An Amazing Arctic Float

Most of us have no desire to spend an hour in water that’s just one degree above the freezing point. As I stared at the deep blue water of a freezing fjord somewhere in Troms, Norway, I questioned why I wasn’t one of those people.?

Arctic Floating was another adventure during my extraordinary journey through Arctic Norway. It was something I never thought I’d do because I never knew it existed until two weeks before I stepped into the icy fjord that hovered around 32° Fahrenheit.

You may be asking yourself, “What is Arctic Floating?” I had the same question. It’s exactly what it sounds like. You float in Arctic waters. It’s different than a polar plunge. That’s when you hop in and out of freezing water. For this activity, you literally float in the water for an extended period.

Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect but it sounded like fun and was sure to be a unique experience. It was a very intimate atmosphere; it was me, my guide and the ship’s captain. I spent the first 20 minutes learning more about the float and how the ship’s captain came up with the idea!?

I discovered I’d be wearing a survival suit that goes over my clothing. I did not expect that because I wore a wet suit when I went snorkeling in Iceland. The survival suit is what makes it possible to float; it also keeps you dry.

The truth is no amount of information or reassurance was going to calm me as I stepped down a ladder and into the water with snow falling all around me. Now imagine an always stressed, high-energy New Yorker in a freezing fjord surrounded by mountains covered by snow and more snow falling with no one and nothing else around me.

It was eerily silent. The only noises that could be heard were the idling boat and the sound of the water. Laying in the fjord, I listened to the waves created by the rapids. I was also acutely aware of the noise I caused every time I floated into an ice sheet. I felt like a human icebreaker.

As I floated, my thoughts and worries wandered away from me. All I could think about was the beauty everywhere I looked. There was no freezing water to concern me because the survival suit kept me as dry as a bone. All I did was float and take in my surroundings.?

It was surreal. In a way, I can compare it to seeing the Northern Lights the night before. While they’re very different experiences, both created a sense of awe and highlighted the majestic scenery.

I didn’t realize how quickly time passed until I heard the boat’s engine turn back on and saw it start moving closer to me; an hour already passed. This was another incredible experience that could only happen in the Arctic.?

When you’re ready to check boxes on your travel bucket list, you want the expertise of someone who’s been where you’re going and has experienced the best of it. If Norway is on your list, call 917-225-1360 or email [email protected]. I guarantee you see every sight through the eyes of a local.

As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I design and create unique and exclusive experiences for travelers who want to explore the world in luxury. There is no pre-determined itinerary or limits to your dreams. Every journey is crafted specifically for you, your family and your friends. I’m the person who makes you a VIP when you travel because you can’t VIP yourself.