Historic smuggler tour above and below the water in Narvik Harbour

When it was decided that the railway would terminate in Narvik, a bustling construction town emerged in Rombaksbotn. When the Ofoten Railway was completed in 1902, Narvik was granted town status – with a population made up of workers, sailors, adventurers, and more or less law-abiding souls.

Where there is hard work, there is also a need to celebrate.

In the lively days of Rombaksbotn, taverns appeared like mushrooms, and the production, smuggling, and serving of fine (and less fine) spirits became widespread – to the great delight of many, and to the equal frustration of the authorities.

Among the more colourful characters were Annæus Myklevand and Nils Persson Nordholm, both key figures in a local community where the lines between trade, bootlegging, and smuggling were often… fluid.

The frequent calls to Narvik’s ore harbour from ships all over the world opened doors – and cargo holds. Goods unavailable in the town’s shops could be sourced out on the fjord. Spirited locals seized the opportunity to row out to the ore ships to secure the essentials for festive occasions.

Not all trips went unnoticed.

Sometimes the customs officers appeared, and then the mood could quickly turn sour. Bottles were hastily thrown overboard – better lost than confiscated. The big question was always the same: Did the smugglers manage to recover their goods once the customs boat had left the scene?

A Historic Journey – with a Taste of Smuggling

Launched during the Winter Festival Week, this tour warmly welcomes you aboard MS OFOTR for a humorous and historic exploration of Narvik Harbour.

We offer a playful perspective, tall tales, and true smuggling anecdotes from a time when the fjord was both a trade route and an escape route – and when many a bottle ended up at the bottom of the Ofotfjord in the heat of panic.

We offer a small pre-party menu curated by some of the city’s top chefs and sommeliers. A drink package from the depths of the sea is paired with three delicious small dishes.

If you do not choose the package price, drinks can still be ordered on board. (Unfortunately, food cannot be ordered on board, as it is specially prepared in advance.)

We take it one step further:

Using an underwater drone, we make a “dive into history” to see whether we might – purely by chance – discover traces of smuggled goods sacrificed to avoid the long arm of the law.

This is the perfect historic and maritime pre-party experience before the evening’s many events – filled with stories, laughter, local flavours, and just the right touch of salty sea spray.

Welcome aboard. Customs officers are specially invited.

Practical Information

Departure times:

13.03.26 to 21.03.26: 16:00

Duration: 2 hours

Number of participants: 3–12 guests

Price

Adults: NOK 1.950

Minimum age limit 20 years

Meeting point

Pier 2, Narvik Harbor

Havnegata 2

Included in the price

• Serving: Classic smuggler’s drinks accompanied by small dishes – developed by a local chef (Optional)

• Storytelling

• Humor

• Smuggling anecdotes

• Use of an underwater drone

Latest booking

Bookings must be made online no later than 16:00 the day before departure.