Sommarøy with Autistic Children: A Relaxed Family Guide to Norway’s Prettiest Arctic Island
- Aug 22, 2025
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Situated approximately 350 miles inside the arctic circle, Sommaroy Island is at the end of a chain of land masses joined by bridges to the Norwegian mainland.
We only toured a small fraction of the Sommaroy and neighbouring Kvaloya islands with our autistic kids and yet we found so much to love.
The Urge for Adventure
J and I have always loved an adventure. Like many before us, the siren's call of the road less traveled has always been too strong for us to ignore.
When we were young, we consciously chose to travel in a way that forced us to live in the moment. We loved landing smack-bang in the heart of an unknown culture, at the mercy of a strange and enchanting world.
We hadn't believed that having a family would change things very much.
We were wrong.
The advent of parenthood brought forth all manner of unexpected anxieties—real, heavy worries that kept us close to home. As time passed, the realities of caring for two neurodivergent children (and managing a long-term childhood health condition) became clear. Our entire approach to traveling had to change.
We started to choose "safer" destinations. We were enticed by places with:
A world-class healthcare infrastructure
Top-quality local hospitals
Familiar foods with clearly stated allergens
Destinations that didn’t require complex travel vaccinations
But deep down, I still yearned for more.
I wanted the raw thrill and excitement of another world—but I still needed absolute certainty that my children would be safe. I sat with these conflicting feelings for a long time.
Then one day, after endless hours of late-night research, I turned to J and said, "How about the Arctic Circle?"
His initial reply was genuinely incredulous: "You want to take the boys where?!"
But I could see it in his eyes—the old adventurous energy was starting to flow again. We agreed the Arctic could be an option. I just needed to work out exactly how to turn this wild dream into a safe, neurodivergent-friendly reality.
Quick Links: Planning our visit | A Magical Start | Getting to Sommaroy | Stunning Beaches | Arctic Terns | Tromso Day Trip | Saunas and Hot tubs | Sea views | Arctic Weather
Planning Our Visit to the Arctic Circle: When is the Best Time to Visit?
Our first task was to decide exactly when to visit. An Arctic winter trip was immediately out of the question. We are absolutely not a family of skiers! In fact, we possess no winter sports skills at all, so the traditional snowy pursuits of Norway held very little appeal.
After researching both the spring and summer seasons, August emerged as the perfect sweet spot. It promised cool weather mixed with plenty of sunny days. Plus, the Arctic Circle is famously known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, which sounded incredibly exciting all on its own!
Where to Stay: Shifting from a Tromsø City Apartment to a Sommarøy Cabin
Our master plan was to fly into Oslo for five nights toward the end of August. From there, we would catch a domestic flight up to the Arctic Circle for a further six nights.
We decided to use Tromsø—one of the region's main cities—as our base. I browsed through Hotels.com* and reserved a reasonably priced apartment about a mile or so outside the city center. I figured we could simply catch a local bus into the heart of town each day. With that booked, everything seemed sorted.
(If you are currently mapping out your own city itinerary, make sure to read our companion guide to the Best Tromsø Family Activities for Autistic Kids to find the most rewarding, low-sensory spots in town!)
The Newbury Epiphany: Why a City Base Wouldn't Work
Around 12 weeks before our Arctic flight, we celebrated J's birthday on a long weekend break with extended family in the Berkshire countryside. We stayed in a spacious barn conversion on a farm in East Ilsley, surrounded by endless fields of green pea crops.
The barn was nestled within extensive grounds filled with lovely tall trees and soft, spongy grass. It had a gorgeous patio with outdoor seating and sunsets to die for.
We all absolutely adored it. The space. The light. That beautiful, rare feeling of being able to breathe.
As we sat out there on our second night, staring across the quiet fields and watching day blur gently into night, a sudden realization hit me. Six nights in a small, suburban apartment—even if it was in beautiful Tromsø—was a sensory disaster waiting to happen.
Our boys needed space to move and regulate. But our Arctic flights were completely non-refundable. We had to go. So, I did what I do best—I stayed up late and started to research.
Discovering Our Arctic Paradise on Sommarøy
Within 24 hours, my frantic late-night efforts zeroed in on a tiny island called Sommarøy. Even the name sounded wonderful—friendly, welcoming, and exotic all at the same time.
By the end of our farm weekend, it was a done deal. Having done my research on accommodation booking sites Vrbo* and Expedia* - I had completely changed our accommodation strategy. We booked a stunning seaside cabin on a remote island archipelago, surrounded by ice-cold waters the color of the Caribbean.
To make this remote escape work, we also needed to secure a rental car directly from the airport using Expedia*. This would allow us to drive about an hour west of Tromsø, straight to our new island sanctuary.
I felt nervous, anxious, and ridiculously excited all at once. Finally, I had manifested the wild adventure I craved—while keeping the safe, open spaces my boys truly needed.
Exploring More of Norway?
If you are planning a larger family road trip across Scandinavia, check out our other tried-and-tested, neurodivergent-friendly destination guides:
Coastal Magic: Read our Ultimate 5-Night Bergen Travel Guide for Families with Autistic Children.
City Itineraries: Discover the Top 10 Activities in Bergen for Families with Autistic Children.
Lake District Peace: Explore Lake Mjøsa, Norway: Our Ultimate 5-Night Travel Guide for Families with Autistic Children.
Meeting Wild Reindeer: Our Magical Welcome to the Arctic Circle
After landing at Tromso airport we collected our hire car and brought up the satnav. Rather than heading in towards the city, we were directed straight over the bridge by the airport and off Tromsoya Island.
After driving for around 10 minutes we experienced one of those moments in life you know you will never forget.
Right in front of us we could see a small herd of wild reindeer, complete with massive antlers.
Our car slowed as we watched them saunter casually across the road. The excitement / screaming / jumping around in the car was epic - it was also raining slightly which added to the atmospheric scene.
Reindeer! In the arctic circle! The boys could not believe it. Obviously they spent a fair bit of the remaining trip looking for Santa!
This magical start to our arctic adventure set the tone for the rest of our trip. A trip which surprised, delighted and rewarded our family at every turn. It really was the experience of a life time; so read on to discover all the reasons why our autistic children adored their stay on the remote arctic Island of Sommaroy. It might just be the adventure your own family has been waiting for!
How to Get to Sommarøy Island From Tromsø (An Easy Family Drive)
Sommarøy is a remote island archipelago located about an hour's drive west of Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic.
While local buses do run to the island, navigating fixed transit schedules with sensory gear can be tricky. We chose to pick up a rental car directly from the airport, which we easily booked ahead of time using Expedia*.
The drive to the island was incredibly easy to navigate. To get there from the airport:
Cross the main bridge over to the neighbouring island of Kvaløya.
Follow the scenic 862 road all the way to the coast.
Cross the final bridge onto Sommarøy!
The route took us through some of the most spectacular scenery we have ever seen. The road alternated between towering, majestic mountains and rushing waterfalls, before opening up into sweeping, panoramic views across Norway's famous fjords.
(If you prefer to base yourself in the city centre instead but still want to see these views, you can check out independent day tours to Sommaroy on GetYourGuide*, they offer fantastic, stress-free fjord excursions starting directly from Tromsø).
Connecting Our Norway Road Trip
Our visit to the Arctic followed on from a peaceful 5-night stay in the mountains surrounding the beautiful Lake Mjøsa, located about an hour's drive northeast of Oslo. In total, this holiday lasted 12 days—the longest time we had ever taken the boys away from home at this point in our lives.
To learn more about beautiful Lake Mjøsa, the stunning summer cabin where we stayed, and how we made the first part of this dream adventure work for our autistic children, be sure to visit our comprehensive 5 night guide to visiting Lake Mjosa Norway with Autistic Children.
6 Reasons We Loved Sommarøy: Our Autism-Friendly Arctic Summer
1. Stunning Crowd Free Beaches
In this region of Norway you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding your own stretch of wonderful sandy beach. We only toured a small fraction of the Sommaroy and neighbouring Kvaloya islands with our autistic kids and yet we found so much to love.
Steinsvika Beach (Our Favourite Spot)
Less than 5 minutes drive from our accommodation on Sommaroy is a stretch of beach officially known as the Steinsvika Archeological site, an Iron Age settlement from 1300 years ago. It quickly became our favourite place.
For autistic families, it offers a perfect setup:
A wide stretch of lovely soft sand for building castles
Sparkling, shallow turquoise waters
A large grassy verge with picnic tables
A free public toilet (open during the summertime only)
We visited three times during our stay. On one particularly sunny day, we even braved a swim in the crystal-clear waters! With an average sea temperature of around 14°C (57°F), it was a very quick dip, but brilliant fun all the same.
An Independent Walking Tip: If your children enjoy walking, you can follow a path from the car park, over a small hill, and down into an adjoining bay. It is just as beautiful but has far fewer visitors. The terrain can get a bit rugged and exposed, so ensure the kids are wearing sturdy, appropriate shoes if you plan to explore past the first bay.
2. The Magic of Arctic Terns
One of the absolute highlights of our entire trip was getting to observe a small group of migrating Arctic Terns.
During the lockdown, the boys had listened to a children's music album called Nali and Friends on repeat for the best part of two years. The songs describe the adventures of Nali, an Arctic Tern on her first epic migration to the Antarctic at the end of the summer. We had also read up on these incredible birds, making our whole family massive fans.
When a small group of Arctic Terns suddenly swooped into Steinsvika bay, riding the wind thermals and diving down for fish, we were totally awestruck. For five minutes, we stood completely enthralled by their speed and grace. We couldn't believe we were lucky enough to witness the start of their migration! From that point on, we officially named this beautiful spot "Nali Beach."
3. An Easy Tromso Day Trip
Sommarøy has a remote, quiet beauty that is incredibly seductive, but it is actually less than a 90-minute drive from the large city of Tromsø. This makes it a perfect, manageable distance for a city day trip or two.
We really enjoyed our time in the city. The drive itself is stunningly scenic, peppered with waterfalls and fjord views.
We had plenty of time to visit these top locations:
🚠 Fjellheisen Cable Car (including a drive past the iconic Arctic Cathedral)
🐟 Polaria Aquarium
🌱 The Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden
🚢 Tromsø Harbour
(To see how we structured these transit transitions without sensory burnout, head over to our detailed breakdown of the Best Tromsø Family Activities for Autistic Kids).
4. Private Saunas and Hot Tubs (The Ultimate Sensory Experience)
The Badehus (or bathhouse) is a traditional, quintessential practice in Norwegian culture.
The badehus at the Arctic Hotel included a large round hot tub big enough for eight people, a warm sauna, changing facilities, and a large deck with steps leading directly down into the hotel's private, ice-cold lagoon.
The traditional idea is to move slowly between the two extremes of temperature (hot to cold to hot). Trying out this activity surrounded by majestic Arctic scenery was an incredible experience.
It turned out to be an amazing sensory activity for the kids. They loved it so much that we booked an extra session for the afternoon of our last full day. They still talk about the "hot tub by the lake" and constantly ask when they will get to do it again!
5. Majestic Sea Views From a Safe Environment
Sommarøy itself is wonderfully small. The island comprises a handful of houses, a village school, a pub/café, and a reasonably sized mini-mart with a post office where we bought most of our provisions.
The best visitor accommodation is actually just across the small bridge on Hillesøya Island, the last island in the archipelago. Dominated by a huge mountain, Hillesøya is home to the Sommarøy Arctic Hotel*, (where we stayed), a large complex set around a private lagoon. Along the promenade sit a clutch of alpine-style, wood-frame apartments built facing out to sea.
We stayed in two different apartments during our trip and both offered:
Incredible, floor-to-ceiling glass windows
Outdoor decking areas that made you feel suspended right over the water
A quiet, safe environment to decompress
A special part of our trip was simply sitting by those huge windows, drinking hot cups of tea in the morning, enjoying afternoon treats, and relaxing with al fresco sundowners while taking in the majestic scenery.
6. Exhilarating Arctic Weather
ou don't travel to the Arctic Circle expecting 30-degree summer weather! Even in August, the weather was a mixed bag of clear blue skies, grey clouds, and light rain.
We were actually surprised by how warm some of the sunny days felt, which emboldened us to take a few bracing dips in the lagoon. However, it was the stormy periods that we loved the most!
Because we came fully prepared clothing-wise, we watched the skies darken with anticipation rather than disappointment. We zipped up our gear and headed outside:
Our Essential Gear Packing List: Full rain suits, thermals, hats, mittens, and cozy scarves.
The Sensory Experience: We loved getting outside to feel the wind buffeting our bodies and the sting of salt water on our cheeks from the crashing waves. It was exciting, exhilarating, and the boys loved every single minute of it!
Final Thoughts: Is an Arctic Summer Right for Your Autistic Family?
I can't fully do justice to the raw beauty and magic we found inside the Arctic Circle. Tromsø, Sommarøy, and Hillesøya constantly lured us outdoors to enjoy some of the best, most memorable adventures we've ever had as a family.
It was quiet. It was peaceful. And most importantly, the kids were completely in their element.
If you are looking for a true family adventure—for the rare chance to take your kids on a deep dive into a sensory world of color, temperature, and natural beauty—then do not hesitate. Book your own Arctic summer holiday! 🌻
Happy Travels x
Now, I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever considered taking your family to northern Norway, or do you have a favorite remote destination that gives your kids the wide-open space they need to breathe? Let me know in the comments below!
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