Responsible Whale Encounters in Northern Norway

Our commitment to wildlife, guest safety, and respectful operations.

For over a decade, we’ve guided guests into the fjords of Northern Norway to witness one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles: the gathering of orcas and humpback whales in the fjords north of Tromsø.

At Waterproof Expeditions, we believe wildlife encounters should always put the animals first. Our goal is not to get as close as possible to whales, but to offer meaningful encounters while minimising disturbance and respecting their natural behaviour. Everything we do, from choosing our ships and guides to the way we approach whales in the field, is built around that philosophy.

Wildlife comes first

The whales determine the encounter, not us. If conditions are not suitable, if the whales show signs of disturbance, or if other vessels are already near the animals, we simply look for another opportunity. The search itself is part of the experience.

Our guides and captains make decisions based on animal welfare first, guest experience second.

Quality over quantity

Unlike most day-trip operations, our liveaboard expeditions are not limited to a few hours on the water. We can start searching for orcas and whales from first daylight, and we can stay out on the water until the very last light. And because we have five full days to spend, we can take our time. This slower, more patient approach puts less pressure on our guides, guests and the whales, resulting in more respectful wildlife encounters, and a better overall experience.

It is often a single unforgettable moment that sparks the strongest emotions and becomes a memory that lasts a lifetime.

🐋 How We Approach Whales

Careful vessel operations

When whales have been spotted and conditions allow, we set out in the zodiacs to get within snorkeling distance of the animals. Each of our ships has two zodiacs. Whenever whales are encountered:

• Approaches are made slowly and cautiously from the side, never directly head-on.
• Vessel speed is reduced before reaching the whales.
• We always leave the whales a clear route of travel.
• We never pursue animals that are actively moving away.

If the whales are travelling, resting, or showing avoidance behaviour, we maintain our distance and continue observing from afar.

Limiting pressure on the animals

To minimise pressure on the animals, we keep our groups small and manageable, with only 6-8 snorkellers per zodiac. We also avoid situations where large numbers of vessels are already present.

In Northern Norway, there are several well-known locations where orcas and humpback whales reliably gather each winter. These areas can sometimes attract significant numbers of whale-watching vessels, creating stressful and potentially unsafe situations for both animals and people. Rather than contributing to these crowds, we often choose to explore alternative areas and search for whales in quieter locations.

 

🤿 Our Snorkelling Guidelines

At the start of the expedition, guests receive a thorough briefing covering safety procedures, behaviour around wildlife, and expectations in the water. Floating quietly on the surface is, in our experience, the least intrusive and safest way to observe these animals. For this reason, we do not offer scuba diving or freediving during our whale encounters.

Snorkelling Requirements & Participation

Responsible whale encounters begin before anyone enters the water. Wearing a drysuit, entering and exiting a zodiac, and spending time in cold water can be physically and mentally demanding, therefor participants should:

• Be in general good health.
• Feel comfortable in open water.
• Have basic snorkelling skills.
• Have a reasonable level of fitness and confidence

We reserve the right to decline participation if we believe it may compromise the safety of the guest, other participants, or the welfare of the animals.

Key Rules in the Water

• Guests enter the water calmly and quietly.
• Follow the guide‘s instructions at all times.
• Stay with the group and remain within sight of the guide and zodiac.
• All snorkellers wear high-visibility orange hoods.
• Maintain a respectful distance from the animals.
• Avoid diving down, excessive movement, splashing, shouting or yelling.
• Never touch, chase, or attempt to interact with whales.

When whales decide to approach snorkellers on their own terms, we remain passive observers. We do not swim toward the animals or attempt to prolong the interaction.

When We Do Not Enter the Water

Sometimes the most responsible decision is not to enter the water. There are many situations where our guides will decide against snorkelling, including:

• The whales appear to be sleeping, stressed, or disturbed.
• A mother and calf are present in the pod.
• Other snorkelers are already in the water.
• Excessive vessel traffic or fishing activity is taking place nearby.
• Weather, sea state, or visibility are unsuitable.

Responsible wildlife tourism sometimes means saying “not today”. Snorkelling is a privilege, not a requirement.

The topside view

Staying in the zodiac can be just as rewarding. Under water, your field of view is often limited to a small part of the action, whereas from the zodiac you can observe the complete picture.

The zodiac also provides the best viewpoint for photography, allowing you to capture the scale of the encounter, dramatic landscapes, and surface behaviour like spy-hopping, that are often impossible to appreciate when you’re snorkeling. For this reason, we encourage guests to occasionally remain in the zodiac and experience the encounter from a different perspective.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Whales are wild animals living in a vast Arctic environment. No operator can guarantee sightings, close encounters, or snorkelling opportunities every day. What we can guarantee is that we will always prioritise:

• Animal welfare.
• Guest safety.
• Respectful operations.
• Experienced decision-making.
• Honest communication.

 

🇳🇴 Norwegian Regulations

We follow Norwegian whale-watching regulations and local guidlines that are designed to protect whales from disturbance, prevent conflicts with commercial fishing activities, and improve safety for both wildlife and people.

The winter whale season in Northern Norway is closely linked to the herring fishery, making cooperation between whale-watching operators and fishermen essential. We strictly follow Norwegian regulations that require whale-watching vessels and in-water activities to maintain significant distances from active fishing operations, nets, and fishing gear. These rules help ensure the safety of both people and wildlife, while allowing fishing activities to continue without disturbance.

Whenever fishing vessels are operating nearby, we maintain the required distance, 370m for vessels and 740m for snorkellers, and will relocate or postpone an encounter if necessary. Responsible whale tourism means respecting not only the whales themselves, but also the local communities and industries that share these waters.

Our captains and guides stay informed about current regulations and best practices and adjust operations whenever necessary.

 

📚 Education as Conservation

We believe that understanding wildlife creates advocates for its protection. That’s why our expeditions are led by an experienced team of guides who have spent years working with whales in Northern Norway and other polar regions. Their knowledge helps guests gain a deeper understanding of the animals, their behaviour, and the environment they depend on.

Throughout the expedition, our guides will share information about:

• Orca and humpback whale behaviour.
• Arctic marine ecosystems.
• Responsible wildlife observation.
• Current conservation challenges.
• The relationship between herring, whales, fisheries, and the fjord ecosystem.

The more people understand these animals, the more likely they are to support their future protection.

Supporting Research

Responsible whale tourism should contribute to science whenever possible. We encourage the identification of individual whales through Happywhale photo-identification, helping scientists monitor whale populations over time. Every encounter has the potential to contribute to a larger understanding of these remarkable animals.

 

🔒 Our Commitment

Our goal is simple, to provide extraordinary encounters with whales while ensuring that our presence has as little impact on them as possible.

We believe responsible wildlife tourism is not about getting closer. It is about gaining a deeper appreciation for these animals, their environment, and the privilege of sharing a small part of their world. We observe, learn, respect and protect. That is the spirit behind every Winter Whales of Norway expedition.