Norway Magic: Orcas, Whales, and the winter Herring Migration
Seeing one of the largest aggregations of whales in the world in Norway’s far north
January 2025
Week 1: Jan 12th - 18th, 2025 (Sold Out)
Week 2: Jan 17th - 23rd, 2025 (Sold Out)
Lofoten Islands extension: Jan 23rd - 26th, 2025 (Sold Out)
Learn more about our Norway experiences
Norway Magic
Norway is a true adventure.
Getting the chance to potentially see Orcas feeding on a swirling bait ball of herring, while Humpbacks and Fin Whales lunge through with their mouths wide open is an indescribable feeling.
Feeling the cold Arctic wind in your face as you look at the alpine glow over narrow fjords. Staying in small fishing towns. Being underneath the Aurora Borealis on cold, clear nights. Coming together with friends, old and new, in the warmth of our cabins to recap our exciting day.
It’s all Norway magic.
Learning about this unique natural gathering
The whales did not always congregate here in such dense numbers.
This is a unique, ever-moving natural phenomenon that has come together in the past few decades and driven by one thing: the herring migration.
Where the herring go is where the whales go, and during this trip we will learn more why what we are seeing is so special.
Experiences
Searching for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales in the fjords of far northern Norway
Seeing incredible sunrises, sunsets, and alpine glow over the snowcapped mountains
Hiking to see the Aurora Borealis
Learning about the history of this herring & whale migration
(Optional) Exploring the stunning scenery of the Lofoten Islands
Orcas and Winter Whales
5 days of searching for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales in the snowy fjords of Norway’s far north.
Dates:
Jan 12th - 18th, 2025 (Sold Out)
Jan 17th - 23rd, 2025 (Sold Out)
Pricing: $5,150 twin sharing / $350 free dive suit & equipment rental (if needed). Optional accommodation upgrade available.
Travel: Fly to Tromso (TOS), Norway. We will then transfer to our base in Skjervoy via car or ferry (depending on conditions). Flights home from Tromso (TOS).
Included: 5 whale days and scheduled land activities, whale talks, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers
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Please book your flights to arrive into Tromso (TOS), Norway.
Tromso is the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic Circle and the jumping off point for our trip.
We recommend arriving into Tromso a day earlier if possible in case of travel delays.
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Our base for the trip will be Skjervoy, a small fishing town in Norway’s far north that has been the center for the winter whale migration since 2017.
We will either make the 4 hour drive from Tromso to Skjervoy along winding roads next to spectacular fjords, or take the daily ferry depending on weather conditions.
After arriving in Skjervoy we will settle into our accommodation, have a trip briefing on what to expect for our week, and then practice getting into our special winter free dive suits.
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We will have 5 days of searching for Orcas, Humpbacks, and Fin Whales in the fjords of Norway’s Arctic Circle far north.
We will be on the water from approximately 9am to 2pm, maximizing the amount of light we have each day.
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In the afternoon and evening we will have a number of activities:
Whale talks about the herring migration, Orcas, and whales
Hiking to nearby viewpoints to see the Aurora Borealis when they are visible
Enjoying jacuzzi and sauna in our accommodation or in town
Group dinners & games
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Time to say goodbye after an incredible adventure. We will arrange bus or ferry transfers back to Tromso for guests to catch their departure flights home.
Lofoten Islands Extension
Exploring the spectacular natural scenery and traditional fishing towns of the Lofoten Islands.
Dates:
Jan 23rd - 26th, 2025 (Sold Out)
Pricing: $990, twin sharing
Travel: We will fly from Tromso to Leknes (LKN), which is included in the package price. Guests can book flights from Leknes to Oslo or Tromso to connect with flights home.
Included: All scheduled land activities, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, flight from Tromso to Leknes
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We will drive from Skjervoy to Tromso, where we will take a flight to Leknes, the gateway to the Lofoten Islands.
We will settle into our waterfront lodge and prepare for our days ahead.
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We will explore the southern Lofoten Islands, with potential destinations including:
Flakstad Beach
Ramberg Beach
Kvalvika Beach
Nusfjord
Sakrisoy
Hamnoy
Reine
Å
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We will explore the northern Lofoten Islands, with potential destinations including:
Unstad Beach
Eggum
Henningsvær
Svolvær
Loftr Viking Museum
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Guests can book flights out of Leknes airport to Tromso or Oslo to connect with flights home.
Accommodation
There are two accommodation options for the trip.
Included are shared rooms in the little red cabins of Fiskecamp in Skjervoy. Each cabin has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room, with a cozy and homey feel. On clear nights, you can step right outside your cabin and see the Northern Lights overhead.
There is also an upgrade option to be in an Airbnb house with beautiful views of the fjords and a jacuzzi for those who want nicer accommodation or single rooms. The house will also serve as a communal spot for the entire group to talk, conduct whale lectures, and hang out.
Our Boat: We will be using a large boat that is one of the best outfitted expedition boats in the area. It has a large heated area, which makes handling the cold Arctic winds much more tolerable. There is also a special dive platform, making getting in and out of the water easier.
Booking Details
Ready to go on an incredible adventure?
Learn more about our Norway experiences
Learn more
Questions?
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The trip is US$5,150 twin sharing.
There is a $350 equipment rental charge if you do not have your own cold water free dive suit.
Our payment processor allows you to pay by bank transfer or credit card in your local currency (GBP, EUR, etc) if that is more convenient.
This includes all activities, accommodation, airport pickup, and breakfast.
Single room supplements and accommodation upgrades are available for an additional charge.
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The launching off point for our trip will be Tromso, the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic.
Tromso (TOS) is well connected to the rest of Europe — with most people flying through Oslo, Helsinki, Frankfurt, or London.
Norway is part of the Schengen area and many nationalities can enter 90 days visa-free.
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Going into the water in Norway is more accessible than many people expect.
Water temperatures will be 4-8 C.
With the appropriate open cell free dive suit, gloves, and booties, most people are actually surprised at how comfortable being in the water in Norway could be.
It is more important to have appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the wind after getting out of the water. This is where people are more likely to feel cold.
For this we recommend bringing a wind/weatherproof swim parka or use the poncho that is included with the rental equipment package.
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Underwater:
7mm open cell free dive suit
7mm open cell gloves & booties
Mask & Snorkel
Fins
Weatherproof swim parka or poncho
If you do not have your own equipment, we have a rental package available that includes all of this.
On Land:
Winter jacket or parka
Long thermal underwear (synthetic or merino wool)
Winter boots
Warm hat, gloves
(Optional) Microspikes that can be attached to your boots
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All scheduled water and land activities
Whale talks
Accommodation
Breakfast
Airport transfers
Guide
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Lunch and dinner
Optional accommodation upgrade to larger Airbnb house
Snacks & drinks
Gratuities
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Click the green “Book Now” button to submit your deposit for the trip.
You can also reach out to us at alex@thoughtfulexpeditions.com or by filling out the informational form below.
You can pay by credit card or bank transfer using the currency you prefer. (The trip is quoted in USD, but it is possible to pay in EUR, GBP, and other major currencies)
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A $1,500 deposit will be required to secure your spot on the trip.
The remaining balance will be split over 2 payments due 120 and 90 days before the trip begins.
Our payment processor charges no fees for bank transfers, and a standard 1.5% - 2.9% fee for credit cards.
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Unfortunately, there are no cancellations within 90 days of the trip starting.
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We are always happy to talk about trip, answer questions, or offer recommendations.
Please reach out to:
Instagram: @alexpham.underwater
Contact form below