What you’ll experience
Each winter, vast shoals of herring pour into the fjords north-east of Tromsø, and behind them come the whales. From roughly November to January, the waters around Skjervøy host one of the great wildlife spectacles of the Arctic: pods of orcas (killer whales) hunting the herring in coordinated packs, and humpback whales lunging up through the shoals with mouths agape. This full-day, five-hour expedition takes you out to the heart of the action.
Because the whales follow the fish, the exact location shifts from year to year, and the best encounters are often a couple of hours from Tromsø by fast boat around Skjervøy. This trip is built for that — a purpose-equipped whale-watching vessel with the range and the speed to reach the whales and spend real time with them, rather than a short harbour cruise that hopes for a lucky sighting. An experienced marine guide narrates the behaviour and helps you understand what you are watching.
When it comes together, it is breathtaking. Orcas surface in family groups, their tall black dorsal fins slicing the water metres from the boat; humpbacks roll and dive, flukes lifting against the pale Arctic light before they vanish; and clouds of seabirds work the same herring at the surface. Sea eagles patrol overhead. Under the low winter sun — or the deep blue of the polar twilight — with snow-covered peaks all around, it is as dramatic a setting as wildlife watching offers anywhere on earth.
This is a serious Arctic expedition, and the trip is equipped for it: warm, full-body flotation suits are provided and included, along with hot drinks and often a warm meal or snacks to keep you going through the day. There is a heated indoor cabin to retreat into between sightings. It is a long day out in cold conditions — dress warmly beneath the suit — but the reward is time in the company of the ocean’s largest predators in one of the most beautiful corners of the planet. Sightings are wild and never guaranteed, but during the herring season the odds are genuinely good.
Your itinerary
- 0:00
Depart Tromsø
Board the whale-watching boat, pull on a flotation suit and get a safety and wildlife briefing.
- 1:30
Transit to the whale grounds
Head out by fast boat towards the herring grounds around Skjervøy where the whales are feeding.
- 2:30
Whale watching
Spend time with humpback whales and orca pods hunting the herring, with a guide narrating the action.
- 3:30
Hot drinks & continued watching
Warm up with hot drinks and a snack in the heated cabin between sightings.
- 5:00
Return to Tromsø
Cruise back to Tromsø as the short Arctic day fades.
Practical information
Meeting point
A quay in central Tromsø confirmed with your booking; some departures may transfer by coach towards Skjervøy before boarding, depending on where the whales are. Arrive 30 minutes early to be fitted with your flotation suit.
What to bring
Full winter clothing to wear under the provided flotation suit — thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, a hat, a neck gaiter and warm gloves — plus sturdy warm boots, sunglasses and a camera with a zoom lens and spare batteries (cold drains them fast). It is a long, cold day, so dress as warmly as you can.
Accessibility
This is a demanding full-day expedition on a moving boat in cold, exposed conditions, with steps and a flotation suit to put on, so a good level of mobility is required. It is generally not suitable for very young children or wheelchair users. Please contact us to discuss suitability before booking.
Price & season
Whale watching from Tromsø is a winter activity, running from roughly November to January when the herring — and the whales that follow them — are in the fjords. This is also the polar night and the peak of the northern-lights season, so many travellers combine whale watching by day with an aurora hunt after dark. Use the season strip above to see how the whale and aurora seasons overlap.
Prices are indicative “from” fares per adult in Norwegian kroner and are confirmed at the time of booking. The final price depends on your travel date, group size and season.
This is an Arctic departure, so the experience changes sharply with the calendar. Use the season strip below to see when the northern lights, midnight sun and main cruise season fall.
When to go?
- Northern lights
- Midnight sun
- Cruise season
Jan
This month: Northern lights
Best pick: Peak aurora — clear Arctic nights hit 75–80% northern-lights odds.
Select a month to see which experiences are in season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the whale-watching season in Tromsø?
- Roughly November to January, when huge shoals of herring winter in the fjords north-east of Tromsø and draw in humpback whales and orcas. Outside this window the whales follow the fish elsewhere, so the season is genuinely winter-only.
- Am I guaranteed to see whales?
- No — these are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed. However, during the peak herring season the whales gather in numbers around Skjervøy and the odds are good. This full-day trip is designed to reach the whales and spend real time with them rather than take a quick look.
- Is warm equipment provided?
- Yes. Full-body flotation suits are provided and included, along with hot drinks and usually a warm meal or snacks. You should still wear your own warm layers underneath, as it is a long day in cold, exposed Arctic conditions.
- Can I combine whale watching with the northern lights?
- Yes, and many people do. The whale season coincides with the polar night and the peak northern-lights season, so a common plan is to watch whales during the short Arctic day and hunt the aurora after dark.