Norway snorkeling with orcas

Norway snorkeling with orcas is a journey in which the orca central stands and where we will try to get them also from really very close at admire, by effectively eliminating the water in diving among the orcas. Norway is one of the very few places on Earth where, in addition to traditional whale watching tours, you may effectively swimming among and with orcas. You may also use a small RIB boat to get them to get very close, while in most places at least 100 to 200 meters distance must be kept. In other words, this is a very adventurous trip, where we wildlife going to look up, and of course that requires the necessary term and the necessary flexibility. Therefore, read very carefully the point "What are the odds?"

Where?

For this, we head to Skjervøy, the most convenient whale watching location in the world, with 99% chances of spotting whales. Why Skjervøy? Simple: fish! Massive schools of herring swim into the fjords in the fall to spend the winter. Huge amounts of fish cause orcas, humpback whales and fin whales to swim into the famous Kvaenangen and Lyngenfjord to fill up during the winter. Orcas herd the herring together into a compact ball, then stun them one by one with the tail stroke, then fillet them neatly. Humpbacks then bite the rest of the shoal in one gulp. Because of this behavior, the whales stay in the same place for a long time and occur in large numbers. In 2022, we saw a group of 65 humpbacks and about 150 orcas. So because of this, the chances of seeing orcas and whales are very high.

What are the odds?

It is important to distinguish between seeing orcas and actually swimming among them. Hence, we briefly break down and discuss both issues below. Indeed, since we are approaching orcas in their natural habitat, there are several independent variables that mean we cannot guarantee anything with 100%. However, we do increase our chances of success by scheduling several days where we will do a whale watching excursion each day to not only increase the chances of seeing orcas, but also increase the chances that all conditions are good enough to actually swim with them!

• See: although since 2015 in Skjervøy you have almost 100 % chance of seeing whales, it still happens occasionally that the orcas are too far away to see them. Almost always you will then see humpback whales, fin whales or small dolphin species. On 7 days in the fjords, we saw orcas for 6 days. Every day we saw humpback whales and in 2022 also fin whales daily (in 2023 we did not go). Yet we encountered several people who were unlucky with their excursion and did not see orcas on the same day. This two days in a row.
• Swimming with: in addition, although the chances of seeing orcas are very high, the chances of seeing them underwater are just a little lower. If the water is too wild, the animals are not approachable, there are too many boats around, or fishing vessels are too close, you cannot swim. We have since been at sea with several companies, and have found the ones where there is a good chance that you will effectively see a lot (both above and below the water). Of the 6 days we were at sea with the intention of swimming, we swam 4 days, and also saw orcas nearby on several occasions.

Wildlife welfare

All wild animals are always given the necessary respect and the necessary caution approached. We want the animals disturb as little as possible in their natural habitat. Beforehand, therefore, everyone will extensively briefed be about animal behavior and the Do's and Dont's on the road. Under no circumstances will we, for example, touch or chase the animals, block movement directions with boats or the like. All malpractice is out of the question and will be severely condemned. The guide and captain on board have the necessary trainings followed to keep the animals in the game in a responsible manner at approach and recognize their behavior. It is their guidelines that we will also follow closely. The pre- and post-briefing is also given by marine biologists.

Fun fact: since last winter, long-term sperm whales have also been seen for the first time and swam among them. A first!

CIA

Comfort 80%: You will sleep during the Norway snorkeling with orcas in comfortable hotels.

Intensity 70%: For several hours you will be on and in the water after which you can warm up in the hotel.

Adventure 80%: You get to see wildlife up close and personal in their natural habitat.

Norway snorkeling with orcas

• 01/11/2026 – 07/11/2026
• € 2295 per person
• Min. 8 Max. 11 people

INCLUDING

• 2 nights stay in Tromso
  • Breakfast included
• 4 nights stay in Skjervoy
  • Breakfast included
• 4 days of "snorkeling with orcas" / whale watching
  • RIB boats with a maximum of 12 people per boat (in a ribboat you have less chance of seasickness and we can get much closer to the orcas and whales)
  • Experienced captain and guide on board
  • 1h preparing and briefing for departure
  • 1h debriefing and info on wildlife after return
  • The trip itself takes about 2 to 3 hours. Depending on where the orcas are, how much time we need to find them, and weather conditions, we try to stay with the orcas as long as possible. Exactly how long we stay in the water is hard to say in advance.
• Thermo Drysuit and life jacket
  • Below you only do your own wool thermal underwear
• Snorkeling equipment
• Ferry tickets there and back
• 1 Wildlinger supervisor

EXCLUSIVE

• International flights there and back (though on request, approx. 550 euros pp depending on time of booking)
• Lunch and dinner
• Tromso bus ticket (approx. 5 euros)
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Cancellation Insurance
• Personal expenses

Norway snorkeling with orcas

Day 1: Tromso
Your fly from Belgium or the Netherlands to Tromso. Once arrived at the airport, we take the public transport to us hotel. This is 5 a 10min be on the bus. Public transportation in Tromso is super well organized and almost every 5 minutes there is a bus that leaves from the airport and passes by our hotel. So we are doing it nice eco. In addition, we can improve our bus pass then still use it to spend the rest of the day and the next day Tromso what else to explore.  

Day 2: Tromso & ferry
We have time today to Tromso some more to explore. in the evening we then take the ferry to Skjervoy, where our "Norway snorkeling with orcas" adventure can truly begin! Once arrived in Skjervoy, we walk approx 200m to our hotel, enjoy dinner and look forward to tomorrow!

Day 3, 4 & 5: Skjervoy snorkeling with orcas
During this 3 days the program looks more or less the same every day. We have breakfast, head toward our local partner near the hotel, get our briefing before we get on the water and then we head out. The goal is always snorkeling, but depending on all the variable circumstances, we will thus be using the RIB Boat sailing out, whale watching and hopefully also effectively the plunge into the water among the orcas! Back ashore follows the debriefing and everyone can feel warm up and rest at the hotel. Depending on your energy, whoever wants to can go again walking around in the village, on the hunt go to the Northern Lights, a beautiful nature walk make, or do we play together still party games and sound we on a beautiful adventure.*

Day 6: Skjervoy snorkeling with orcas & ferry Tromso
Today, the 4th and final day That we get out on the water and with the orcas go snorkeling. In the late afternoon, we take the ferry back to Tromso, where we stay overnight to then take our flight home the next day. *

Day 7: Return home
Time to go and personally introduce our unforgettable "Norway snorkeling with orcas" adventure to the home front. We take the bus to the airport and fly back home.

*Please note: This is an adventure trip where you are dependent on weather conditions, general conditions, wildlife behavior and condition of the group. Changes to the above program are therefore possible depending on conditions on the ground.

Norway snorkeling with orcas

We will stay in comfortable hotels based on double rooms throughout the trip. We will stay 2 nights in Tromso and 4 nights in Skjervoy.