11 Essential Tips and Tricks for Whale Watching in Tromsø

During the winter months, one of the most popular things to do in Tromsø is to go whale watching!

This is a guide covering all the tips and tricks I know before you go whale watching in Tromsø, Norway!

I have been whale watching in several places around the world, from the shores of Maui right to the fjords of Northern Norway and I will say, Tromsø offers a pretty unbeatable experience!

But, like most tours, it is good to know what you’re getting yourself into before embarking on a whale watching safari in Tromsø.

I also start with the top Tromsø whale watching tours I recommend before diving in further. Read on!

Tips for Whale Watching in Tromsø, Norway

1. Select the tour that fits you (and your group) best.

There are quite a few tour offerings in Tromsø these tours. They range from silent catamarans to RIB boat excursions… and there are even offerings where you can swim with the orcas. While I am a claustrophobic mess with scuba or snorkel gear on, you can read more about my friend’s experience doing this here. What a bucket list adventure!

Nevertheless, this guide is for whale WATCHING. So, here is a quick overview of my top two recommended tours and a little about each.

➡️ Whale watching on a silent catamaran: This tour with Brim Explorer is actually my top pick for tours because it is eco-friendly and spacious.

I don’t like crowded boats and Brim Explorer’s boats offer a lot of space to move about comfortably. This boat is also wheelchair-friendly (bottom floor), but be sure to let them know beforehand so they can accommodate. Food and drinks available for purchase on the boat (you can also bring your own).

>> Check catamaran whale watching rates and availability

➡️ Whale watching on a RIB boat: If you’re the adventurous type and sitting inside a catamaran most of the day is not for you, don’t worry… the RIB boat tours are probably your thing!

These tours put you outside in the elements (suited up, of course) so you can have the most interactive experience possible. The RIBs can usually get a little closer to the whales, as well.

You will be bussed from Tromsø to Skjervøy and then put on a RIB boat once there. Sandwiches and hot drinks are included.

>> Click RIB boat whale watching rates and availability

📖 FURTHER READING: I have an entire guide dedicated to finding the best whale watching tours in Tromsø here (good for those looking for additional information).

2. Whale watching season runs from November until the end of January.

However, this year it is starting around October 20. A lot of people plan their trips to Tromsø and don’t realize that whale watching is not an activity you can take at any time during the winter. The window is pretty short, meaning that the tours do get booked up pretty quickly.

Like most of the tours in Tromsø, I suggest booking your whale watching tour ASAP once you have your flights confirmed so you don’t end up disappointed later.

3. Don’t plan another tour that day (if you can).

Whale watching is an all-day activity unlike most of the other tours Tromsø has to offer. Do not book another tour this day… trust me! The tour can take anywhere from 9-12 hours as you need to get north of Tromsø to Skjervøy, where the whales are feeding.

Most tours tend to depart around 8am and while it states when booking that it is merely 9 hours, I never chance things. If you do want to risk it, book a northern lights tour that starts at 7pm or later. However, some northern lights tours don’t give you an exact meeting time until a day before the trip.

If you have limited time in Tromsø and really want to make the most of your trip, I suggest booking this combination of tours:

• Whale watching on a silent catamaran
• Aurora cruise with dinner

The reason I recommend booking these tours on the same day together is that they will use the same boat. You are scheduled to arrive back at 5pm from the whale watching tour and the northern lights cruise starts at 7pm. On the same boat. You won’t miss it.

4. Dress warmly. Thermal suits are not provided.

Unless, of course, you go on a RIB whale watching tour! Gear will be provided for you once you’re in Skjervøy.

However, if you are taking any of the whale watching tours on a boat, you will need to dress in your own clothing and ensure your warmth that way.

Here are some things I recommend wearing or having with you for a whale watching cruise in Tromsø:

• Winter parka like my favorite from Helly Hansen: Helly Hansen is a Norwegian company (I can not stress enough that it is going to be cold).
• Sorel snow boots: Literal warmth that you’ll appreciate in Tromsø! I also recommend Fubuki boots but they have been sold out lately on their website.
• Wool sweater: Anything that is 100% wool should be fine under a parka – I like Dale of Norway or Devold from Norway.
• Base layers: Anything wool will do; I love Kari Traa for women.
• Mittens: Gloves are also good if you’re photographing but I think mittens are warmer. I like Hestra’s mittens but they are on the pricier side.
• Hat: I like wool ones with a fleece lining from Haddock that you can get at Tromsø’s Intersport, but anything warm and that covers your ears will do.

The great thing about the boat tours is that the cabin is heated and you can go back and forth to warm up!

5. Photographing on a RIB boat is hard.

I always get so excited for RIB boat trips (despite the suits) because I love the fresh air, but it sucks from a photography perspective! Especially if the weather doesn’t play nice, which is a frequent occurrence in the Norwegian Arctic.

If you are going on a RIB tour, bring a GoPro or DJI Osmo Action with you to get some photos. You can also bring your phone but I suggest having a waterproof case or holder for it. I have an Insta360 but I honestly think the quality isn’t so great if you’re filming something far away (like a whale). Good for 360 videos though.

If you decide to go the phone route for photography, be sure to have your phone fully charged as you depart the bus because the cold can drain your battery and charging it on a RIB boat will not be fun!

6. Seasickness happens… but don’t let it scare you from going.

Anytime you put yourself on a boat in Norway (or anywhere in the world), you risk getting seasick. Norway’s ‘stormy’ season is actually in the autumn and November can be one of the worst months. While seas are usually okay, there is never a guarantee.

One important thing to know is that these tours never go into the ‘open’ seas. They stay in fjords which tend to be calmer than the open Atlantic.

If you are prone to seasickness, bring some Dramamine or Seabands with you. Drink a lot of water and be sure to step outside for frequent fresh air breaks. Staring at the horizon (if it is not pitch black!) always helps, as well.

7. Bring something to do.

If you are on the catamaran tour, a lot of your day will be spent on the boat and not at the whale feeding grounds.

If you’re someone who gets restless (or are a solo traveler not wanting to meet others), bring a book or something to do for the day! It is going to be a long one.

8. Whale sightings are never guaranteed.

I think this goes without saying, but for those traveling from far away, I understand it can be SO gutting when you get on an all-day tour and don’t see the whales.

If seeing whales is your top priority on your Tromsø trip, try booking your tour toward the beginning of your stay and not at the end. I always say this with northern lights tours, too, as you will want other chances to book to avoid leaving Norway disappointed.

With that said, I have seen whales on every tour I have ever been on except one in Greenland (I knew it was a slim chance as the season had passed). The captain and guides are better than we often give them credit for!

9. Alta is a good whale watching alternative to Tromsø.

If the thought of spending 9 hours on a boat is daunting to you, but you still want to do a little whale watching in Norway, consider traveling to Alta instead.

While Tromsø is the more popular destination in the Norwegian Arctic, I think Alta can often be a better value (and with fewer crowds).

The whale watching tours in Alta are only 4-5 hours long and it will give you plenty of time to do other activities that day.

10. Whale watching is a wheelchair-accessible experience.

Brim Explorer’s silent catamaran is my recommended tour option for Tromsø (if not going on a RIB boat) and their boat is wheelchair-friendly.

Do notify them beforehand so they can accommodate as only the lower level of the boat accommodates wheelchair users. Their bathroom is accessible and they will ensure you are able to leave Tromsø with a memorable experience!

11. Know about the whales and feeding grounds.

I guess I should have started the post with this but I think it is important to understand where the whales are, what they eat, and which types you may see.

The whales used to be further south but have, in recent years, ventured further north! These whale watching tours used to be a bit shorter, but now are an all-day affair thanks to their migration north to Skjervøy.

The two types of whales you tend to see on the Tromsø whale watching tours are orcas (killer whales) and humpbacks. I have only seen orcas, however. The orcas in the area eat herring and the Skjervøy area is teeming with them, for now.

The whale-watching season can shift every year but it has stayed relatively consistent in Northern Norway in the last few years, so you can count on the tours running from November until the end of January, while the orcas are eating their weight in herring in the fjord around Skjervøy.

I hope this whale watching guide helps give you some tips and advice for planning this bucket-list activity in Tromsø!

More Tromsø Activity Guides

• Whale watching tours in Tromsø
• Tromsø northern lights tour
• Northern lights tips for Tromsø
• Husky safaris in Tromsø
• Sami experiences in Tromsø
• Snowmobiling in Tromsø

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