Sail & Swim with Orcas in Arctic Norway

The experience

Experience one of the Arctic’s most extraordinary wildlife adventures on a 7-day sailing expedition from Tromsø, combining hands-on sailing with the opportunity to swim alongside wild orcas and whales in Northern Norway. Each autumn, huge shoals of herring gather in the fjords, attracting orcas and humpback whales. Sail north from Tromsø towards the Lyngen Alps, Skjervøy and Kvænangen, following the wildlife and adapting the route to the best conditions. With an experienced skipper, crew and dedicated in-water guide, you’ll search for whales from the yacht and, when conditions allow, enter the Arctic water in a drysuit, mask and snorkel to observe them on their terms. Beyond the whales, experience snow-covered mountains, secluded anchorages, fishing villages and the extraordinary winter light of Northern Norway — with opportunities to watch the Northern Lights from the boat or remote shores after dark. This is a hands-on expedition rather than a conventional cruise: you’ll become part of the crew, learning to sail and helping with navigation, cooking and everyday life aboard.

Hosted by Seilnorge

SeilNorge creates small-group sailing adventures across Norway and the Arctic, combining hands-on sailing with hiking, skiing, kayaking, fishing and exploration. Since 2008, their experienced skippers and guides have helped both beginners and sailors discover wild coastlines, fjords and remote islands.

View all experiences by Seilnorge

Response time

~24h

Languages

english, norwegian

Itinerary

1. Day 1
   Welcome Aboard in Tromsø

   Meet at Tromsø Guest Harbour at 16:00, settle aboard and meet your crew. After a safety and sailing introduction, set course north towards Grøtsundet, Lyngen and Skjervøy, with your first chance to spot the Northern Lights.

2. Day 2
   Sail Towards Kvænangen

   Sail around the spectacular Lyngen Peninsula towards Kvænangen while learning the basics of Arctic sailing. Reach a remote anchorage or harbour for the night, with the possibility of a beach bonfire under clear winter skies.

3. Day 3
   Swim with Orcas & Whales

   Start early to search for the herring — and the orcas and humpback whales that follow them. When conditions allow, enter the Arctic water with your guide for an unforgettable wildlife encounter before sailing towards Spildra.

4. Day 4
   Whale Watching Adventure

   Continue searching for herring, orcas and humpback whales from the yacht, experiencing wildlife quietly under sail. Enjoy Northern Norway’s extraordinary winter light before anchoring in a sheltered bay and watching for the aurora (Northern Lights)

5. Day 5
   Arctic Wilderness

   Follow the latest whale sightings through the fjords, watching for orcas, humpbacks and other Arctic wildlife. Conditions permitting, head ashore for a hike before another evening searching for the Northern Lights.

6. Day 6
   Final Whale Encounters & Sail South

   Make the most of your final day searching for orcas and humpbacks before beginning the journey towards Tromsø. Capture the Arctic landscapes, enjoy a possible beach bonfire and watch for one last Northern Lights display.

7. Day 7
   Return to Tromsø

   Enjoy breakfast aboard and sail back to Tromsø. Help prepare and tidy the yacht before saying goodbye to your skipper and fellow crew at the same harbour where the adventure began, around 16:00.

What's included

The boat

Name

Valiente

Type

sailboat

Length

21.3 m

Year

2012

Cabins

6

Capacity

14 guests

Meeting point