Do not forget to bring
- Warm layers of clothing
 - Winter overalls
 - Winter boots
 - Woollen socks
 - Change of clothing
 - Towel
 - Hat
 - Gloves
 
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Practical information
Meeting point:
Spoken languages:
EnglishCancellation: Flexible
Weather guarantee:
Free rescheduling or refund if the activity must be cancelled due to bad weather.100% Secure payment:
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Here to assist you 7/7About the activity
This adventure departs from Kemi, a charming coastal town that lies on the Gulf of Bothnia in northern Finland, close to the Swedish border. Kemi is located about 25 km (15.5 mi) west of Tornio and 115 km (71 mi) north of Rovaniemi.
After being picked up from your chosen location in Kemi you'll be driven to the Snowcastle area in Kemi. If you choose the afternoon cruise, you'll check in and have some free time to explore this remarkable area, home to the SnowExperience365, SnowCastle Winter Park and Gemstone Exhibition. This excursion includes an entrance to the SnowExperience365 exhibition room, home to real snow and beautiful ice sculptures. You can step into the mesmerising winter wonderland and enjoy the ice slide, ice bar and ice tables. For the morning option, you'll visit the exhibition after the cruise.
After check-in, a shuttle bus will transfer you to the harbour in Kemi, where you'll board the magnificent Icebreaker Sampo. This one-of-a-kind icebreaker ship can plough through ice up to 1.2 metres (4 feet) thick! After boarding the boat, you'll receive a hot welcome drink. There is a bar on board if you wish to purchase additional beverages and snacks throughout the trip.
After a quick greeting and overview from the experienced crew, the icebreaker cruise in Kemi will depart. You'll sail through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, witnessing the power of the icebreaker crushing thick sea ice. Throughout the journey, you can embark on a guided tour of the vessel, visiting the engine room and the captain's bridge, and learning about icebreaker history in Finland.
The ship will come to a stop and you'll have the unique opportunity to walk on the unbroken frozen icy surface of the sea, a surreal Arctic experience! The vast white landscape stretches endlessly, offering magical photo opportunities. During the cruise, you'll also get to try ice floating in Kemi! The tour leader will provide you with your scheduled time slot. You'll receive an insulated flotation suit to keep you warm during the activity. Then, you'll lie back in the frozen waters and enjoy the peaceful remote scenery.
At the end of the sailing adventure, you'll return to the harbour in Kemi. For the morning cruise option, the shuttle bus will take you back to the SnowCastle area, where you'll have time to explore the family-friendly attractions and visit the SnowExperience365 exhibition room. Afterwards, you'll be returned to your original pick-up point in Kemi. For the afternoon option, you'll be transferred back to your pick-up point directly from the harbour after the cruise.
Experience ice floating, ice walking, a guided tour of the vessel, entrance to the SnowExperience365 exhibition room, and a delicious lunch on this all-inclusive icebreaker boat cruise in Kemi!