Catamaran
Whale watching by hybrid-electric catamaran
A tour of eight to nine hours on a quiet hybrid-electric catamaran, into the winter fjords.
4.7 (298) · Headout
From €172.40
Free cancellation up to 48 h before
Book TicketWhale Watching Tours from Tromsø
Orcas and humpback whales · November to January
4.5 (6,890 reviews · GetYourGuide)
A day on a quiet hybrid-electric catamaran from Tromsø into the Arctic fjords, where orcas and humpback whales feed in winter. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
from €163.73 / person
Duration, date & travellers are chosen in the next step at GetYourGuide.
- Quiet hybrid-electric boat
- Season November to January
from €163.73
Check availabilityMore whale watching tours
Catamaran, Skjervøy or heated lounge
All tours head for the fjords where the whales follow the herring. They differ in boat, route and comfort on board.
Skjervøy
Whale watching around Skjervøy
The fjords around Skjervøy, where orcas and humpback whales chase large shoals of herring.
4.7 (1,228) · GetYourGuide
From €327.27
Book TicketHeated lounge
Whale watching aboard MS Alba
Heated indoor lounges, open decks and guides on board while you look for orcas and humpbacks.
4.7 (55) · GetYourGuide
From €144.87
Book TicketWhat awaits you
Whales in the Arctic winter
In early winter the herring draws whales into the fjords north of Tromsø:
Orcas
Orcas follow the herring into the fjords in winter and are the animals most tours hope for.
Humpback whales
The large humpbacks feed on the same herring, often in the same fjords as the orcas.
Quiet boats
Several tours sail on hybrid-electric boats, which run quietly through the fjords.
Good to know
Before your whale watching tour
Table of Contents
Season and area
Whales are usually seen from the beginning of November to the end of January, mainly around Skjervøy and Kvænangen. They come for the herring, and where the herring goes, the whales follow, so the area can shift from one winter to the next. That is also why sightings cannot be guaranteed, however good the boat and the guides.
A full day on the water
The whale areas are far north of Tromsø, so the tours last about seven to nine hours. The boats leave from the quay in the city centre. Several boats are hybrid-electric and run quietly, which makes the encounter calmer for the animals and for you.
What to bring
You spend much of the day on deck in the Arctic winter. Dress in warm layers, with a hat, gloves and warm boots. Whether food is served on board differs from tour to tour; the description in the booking window says what is included. Some boats, like MS Alba, have heated indoor lounges where you can warm up between sightings.
Cancellation
The catamaran tour booked through Headout can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before departure. For the GetYourGuide tours you see the conditions in the booking window before you pay.
After the whales
The whale season falls in the polar night, so the evening is still long when you get back. A northern lights tour fits well on another evening. To see Arctic sea life up close, Polaria in the city centre has bearded seals and an aquarium.
Questions about whale watching
When is the whale season in Tromsø? +
Usually from the beginning of November to the end of January. Outside these weeks the whales are not in the fjords near Tromsø.
Are whale sightings guaranteed? +
No. The whales follow the herring, and no tour can guarantee a sighting. The booking window shows the terms of each tour.
How long does a whale watching tour take? +
Plan for a full day: the tours last about seven to nine hours, because the boats sail far out to the fjords where the whales feed.
Ready for the whales?
Choose your day, book the tour and dress warmly for a day on the fjord.