# TromsoWhaleSafari.com - whale safaris from Tromsø, Norway, compared

> Independent guide to whale watching from Tromsø: big boats from Tromsø harbour vs coach and RIB days from Skjervøy,
> real time with the whales, season, daylight, swimming with orcas, rules and booking.
> Not affiliated with any boat operator, Visit Tromsø or GetYourGuide.

Site: https://tromsowhalesafari.com
Language: en. Country: Norway (Tromsø, Skjervøy, Troms).

## Verified facts

- Since 2017 the orcas and humpbacks feed in winter around Kvænangen and Skjervøy, about 160 km north of Tromsø by road (about 4 hours); catamarans take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way.
- Season: roughly late October to the end of January (Visit Tromsø: early November to end of January). February is unreliable: in 2026 the whales had left by early February.
- Polar night in Tromsø: about 27 November to 15 January; around 4 hours of usable twilight at midday in December.
- Main species: orcas and humpback whales; fin whales and, in recent winters, sperm whales are also seen. Sightings are never guaranteed.
- Norway's 2019 whale safari regulation sets distances to fishing vessels (370 m for boats, 740 m for swimmers) and bans disturbing whales; it sets no speed limit or distance to whales. Visit Tromsø's voluntary guidelines: max 3 boats, idle within 50 m, 30 minutes per boat.
- 2025/26 survey: typically 9-14 boats around one whale group, 23 at the peak. In March 2026 operators asked for licensing and a speed limit.
- Swimming with orcas is not banned in Norway; none of the tours listed here include it; sea temperature is about 4-6C in winter.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are GetYourGuide affiliate links (partner_id 7GG5I5H). The site earns a
commission at no extra cost to the reader and says so at https://tromsowhalesafari.com/affiliate-disclosure/. The site shows no prices.

- Whale Safari by Hybrid-Electric Boat (Sails from Tromsø harbour, no bus) - 7 to 9 hours, with the whales: About 1 to 1.5 hours; rated 4.5 from 6,707 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/hybrid-electric-whale-safari/
- Skjervøy RIB Whale Safari with Coach (Coach to Skjervøy, about 4 hours each way) - 12 hours, with the whales: About 3 hours at sea; rated 4.8 from 1,281 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/skjervoy-rib-whale-safari/
- All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari (Sails from Tromsø, max 50 guests) - 8 hours, with the whales: About 2 hours 20 min; rated 4.6 from 1,722 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/all-inclusive-whale-orca-safari/
- Whale Safari on High-Speed Catamaran (Sails from Nerstranda harbour, Tromsø) - 8 hours, with the whales: About 2.5 hours at the Skjervøy stop; rated 4.6 from 3,731 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/high-speed-catamaran-whale-safari/
- Fast & Comfortable Catamaran Whale Watching (Sails from Prostneset, Tromsø) - 7.5 hours, with the whales: Not stated; rated 4.7 from 660 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/fast-catamaran-whale-watching/
- Responsible Whale Cruise on MS Alba (Sails from Tromsø harbour, by the bridge) - 8 hours, with the whales: About 2 hours near Skjervøy; rated 4.7 from 53 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/ms-alba-whale-cruise/
- Orca & Whale Watching by Heated Boat (Coach to Skjervøy, then a covered boat) - 12 hours, with the whales: 3 to 3.5 hours at sea; rated 4.7 from 261 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/skjervoy-heated-boat-whale-trip/
- Whale Safari by 12-Seat RIB (Skjervøy harbour, coach from Tromsø optional) - 4 to 12 hours, with the whales: About 3 hours; rated 5.0 from 113 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/skjervoy-12-seat-rib-whale-safari/
- Personal Whale Watching by Fast Boat (Sails from Tromsø, by Scandic Ishavshotel) - 7 to 8 hours, with the whales: Not stated; rated 4.8 from 72 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/small-boat-whale-watching/
- 24-Hour Whale Expedition on MV Quest (Sails from Prostneset, Tromsø) - About 24 hours, with the whales: About 4 hours at Skjervøyskjæret; rated 4.9 from 47 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/overnight-whale-expedition/
- Northern Lights Safari with Guides & Photos (Wherever the sky is clear, from Tromsø) - About 6 hours, with the whales: None; rated 4.6 from 8,717 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/tours/northern-lights-safari/

## Guide pages

- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/tromso-whale-watching-season/ - When to go whale watching from Tromsø: why November is the safest month, what October and February offer, and how the polar night light works.
- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/rib-or-big-boat-whale-safari/ - Big catamaran, coach and RIB, covered small boat or overnight ship: how the whale safaris from Tromsø differ in whale time, crowd and comfort.
- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/swimming-with-orcas-norway/ - Can you swim or snorkel with orcas in Tromsø? What the 2019 rules say, Visit Tromsø's guidelines, the real risks and what to do if an orca comes close.
- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/where-to-see-whales-norway/ - Where in Norway to see whales and orcas: Tromsø and Skjervøy in winter, Andenes for sperm whales, Lofoten and Svalbard, and the best month for orcas.
- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/what-to-wear-whale-safari-tromso/ - What to wear on a winter whale safari from Tromsø, which boats lend thermal suits, how to avoid seasickness, food on board and photos in polar twilight.
- https://tromsowhalesafari.com/guides/tromso-itinerary-whales-northern-lights/ - How many days in Tromsø is enough for a whale safari and the northern lights, what not to miss in town, and Alta or Tromsø for the aurora in February.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-20: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/blog/tromso-whale-season-2026-27/ - The 2026/27 whale season in Tromsø has started. First sightings, operator dates, the polar night and which weeks to book for orcas and humpbacks.
- 2026-10-18: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/blog/whale-safari-rules-norway-2026/ - Norway's whale safari rules for 2026/27: the crowding survey, the call for licences and speed limits, what the law says now and how to pick a responsible boat.
- 2026-10-15: https://tromsowhalesafari.com/blog/whales-february-tromso/ - Can you see whales from Tromsø in February? What happened in 2026, why most boats stop on 31 January, the odds by month and what to do in February instead.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- 'Whales just outside Tromsø' is out of date: that was true around 2015-2016; since 2017 every safari travels to the Skjervøy area.
- Trip length is not whale time: a 7-9 hour boat day can mean 1-1.5 hours near the whales.
- The '73 orcas' figure refers to the Southern Resident orcas of the US Pacific Northwest, not Norway, where more than 1,200 have been photo-identified.
- Lofoten has no dedicated whale safaris; in summer, Andenes (Vesterålen) is the place for sperm whales.
- Polar night is not total darkness: there are a few hours of twilight around midday.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant tour page. Seasons, times and inclusions change; verify close to your travel date.