Health
Citizens from EU countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Travellers from the UK should bring their UK GHIC. At the time of writing UK travellers have access to emergency treatment in public hospitals by showing their UK passports. In all cases, however, it would be wise to carry travel insurance.
In case of a medical emergency call 113 on your mobile phone
Tick-borne borrelioses (Lyme disease) is common on the south coast of Norway. Tick-borne encephalitis has been reported in the Arendal area on the southeast coast of Norway. After walking through bushy terrain on the south coast it would be wise to inspect your skin for ticks. Any imbedded ticks should be removed and most pharmacies in the region will stock special tweezers made for this purpose. If a rash or fever develops after a tick bite, you should consult a doctor. A vaccine is available against tick-borne encephalitis. No vaccine is available against Lyme disease.
The venomous Black Adder (Vipera berus/hoggorm) is found along the coast as far north as the Arctic Circle. While a bite is rarely life-threatening to a healthy adult, the poison may be lethal to children and to those few who are allergic. If someone in your company is bitten, the general advice is to keep the afflicted limb elevated and the patient still. Contact medical services immediately. (This entry was added by Hans Jakob after he narrowly missed sitting on one during a hiking trip!)
To avoid contracting giardia, do not drink untreated water from lakes or streams. Though most Norwegian hikers will happily drink from streams and rivers, you will have to decide for yourself, based on your level of risk tolerance.
Pets
Mainland Norway is rabies free and authorities are keen to keep it that way. This is reflected in strict regulations on the importation of pets into the country. The animal must be ID-marked, have a valid pet passport and valid anti-rabies vaccination. Dogs must have received an anti-echinococcus treatment. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority will give you further instructions depending on your country of departure.
The Midnight Sun
The short nights of summer in the high latitudes have many advantages:
- navigation is easier in daylight and you don’t have to worry about dealing with unfamiliar harbours or anchorages in the dark;
- it is possible to make more miles in a day without missing the passing scenery;
- the midnight sun produces the most beautiful long light—great for photographers!
Public Transportation
Arranging for crew changes or visitors is easy to do since almost every community in Norway has some form of public transportation. And they run on time!
- bus
- train
- ferry
- plane (SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe)
- Hurtigrute (coastal express) ships run passengers and cargo between Bergen and Kirkenes with a north-bound and a south-bound ship stopping daily in each of the 35 ports along the route.
Chartering
We have no personal experience with any of these companies so do your own due diligence
Boreal Yachting has bases in Tromsø and Solvær in Lofoten, and offers skippered or bareboat charters all year round.
Seil Norge, based in Ylvingen on the Helgeland coast, claim to be Norway’s “leading organizer of sailing trips, expeditions and sailing courses”.
WayNorth Maritime can assist you with planning your cruise and will also deliver your boat to and from locations in Norway.
