Whales by day, the aurora by night

When is whale season in Tromsø in 2026-27?

From about November to January. Visit Tromsø lists orcas from November to January, and one Tromsø whale safari listing gives mid-October to the end of January.

The whales follow the herring. Around mid-winter, Visit Norway says, the herring migrate along the coast and draw humpbacks, orcas and fin whales after them. In recent winters the feeding has mainly been around the Lyngenfjord, Tromsø and Alta, and lately in Kvænangen. The herring can move in any year, and the whales move with them, so the boats go where the fish are.

Those months sit right inside the aurora season, which Visit Tromsø gives as late August to early April. From late November to mid-January the polar night adds the twist: short days for the whales, long nights for the lights.

How long is a whale watching trip from Tromsø?

A full day. The hybrid-electric whale cruise takes 7 to 9 hours, with about 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes each way to the whales near Skjervøy.

The whale watching cruise leaves Tromsø in the morning with Brim Explorer and heads north to be at the whales in the short daylight. It spends about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes around the feeding grounds, then switches to its silent electric engine near the whales to cut noise for them and for you. The trip length depends on where the whales are that day.

On board there are heated saloons with panoramic windows, three outside decks, Wi-Fi and toilets, with up to 135 guests. A café sells food and drinks, and lunch is not included, so plan on buying it or bringing a snack. Brim Explorer quotes a success rate of over 95%, but there is no guarantee, and it cancels free up to 24 hours before.

Orcas and humpbacks in the winter daylight, on a hybrid boat that runs silent near the whales, with three decks and heated saloons.

★ 4.5 · 8 to 9 hours · from $184

Explore the whale watching cruise → Tour details

Which whales can you see near Tromsø in winter?

Mostly humpbacks and orcas, often with fin whales. The whale cruise also lists sperm whales as possible.

Orcas are the stars of the Tromsø winter, hunting the herring in family groups. Humpbacks are the big tails in the photos, and fin whales, long and fast, turn up in the same waters. Visit Norway notes that sperm whales are seen all year off Vesterålen, further south, where Andenes is the best-known base.

You may see more than whales. Guests on the fjord trips look for sea eagles, and the fjord cruise with fishing lists small pilot whales, dolphins, otters and eider ducks among the wildlife it watches for. It is a shorter day, 4 to 5 hours, if a full whale day is too long for you.

Can you see whales and the northern lights on the same day?

Yes. The whale cruise uses the daylight and the aurora cruises leave in the evening. We would still split them over two days if you can.

Doing both in one day is possible, and some guests do. But a 7 to 9 hour whale trip followed by the evening aurora cruise from 8 PM to 11:30 PM is a very long day on the water. You will enjoy the deck more if you are not tired and cold by the time the lights come out.

Our pick: aurora cruise on the first evening, whales the next day, a free evening after that for a retry or a chase. That order gives a cloudy first night a second chance before you fly home.

What if you miss the whales or the northern lights?

Nature decides both. The whale cruise does not guarantee whales, and no aurora cruise guarantees the lights, but some aurora cruises give you a second try.

Visit Norway says many whale safari providers offer a new trip if you see no whales. Check the terms on the listing you book. For the aurora, the offers are clearer. The cruise with a free second chance gives you a free cruise on the next available chase, and the evening aurora cruise a discounted second tour.

A cloudy coast does not have to end the night. The minibus chase drives inland or along the coast to find a gap in the clouds, with a thermal suit, hot chocolate and photos included. Our boat or bus guide compares the two.

What should you wear for a whale trip and an aurora cruise?

The same kit works for both: wool layers, a windproof outer layer, a hat, gloves and warm boots. The deck is colder than the town.

Visit Norway warns that wind chill makes it feel much colder than the temperature, and on a moving boat the wind never stops. Wear wool rather than cotton, add a waterproof shell, and bring spare gloves for the deck. Binoculars help on the whale day, and seasickness tablets are worth packing for the open stretches.

If you would rather not bring the whole kit, the fjord cruise with fishing includes thermal suits in its all-inclusive option. For the full packing list, read our guide to what to wear on a northern lights cruise.

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