The Lofoten archipelago is actually an anomaly in that its climate is quite mild relative to its high latitude, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.  However, the arctic waters surrounding the islands in February are by no means warm.  This photo was taken in the morning at Eggum as a violent snowstorm was battering the beach from the north.  The water was frigid and the wind was intense, but I thoroughly enjoyed taking photographs in the midst of this maelstrom, as the waves, wind, and snow all competed with one another for control of the rocky beach. 

On other islands, the seawater was actually frozen, and jagged shards of ice coated its surface, not so subtly revealing its temperature, as it takes extreme cold to overcome the salt and turbulence of the water enough for it to freeze.