The 2026/27 whale season has started

Are the whales back in Tromsø for 2026/27?

Yes. Guests on the hybrid-electric boat from Tromsø reported orcas and humpbacks in mid October 2026, one of them on 16 October.

On the listing for Brim Explorer's hybrid-electric whale safari, October 2026 guests wrote "We saw orcas and Humpback whales" and "We were able to see eagles, a whale and even orcas on October 16." That is the first word of the new season we have seen.

It is not unusual. Brim Explorer reports that whales were first seen in the greater Tromsø area on 2 October 2025, and on 15 October in 2024. The whales come for the Norwegian spring-spawning herring, and since 2017 they have fed around Kvænangen and Skjervøy, about 160 km north of town. Every boat on this site heads up there. The difference is how you travel, how long you stay with the whales and how many other boats share the spot.

One early sighting does not make a season. Visit Tromsø still gives the usual window as the beginning of November to the end of January, and adds that the timing varies from year to year.

When does the 2026/27 whale season start and end?

Most boats run from late October to 31 January. The published dates so far point the same way.

Not every operator has put its full winter calendar online yet. Here is what the listings and operator pages show as of 20 October 2026. Dates can still move, so check your day on the booking page before you plan the rest of the trip around it.

What does the polar night mean for a whale safari?

From about 27 November 2026 to 15 January 2027 the sun stays below the horizon. Whale watching fits into a midday twilight window of roughly 09:00 to 14:00.

Polar night is twilight, not darkness. On 21 December civil twilight runs from about 09:32 to 13:54, and a dim blue light lasts from about 07:47 to 15:38. Boats plan their time with the whales around the sun's highest point, close to 11:30 to 12:00. That is why the big boats leave Tromsø between 07:30 and 09:00 and sail back in the dark.

Early November is a different trip. On 1 November the sun rises at about 08:11 and sets at 14:44, so you can get real sunlight on the water and colour on the Lyngen Alps on the way north. By 15 November it is 09:26 to 13:31. Clocks change on 25 October 2026, and every time on this page is Norwegian winter time.

Our view: if photos matter most, go before about 20 November. If you want the deep blue polar light that makes the region famous, go in December or early January and take a heated saloon over an open deck.

Which month should you book for the whales?

November is the safest bet, December has the most atmosphere, January works well until the last week. February is a gamble.

November sits in the middle of the herring season and keeps a little daylight. December brings the polar night and the busiest Christmas weeks in Tromsø. January has had good whale days right up to the end of the month, and a guest on the all-inclusive boat wrote "Even though we took the tour at the end of January, we saw quite a few whales."

February is where plans go wrong. In 2026 the whales had left the Skjervøy area by early February, and most operators stop on 31 January. Our post on whale chances in February has the details. For the full picture by month, see the Tromsø whale watching season guide.

Sail straight from Tromsø harbour, switch to the quiet electric engine near the whales and warm up in a heated saloon.

★ 4.5 · 7 to 9 hours

Book this Tour details

How far ahead should you book a 2026/27 whale safari?

As soon as your dates are fixed, especially for Christmas, New Year and the small boats. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before makes early booking low risk.

Seats are the tight part on the small-group trips: the heated boat from Skjervøy takes 12 guests, and so does the 12-seat RIB. Small boats leave the least room for late bookers.

Plan whale day early in your stay. Weather cancels boats now and then, and an early slot leaves room to rebook. The Arctic Resorts catamaran promises a free second tour this season if you see no whales, subject to availability. The Helgøy Skyssbåt catamaran offers a free transfer to another date. Sightings are never guaranteed on any boat.

Price depends on the boat and the day, and the live figure shows on each booking page. A seat on a big catamaran from Tromsø is the cheaper way to go; coach plus small boat from Skjervøy costs more.

Are there new whale safari rules for this season?

No. The 2026/27 season has started under the same 2019 regulation, with only voluntary guidelines on distance, speed and boat numbers.

After a 2025/26 survey counted typically 9 to 14 boats around one whale group, the industry asked for licensing, a speed limit and a snorkelling ban before this winter. None of it is in force yet. Our post on whale safari rules in Norway explains where things stand and how to pick a boat that keeps its distance.

Frequently asked questions