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! Your week runs Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, November 29.
Important Next Steps
☐ Book your flight into Tromsø Airport (TOS), arriving no later than 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 21.
☐ Book your Havila ferry ticket from Tromsø to Skjervøy for Saturday, November 21 (about €26). We ask you to book it yourself because the ferry company needs each traveler's personal details. Step-by-step instructions are below.
☐ 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
Everyone travels from Tromsø to Skjervøy by ferry on Saturday, November 21.
Ferry: Havila coastal ferry, MS Havila Polaris
Departs Tromsø: 18:15 (6:15 PM)
Arrives Skjervøy: 22:10 (10:10 PM)
Terminal: Tromsø central ferry terminal (Prostneset), Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø
Check-in: Check-in normally opens around 2:15 PM, so you can arrive early and settle aboard once boarding opens. For the 6:15 PM departure, check-in closes at 6:00 PM. Please aim to arrive by 5:15 PM so you are not rushing.
At the terminal: Look for your Havila ship (MS Havila Polaris). It is a large ship and you should be able to see it right on the dock. Ask the boarding staff where to check in. Keep your passport and booking confirmation handy, and be ready to carry your own bags aboard.
On board: There are comfortable indoor seats, a bar, and restaurant and café options (food and drinks cost extra). Some ships also have a hot tub. Keep warm layers handy if you would like to step outside and look for the northern lights during the journey.
We will meet you at the ferry terminal in Skjervøy and bring you to the expedition house.
Expedition house address: Ørnveien 22, 9180 Skjervøy, Norway
How to book your ferry
1. Open Havila's ferry booking page.
2. Search for a trip from Tromsø to Skjervøy on Saturday, 21 November 2026, for the number of people traveling.
3. Pick the Northbound sailing on MS Havila Polaris, departing 18:15 and arriving 22:10 (see the screenshot below) and click Book.
4. You don't need a cabin for this 4-hour trip. Enter your details, review and pay. Prices are shown in euros, from about €26 per person.
Note: this sailing is run by Havila, not Hurtigruten. Hurtigruten's website will show "no departures" from Tromsø on November 21, so please book through Havila.
Returning to Tromsø
You will return to Tromsø on Saturday evening, November 28.
We have booked rooms at the Moxy Hotel in Tromsø for that Saturday night. That allows you to fly out any time on Sunday, November 29, 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. If the week has gone well, we'll use the day to explore the surrounding area and then take the ferry or bus back. We'll decide together early in the week.
Please wait for us to confirm before booking the return. If we go by ferry, this is the sailing:
Ferry: Hurtigruten coastal ferry, MS Kong Harald, Saturday, November 28
Departs Skjervøy: 19:45 (7:45 PM)
Arrives Tromsø: 23:45 (11:45 PM)
Booking link (once we confirm): 1 traveler or 2 travelers
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 Havila ferry (MS Havila Polaris) 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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Alex Pham
Guide & Trip Organizer
Founder of Thoughtful Expeditions and impact investor.
+1 (714) 305-0088
Instagram: @alexpham.underwater
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Matt Reichel
Guide & Trip Organizer
Founder of One Xpeditions and visual storyteller.
His work has been published in National Geographic, the New York Times and Vice.
+1 (604) 700-4694
Instagram: @matthew.reichel