Norway Magic: Orcas and Whales in the Arctic Circle
Seeing one of the largest aggregations of Orcas and Whales in the world in Norway’s far north
2025
Week 1: Jan 12th - 18th, 2025 (Completed)
Week 2: Jan 17th - 23rd, 2025 (Completed)
Lofoten Islands extension: Jan 23rd - 26th, 2025 (Completed)
2026
Week 1: Jan 10th - 18th, 2026
Week 2: Jan 17th - 25th, 2026
Lofoten Islands extension: Jan 25th - 28th, 2026
Learn more about our Norway experiences
Norway Magic: Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales in the Arctic Circle
Norway is a true adventure, in every sense of the word. It will be challenging, it will be thrilling, and it will be something you remember forever.
Getting the chance to potentially see Orcas tail-slap feeding on a swirling bait ball of herring, while Humpbacks and Fin Whales lunge through with their mouths wide open is an indescribable feeling.
Feeling the cold Arctic wind in your face as you look at the alpine glow over narrow fjords. Staying in small fishing towns. Being underneath the Aurora Borealis on cold, clear nights. Coming together with friends, old and new, in the warmth of our cabins to recap our exciting day.
This is Norway magic.
Experience one of the largest gatherings of whales in the world
From November to February each year, millions of herring migrate to the protected far northern fjords of Norway, attracting one of the densest concentrations of Orcas, Humpback Whales, and Fin Whales in the ocean.
It is one of the great natural phenomenons in our world and getting a chance to learn about and experience it in person is a life changing experience.
In addition to our time on the water, we will gather for talks in the evening to learn about what makes this aggregation so unique and why it is so important for the Orcas and whales of Norway.
Exploring the stunning Lofoten Islands
There is an optional trip extension available to explore Lofoten, a stunning chain of islands dotted with traditional Norwegian fishing towns, remote Arctic beaches, and incredible views.
We will drive through some of the most beautiful parts of Lofoten and visit picturesque towns such as Hamnoy, Reine, Henningsvaer, and Ramstad.
This extension is about experiencing the beauty of Norway above the water and seeing what life is like in the far north.
Experiences
Searching for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales in the far northern fjords of Norway’s Arctic Circle
Seeing incredible sunrises, sunsets, and alpine glow over the snowcapped mountains
Hiking to see the Aurora Borealis
Learning about how this unique natural phenomenon feeds Norway’s Orcas and migrating Humpbacks through evening whale talks
Potential visits to dog sledding or reindeer camps (depending on weather conditions)
(Optional) Exploring the stunning scenery and traditional Norwegian fishing towns of the Lofoten Islands
Orcas and Winter Whales
Dates:
Jan 10th - 18th, 2026
Jan 17th - 25th, 2026
Pricing: $5,500 twin sharing for 8 nights, including all activities, accommodation, local transportation, and food.
Cold Water Gear: If you do not have your own cold water free diving equipment, we can help you get a freedive suit & equipment package for $400. The wetsuit will be yours to keep at the end of the trip, if you would like to.
Travel: The starting point for this trip will be Tromso (TOS), Norway. We will then transfer to our base in Skjervoy via car or ferry, depending on timing and conditions.
Included: 5 days on the water searching for whales, land activities, whale talks, 8 nights accommodation, meals, and transfers.
Day 1 — Arrival into Tromso & Transfer to Skjervoy
Book your flights to arrive into Tromso (TOS), Norway, the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic Circle. We recommend arriving into Tromso a day earlier if possible in case of travel delays. Guests will be transferred by car or evening ferry depending on arrival time. After arriving into Skjervoy we will settle into our accommodation and have a trip briefing on what to expect for our week.
Days 2 to 6 — Search for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales
We will have 5 days on the water searching for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales. We will hopefully get the chance to observe Orcas and Whales from both the boat and in the water. With luck, we may be able to see unique behaviors such as Orcas tail-slapping or Whales lunge feeding on bait balls.
Afternoon & Evening Activities — Whale Talks / Aurora Hikes / Jacuzzi / Games
In the evening we will have a number of optional activities to make the most of our time in the Arctic: talks about the herring migration, Orcas, and whales, hikes to nearby viewpoints to see the Aurora Borealis (if they are visible), enjoying the jacuzzi in our accommodation, and having group dinners and games.
Days 7 and 8 — Weather Days / Land Activities
We have reserved 2 additional days for extra flexibility to replace missed water days in case of bad weather. If we do not need to use these weather days, then we do land activities in the surrounding region such as dog sledding, visiting a reindeer camp, or visiting nearby towns.
Day 9 — Transfer back to Tromso and Flights Home
Time to say goodbye after an incredible adventure. We will arrange bus or ferry transfers back to Tromso for guests to catch their departure flights home.
Lofoten Islands Extension
Exploring the spectacular natural scenery and traditional fishing towns of the Lofoten Islands.
Dates: Jan 25th - 28th, 2026
Pricing: $990, twin sharing
Travel: We will fly from Tromso to Leknes (LKN), which is included in the package price. Guests can book flights home from Oslo.
Included: All scheduled land activities, accommodation in Lofoten, breakfast, airport transfers, flights from Tromso to Leknes and Leknes to Oslo.
Day 1 — Transfer from Skjervoy to Tromso / Fly from Tromso to Leknes, Lofoten
We will drive from Skjervoy to Tromso where we will take a flight to Leknes, the gateway to the Lofoten Islands. We will settle into our beautiful waterfront lodge in the town of Ballstad and prepare for our days ahead.
Day 2 — Exploring Arctic Beaches and beautiful traditional fishing towns
We will drive through the southern Lofoten Islands exploring traditional fishing villages with red Rorbuer houses and seeing spectacular mountain backdrops in places like Flakstad Beach, Ramberg Beach, Kvalvika Beach, Sakrisoy, Hamnoy, Reine, and Å.
Day 3 — Exploring northern Lofoten towns
Today we will explore the northern Lofoten Islands, with potential destinations including Henningsvær, Svolvær, and the Loftr Viking Museum. These are larger towns in beautiful settings, including Henningsvær’s famous soccer pitch built in a natural bowl in the fjord.
Day 4 — Transfer from Lofoten to Oslo
In the morning we will fly from Leknes to Oslo, from where guests can then fly home.
Accommodation
Our group will stay together in two charming, modern Norwegian homes that offer both comfort and beautiful views over the surrounding fjords.
Both homes are perfect for relaxing after long days on the water: reading by the window, warming up with tea, or watching the northern lights flicker overhead.
There are also single supplements available for those who want to a bedroom to themselves, or who would prefer to stay separately in the hotel in town.
Key amenities and features:
Views over the fjords and mountains
Shared kitchen and dining areas for meals and evening chats
Comfortable rooms with warm bedding
High-speed Wi-Fi, washer/dryer, and fully stocked kitchens
Heated floors and modern Nordic bathrooms
10 minutes from our daily boat departure point
Space to spread out or gather with the group as you choose
Our Boat
We will be using the OceanX, a sleek, purpose-built expedition boat designed for comfort and safety in Arctic waters.
With a heated cabin, spacious open deck, low profile close to the water, it’s the perfect vessel for respectful and up-close encounters with Orcas and Humpbacks.
Most importantly, our experienced captain is one of the best in this region, having worked with numerous blue-chip film crews and ecotourism expeditions.
Partnership with High Bearings
There will be two co-guides on this expedition: Alex Pham of Thoughtful and Matt Reichel of High Bearings, a travel company that focuses on regenerative travel programs integrating local communities.
Matt previously founded Inertia Network, where he built a pioneering whale tourism initiative in Rurutu, grounded in home stays with a local family.
He is an expert in building meaningful, low-impact expeditions and we are lucky to have him as a co-guide on this trip.
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FAQs
What is the chance of seeing Orcas and other Whales?
The fjords around Skjervoy have been the center of the herring and whale migration in Norway since 2017. It is one of the densest aggregations of whales in the world, so it is often possible to see pods of Orcas and other whales almost every day. However, getting a good interaction in the water depends on weather conditions and how the whales are behaving. There may be days where we can see them top-side, but cannot go in the water. It is always challenging in Norway, but we would expect to hopefully have on average 2 to 3 days of in-water experiences on each week.
What are the interactions like?
We believe that the best in-water interactions come from being thoughtful and respectful. You cannot force something that is not there — we let the whales dictate the interaction. Most interactions will be pass-bys, where the whales swim past us as we observe quietly. If we are lucky, we may see unique behaviors such as Orcas tail-slapping on a bait ball of herring, or larger whales lunge feeding. These interactions are the pinnacle of the Norway experience and an experience of a lifetime if we are lucky enough to see it.
What experience is needed to participate?
The one pre-requisite is knowing how to swim. It is ideal if you are comfortable snorkeling and being in deep water, but we can help you prepare if you are not yet. We have had a wide variety of people from all walks of life join our expeditions — the most important qualities to succeed are a willingness to listen and learn. Norway is challenging, but with the proper preparation and gear, almost anyone can join this expedition and succeed.
How do you approach interactions and what makes this trip unique?
Thoughtful trips focus on observing wildlife on their terms, while going deeper to learn more. We strive to minimize our impact on the animals, which we believe also leads to more natural and meaningful encounters. In Norway we do this by working with a captain who is committed to ethical interactions and going at times that are less busy to reduce our impact and improve the experience for you. We will also have talks in the evenings to learn more about this winter whale aggregation and do short excursions to give you a more complete understanding of the Arctic Circle.
What happens if we do not see Orcas?
We have designed our trip to give us the best possible chance of seeing Orcas, but this is a true expedition in every sense of the word. Patience is key. You should expect that there will be days we do not see any whales at all. There may also be days where the weather is too poor for us to go out (which is why we have 2 additional weather days built into the schedule). That is all part of the experience — the search is an important part of the process. On the days we cannot go out, we may do a land activity such as visiting a local town, seeing a reindeer camp, or going dog sledding instead.
How large is the group?
There will be a maximum of 8 guests on this trip, with two guides in the water and an additional safety diver on board the boat.
How cold will it be?
Going into the water in Norway is more accessible than many people expect. With the appropriate 7mm open-cell free dive suit, gloves, and booties, most people are actually surprised at how comfortable being in the water in Norway could be.
It is more important to protect yourself from the wind after getting out of the water. This is where people are more likely to feel cold. For this we recommend bringing a wind/weatherproof swim parka or use the poncho that is included with the rental equipment package.
What gear and clothing should I bring?
Underwater:
7mm open cell free dive suit
7mm open cell gloves & booties
Mask & Snorkel
Fins
Weatherproof swim parka or poncho
If you do not have your own equipment, we have a rental package available that includes all of this.
On Land:
Winter Parka
Long thermal underwear (synthetic or merino wool)
Winter boots
Warm hat, gloves