Our Adventurous King Crab Safari In Kirkenes, Norway

Deep in the Arctic Circle and the far reaches of Northern Norway, my friend and I found myself bundled up in thermal layers, bouncing along behind a snowmobile on a massive sled like a bunch of potatoes. Around us the landscape was silent, white, and endless and we were being led to a frozen lake where under the ice awaited something terrifying and delightfully delicious.

We were in Kirkenes in February on the winter version of the famous King Crab Safari. Instead of hopping on a boat and heading out to sea, we crossed a a snowy tundra to a frozen lake to a spot where massive crab traps had been dropped beneath the ice.

This was also the furthest north I’ve ever been on Earth.

Hauled up, these massive crabs fetch quite the price on the seafood market. And for good reasons. They are bred and caught in the world’s harshest waters making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

What To Expect On The King Crab Tour

A full disclaimer.

This isn’t a real crabbing adventure. In fact, I wouldn’t really call it crabbing at all. It’s more like a fun, immersive demonstration. But still, it was absolutely worth it for one main reason – the freshest, sweetest, all-you-can-eat King Crab feast at the end.

After a brief orientation and gearing up, we were loaded onto a wooden sled pulled by a snowmobile and whisked off. The ride itself is fun, especially if you’re not from a cold place.

Once we reached the frozen lake, the guide gathered us around square hole carved into the thick ice. It’s here that the crab traps, or “pots,” are pulled up from below with some steady and strong hands. The traps are the same types used in commercial fishing, baited cages dropped in deep waters either under the sea in summer or under the ice in winter.

A few crabs are brought up and killed immediately (humanely, I would assume), so that guests can handle them safely for the requisite social media photo. It sounds grim, but these crabs are being prepped for our lunch within the hour. There would be no waste – especially when I’m around. This is about as fresh and sustainable as it gets.

How Did King Crabs Even To Norway?

I liked learning about the crabs. Turns out, King crabs are not native to Norway. They were actually introduced into the Barents Sea by the Russians in the 20th century. The first attempt in the 1930s failed, but a second try in 1959 worked. By the 1970s, the 1.5 million spawns had successfully adapted, started breeding and began spreading out.

These creatures can get pretty massive, up to 24 lbs (11 kg), with a leg span of near 6 feet (1.8 meters). To ensure sustainability, there are now regulations in place with quotas for commercial fishing and even local residents, who are allowed to catch up to 10 per year for personal consumption.

And they are not cheap. Fresh King crabs in Norway go for around €100 per kilogram.

Try ordered one shipped overseas and you’re easily looking at $600 to $1000 for a single crab.

So eating as much as I could today was a definite part of the plan.

What I Didn’t Like About The Experience

To be blunt, I went in thinking we’d get to haul up the traps ourselves. I was already picturing myself gripping the line and heaving up the metal cage, one pull at a time. Unfortunately, that’s no longer part of the experience for safety and liability reasons. I get it, but it would be cool if they could figure out a safe, guided way to bring that back.

It’s fair to let you know that the traps are there for the purposes of the demonstration. Crabs are put in there ahead of time, and hauled up for each group. Though a few are taken out and brought back, the rest of the crabs are sourced in advance to ensure there’s plenty for everyone at lunch. It’s understandable and most people probably won’t notice or car.

The Crab Feast Alone Justifies The Cost

I still talk about this meal with my friend.

After the sled ride back with the haul, we are seated in the newly constructed dining hall at the Snowhotel Kirkenes. The smell of hot crab stock soup permeates in the air.

There’s rice, which I recommend mixing into the soup. It’s delicious and so warming, but pace yourself. You’re here for the crabs. Don’t forget that.

After we’re seated, a huge tray of freshly steamed King Crab legs is carted out. The guide shows us how to make a scissor cut along the shell to clean extract an unbroken piece of crab meat.

If you’ve never had King Crab, consider yourself lucky to have that first experience to look forward to.

Firm but delicate, naturally sweet, and completely different from the flaky bits you pick out of smaller crabs. Eat it as is, add a bit of salt and a squeeze of lemon, or dip it in warm melted butter. It’s perfect either ways.

Our group of 16 was initially told we’d get 3 to 4 legs each. But even after everyone had been served their share, there were still another 15 massive legs left on the tray. I went back. Twice. Possibly three times. Definitely. I stopped counting after 1.5 kilograms of crab legs.

My advice to you is to skip breakfast or keep it light. You’ll want every inch of stomach space reserved for this dream meal.

Where To Book The King Crab Safari

Kirkenes is the best place for king crab experiences in Norway. There are other spots where you can visit some canneries or aquariums and try the king crab fresh, but the original king crab safari is in Kirkenes.

King Crab Safari From Saariselka

We booked our visit from Saariselka here as part of 7 day Lapland Northern Lights adventure. It costs a bit more but includes the 3 hour transportation to Kirkenes, along with an incredible breakfast buffet in Inari about an hour in. Very much welcomed when you start at 5:30 am. On the way back, we stopped at quaint little cafe for a reindeer soup break. Overall, it was a lovely way to start our trip.

Visiting The Snow Hotel

To avoid a crab coma, go for a walk through the nearby snow hotel, a year-round structure made entirely of ice. Inside this snow-covered mound and behind an unassuming door is a tunnel of carved ice rooms, with beds made of ice, ice sculptures, and even an ice bar. There are reindeer hides and bear skins to keep you warm, but I was glad to just be visiting. You can stay the night if you want. Not for me.

Final Thoughts

The King Crab Safari wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. You won’t be elbow-deep in traps or experiencing The Deadliest Catch for a day. But what you do get is a lovely ride through Arctic Norway, and an absurd amount of fresh, premium King Crab.

Updated on September 2, 2025