4 Best Whale Watching Tours in Tromsø, Norway (in 2025)

Tromsø is the ideal destination for checking experiences off on a bucket list and one of the top things to do there is to go whale watching!

In this guide, I will detail the best whale watching tours in Tromsø, Norway. There are four that I highly recommend (with two being my absolute favorites) and this guide will tell you all about them, including what the tour includes, how long it is, and how to book.

I have been on whale watching tours all around the globe and I think Tromsø honestly has one of the best opportunities because you can see ORCAS! No offense to the other whales, but seeing orcas in their natural habitat is pretty cool.

Before getting into the individual tours and what they consist of, you can see an overview of the tours I selected to see whales in Tromsø.

Enjoy your Tromsø whale watching tour – it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! If you have questions, please leave them in the comments.

Whale Watching Tours in Tromsø (Overview)

I am only listing four tours here even though there is an abundance out there. My top three are very diverse options and the fourth I am putting merely in case the top one (the silent catamaran) is unavailable and you would like a similar option.

Here are the tours in this guide:

🥇  My top whale-watching option:

• Whale-watching tour by hybrid-electric catamaran (a wheelchair-accessible and silent boat that is more ethical for the whales)

💵  Cheapest whale-watching option:

• Silent catamaran whale watching trip (is priced around $165/pp and you can bring your own food to avoid buying lunch onboard!)

🐋  Other fantastic choices for a trip:

• RIB boat whale watching (up close and personal – for the more adventurous traveler)
• Overnight cruise with whales and northern lights (unique experience and you sleep in an oceanview cabin!)
• Whale and Arctic cruise safari (not wheelchair-accessible but an awesome trip)

Feel free to leave a comment with any questions about which tour is the right tour for you and your group.

Whale Watching Tours in Tromsø (Details)

1. Whale watching tour by eco-friendly, silent catamaran (Tromsø’s bestseller!)

Duration: 9 hours
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Languages: English, Norwegian, Danish
🐋  BOOK HERE

I recommend this Brim Explorer tour everywhere and for a very good reason. It is the most eco-friendly of the larger boat tours and it is a phenomenal tour. I have taken a few tours with Brim Explorer (including one in Lofoten!) but this Tromsø whale watching tour is their best in Norway’s Arctic capital.

This tour is around 9 hours long and is the only one out of these that is wheelchair-accessible (just let them know beforehand so they can accommodate).

The boat is pretty spacious and has a large indoor AND outdoor area so that everyone will be able to get a pretty good view of the whales when they surface! The boat also has wifi and food and drinks for purchase (lunch is not included in the tour price).

Your day will start early at around 8am and it will take 3.5 hours to reach Skjervøy, where the whales are. Once there, you will have about 1.5 hours to view them and admire them in their natural habitat before returning to Tromsø.

2. Whale watching in Skjervøy on a RIB boat

Duration: 12 hours (only 2.5 hours in boat)
Wheelchair accessible: No
Languages: English, Norwegian
🐋  BOOK HERE

My second favorite tour is one for the adventurous traveler. This is a RIB boat whale watching tour from Tromsø that will last for around 12 hours in total. Do not plan other tours in conjunction with this one.

You’ll start the day early where you will meet your group for a bus trip to Skjervøy and the Kvaenangen Fjord. Once there, you will get briefed, dressed, and head out on a RIB boat that will include no more than 12 people.

RIB boats are allowed to get closer to the whales and instead of having 1.5 hours viewing like the catamaran tour, you will get 2.5 hours! Floatation suits are available and you will be plenty warm during the journey.

After you’re done on the water, your group will then get to enjoy refreshments and sandwiches before leaving back to Tromsø. Please note that this tour is not for those with mobility issues, back or heart problems, or those over 120kg (264lbs).

3. Overnight cruise to see whales (and aurora viewing)

Duration: 24 hours (includes overnight stay)
Wheelchair accessible: No
Languages: English
🐋  BOOK HERE

I love suggesting combo tours to those who have the budget for them! This 24-hour adventure takes you on a boat where you will get to sail through the night to a fjord where you’ll get to look out for the aurora before closing the night in the comfort of your own oceanview cabin. The evening includes a delicious 3-course meal.

When you wake up and after breakfast, your boat will spend the morning looking for the whales! This is a great opportunity as it will take a while for other boats to reach the fjord so you’ll have a lot longer to observe than on the other tours. When you are sailing back to Tromsø, you will have a chance to hear lectures and presentations about whales and the nature of the north of Norway.

This tour includes dinner, breakfast, lunch, a cabin with a sea view, hot drinks, and an overall memorable time.

4. Arctic wildlife and whale watching tour from Tromsø

Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair accessible: No
Languages: English, Norwegian
🐋  BOOK HERE

I am listing this whale watching tour as an alternative to the Brim Explorer one (listed as #1 on this guide). Only because many tours in Tromsø book up super quickly and it provides another option if that one is sold out for your dates.

This 8-hour whale watching tour will depart from the harbor and make its way up to Skjervøy. Along the way, you will get to view beautiful scenery along with harbor porpoises, orcas, humpback whales, and more.

There are outdoor viewing decks that you can take advantage of (dress warmly!) or you can stay cozy and warm from the inside of the boat. This boat is not wheelchair-accessible, however.

Once you reach Skjervøy, you will have up to 1.5 hours to watch the whales before heading back. There are thermal suits onboard in case you get cold.

Want more details about booking a Tromsø whale safari?

I actually have an entire guide with details about what to expect, what to wear, and more! You can find the details and my thoughts and opinions linked below.

>> Tips for whale watching in Tromsø, Norway <<

If you have any questions about taking a whale watching tour in Tromsø, let me know in the comments and I will be happy to respond.

More Tromsø Activity Guides

• Tips for whale watching in Tromsø
• Best Tromsø northern lights tours
• Tips and tricks for the northern lights in Tromsø
• Dog sledding in Tromsø
• Sami tours in Tromsø
• Tromsø snowmobiling tours

Pin this Guide to the Top Tromsø Whale Watching Tours