December 14-29, 2025 December 23

In the early morning, we reach Harstad, passing through Risøyhamn to Sortland, Stokmarknes, and through the Raftsund to Svolvaer.                                  Risøysundet is part of the strait that separates Andøya and Hinnøya in Nordland. Risøysundet connects Andfjorden (which is also a strait) and Sortlandsundet.  The strait is shallow, and to allow larger ships to pass, a canal had to be dug through the shallowest point. Richard With is said to have been the driving force behind the dredging of the first canal. The Andøya Bridge crosses the Risøy Strait between Dragnes on Hinnøya and Risøyhamn on Andøya. The bridge was opened in 1974. Hurtigruten sails through the strait and docks at Risøyhamn between Sortland  and Harstad.

The northwestern part of Risøysundet is protected as a nature reserve.

Stokmarknes is a small town in the Vesterålen region of Northern Norway. It is the main town of the municipality of Hadsel, which includes the namesake island and parts of some surrounding islands.           

The Raftsund is the waterway between Lofoten and Vesterålen. Along the strait, there are several houses and former trading places, which have largely lost their once central location and function after the road network was expanded. Nevertheless, the nature along the Raftsund offers a great experience. W