The 15 Best Whale Watching Trips in Norway

1.Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,217 reviews · from $195Our pick

From Tromsø, sail a hybrid-electric catamaran toward Skjervøy, where herring draws orcas, humpbacks, fin and sperm whales. You get heated lounges, panoramic windows, Wi-Fi, live English guiding, and about 1 to 1.5 hours near feeding grounds. Bring warm layers and seasickness medicine.

“Really recommend this trip, the guides were super nice and knowledgeable. We were very lucky and got to see a bunch of orcas ! But even if you don’t see them the view is amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,937 reviews · 6 hours · from $207

Set out from Nerstrandkaia in Tromsø aboard the warm, fast catamaran MS Gabriele. Guides including Lorenzo, Bjørnar, and Raul explain whale behavior as you search for orcas and humpbacks near Skjervøy. Watch from heated indoor seats or three outdoor decks, with snacks and drinks available onboard.

“The staff were so helpful and informative, they were as excited as we were to see the different whales”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,017 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $214

Travel from Tromsø to the herring grounds near Skjervøy aboard Brim Explorer’s warm hybrid-electric boat. The 7 to 9 hour trip includes Lyngstuva lighthouse, whale watching in Kvænangen, wildlife talks, paid snacks, and a chance to see humpbacks or orcas without engine noise.

“The cabin was lovely and warm with comfortable seats. The trip out to where the whales were was over 3 hours and the sea was very choppy but we did see some whales. Didn't managed to get any photo's as they were to quick when they appeared but it was lovely to see them. And it was an added bonus seeing the northern lights on the trip back.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 326 reviews · 3h 30m · from $199

Join a 12-person RIB from Bleik Marina for 3.5 hours around Bleik Canyon. Guides such as Christina, Norbert, Bekka, and Katie share wildlife facts while you look for sperm whales, orcas, pilot whales, puffins, seals, and sea eagles. Warm flotation suits, photos, hot drinks, and muffins are included.

“Fabulous trip. All protection kit is provided, gloves, suit, boots and googles. Clear instructions are given. Christina and Norbert provided commentary on the birds and fish we were seeing. We didn’t see whales but did see a pod of dolphins. Puffin island was swarming with puffins and eagles. Throughly enjoyed my trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Keiser Wilhelm

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 161 reviews · from $194

Cruise from central Tromsø aboard the warm catamaran Keiser Wilhelm, guided in English by whale-loving staff such as Mario. Expect a 6-hour search for orcas and humpback whales, with indoor seating, an open deck, Arctic scenery, and a free return ticket if no whales appear.

“Lovely trip around the arctic landscape!! It’s a long ride but they explained it’s because whales and orcas are every year going more and more north chasing their food. We saw many many orcas and one resting humpback whale, was so exciting 🫶🏻🫶🏻 Landscapes looked beautiful during the ride ! Space in the boat was amazing inside and outside, with place for everyone to be comfortable and have a good view. Great experience now that the season for whale watching is starting 😍 thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Whale Watching RIB Safari at Skjervøy

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 136 reviews · 3 - 12 hours · from $251

Join a small group of up to 12 for a 2.5 to 3-hour RIB safari off Skjervøy. You may see orcas, humpbacks, or fin whales against Arctic fjords. Choose transport from Tromsø or meet the local crew in Skjervøy, with warm suits, boots, goggles, and gloves provided.

“Excellent! Efficiently run snd great guides, had amazing sightings and beautiful scenery”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.24hr Northern Lights & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 22 hours to 1 day (approx.) · from $1,214Top rated

Sail from Tromsø to Skjervøya for an overnight Northern Lights chase and daytime whale watching. You’ll get a cabin, three meals, lectures, coffee, and a small-group setting capped at 52 people. Cloud can hide the aurora, but whales may still make the trip worthwhile.

“Knowledgable guides gave informative talks on Northern Lights and whales, food good, cabins comfortable. Unfortunately overcast so no northern lights, but whale watching for 3.5hrs was exceptional. So so many orcas, as well as humpback and fin whales. We went for the whales so we were thrilled.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Whale Watching with RIB Boat and Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 109 reviews

Meet local guide Viktor in Skjervøy for a 3-hour RIB safari among orcas and humpback whales. The tour runs from mid-October to February, with warm suits, boots, hats, goggles, and a life jacket supplied. You can reach Skjervøy from Tromsø by Arctic Route bus.

“It was wonderful, we saw many orcas and finwhales and humpback whales, we could even stay a bit longer since there was so many orcas. Our tour guy was friendly and always informed us what we could see and told us information about the whales. Unmissable program, very much recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Orca and Whale Watching comfort heated boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 107 reviews · from $373

Travel from Tromsø to Skjervøy by Wi-Fi-equipped bus, then spend three hours on a covered, heated boat with guide Philip and Captain Jacob. Watch for orcas, humpback whales, and other cetaceans, use the outdoor terrace for photos, and warm up with hot drinks between sightings.

“It was a very satisfying activity. The guide explained the knowledge of whales very carefully throughout the whole process and suggested the direction of whales for us at the first time. He even went to the second place to look for whales that were closer to us. In addition, the heated boat is very warm and provides hot drinks. I highly recommend this activity”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Altafjord Whale Watching in a Heated Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $262

Join Valerie and the local crew aboard Sea Runner for a four-hour whale safari from Alta Harbor. Search the Altafjord for orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, dolphins, and sea eagles while staying warm in the heated cabin. Step outside for close views when conditions allow, then warm up with coffee, tea, and cookies.

“Fabulous day! Within 20 minutes of leaving the port we were watching humpbacks and Orca up close - amazing! Valerie is clearly very passionate about the local area and its wildlife whilst giving her clients a once in a lifetime experience. Would definitely recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Whale Safari in Tromso

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $182Best value

Cruise Tromsø’s fjords toward whale country aboard a comfortable catamaran with an English-speaking guide. You may see orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and northern lights. Lorenzo, Mario, Raul, and Eide are among the guides praised for clear wildlife talks. The trip lasts about 6 to 8 hours.

“Really enjoyed it, lovely catamaran with comfortable lounge, very clean, lovely friendly knowledgeable crew, highly recommend for a lovely trip!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Small Group Whale Watching by RIB

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 3h 30m · from $278

Meet Æventyr in central Alta, then travel to the harbor where whales were last seen. A small group of up to 12 rides a fast RIB through Arctic fjords to search for humpbacks and orcas. Warm suits, gloves, goggles, shoes, drinks, snacks, and an English-speaking guide are included.

“Es war eine wunderschöne Tour. Unser Guide hat uns dicht an die Wale gebracht. Wenn man Wale beobachten möchte, dann so :-)”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 27 reviews · from $361

Travel from Svolvær to Andenes by Arctic Route bus, then board an open RIB boat for a three-hour whale safari. Look for sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins, with safety gear, a light lunch, ferries, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and scenic stops included.

“Because the bus stop had been moved due to work, we were confused about the boarding location in Solvaer... We didn't see the bus and therefore didn't pick it up. We took a taxi to the ferry as quickly as possible... but we were 5 minutes late... Expedition costs gone, taxi costs added, a very big disappointment to process!!!! So sad!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Alta Fjord Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $262

Join a captain and up to seven other guests for a four-hour winter cruise from Fiskerihavna into Alta Fjord. Look for sperm whales, orcas, hourglass dolphins, and porpoises while staying warm in a coverall with hot drinks. Whale sightings are never guaranteed, but seals and dolphins may still make the trip worthwhile.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Small group Whale watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 4h 30m · from $251

Join an English or Norwegian-speaking guide from Alta Adventure AS for a 4.5-hour whale-watching trip in Altafjord. You will travel by minibus, borrow warm clothing, spend about three hours on the water, and search for orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sea eagles, and seabirds.

“I was able to see lots of whales from inside and I stayed warm, lol!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review