Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights
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Shoals of herring overwinter in the waters close to the island of Skjervøy, attracting orca and humpback whales. Our small group tour aims to encounter these wonderful cetaceans as well as the spectacular Aurora Borealis.
In recent years between October and late December, large congregations of Norwegian spring-spawning herring have overwintered near the small island of Skjervøy, north of Tromsø in northern Norway. This abundance of prey attracts orca and humpback whales to these Nordic waters. On this carefully-designed small group tour, our accommodation is within walking distance of the harbour, so we have ready access to the area where the whales are likely to be found.
For the whale watching excursions we use RIB vessels as these boats are able to travel further afield if the whale movements vary, offering greater success with encounters. Though orcas and humpback whales are most commonly encountered, fin whales and other cetacean species also turn up in the area from time to time. Skjervøy is not only a great location for whale watching; we will also be well inside the aurora zone and with luck we can witness dazzling displays of Northern Lights dancing across a dark night sky.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Fly to Tromsø & transfer to Skjervøy
It’s an early start to the day as we fly from the UK to Tromsø (via Oslo) and on arrival we are transferred to Skjervøy by minibus and ferry. This is a journey of between three to five hours depending on the weather and ferry connections. We check in to our hotel in Skjervøy where we stay for the next six nights.
Accommodation: Hotel Maritim, 6-nights
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Days 2-6 : Whale watching excursions from Skjervøy
After breakfast, we’ll have an introductory talk about the whales and other wildlife we hope to encounter during the trip and gain an understanding of the herring migration that influences the whales’ movements.
Once it is light enough, we will get kitted out with insulated one-piece suits to wear over our own winter clothing, plus a life jacket. After a safety briefing, we board the RIB and head off in search of whales. Using a fast rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RIB) allows us greater flexibility to travel further to find the whales if needed.
The indented coastline around Skjervøy is one of fjords, islands and inlets, with sheltered areas as well as more exposed stretches. Because of this, it is often possible to go out even in quite bad weather, though the captain has the last word on this! The trips usually last around three hours, but can be shorter or longer, depending on the weather, the movements of the whales and the stamina of the group!
If it is not possible to go out to sea, alternative land-based activities will be offered, which may include looking for otters, elk, white-tailed eagles and other birds, as well as enjoying the region’s spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, towns and villages.
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Day 7: Return to Tromsø & fly back to the UK
After an early breakfast, we transfer back to Tromsø to catch our return flights back to the UK (via Oslo).
Please note: All boat trips and Northern Lights excursions are inevitably subject to weather conditions which can be bad in northern Norway during the winter.
Key info
- Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 7 days from £3,575 pp
- Duration and price excluding international flights: 7 days from £3,395 pp
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Trip type:
Group Tour
- Group Size: 4–10
- When to go: Nov-Jan
- Group Departures:
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Included in the price/package:
- 6 nights hotel in Skjervøy
- All meals
- Transfers & transport
- Whale & wildlife watching excursions as described
- Services of tour leader & local guide(s)
- Conservation fund contribution
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Activities available:
- Boat trip
- Photography
- Walking
- Request a Detailed Itinerary
- Send an Enquiry
Tour Reports
Find out more about the day-to-day sightings and wildlife activities on our group tours from our expert naturalist leaders.
Featured location:
Skjervøy
Blessed with an incredible natural backdrop of rugged mountains and enchanting fjords, Skjervøy certainly has a wonderful situation. In addition to this, during the winter months, this small island in northern Norway is an excellent location for whale watching and observing the Northern Lights. Find Out More about {acc:title}
- Where: North Norway
- Ideal for viewing: orca, humpback whale, white-tailed eagle, fin whale, elk
- Excellent for: Whale watching
Featured accommodation:
Hotel Maritim
With just 35 rooms, Hotel Maritim is the only accommodation in Skjervøy and is within walking distance of the harbour, making it perfect for boarding your boat for whale watching excursions. All the rooms are en suite and the hotel has all the modern day amenities needed for a comfortable stay. Find Out More about Hotel Maritim
