Balsfjord Fjordmuseum og Våtmarkssenter
Museum and wetland centre at Storsteinnes with exhibitions on coastal culture, the 1952 Vesterisen disaster and the nature around Balsfjorden and Sørkjosleira.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum lies at Storsteinnes in Balsfjord, about five kilometres from the E6, beside the international wetland area Sørkjosleira. It is run by Midt-Troms Museum and combines cultural history and natural history.
The cultural history includes the coastal fishing boat “Terje”, built in Tennes in 1922, which was restored after it was taken out of service in 2002 and opened to visitors in 2022. The boat stands on land and can be viewed in any weather. Since autumn 2022 the exhibition “Tragedien i Vesterisen 1952” has also been shown, about the accident in which five sealing vessels disappeared in a storm. The museum also has a large photo collection, which is gradually being digitised and made available on DigitaltMuseum.
The natural history covers protected areas, geology, bird migration, flora, spiders and insects, a field in which the museum is nationally specialised. Stuffed animals on display include wolf, bear, wolverine and lynx, as well as birds. The museum also tells of Balsfjorden as a habitat, with isolated herring stocks, special cod and capelin stocks, and eelgrass. There is a nature playground for kindergarten and primary school children.
Highlights
- The coastal fishing boat “Terje” from 1922
- The exhibition “Tragedien i Vesterisen 1952”
- Stuffed animals such as wolf, bear, wolverine and lynx
- Knowledge of nature and birds around Sørkjosleira
- Nature playground for children
Permanent exhibitions
- Tragedien i Vesterisen 1952 – Exhibition on the accident in which five sealing vessels disappeared in a storm in Vesterisen, with eyewitness accounts and historical photographs.
- Natur- og kulturhistorie i Balsfjorden – Stuffed animals and birds, geology and bird migration, and the coastal fishing boat “Terje” from 1922.
- Operated by
- Midt-Troms Museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 80 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | NOK 20free up to age 2 · Children from 3 to 16 pay NOK 20; children under 3 enter free. |
| Families | NOK 175Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Guided tour outside opening hours | NOK 1,500Enquiries should be sent early by email. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 175 · Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
Nature playground for kindergarten and primary school children, and teaching for school classes.
Getting there & parking
The museum is about 5 km from the E6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups and schools book with Kjetil Aakra, telephone +47 479 24 077. The museum offers teaching on site and nature excursions in the local area. |
