This trip fits everyone who has a passion for whales, the ocean and nature interactions. Winter sailing in these spectacular North-Norwegian fjords, while scouting for Orcas and Humpback whales will leave you speechless. No one should miss this unique opportunity to observe both cecatean species co-existing in the same feeding grounds for a short but intense period of activity before the long winter months.
At 10:00 We will meet at Skjervøy harbour and we will walk on board. Waiting at Makaria II there will be warm coffee for a warm welcome. There will be time for everyone to settle in and distribute their luggage in the different cabins and storage compartments before a short Safety Briefing and introduction to the whale watching days. Soon after, we will set sail in search for the first encounters of the trip. At 12.30 warm soup will be served while we are out in the ocean. The first day is the shortest but we will still be out sailing until 16.00, when we head back to harbour or to the anchor spot for the night before dinner at 17.00. (times for dinners and meals will vary from day to day depending on weather, planning and the activities of the day).
The following days, well into the arctic winter and polar night, we wake up early to make the most of the day, having breakfast at 07.00, and setting sails no later than 08.00 during sunrise. A full day of whale watching in the fjords followed by warm soup and hot meal for dinner are waiting. We can also stop for fishing and other activities such as stand up paddle upon guest request. Once again, we will admire the remoteness and loneliness of anchoring in the arctic, hoping for northern lights displays from the cockpit.
The last day of the trip we will also explore the fjords looking for whales, however, we will need to plan the trip according to our guests returning tickets and travel itineraries. Arriving to Skervøy harbour no later than 16.00. We hope that by then, we have seen many whales and had incredible interactions.
For this activity, our guests must be prepared to be off grid for the 3 nights that our trip will last. We will try to sleep at impressive anchorages as much as we can (weather dependent). This is an “expedtition” style trip, and we encourage our guests to participate on the daily routines and sailing. We will all live together like a small family and we share all the facilities onboard. Although our boat is quite comfortable, this is not a luxury boat, and winter sailing is tough, therefore ensuring an adventure no matter what. Check our section THE VESSEL for more information about cabins and facilities. Warm/Wind proof/Water proof clothes are needed. Although you can always borrow our spare equipment upon availability.
We recommend you to fly in and out from Tromsø airport. You are required to carry a valid passport, and some nationalities require a visa in advance to enter Norway. Please check visa, COVID-19 vaccination, and immigration requirements before planning your trip.
Once in Tromsø, you can book one of our scheduled buses from the city centre to our meeting point in Skjervøy. The buses depart at 05:30 in the morning and arrive in Skjervøy at 09:45, and they depart from Skjervøy at 13:30 arriving in Tromsø at 17:40 every day. The prices are 575NOK for one way and 900NOK for a 2 way ticket. There are also fast ferries available, however, the schedules are not regular, and you might need to take a ferry the day before the trip starts. Please contact us for more information. We are happy to help you organise your trip.
