MS Polarfront - 16 pax
A sturdy yet luxurious small expedition vessel, ready to challenge the arctic waters and allow you to get close to nature.
Snorkeling with Orcas & Humpback Whales. Immerse yourself in the world of the great ceteceans. A once in a lifetime experience!
Book your last minute voyage now, or secure your spot for Oct/Nov/Dec 2024 now!
Snorkeling with orcas and humpback whales in Norway
Last Chance for winter 2023!
Only 1 spot left: Shared Superior Suite NOW € 3115
Contact us to book now »
During the winter months, Waterproof Expeditions operates a one of a kind wildlife experience in Northern Norway. For only a few short weeks, starting from the end of October until mid-January, Northern Norway is the place of the largest gathering of whales in the world. They follow the enormous amount of spring-spawning herring that can be found in the fjords. This unique spectacle of nature offers us the opportunity to snorkel with wild orcas and watch their behaviour under water.
Our small ship expedition cruise takes you through the majestic fjords and the ever changing winter scenery to find orcas and humpback whales. Two Expert Guides will accompany you on our whale watching adventure. During five full days we follow the schools of herring and pods of orcas and humpbacks in the protected surroundings of the beautiful Norwegian fjords. We go into the water for snorkeling whenever the weather conditions and animals let us. The snorkeling activities are included in this trip. On board we provide (Waterproof D9) snorkel dry suits and snorkeling equipment. Snorkeling is not mandatory, you are free to join the zodiac excursions for up-close whale watching and great top-side photography without going in the water.
Rated as ‘Best Trip Ever!’ by Ocean Geographic Society - Michael Aw
Our adventure starts in Tromsø, a small city in Arctic Norway. We recommend you arrive at least one day prior to embarkation, just in case you're flight might be delayed. This also gives you the opportunity to explore the town's museums and cozy city centre or to go on a husky safari or snowmobile ride.
A transfer from Tromsø centre to the harbor is included. You will board the ship in the afternoon of the first day. Once on board you'll have plenty of time to get settled in your cabin and explore the ship. In the evening, the ship will leave Tromsø towards a location where we expect to find whales. Meanwhile you can enjoy dinner and have some time to meet the other guests.
Be prepared for cold but rewarding days out at sea with spectacular sightings of a unique display of mother nature. Bring a good portion of adventurous spirit. We deal with true wildlife encounters and unpredictable weather conditions.
For five full days we will follow the schools of herring and pods of orcas and humpbacks in the protected surroundings of the beautiful Norwegian fjords. Our ships all have spacious decks so you can take in the amazing scenery. The bridge of the ship is a great place to look for whales and enjoy the beautiful light and views of the Norwegian fjords. We have an open bridge policiy so you are welcome at almost any time.
Two expert guides will accompany you on your whale watching adventure. They will share their knowledge with you and will do their utmost to offer you the best experience. Our guides and crew are constantly on the look-out for whales and orcas. Whenever the conditions are right, we will take the zodiacs and go out on the water.
Our main goal during our Winter Whales of Norway expeditions is to go snorkeling with whales and orcas as often as possible. On board we provide special Waterproof snorkel dry suits and snorkeling equipment. When whales have been spotted nearby, our guides will get the zodiacs in the water. Make sure you have your camera charged and your dry suit ready in your room so you can head out quickly. Approaching whales will always be done cautiously, at a low speed towards the side of the pod. When the guide descides it's safe to go snorkeling, you will be allowed to go into the water. You will be able to take a look into the world of the whales, an absolute unique opportunity to swim with these enormous animals. Enjoy the moment!
The combination of wildlife encounters, the beautiful scenery of the Norwegian fjords and the amazing Northern Lights, make this trip an exclusive experience of nature. If you choose not to snorkel, you can enjoy these phenomena from the spacious deck of the ship or join the zodiac excursions for up-close whale watching and excellent photography opportunities.
During the darker hours we usually stay at anchor. You will get to enjoy the warm and cozy comfort of the expedition yacht. Some of our ships even have a sauna or hottub for you to relax and wam up after an exciting day out in the cold. On board, we offer an educational lecture program about whale conservation and research and other interesting topics. We relax, read and watch our photo's and video's which we took during the day. Excellent food is served three times a day, with a warm meal during lunch and diner. We may also go ashore in a small village and in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights.
In the winter months, Northern Norway is the perfect place for Aurora Borealis sightings. With a bit of luck we will witness these amazing Northern Lights during our trip. If the ship is docked in a harbor, the guides might take you out for a hike to find a good spot to photograph the aurora. They are more than happy to assist you in setting your camera or phone for some spectacular photos.
Our ships usually arrive back in Tromsø the night before disembarkation. After breakfast and saying farewell to the crew, it is unfortunately time to disembark. Our guides can arrange a transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you choose to extend your stay in Norway.
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Call us today on +31 (0) 858 771 583
We are proud to partner with Norwegian Orca Survey to support the orca research in Northern Norway! Norwegian Orca Survey is a non-profit organization dedicated to researching and monitoring orcas in Norway. Using ground-breaking research methods and photo identification, they gather much-needed data for orca conservation. Anyone with a camera can play a part and help save orcas worldwide. By providing high-res photographs of orca dorsal fins, along with information on where and when the photos were taken, you can contribute to the long-term Norwegian Orca ID project!
To support the orca research, we donate an amount to Norwegian Orca Survey for every passenger that travels to Northern Norway with us.
About Norwegian Orca Survey »