Guide · Whale species

Orcas in Tromsø and the humpback whales

Orcas in Tromsø hunt herring in winter, and humpback whales follow them. Here you will learn about the species, recognize them by their blow and fins, and find out what you can see from the boat.

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Editor's note: tromsowalbeobachtung.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read13 sources

This tour belongs in the guide Tromsø: Whale watching in a hybrid-electric boat 4.5 (6,644 reviews) 9 hoursHybrid-electric boatWheelchair accessible from$209per person Check availabilityFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

In short

01The main stars: Orcas and humpback whales come into the region in winter to feed on herring.¹
02Other species: On some trips fin whales and sperm whales can also be spotted.²
03Size: Male orcas grow to around nine meters long, humpback whales 15 to 17 meters.³ ⁴
04Where: Mainly in the Kvænangen area and around Skjervøy since 2017.⁵
05Distance: Within 300 meters, boats must travel slower than 5 knots.⁶

Why orcas and humpback whales come in winter

The reason for the spectacle off Tromsø is a small fish. Orcas and humpback whales gather in the region in winter to feed on herring.¹ The herring overwinter in the sheltered fjords, and where they gather, the whales find plenty of food. For you this means you see the animals not just passing through, but engaged in their most important activity: feeding.

Where exactly the whales feed has shifted in recent years. Since 2017, orcas and humpback whales have gathered mainly in the Kvænangen area, including the fjords around Skjervøy.⁵ Before that, the hotspots were closer to the city. That is why a whale watching trip today goes far to the north, through fjords and sounds, until the boats reach the area where the herring currently are.

Depending on the day, those who book the boat from this page may see humpback whales, fin whales, sperm whales, or orcas, and often several species one after another. There is no guarantee of sightings, but the operator does its best to find the animals. The chances are good during the season because the whales feed in a manageable area rather than being scattered across the open sea.

The Hunt

How orcas hunt herring

First

Finding the school

The group searches for a herring school in the fjord.
Then

Gathering Together

The orcas push the herring tight under the surface.⁷
In a circle

The carousel

Several animals circle the school and keep it together.⁷
With power

Tail slaps and bubbles

Powerful tail slaps and air bubbles keep the herring together.⁷
Last but not least

Feeding

The orcas feed on the herring from the dense ball.

Orcas: the hunters of the fjord

Orcas are toothed whales and the largest members of the dolphin family. Despite their black-and-white coloring and their tall dorsal fin, they are the stars of every trip. Males grow to around nine meters, females up to eight meters.³ Especially striking in males is the dorsal fin, which rises vertically from the water like a sword.

Orcas live and hunt in family groups. That is why you rarely see a single orca off Tromsø, but usually several animals swimming close together and surfacing in unison. The smaller, sickle-shaped fins belong to females and young animals. When a group passes by, it is worth staying quiet and not keeping the camera at your eye constantly.

When hunting, orcas display a behavior you will not experience anywhere else. They drive the herring into tight balls just below the surface. Several animals swim in circles around the school, keeping it together with powerful tail slaps and bubbles.⁷ This technique is called carousel feeding, and with a bit of luck you will see the commotion on the water surface.

Size comparison

How long the whales get

Meters

Lengths of orcas and humpback whales according to the cited sources.³ ⁴

Profiles

The whale species off Tromsø compared

Type	Length	Identifying marks	How often
Orca	Males around 9 m, females up to 8 m³	Tall, black dorsal fin	Common in season
Humpback whale	15 to 17 m⁴	Long pectoral fins, tail flukes when diving	Common in season
Fin whale	Second-largest whale species⁸	Long back, tall, narrow blow	Rarely
Sperm whale	Large, angular head	Angled blow	Rarely

Lengths according to the sources cited; which species you see depends on the day, there is no guarantee.

Three species

Orca, humpback whale, or fin whale?

Main species

Orca

The hunter in the group

Length: about 9 m
Typical: Dorsal fin
Feeding: Herring

Watch whale safari

Main species

Humpback whale

The gentle giant

Length: 15 to 17 m
Typical: Tail fin
Feeding: Herring

Watch whale safari

Moment of luck

Fin whale

Fast and sleek

Rank: second-largest species
Typical: long back
Blow: high and narrow

Watch whale safari

Decision helper

What would you most like to see?

Plan your trip around your favorite animal.

Orcas hunting A humpback whale up close As many species as possible Bald eagles and seals too

In the middle of the season

The whales feed on herring in the region in winter.¹

Choose a quiet boat

The boat on this page approaches the whales electrically and quietly.⁹

Plan for a long day

On some trips you can see orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.²

Spend time on deck

Guided tours in the region also look out for bald eagles, seals, and seabirds.¹⁰

Pilot whales drive schools of herring close to the surface along the Norwegian coast into tight bait balls. Several pilot whales swim in a carousel and scare the herring together with powerful tail slaps and air bubbles.

Institute of Marine ResearchTranslated from English · Source 7

Humpback whales in Norway: the giants with the long fins

Humpback whales in Norway are an experience many travelers never forget. The animals reach a length of 15 to 17 meters.⁴ They are therefore significantly larger than orcas, but move remarkably calmly. The long, light pectoral fins and the small hump in front of the dorsal fin, which gives the whale its name, are typical features.

When diving, the humpback whale often lifts its tail fluke out of the water. The underside of this fluke is marked differently on every animal, like a fingerprint. Researchers use exactly this: since 2010, the North Norwegian humpback whale catalog has documented nearly 900 different animals in the region.¹¹ If you take a good photo of the tail fluke, you will have an image of a very specific whale.

The humpback whales are only visitors in the north. In autumn they begin their migration south and have been stopping for extended periods along the coast of Troms and Nordland in recent years to feed on overwintering herring. In their breeding grounds, such as the Caribbean or West Africa, they barely eat at all.¹² The fjords in the north are therefore a kind of gas station before the long journey.

Checklist

How to recognize the whales

What to look for

The blow, the cloud of exhaled air
The dorsal fin: tall in orcas, small in fin whales
The humpback whale tail fluke when diving

What to bring

Camera with zoom or smartphone for filming
Warm gloves that let you operate them
Binoculars for the quiet moments

Video

The Giants of the Sea: Humpback Whales and Orcas

The video only loads when you tap Play.

Fin whale and sperm whale: rarer but possible

Besides orcas and humpback whales, the boat operator on this page also lists fin whales and sperm whales as species you may see on a trip.² Both are rarer than the two main species, and every sighting is a special treat. The guides on board usually identify the species by their blow long before you see the body.

The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on Earth and is found in all oceans.⁸ It is sleek, very fast, and when it surfaces it usually shows only a long back with a small fin far back. Its blow appears as a tall, narrow column. It rarely raises its tail fluke out of the water when diving.

You can recognize the sperm whale by its enormous, angular head and its angled blow directed forward. It dives very deep for squid and stays underwater for a long time. When it rests at the surface, it almost looks like a tree trunk before it raises its tail fluke and dives.

What else you will see

A whale watching trip is more than just searching for whales. In the Tromsø region, guided tours also take you to sea eagles, seals, and seabirds.¹⁰ Sea eagles are especially impressive when they circle over the fjord or sit on a rock. You sometimes see seals resting on skerries that the boat passes quietly.

The landscape is part of the experience too. Heading north, the Lyngen Alps reveal themselves, a striking mountain region with high peaks and prominent glaciers.¹³ In winter light, when the sun barely or not at all rises above the horizon, the snow-covered peaks glow in blue and pink.

Therefore, do not plan every minute on deck with binoculars. Between sightings there are calm phases when you warm up inside and enjoy the landscape through the windows. As soon as the guides spot something, they let you know, and then movement on board starts up again.

How close may the boats get to the whales?

In Norway there are guidelines for whale watching. Boats should approach slowly, within 300 meters at less than 5 knots, at a steady speed, and from the side and slightly behind.⁶ This prevents startling the animals or disturbing them while they feed, keeping the encounter relaxed for everyone.

The boat on this page switches to its quiet electric motor near the whales. According to the operator, this reduces noise and vibrations so the observation remains calm and respectful.⁹ For you, this means a quiet experience on deck where you can sometimes even hear the whales blow.

Sometimes the whales themselves decide how close to come. Curious humpback whales or orcas occasionally swim right past the boat. Keep your hands on the railing and hold your camera steady, and enjoy the moment without rushing. Feeding, calling, or chasing a whale is strictly taboo.

Tips for spotting and photographing

First, watch for the blow, the cloud of breath and water that the whale releases when it surfaces. In cold winter weather it is especially visible. A tall, bushy blow indicates a humpback whale, an angled one a sperm whale. Orcas usually show only a small blow, but their distinctive dorsal fin makes up for it.

You do not need special equipment for photos, but a zoom lens helps. Set a short exposure time because the boat rocks, and winter light is scarce. With a smartphone it is best to film instead of taking individual shots and pick the best still frame later.

And finally: put the camera down once in a while. The most beautiful moments of a whale watching trip are often when a humpback whale breathes calmly right next to the boat and you simply watch. That memory stays with you, even if the photo turned out blurry.

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