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  1. Home
  2. Our Destinations
  3. Norwegian Coast
  4. Norway: Travel Guide
  5. Wildlife on the Norwegian Coast
  6. King Crab

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Crab on ice
The King crab has a tender and delicate meat Photo: Peder Songedal Photo

King Crab

Introduced to the Barents Sea by Russian scientists, the red king crab is now an important part of the fishing culture in Northern Norway.

The red king crab, which is native to the Pacific Ocean, was introduced in the Murmansk fjord near the Norwegian-Russian border in the 1960s. It quickly migrated along the coast of Finnmark in Norway. This came despite early Norwegian attempts to halt the spread, due to concerns about how this alien species would affect marine life.

Today, the red king crab is considered a delicacy and a vital part of the local fishing culture. Fresh from the cold and black Barents Sea, it is immediately flown down to the continent's gourmet restaurants, where it sold for prices only comparable with the most exclusive steaks.

However, nothing can compare to enjoying the red king crab just minutes after it has been hauled up from the seabed. Travellers who visit Finnmark with Hurtigruten will experience this, as we have red king crab delivered directly on deck by local fishermen. We also offer rafting safaris in the summer and winter: you can go along with the fishermen, pull the crabs up yourself and then have them prepared for you. You can also enjoy king crab in restaurants on board our ships all year.

The red king crab, which feeds on snails, benthic and even fish, can weigh up to 8 kilograms and measure as much as 23 centimetres across its shield. It lives at depths of between 5 and 400 meters, depending on the season.  

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    The Cruise South

    • Experience the natural wonders of Lofoten
    • Explore the beautiful and exciting Norwegian coastline
    • Search for the northern lights in winter, and the midnight sun in summer
    • Join exciting sea- and land-based activities
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    The Roundtrip Cruise

    • Discover our entire original coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains.
    • Cross the Arctic Circle and hunt the northern lights in winter, or enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the midnight sun in summer.
    • Spring and autumn cruises showcase the brilliant colors, magical light, and fascinating culture of Arctic Norway.
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    Norwegian Discovery Cruise

    • Cross the Arctic Circle under the Midnight Sun (summer) or Northern Lights (winter)
    • Enjoy local and authentic Norwegian food from our renowned Coastal Kitchen
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Further reading

  • À la Carte Menu
  • A Trip Through the World’s Best Pantry

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When packing for Antarctica, remember to bring your mittens! 🧤
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#hurtigruten #antarctica #weexplore #whattopack #ribboat #travel #berniesanders #berniesmittens #berniesandersmeme #bernie #berniesandersmemes What's better than a warm embrace from someone you love? We hope we can all hug each other soon again. For now, we're sending you a virtual hug for National Hug Day. 📷: Chelsea Claus / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #nationalhugday #hug #penguin #antarctica #travel #adventuretravel #wildlife For Penguin Awareness Day, here are some facts you might not know about everyone's favorite flightless bird: 
- Their black and white "tuxedo" is a smart camouflage called countershading
- You'll never actually see them with polar bears (despite what you've seen in classic cartoons)
- Penguins huddle together to protect themselves—or to stay warm
- You can see this fascinating creature if you go with Hurtigruten to Antarctica (but this we bet you knew already!)
 📸: Ingemund Skålnes / Hurtigruten

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