Urban experiences meets raw Arctic nature
Tromsø
Responsible Whale Watching with MS Alba
Prices from
1950 NOK
per person
This tour is conducted by Arctic Whale Tours. Our whale safari departs daily from Tromsø from November to January.
General information
Tromsø, known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” is the perfect starting point for a winter whale adventure. From here, our guests board Alba — a spacious Westamaran catamaran designed for comfort on long Arctic journeys. With heated lounges, panoramic windows, and open deck viewing areas, Alba combines speed, safety, and passenger comfort, making it ideal for exploring the northern fjords.
Each winter, humpback whales and orcas follow the great herring migration into these waters. The journey north from Tromsø takes guests through dramatic fjords framed by snow-covered peaks, where whales are often seen surfacing, feeding, and socialising in the low Arctic winter light.
Our experienced crew and expert wildlife guides are with you throughout the 6–7 hour trip, sharing their deep knowledge of whale behaviour, the fragile marine ecosystem, and the rich coastal culture of Northern Norway. Hot drinks and biscuits are served on board, offering a warm pause during your adventure through Arctic nature.
And on the rare days when the whales don’t appear — we’ve got you covered. With our Whale Pass, if no whales, dolphins, or porpoises are spotted during your tour, we invite you back on another safari free of charge.* It’s our way of ensuring your journey north is never in vain.
This full-day safari from Tromsø offers the perfect blend of comfort, insight, and true Arctic experience — all in one unforgettable winter day.
*Rebooking subject to availability. Whale Pass is non-transferable and holds no cash value.
Included: Guided whale watching tour, expert wildlife guide, coffee/tea, biscuits, safety equipment, Whale Pass (See Whales or Come Back for Free)
Please bring: Warm layered winter clothing, hat, gloves, scarf, insulated boots,
Number of participants: Min. 20 – Max. 96
Level of difficulty: Easy
Departure time and place: 08:30am (08:30) from Tromsø Harbour, Stortorget 2, 9008 Tromsø
Duration: 6-7 hours
Prices from
1950 NOK per person
- Adult NOK 1950
- Infant 0-2 NOK 0
- Child 3-10 NOK 1150
- Teenager 11-15 NOK 1450
- Student NOK 1750
- Senior NOK 1750
Facilities
- Student price
- Dog-friendly
- Suitable for children and families
- English
- Boat (over 12 persons)
- Norwegian
- Adapted for mobility impairment
- Toilet on boat
- Easy
- Light meal included
- 5-8 hours
- Child 0+
- Child 4+
- Child 6+
- Child 12+
About Arctic Whale Tours
We take you to the whales quickly and smoothly from Tromsø. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains, fjords and colours of the polar night while we make our way towards the feeding grounds of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
We strive to provide our guests an unforgettable, safe, informative and inspirational day out at sea, while giving wildlife the respect and space they deserve and require.
You will be taken care of by our friendly and experienced guides, who have many years of first-hand knowledge of the nature and wildlife of Northern Norway. Our guides will be looking out for other wildlife as well, including other cetacean species such as harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), and birdlife such as all common seagull species, little auk (Alle alle), common eider (Somateria mollissima), long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) and the majestic white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla).
We have tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits available throughout the whole day, and an option to have a light warm soup lunch on the way back to Tromsø. Soft drinks, wine and beer are available for purchase.
Whale Guarantee
Our safari success rate is around 95 %, but occasionally, it happens that we fail to spot any whales (we are dealing with nature, after all). For such rare days, we have a whale guarantee: If we do not see whales, guests who are interested can join another safari free of charge (winter or summer season).