What a fun little idea, the membership. Sure, it is a gimmick, but it is super cute and simply a must when you visit Hammerfest! The museum is interesting and the gift shop very good. A recommended attraction for sure!

Amazing little museum. Really close to where Hurtigruten docks, about 100 yards. Loads of interesting information & I'm not really into Polar stuff but spent about half an hour in there. Great gift shop and staff are lovely 😊 and it's free but you can leave a donation.

Nice Museum. Now I’m a proud member of the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society 🎉

Depending on your view, this is either a tacky tourist stop or a great joke - only here can you pay up and become a lifetime member of a society for polar bears in a country that has none! Personally l enjoyed the eclectic taxidermy detailing creatures adapted to the cold environment and, if you only leapt off the Hurtigruten ferry to nip into one quasi-museum/shop, this should be the one.

Visited from the Hurtigruten voyage. Lots to buy, but no cost to get in. Loads of information and history. I really enjoyed my visit.

Very interesting exhibition by the tourist information of Hammerfest. The staff is multilingual and very nice. We enjoyed our stay there very much. The thing you got to do is either become a regular member of the society for a couple of bucks or become a honorable member with a very nice ceremony :-) you will get a certificate either way and a polarbear pin. And you are invited to the society meeting once a year in January ;-) All in all a cool visit at this place.

Great small free museum. Lots of stuffed animals and birds. Very interesting.

The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society in Hammerfest hosts a lovely little museum centered around animals and the local culture, with entrance free of charge.

Smal exhibition about Arctic life on sea between Hammerfest and Svalbard. Collection of animals from Svalbard. And of course life of Lindstrøm. On the end bit about ecology. Nice souvenir shop. Friendly staff. Free entry (2019).

Bit of a tourist gimmick , Elivis tried to join but couldn't. Museum very good, good fun souvenir.

Cute museum, nice and friendly staff.

Although I am happy that I am a member of this society, the new location of the Royal Icebear society is not suitable. It is now located in a small, inconspicuous corner shop in a grey house. I prefer the old location within Hammerfest town hall with the icebear statues at the entrance.

Worthwhile stop off. There are of course no polar bears in Hammerfest but if in Arctic Norway, please swing by this excellent exhibit and museum and join this Society! Membership is only possible if you sign up in person. You have to stop in and learn about the significance of this to fully understand, but in any case, it was a memorable visit.

Wonderful visit a week ago! We are now awaiting our certificates, but I think regardless, we are officially part of the Polar Bear Society! Small place for a visit, but no waiting except for taking pictures and signing up for the Society otherwise it's a great place to visit in Hammerfest!

Small area but informative. You can join the society only on site. Attached is the Hammerfest information area where you can receive you certificate, pin and membership card

If you happen to find yourself in the Norwegian Artic Circle and come across The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society... Go check it out. Free! It is set up to sell you a membership and all sorts of tourist t-shirts - but the small museum is worthy of a gander. Lots of stuffed artic animals. You can pet a polar bear pelt. Photos and descriptions in Norwegian & English of important people of the region as well as life in the Artic. I enjoyed my visit.