Olivier has left France 41 years ago to sail the world. His combined passion for the sea, the mountains and virgin spaces soon led him to polar regions where he settled. He is the first French skipper to carry out the Arctic Ocean crossing under sail. After spending some time in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Alaska, Canada, Siberia and Greenland, he sails back in 1999 to Europe with his first mate Jean Michel Guillevic through the North West passage. Since then, he has settled in Tromsø, Norway, north of the Polar Circle, and created 69NORD.. His never fed passion for the North keeps him open and curious of the world which surrounds him, and gives him many oportunities to learn more each day from these so called “hostile” areas which he choose as his favorite play-ground.” An eco-friendly approach “The sea has taught me that sufficiency and natural spaces can rhyme with fulfillment without compromising comfort or safety. My sailboats have always been very comfortable while being equipped with robust and reliable technical equipment. This is two essential points for the success of a polar expedition. Repairability, reliability of equipment, optimization and saving of resources, fight against waste are the pillars of sufficiency but in no way hinder the joy of living, enthusiasm and well-being when surrounded by beautiful and wild nature. Hundreds of crew members on board were able to see this with ease. This model naturally inspired us when creating the Båthuset (the boat house) ecolodge. Let us keep in mind that the beautiful planet Earth is our only ship.” 🙂 Olivier Pitras

Our eco-lodge, in the heart of an exceptional site, is available for rent in a private version or in single rooms. It’s a warm place. Many people have told us that they felt at home there. Its capacity for up to fifteen people makes it the ideal place for groups who want to keep their autonomy but also for individuals or small groups who wish to discover the Sommarøy archipelago and its surroundings by sharing an authentic stopover at the end of the world. Whether for solo moments, as a couple, with family or friends, as an artist residency or for a seminar or business trip, the Båthuset ecolodge will meet the expectations of those for whom silence, space and time are the true ingredients of luxury. A peaceful place designed for rejuvenation. The lodge is located on the water’s edge, with direct access to the beach. It is south-facing and benefits from the slightest ray of sunshine, which is not a detail in our regions. The view offers, in the background, a vast panorama of the north coast of Senja Island, about ten kilometers away. The small deserted islands of the archipelago complete the foreground with turquoise waters. The decoration of the lodge refers to Olivier’s polar expeditions, who has carefully chosen a few shots from his personal collection. The choice of natural materials for the layout and furniture has been made to last over time and offer charm and comfort. We are counting on your participation to maintain this atmosphere and this philosophy.

GROCERY STORE, RESTAURANT All areas of the Båthuset ecolodge, with the exception of the bedrooms, are collective areas. Our ecolodge has 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 toilets, 1 living room, 1 dining room, 2 kitchens, 1 dining area in the kitchen. Each room has access to all common areas. The kitchens are equipped with the necessary equipment to prepare simple dishes. If you decide to cook on site, a grocery store is 200 meters away. For those who prefer to eat out, a snack bar is 300 metres away for lunch and a restaurant is 900 metres away for breakfast, lunch and dinner. HOW TO GET TO US: To reach us from Tromsø airport or Tromsø downtown, the easiest solutions are car rental and public bus. CAR RENTAL: There are charging stations two hundred metres from Båthuset for electric cars. In winter the road that passes through the center of Kvaløya may be closed for avalanche risk. Fortunately, there is an alternative from the south of the island to reach Sommarøy. We advise you to follow the traffic situation on Vegvesentrafikk App (white and orange icon with basemap symbol and an I in a text field). This App will serve you for your entire trip. We also recommend the Varsom dot no website or the Varsom Regobs App (white V on an orange background) which will be useful for you not to take a photo break under an avalanche slope (see the legend of the symbols) and for any independent walks if you are experienced hikers. PUBLIC BUS: Buses are infrequent but reliable, punctual and cheap (44 nok for a one-way trip Tromsø centre / Sommarøy). We advise you to download the Svipper App (logo: beige wave on an orange background) to have the schedules and take your tickets. Båthuset is 80 meters from the stop Sommarøy Baptistkirka. Tromsø Airport = Tromsø Lufthavn. Tromsø downtown = Prosteneset Havneterminal. For others stops look the map on Svipper.