From November to January, large numbers of orcas and humpback whales gather in the fjords around Skjervøy, about two hours north of Tromsø, drawn by the Norwegian spring-spawning herring that overwinter in these waters.
Most tours depart from Tromsø by bus to Skjervøy, then by boat into the fjords. A full-day trip takes 8 to 10 hours. You may also see fin whales, minke whales, and harbour porpoises.
The industry is out of control and has been described as a "soup of chaos" by researchers. On busy days, dozens of boats crowd around the whales simultaneously. Dinghies cut across each other's paths, people are dropped in the water directly in front of moving boats, and snorkelers float around without visibility markers. Norway has almost no enforceable regulations. In 2019 the Directorate of Fisheries made it illegal to disturb whales, but no scientific definition of disturbance was given, making the rule effectively unenforceable. In 2020, boats were required to keep 370 metres from active fishing vessels, and swimmers 740 metres, but this mainly protects the fishermen, not the whales.
Several operators offer swimming and snorkelling with orcas. This is banned in most whale watching destinations worldwide, but legal in Norway. Guides have described scenes of 50 snorkelers in the water at once from five small boats, with no coordination between operators. In our opinion, it is only a matter of time before the state cracks down on these activities, much like they cracked down on illegal northern lights tour operators in 2026, when inspections of 44 aurora operators in Troms and Finnmark found regulatory breaches at more than half, leading to expulsions and Schengen-wide bans.
If you want to go, choose a hybrid-electric boat operator that keeps distance and does not offer swimming. Avoid RIB boats, which are loud and stressful for the animals. Prices are typically 1,500 to 3,000 kroner per person. Book well in advance for December and January.
Most tours depart from Tromsø by bus to Skjervøy, then by boat into the fjords. A full-day trip takes 8 to 10 hours. You may also see fin whales, minke whales, and harbour porpoises.
The industry is out of control and has been described as a "soup of chaos" by researchers. On busy days, dozens of boats crowd around the whales simultaneously. Dinghies cut across each other's paths, people are dropped in the water directly in front of moving boats, and snorkelers float around without visibility markers. Norway has almost no enforceable regulations. In 2019 the Directorate of Fisheries made it illegal to disturb whales, but no scientific definition of disturbance was given, making the rule effectively unenforceable. In 2020, boats were required to keep 370 metres from active fishing vessels, and swimmers 740 metres, but this mainly protects the fishermen, not the whales.
Several operators offer swimming and snorkelling with orcas. This is banned in most whale watching destinations worldwide, but legal in Norway. Guides have described scenes of 50 snorkelers in the water at once from five small boats, with no coordination between operators. In our opinion, it is only a matter of time before the state cracks down on these activities, much like they cracked down on illegal northern lights tour operators in 2026, when inspections of 44 aurora operators in Troms and Finnmark found regulatory breaches at more than half, leading to expulsions and Schengen-wide bans.
If you want to go, choose a hybrid-electric boat operator that keeps distance and does not offer swimming. Avoid RIB boats, which are loud and stressful for the animals. Prices are typically 1,500 to 3,000 kroner per person. Book well in advance for December and January.