SALTSTRAUMEN THE WORLDS STRONGEST MAELSTROM.

Welcome to Saltstraumen.

THE TIDAL CURRENT

Saltstraumen is created when the tide try to fill the Skjerstad fjord. The height difference of the sea surface can be as much as 1 meter or 3 feet between the inside and the outside of the narrow sound.
In the attempt to level out the two sides, the water increase its speed and turns into something that looks like a very strong river. However this "river" has a twist , it runs both ways.
Within a time frame of 6 hours a massive 372 million cubic meter of sea water passes through a 150 meter wide and 31 meter deep passage.
The speed of the stream is estimated to be up to 22 knots or 40 km per hour, and it is about 3 km long.
Huge whirlpools are formed , sometimes they can be as much as 10 to 15 meters in diameter.
The current is strongest around new and full moon. In addition to the moon phase the weather is also an important factor to strength of the stream because storms that comes in from the sea increases the tide level. The sun will also influence the current to some extent.
There is an old saying that the stream is at its strongest of the year on good Friday .
This corresponds good considering that the combined gravity pull from the moon and the sun its maximum.
Every time the current turns there is a "time window" when larger ships can pass through the sound. They can obtain information about these times from a local signal station on the VHF. At these times the current is almost calm.
On the last page of the two local news papers "Avisa Nordland" you will find a daily column with the times when Saltstraumen is at its strongest. Adjust when you want to see the maelstrom in accordance with this to avoid disappointments.
The tourist information can also tell you what time it is best to view Saltstraumen.
Anyone being in a boat or down by the sea must show caution because Saltstraumen is dangerous , there are underwater currents even when the surface is calm.

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and to do

FISHING

Saltstraumen is one of the best places for sport fishing in Norway and the clean oxygen rich water hosts a verity of species both fish , plants and other sea creatures.
The coal-fish is most common , but you can also catch salmon , trout , herring , flounder , halibut , catfish , haddock , Norway haddock and other.
The fjord inside Saltstraumen is more than 500 meter deep and here you can find deep sea fish like red fish as well.
During special wind and weather conditions , some of these deep sea fish swims closer to the surface where they taken by the current and lifted all the way up . Due to sudden drop of pressure the fish are instantaneous killed and floats around for anyone to pick.
The largest black pollack ever to be fished was taken by a sport fisher in Saltstraumen , and from time to time black pollack of 20 kg or more are taken.
Almost everybody who tries to fish in Saltstraumen will catch something . The most common tackle to be used is "stingsild" .
The "Stingsild" looks like a small herring with a hook at one end.
Still there are a lot of people who prefer the much cheaper "mark".
The "mark" is a hook inside a small colored rubber tube , that suppose to imitate a maggot.
What ever you choose you are almost certain to catch some fish.

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and to do

WILD LIFE

The wildlife around Saltstraumen is quite versatile. Here you can find moose , fox , otter and ferret . During the summer moths they tend to keep away from people , but they are often seen during the winter.
Motorists must be aware that the moose often walks along roads during winter nights and that they are very hard to see before it is to late . If there is a collision it can be just as bad for the driver as for the moose.
There are always a lot of birds in and around the current. Here are large colonies of seagull , eider ducks , ducks and lots more. As Saltstraumen is a blessing to people and fish, it is also a excellent food resource for birds.
And not to forget the "king" him self , the fish eagle. In the district around Bodø you will find the greatest concentration in Europe , so these majestic birds can be seen almost every day.

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and to do

HISTORY

Saltstraumen as we know it today have only been for 2 to 3 thousand years . Before that the landscape was pressed down by huge glaciers.
When the ice melted the land was pushed up narrowing the sound and gradually creating the current we know today.
During the age of the Vikings the sea stood only 2 to 3 meter higher than now.
Traces of human activity dates back 10 thousand years when the sea was about 80 meters higher up . The area provided them with every thing they could wish for , food and shelter.
There is an 8 thousand year old picture of a moose carved into a rock , witnessing a rich wild life.
The oldest music instrument ever to be found in Norway was discovered in the area. It is estimated that the "brummer" as it is called is between 4 to 5 thousand years old.
When attached to a string and swung in the air it makes a humming sound.
In the local museum it is possible to see objects from the iron age , but most of the items on the exhibition are from the last and this century.
In Sundstraumen , an other and much smaller maelstrom that together with Saltstraumen fills the Skjerstad fjord , you can find a cut in the rocks that look like it has been made by an ax . According to legend this cut was made by Olav Trygvason , the Viking chief that christened Norway. At that time the district was ruled by "Raudin Hin Rame" , a notorious Viking chief and sorcerer . When Olav Trygvason came Raudin started a storm that blew Tryvason's fleet out to sea again.
When ever Trygvason tried to sail through Saltstraumen the wind and the current were against him. He finally managed to get to Raudin Hin Rame by cutting his way through solid rock and there by creating Sundstraumen. Even after being defeated Raudin refused to let him self be christened , so Trygvason tortured him in order to convict him.
Though Trygvason forced an adder down his throat Raudin would not change his belief and therefor died when the adder made his way out.
If you visit the museum in Saltstraumen so take a look at the boat they have on display.
This type of boat is genuine to Saltstraumen and was designed to handle well when they were
rowing in the current. This type of boat was extreme easy to row in this kind of waters.

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and to do

ACCOMMODATION

People who visit Saltstraumen have several possibilities if they want to stay for a while.
They can stay at Saltstraumen Camping where they can park caravans or raise tents. Saltstraumen Camping have 8 cottages with 2 bedrooms and 12 cottages with 1 bedroom. All cottages have kitchen , shower and toilet. There is also a laundry at the camping.

Saltstraumen Hotel is an other possibility. They have several rooms and some cottages are under construction.

For those who want something else the tourist information can give you contact with private persons who rent out rooms or houses.

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and to do

THINGS TO DO AND THINGS TO SEE

Camping
Saltstraumen Camping
Elvegård Camping
Tuv Gamle Handels Sted.

Food/Gasoline
Sambo avdeling 16
Joker

Kiosk/beer sales
Joker

Hotel/Cafe/Snack bar
Saltstraumen Hotel A/S
Cafe Kjelen
Løkås gatekjøkken

Post
Joker

Art Gallery
Gallery Saltstraumen

Mini golf
Saltstraumen Camping

Museum
Saltstraumen Museum
Bodø Museum
The National Aviation museum
Kjerringøy handelssted

Church
Saltstraumen Church

Swimming Pool
Saltstraumen Nærmiljøsenter

Boat Hire
Kåre Høiskar
Laukeng Båtutleie

Car repair
Straumøya Service

Taxi
Saltstraumen Taxi ( Tel: 91849885)
Tverlandet taxi (Tel:75532505)

Multimedia show / Exhibition
Saltstraumen Opplevelsesenter

Other interesting places / things in the district
The city of Bodø.
Arctic Sea sport
Mjelle
The bird mountain on the island of Røst
The glacier "Svartisen"
Junkerdal
Fauske
Salmon Islands
Nordland Turselskap
Stella Polaris
Trip in the mountains of "Børvasstindene"
Lofoten

See the midnight sun in Bodø from 2. June to 10. July

The Tidal Current | Fishing | History | Wild life | Accommodation | Things to see and do
For the latest update of the activities in the district contact the local tourist information.

If anybody want to know more about Saltstraumen I would recommend
a video from : Video V , 3620 Flesberg, Norway.
Telephone: (47) 99551900
The video cost NOK 198 and have comments in Norwegian , German , English or French , depending on what language you prefer.

Made by Rune Dahl
rune.dahl@c2i.net

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