Tromsø - Silent Whale Watching by hybrid-electric ship

Usually we spend 1-2 hours in the area where the whales are. How long time we spend with the whales changes from day to day and depends on if and how fast we locate them. The rest is a scenic voyage through the arctic landscape, with educational and fun talks from our guides.

The captain & crew have multiple ways of finding whales. First of all, we know from experience and patterns from previous years in which area the whales like to be every year. Furthermore, the whales feed on the same herring that we eat. So finding where the fishing boats help! We even communicate with the fishermen sometimes to hear if they have seen the whales recently. Once we're at the right spot, you can find whales by looking and listening for their blows. Its also common to find a lot of birds flying overhead where whales are, as they like to eat the herring that is pushed to the surface by the humpback whales. Lastly, we can use modern technology such as radar and sonar to find 'obstacles' in the open water. The whales are large enough to be detected.

Our philosophy to Whale Watching and animal welfare centers around minimal disturbance and interruption. When we are whale watching we are in the natural habitat and the feeding territory of the whales and we should consider ourselves visitors. We can observe, but should not disturb the animals. We use our more silent, electric engine around the whales and we will not actively try to get right next to the whales. We will follow the whales and observe from a short distance and let the whales feed in peace. Often this results in the whales then come towards our ship by themselves. Read more about our whale-watching philosophy in our blog.

When extremely lucky, you can see hundreds. This is however rare display of nature. On a general day, we can see both killer whales and Humpback whales. On a good day we see groups of killer whales about 15-20 individuals in addition to 3-4 humpback whales

Whales are wild animals and sadly we can't guarantee sightings. While we try our best to succeed, it is entirely up to nature if we see whales on a particular day or not. We see whales on most days, however, seeing whales can be anything from 1 orca in the distance to a pack of humpback whales in front of the boat. We use our boat and equipment to improve our chances and our guides and captain are constantly on the lookout for whales. We invest in making everyone feel at home, from our warm and spacious lounges on the ship to the well-stocked cafe and stories and anecdotes that our guides will share with you. Please understand that we are therefore not able to give money back if we do not see whales.

It is impossible to predict exactly when the whale watching season will finish. Whales are wild animals and their migration is based on multiple variables. In previous years, the whales have generally been in the Tromsø region between the beginning of November and the end of January. However, sometimes they arrive and leave earlier and sometimes later. It depends partially on the migration of the herring and the feeding patterns of the whales. However, even after the herring has left, it is often possible to still see whales before they migrate south.

Tromsø is in the Arctic and the weather can from time to time get stormy. Our captains are experienced and make a safety assessment daily to make sure the weather is good to do the tour. If the weather is not suitable to go whale watching, then we cancel the tour and give you options to reschedule (subject to availability) or join a tour closer to Tromsø in a more sheltered area. You will also have the option to receive a refund.

Over the last few years, the whales have favored a feeding area further north from Tromsø. Depending on the weather conditions, it takes about 3 hours to get to the area where the whales are. Because we want to spend an hour with the whales, this trip takes about 7-10 hours in total. Luckily, the scenery in Northern Norway is never dull, and there are lots to see and our guides will share interesting stories along the way.

The destination of our Silent Whale Watching tour depends on the feeding grounds of the whales. This changes a little from year to year. In 2018, 2019, and 2020 they have been around Skjervøy, about 2-3 hours cruise from Tromsø.

Yes, our Silent Whale Watching tour leaves from the centre of Tromsø and we will cruise out to the area where the whales are. There is no bus transport required for our Silent Whale Watching tour.

We do not use rib boats to get closer to the whales. Our boat is purpose-built for sightseeing and our design allows for a unique perspective from the ship. Moreover, the loud and diesel engines are also causing disturbance and pollution for the whales and nature which is not in line with our philosophy.

Generally, the whales are in the area of Tromso between late October/beginning of November and late January/early February. However, since 2023 there have been more different kind of whales in Tromsø (Fin whales) and in 2024 we welcomed Sperm whales as well. Sperm whales are not known to feed on the herring that migrates and could stay around much longer.

While we can technically see Toothed whales and Baleen (whalebone) whales, we most commonly see the Humpback whale and orca (killer whale). It is also not uncommon to encounter smaller whales now and then, such as porpoises and Long-finned pilot whales.

Definitely yes! Whale Watching provides memories for life for both young and old. While the trip lasts between 7-10 hours, our boats have spacious indoor and heated lounges. We have entertainment on board and our windows are floor-to-ceiling, making it possible to see the whales, even for the smallest ones!

A lot of guests that visit Tromsø want to see the whales and we want to fulfil this dream for as many as possible. From time to time it might be that you have to share a table with others. We recommend getting to know your travel companions. Travelling is about getting to know new people and cultures!

Yes! We can offer charters with whale watching for both private groups, company trips, team building, etc. You can read more about booking a charter here.

Yes, we have a minimum of 8 guests for our tours. We always strive to do a tour on every day within the season, but sometimes there are too few people booked. In these cases, it is both financially but also ecologically unsustainable to do a tour with our ship. When this happens we will always offer you to reschedule your tour to another day if possible, or we provide you with a full refund.

Our fully licensed café serves soup, quiche, cinnamon buns, coffee, tea, beer and wine. It is recommended to add some lunch to your booking when ordering your ticket on our website.

Because seasickness affects everyone differently, it’s hard to give a single answer. Our ships are quite stable and most of our journey takes place in sheltered waters. However we do cross brief stretches that are more exposed and especially during days with strong winds and waves, you may experience increased boat motion. 

Luckily there are a few tricks and tips you can do to reduce your chances for seasickness:

• Take seasickness pills.
• Enjoy a moderate breakfast beforehand so your stomach isn't completely empty or overly full.
• If you are prone to seasickness, stay on the lower deck. 
• Drink ginger tea or drinks with sugar. 
• If you feel sick, go outside for some fresh air.

Parking in Tromsø city center is not easy or cheap but there are several different options. 

Indoor parking

The best parking alternative is the underground parking tunnels. The closest entrance to the pick up point is next to Mathallen restaurant. For payment you simply receive a ticket on your way in and pay on the way out on the payment machines. Here you can find the instructions to reach the pick up point from there, which is a 6 minute walk. 

Outdoor parking

There is an open parking lot near the harbour at Samuel Arnesens gate 9, 9008 Tromsø. Here you can pay via the "EasyPark" App or at the machine for several hours. You will see a P sign saying "Mot avgift" which means that you can park there for a fee. The pick up location is a short 4 minute walk from the lot. You can find the instructions here. 

Parking along the streets

There are several dedicated parking areas along the streets. The closest one to our ship is at Roald Amundsens plass 1. You can park there and pay via the "EasyPark" App. However please note this areas have a time limit of 1-2h which means that you need to go to the app every time the time runs out and update it for 1-2 more hours. On Sunday & public holidays it is free to park on this areas, but always make sure to check the times for free parking on the machines and signs (it is free to park outside of the hours marked on the sign).