FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the best time to go whale watching in Tromsø?
Generally, the whale watching season in Tromsø goes from late October/early November until late January. The start and end of the season varies each year, as the arrival and departure of whales is dictated by the arrival and departure of herring, timing of which is somewhat of a mystery each year.
What kind of boat do you have? What facilities does it have?
Our boat MS Sylvkallen is a 17-metre-mono hull speed boat, the smallest boat doing daily whale watching trips from Tromsø. It has two warm indoor lounges, and a spacious deck. Sylvkallen is certified for 45 passengers, but for whale watching we only take a maximum of 36 to ensure there is enough comfortable space for everyone.
We have two warm indoor lounges, a toilet, and it is possible to charge your phone, camera battery etc. if needed. We have coffee, tea and biscuits available and also offer a light soup lunch on the way back to Tromsø. Wine, beer, water and soft drinks are available for purchase.
You can read more about the boat here
How long is the tour? When will we be back in Tromsø?
About 7 hours, but this can vary +-1-2 hours depending on the location of whales, weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. We leave Tromsø at 08:30, and are usually back around 15:30-16:00 (3:30pm-4pm).
We cannot guarantee any particular arrival times, and take no responsibility for flights and/or other tours booked for the same day.
What should I bring?
- Warm clothes (thermals, gloves, beanie, scarf, wind & water proof jacket and trousers, warm shoes)
- Camera
- Bottle of water
- Snacks if you want
- Binoculars if you want
- Smile and a sense of adventure!
What should I wear?
We are going out to sea 400 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle in winter. It will be cold! Please dress in warm clothes (thermals, beanie, scarf, gloves/mittens, warm shoes, and wind/waterproof jacket and trousers. The better you are dressed, the more you will be able to enjoy your day. You can always take layers off if you get too warm inside the boat.
How long do you stay with the whales?
It takes us about 2.5 hours to get to the “whale area”. This means that we usually have at least around 2 hours before we have to start heading back towards Tromsø. Daylight is a limiting factor for everyone in the north in winter. The amount of time we spend with the whales varies each day, depending on factors like weather, whale behaviour, and their location.
We love to be out there ourselves, and prefer not to run the day with a minute-by-minute schedule. In the end, the weather and whales determine much of how the day unfolds, and since we cannot control either, every day offers a unique experience.
How close to the whales do you get?
It’s all up to the whales! As visitors and observers, we try our best to minimise our impact on their behaviour. Every encounter is unique, and it is essential that the whales are in control of both the nature and duration of our interaction with them. Whales are intelligent and curious creatures, and it is not uncommon for them to approach us and take a closer look.
Do you follow whale watching guidelines?
Respect for whales and wildlife is at the centre of what we do and how we operate. We follow international and Visit Tromsø’s whale watching guidelines. You can read more about our guidelines here.
Do you have a whale guarantee?
We see whales on vast majority of our trips. But as whales and other wildlife are not under our control, we cannot guarantee any sightings. We have many years of experience, are passionate about what we do, and will do our utmost best to ensure that you get to see whales. Every day is different and that is what makes it exciting!
In the very rare occasion that we cannot find any whales at all (includes all cetacean species), we offer you the chance to join another trip free of charge (subject to availability, not redeemable for refund).
How will the weather be like?
The weather in Northern Norway is known for being unpredictable and can change quickly. In a single day, you might experience a range of different weather and sea conditions. It is likely to be cold, and the sea can get a little bit rough at times – but that is all part of the adventure of going whale watching in the far north. We cannot control the weather, but we will do our best with any weather conditions we have. With proper clothing and the right attitude, you will have an unforgettable adventure at sea in one of the most beautiful corners of the world! Safety is our top priority, and we do not go out in unsafe conditions.
After booking your whale watching trip, please remember to check your emails the evening before your tour to stay updated on any changes to the plans due to weather.
Will I get sea sick?
Sea sickness is something that is very individual. We spend several hours out at sea, so there will be movement throughout the day. As a general rule: if you are prone to sea sickness, we recommend you take your preferred sea sickness medication early in the morning of your trip.
Here are some tips to avoid sea sickness during the trip:
- Keep hydrated, and avoid drinking coffee or sugary drinks on an empty stomach
- Bring snacks you can nibble on (we have biscuits onboard)
- Try to avoid looking down at your phone. The movement of the boat combined with moving images on your screen can mess up with your senses. You have time to be with your phone after the trip!
- Focus on the landscape, and whales!
- Get some fresh air
- Please do not lock yourself in the toilet. The toilet is the worst place to be as it is a small closed space with no reference points
- Ask our crew for help. Sea sickness is nothing to be ashamed of, and our crew are more than happy to help you! We want you to enjoy your day!
Where can I park in Tromsø?
Easiest is to download EasyPark app that shows most parking in Tromsø centre. You can pay and adjust your parking time in the app. There is also underground parking available at Fjellet P-hus.
Is the tour suitable for small children and/or pregnant women?
Due to the smaller size of the boat, we prefer not to have children under 3 years of age on our trips as there is no space for strollers, prams etc.
Sea conditions can be a little bit rough and bumpy at times, therefore we recommend leaving the trip for another time if you are in late-term pregnancy.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
I'm checking out of my accommodation on the morning of my whale watching trip. Can I bring my luggage onboard?
Please do not bring your big suitcases and luggage with you. Most hotels have luggage rooms where you can store your luggage for the day. There is also luggage storage at the Prostneset terminal. We are centrally located in Tromsø, and within short walking distance to most hotels.
Is it possible to arrange a private charter?
Yes absolutely. Our boat MS Sylvkallen is available for private charters. Please get in touch with us to enquire for a possibility for a private charter.
I'm a photographer. Is there something I need to consider when photographing whales in Northern Norway?
The winter whale watching season in Norway offers world-class opportunities for wildlife photographers. Winter in Northern Norway brings some extra challenges to photography with the lack of bright daylight combined with taking photos on a moving platform of fast moving subjects. Timing wise, we are very lucky to have multitude of whales in the area throughout the season. Light wise, November is the best time as we still have plenty of daylight before the polar night starts in late November. Whale watching wise there is enough daylight throughout the season, and phones nowadays are very capable of taking good quality videos and photos.
Practical tips: You will most likely be shooting multiple frames per second – bring extra memory cards. It will be cold, so battery drainage is something to consider – bring an extra battery and your charger; you can charge your batteries on the boat if needed. Remember to also bring gloves; your fingers will get cold!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! We can also cater for photography groups with tailored private charters.
