Welcome to Norway
Preparing for Your Adventure
The Orcas and whales are already back in the fjords and we cannot wait to see them with you!
Important Next Steps
☐ Book your flight into Tromsø Airport (TOS), arriving no later than 3:00 PM on the Saturday your week starts (October 31 for Week 1, November 7 for Week 2).
☐ Book the Hurtigruten ferry ticket from Tromsø to Skjervøy for the Saturday your week starts (about $50). We ask you to book it yourself because Hurtigruten needs your date of birth and address.
☐ Fill out the Expedition On-Boarding Form with your travel details, emergency contact and insurance. Please list any medical conditions, allergies, medications and dietary preferences so we can plan meals and keep everyone safe.
☐ Make sure your travel insurance is active and covers your full travel dates and cold-water snorkeling.
☐ Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Getting to Skjervøy
This year everyone will be traveling from Tromsø to Skjervøy by ferry.
Ferry: Hurtigruten coastal ferry, Saturday, October 31 (Week 1) or November 7 (Week 2)
Departs Tromsø: 18:15 (please be at the terminal by 17:15)
Arrives Skjervøy: around 22:00
Terminal: Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø
The ship is more like a small cruise ship than a typical ferry, with lounges, observation decks and a restaurant. We will meet you at the ferry terminal and bring you to the expedition house.
Expedition house address: Ørnveien 22, 9180 Skjervøy, Norway
Returning to Tromsø
You will return to Tromso Saturday evening.
We have booked rooms at the Moxy Hotel in Tromsø for that last Saturday night of your trip. That allows you to fly out any time on Sunday, without worrying about a same-day connection from Skjervøy.
That last Saturday is one of our two flex days. If bad weather means we need it as a make-up water day, we'll head out on the boat and then everyone takes the evening Hurtigruten ferry (Skjervøy 19:45, arriving Tromsø 23:45). If the week has gone well, we'll use the day to explore the surrounding area and then take the ferry or bus back.
Trip Plan
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Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive in Tromsø & Ferry to Skjervøy
Arrival day.
Fly into Tromsø (TOS) by 3:00 PM at the latest, or ideally, arrive the day before.
If you have time, exploring Tromso is lovely: the Arctic Cathedral, the Fjellheisen cable car, the Polar Museum, a stroll along the waterfront and Storgata.
Be at the Prostneset ferry terminal by 17:15 for the 18:15 Hurtigruten ferry to Skjervøy. We'll meet you in Skjervøy and will bring you to the expedition house.
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Day 2 (Sunday): Safety Briefing & First Whale Day
Safety check & first whale day.
We will show you how to put on your cold-water gear and talk through how we approach whale encounters thoughtfully.
On the boat we will have a safety orientation and a check dive in the protected harbor so everyone feels comfortable in the water with their gear.
Then we head into the fjords to search for Orcas and whales. Our boat is covered, heated and built for these Arctic trips.
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Days 3-6 (Monday - Thursday): Whale Days
Whale days & Arctic evenings.
Each day follows a similar rhythm: breakfast, onto the boat, and searching for Orcas until the early afternoon.
On an average week we expect to find Orcas and whales on about 3 of 5 water days. This is a true wildlife expedition and every encounter is special.
Evenings: Aurora hikes when the skies are clear, a visit to a wood-fired floating sauna with cold plunges into the fjord, and more.
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Days 7-8 (Friday & Saturday): Flex Days & Tromsø Return
Flex days.
These two days are our buffer in case we need to shift water days because of weather or sea conditions. If we don't need them on the water, we use them to explore.
We may a day trip into Finnish Lapland, do local mountain hikes such as Stussnesfjellet, or visit small towns in the surrounding fjords. We'll choose based on the weather and what the group is most excited about.
Saturday evening return to Tromso: Everyone will travel back to Tromsø by ferry or bus (we'll decide together early in the week) and stays at the Moxy Hotel, which we've already booked for you.
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Day 9 (Sunday): Departure
Departure day.
Tromsø Airport is a short taxi ride from the city center, so you're free to fly out at whatever time suits your onward journey.
Thank you so much for joining us.
Watching guests see Orcas in the wild never gets old for us, and we hope you leave with memories that stay with you for a long time.
Our Expedition House in Skjervøy
We'll be based in a beautiful Norwegian home in Skjervøy, a small island town at 70°N, well above the Arctic Circle.
Coming back after a day on the water to a home-cooked meal, the jacuzzi with views over the fjords, and good company is one of the great pleasures of this trip. The house has WiFi, a washer and dryer, heated floors and large communal areas.
Meals: We will prepare breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the house. We just ask that everyone clears their own place and puts their dishes in the dishwasher after each meal. Please let us know if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
Address: Ørnveien 22, 9180 Skjervøy, Norway
Packing List & Gear
Water
7mm open-cell neoprene wetsuit with hood (rental or custom Elios suit available)
7mm gloves and socks
Neoprene scuba booties
Open-heel scuba fins
Mask and snorkel
Swim parka / windproof jacket
Good to know
We have weights on board
Optional Items
GoPro, DJI Osmo or similar underwater camera
Dry bag for personal items on the boat
Motion sickness tablets
Land
Expect air temperatures of about -10°C to 2°C (15°F to 35°F) and water around 5°C (41°F).
Heavy winter parka
Thermal base layers, top and bottom (merino or synthetic)
Mid-layer fleece
Warm, waterproof winter trousers
Winter boots with good grip for snow and ice
Wool or thermal socks
Warm hat that covers your ears
Winter gloves
European Type C power adapter (220V)
Reusable water bottle
Optional Items
Tripod for aurora photography
Extra memory cards, charging cables and a power bank
Hand warmers and a neck gaiter or scarf
Personal medications and a basic first aid kit
Expedition On-Boarding Form
Important: Norway On-Boarding Form
Please make sure to list any medical conditions, allergies, medications, and dietary preferences.
It helps us plan meals and keep everyone safe and comfortable on the water.
Contacts & Crew
Expedition Organizers: Thoughtful & One Xpeditions
Alex Pham
Thoughtful Expeditions
+1 (714) 305 0088
alex@thoughtfulexpeditions.com
Reach out any time before or during the trip if you have questions.
About a week before, we will set up a WhatsApp group for your session with your guides. It becomes our main channel for arrival coordination, flight delays, daily plans and weather updates.
Matt Reichel
One Xpeditions
+1 (604) 700 - 4694
Your Guides & Crew
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Per-Borre (PB) Kiserud
Boat Captain & Underwater Cinematographer
PB is our boat captain. He has been doing this for 15+ years.
He has worked as an underwater cinematographer and production manager for the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix and others, including on Blue Planet III.
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Kjetil (K) Astrup
Safety Diver & Underwater Cinematographer
Kjetil is our safety diver and deckhand.
His underwater cinematography has been featured on Frozen Planet, Wild Scandinavia, No Time to Die, the BBC, and Sea Shepherd. He also runs Cinemarine, Norway’s leading underwater production company.
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Jamie Lally
Expedition Guide
This is Jamie’s 2nd season guiding in Norway.
Jamie has been a whale guide since 2017, founding Baja Wild Encounters in La Ventana, Mexico.
He has led trips in Norway, French Polynesia, and Mexico.
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Elias Ouaghrib Fosset
Expedition Guide
This is Elias’ 3rd season guiding in Norway.
Elias has led trips in Norway, French Polynesia, Dominica, and Mexico.