The Polar Bear Society
The Polar Bear Society
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
The Polar Bear Society is located on the coastal steamer pier, together with Hammerfest’s Tourist Information. Join the world famous and exclusive society, and receive the Polar Bear Pin as proof that you visited the World’s Northernmost Town – Hammerfest! Our museum showcases our proud traditions with fishing and hunting in arctic conditions. There is also a gift shop. You can only become a member in the Polar Bear Society when you visit Hammerfest in person. A membership costs NOK 349,00 as a one time fee. The money supports the exhibition and pays the components of the membership: the Polar Bear pin in silver and enamel, a sticker with our logo on, a diploma with your name on signed by the mayor of Hammerfest, a membership card with your own membership number.
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4.5
271 reviews
Excellent
131
Very good
106
Average
31
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Aleny2002
Ljubljana, Slovenia3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Small but great museum. Friendly staff. It offeres the view to how this Island had evolved. Great to see the wild animals. Modern and clean museum.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dom
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK309 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A little disappointed. OK, it's free so it's value for money, but it's just two small rooms.
Having driven here it just felt a little disappointing.
Having driven here it just felt a little disappointing.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher T
North Yorkshire, UK226 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
This is a very small museum, but worth a visit to learn about arctic life. A visit will only fill 30-45 minutes in order to see everything. Free to enter.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A D
8 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Low key, no hypes, just solid historical facts, bone fide tools of the expeditions and of the hunters of the arctic ice fields and their superb clothing.
Hammerfest is the last of the ice free harbours in the North of Norway and is a must do stop for provisions for the polar expeditions and polar regions fishermen/hunters.
The locals are friendly and helpful and we enjoyed a three day stay.
Hammerfest is the last of the ice free harbours in the North of Norway and is a must do stop for provisions for the polar expeditions and polar regions fishermen/hunters.
The locals are friendly and helpful and we enjoyed a three day stay.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A D
8 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic.!!!
The layout, the historical photowork and short films, the exhibitions of tools, lances, harpoons, the amazing display of arctic birds ,seals, and wildlife .The precise texts accompanying the photos give one a good insight into the workday and dangers of sailing up into the Arctic ice. The seal hunters , the whalers , their skippers and crew who entered the icy areas way north of the mainland earned and deserved great respect for their endurance and ingenuity. Hammerfest was and is the last ice free harbour before one sails up into the void ,the silence,the howling Siberian winds, the ever shifting ice fields which rose to become mountains and crushed many a strong boat
Enjoy !!
The layout, the historical photowork and short films, the exhibitions of tools, lances, harpoons, the amazing display of arctic birds ,seals, and wildlife .The precise texts accompanying the photos give one a good insight into the workday and dangers of sailing up into the Arctic ice. The seal hunters , the whalers , their skippers and crew who entered the icy areas way north of the mainland earned and deserved great respect for their endurance and ingenuity. Hammerfest was and is the last ice free harbour before one sails up into the void ,the silence,the howling Siberian winds, the ever shifting ice fields which rose to become mountains and crushed many a strong boat
Enjoy !!
Written 6 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scottish_Traveller
Macduff, UK296 contributions
Sep 2020 • Business
The polar bear society and the tourist information centre is all one and the same. It’s located directly at the dock, so when the cruise ships comes in, the people on the boat step off directly into this area.
It is a small building, and a small museum type of thing, but there is good information and the staff are very friendly
It’s completely free so you would be silly not to do it!
Signing up to be a member of the Royal and ancient polar bear society is very cool and I recommend that, although it cost a small amount of money (220 NOK approx). Worth it. You get a certificate. Badge. Member card. Sticker.
It is a small building, and a small museum type of thing, but there is good information and the staff are very friendly
It’s completely free so you would be silly not to do it!
Signing up to be a member of the Royal and ancient polar bear society is very cool and I recommend that, although it cost a small amount of money (220 NOK approx). Worth it. You get a certificate. Badge. Member card. Sticker.
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arctic_Lyon
Tromso, Norway366 contributions
Jul 2020
I have visited quite a few "Polar" themed museums and this one is no worse than any other. There is a lot of good info to be seen and cute stuffed animals. Everyone should take at least 30 minutes to look around.
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Totti K
Hong Kong, China1,326 contributions
Jul 2020
If you need to visit one location in Hammerfest, this should be it. Good 1+ hour can be used to walk in the exhibition related to the history of the region, arctic travels, and polar bears hunting.
The entry is free.
Also, You should join the Royal Polar Bear Society (less than 25 €) for a lifetime membership.
The location is in downtown and easy to find.
The entry is free.
Also, You should join the Royal Polar Bear Society (less than 25 €) for a lifetime membership.
The location is in downtown and easy to find.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonnyboy4
Mainz38 contributions
Sep 2019
A really nice idea to make a foundation for the Polar Bears. Unfortunately it's a little bit too far away.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline E
456 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited from the Hurtigruten cruise ship, it’s right by the quayside, and as well as having a small, quite interesting museum and the tourist information centre, it offers a chance to join the Royal and Ancient Polar bear society. The title is tongue in cheek, it was founded in 1963. A while ago, but not really ancient!
However, it’s all a bit of fun and membership does get you a discount on any shopping done in their reasonably priced gift shop, which has a good range of merchandise.
However, it’s all a bit of fun and membership does get you a discount on any shopping done in their reasonably priced gift shop, which has a good range of merchandise.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacquie501965
County Dublin, Ireland26 contributions
Again, opening times if we are docking in at 5.15am via Hurtigruten ferry for just hour and half!!!
Hammerfest Turist AS
Hammerfest, Norway12 contributions
Dear guest. Our opening hours are:
August - May:
Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 16:00
Sat - Sun: 10.00-14.00
June - July:
Mon - Fri: 08.00-18.00
Sat - Sun: 08.00-16.00
Please do not hesitate to contact us again in case of further questions.
The Polar Bear Society
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Claim your listingTHE POLAR BEAR SOCIETY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Polar Bear Society
- The Polar Bear Society is open:
- Mon - Wed 10:00 - 17:00
- Thu - Thu 10:00 - 18:00
- Fri - Fri 10:00 - 14:00
- Hotels near The Polar Bear Society:
- (0.13 mi) Scandic Hammerfest
- (0.16 mi) Thon Hotel Hammerfest
- (0.22 mi) Smarthotel Hammerfest
- (0.30 mi) Turistua
- (0.63 mi) Skytterhuset
- Restaurants near The Polar Bear Society:
- (0.03 mi) Dickson
- (0.04 mi) På Hjørnet Burger og Grill
- (0.13 mi) Niri Sushi & Dinner
- (0.05 mi) SOT bar & burger Hammerfest
- (0.04 mi) Sakaya Asian Cooking