Our Approach to Responsible Wildlife Expeditions
Seeing wildlife in its natural environment is one of the main reasons we travel. Whether we’re swimming with orcas in the Norwegian fjords, quietly watching a polar bear in the pack ice of Svalbard, or observing penguins on an iceberg in Antarctica, our philosophy remains the same, wildlife always comes first.
Having spent many years exploring the polar regions, we know that it is a privilege to witness animals living freely in the wild, and with that privilege comes a responsibility to minimise our impact and respect their natural behaviour.
Quality Over Quantity
We don’t measure success by the number of wildlife encounters. A single respectful encounter can be far more meaningful than many rushed interactions. Our goal is to create experiences that leave a lasting impression while minimising disturbance to the animals we come to see. We ask all our guests to set realistic expectations and be flexible to make their expedition a success.
The search is part of the adventure
Rule number one when it comes to wildlife watching; nothing is guaranteed! We will always do our utmost to offer you the best experience but we can never guarantee any wildlife encounters.
On any expedition, our experienced guides are constantly on the lookout for animals. However, wildlife is unpredictable and it might take some time to spot the animals you are hoping to see. Bring a pair of binoculars and join them in the search!
Small Groups, More Meaningful Experiences
Wildlife experiences are most rewarding when they are shared with a small group of like-minded travellers. We can slow down, observe, and appreciate the natural behaviour of the animals we encounter. This allows for a more personal atmosphere and more time to immerse yourself in the moment. For wildlife, fewer people also means less disturbance, helping us create experiences that are more meaningful for our guests and more respectful towards nature.
Our Winter Whales of Norway Expeditions
One of our most popular wildlife experiences takes place in Northern Norway, where we search for orcas and humpback whales that gather in the fjords each winter. These unique snorkeling expeditions have additional procedures to ensure our encounters are conducted responsibly and with minimal disturbance to the whales.
Conservation Through Education
During our expeditions, we encourage curiosity and learning because we believe that people are far more likely to protect what they understand and value. By sharing our knowledge through onboard lectures, briefings, and informal discussions, we hope our expeditions leave a lasting impact long after the journey has ended.
Supporting whale research and conservation
We’re proud to contribute to Happywhale’s WhaleID program, a citizen science initiative that empowers ocean lovers to support marine conservation. Happywhale is a non-profit organization advancing ocean health through high-quality science and education, making it easy and rewarding for the public to participate.