Perched on the rocky shoreline of Kvaløyvågen, just a short drive from Tromsø city centre, Maribell Sjøbuer is a family-run seaside retreat that has welcomed guests since 2005. Founded by Harder Pettersen and now managed by his son Eivind, the property sits on Kvaløya island — one of the large islands surrounding Tromsø — where the Arctic sea meets a rugged landscape of mountains and fjords. The spacious wood-fired sauna, with room for up to 12 guests, is one of the highlights of any visit here.
The Sauna
The sauna is equipped with proper changing rooms and showers, and opens directly onto the Arctic sea, making the traditional Nordic hot-cold cycle as elemental as it gets. In winter, guests can plunge into the icy saltwater directly from the sauna steps, with the Northern Lights potentially shimmering overhead — a combination of sensory extremes that is difficult to replicate anywhere else on earth. In the long, bright summer nights, the midnight sun casts a golden glow across the bay and creates an otherworldly atmosphere unique to the far north.
Activities
Beyond the sauna, Maribell offers boat rentals, sea fishing trips, kayaking, snowshoeing, and partnerships with local guide companies for Northern Lights tours and husky experiences. Accommodation ranges from the main Maribell Sjøbu (sleeping up to 8 guests) to smaller waterside cabins, making it an ideal base for multi-day Arctic adventures or a single night of deep coastal wilderness immersion.
Practical Information
Sauna access is bookable through the Maribell website or by contacting the team directly by email or phone (+47 482 73 184). Given the private, boutique nature of the experience, early booking is strongly advised — particularly for the winter Northern Lights season, which fills up months in advance.
