Guide · Comparison

Whale watching from Tromsø: which boat suits you?

For a whale watching tour from Tromsø, there are large catamarans, quiet hybrid boats, fast RIBs, and even a sailboat. Here you can compare duration, group size, and from price.

Check availabilityfrom $209 · free cancellation

Editor's note: tromsowalbeobachtung.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read4 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

01Quiet and comfortable: The hybrid boat on this page approaches the whales on electric power, around 9 hours, from $209.
02Fast and short: The shorter boat trip to Skjervøy takes 6 hours, from $212.
03Close to the water: The RIB tour from Skjervøy takes 12 hours, from $338.
04Small Group: The ride in the heated boat is limited to 12 guests, from $392.
05No boat without risk: Whales are wild, and there is no guarantee of sightings.

How the boats differ

All whale watching tours from Tromsø have the same goal: the fjords to the north, where orcas and humpback whales feed on herring in winter. Since 2017, this area lies mainly in Kvænangen and around Skjervøy.¹ The journey there is long, and that is exactly why the tours differ so much. Some cover the whole distance by boat, others take you to the coast by bus first.

The second major difference is the boat itself. A large catamaran offers warm indoor spaces, toilets, and room to move around. An open RIB brings you closer to the water and the animals, but you sit outside in wind and cold. In between are smaller, heated boats with few guests. Which option is better depends less on the boat and more on you: on your cold tolerance, your stomach, and how close you want to get to the animals.

The third difference is time. A whale watching tour from Tromsø typically lasts a full day.² Among the offerings, the range spans from 6 hours for the shorter boat trip to 12 hours for the RIB tour from Skjervøy. Think ahead about how long you want to be out and how important warmth and comfort are to you.

The hybrid boat on this page

This boat belongs to Brim Explorer and runs on a hybrid-electric drive. As soon as whales are nearby, it switches to pure electric motor, which according to the operator reduces noise and vibrations.³ For you, that means: when the animals surface, it is quiet on deck, and you can sometimes even hear their breathing.

The tour lasts around 9 hours on the water, is wheelchair accessible, and is guided in English. On board there are panoramic windows and three spacious outdoor decks; food and drinks can be purchased, and tap water is free. Depending on where the whales are, the day on the water lasts between seven and nine hours.

With 6,644 reviews and a rating of 4.48, it has a very broad base of guest opinions. It starts from $209, and if you cancel up to 24 hours before departure, you pay nothing. For anyone who wants to experience whales calmly, warm, and without a bus ride, this is a well-balanced middle ground.

Duration

How long the tours last

Hours

Duration according to provider.

All boats

Whale safaris from Tromsø compared

Duration	Boat	Duration	Rating	Price from
Tour on this page	Hybrid boat	9 hrs	4,48	from $209
Catamaran safari	Catamaran	8 hrs.	4,61	from $220
Fast catamaran	Catamaran	7.5 hrs	4,71	from $211
MS Gabriele	Ship	6 hrs	4,28	from $212
MS Alba	Catamaran	8 hrs.	4,67	from $215
RIB boat from Skjervøy	RIB with bus	12 hrs	4,78	from $338
Heated boat	max. 12 guests	12 hrs	4,73	from $392
Sailing boat	Maximum 8 guests	11 hrs	3,65	from $365

All amounts are starting prices per person; the exact price depends on date and availability.

Three boat types

Hybrid boat, catamaran, or RIB

Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

This tour

Hybrid boat

Quiet near the whales

Duration: 9 hrs
Rating: 4,48
Price: from $209

Check dates

Popular

Catamaran

Plenty of space, fast

Duration: 8 hrs.
Rating: 4,61
Price: from $220

Check dates

Tromsø: Skjervøy RIB Whale Watching Tour

Adventure

RIB

Close to the water

Duration: 12 hrs
Rating: 4,78
Price: from $338

Check dates

Decision helper

Which boat suits you?

Tip us what matters to you

Hybrid boat on this page

It runs electric near the whales, with less noise.³

MS Gabriele

The trip lasts 6 hours.

RIB boat from Skjervøy

By bus to the coast, 12 hours.

Heated boat

At most 12 guests on board.

Hybrid boat on this page

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the listing.

When whales are spotted, we seamlessly switch to our fully electric motor and reduce noise and vibration so we can observe the whales quietly and respectfully.

Brim ExplorerTranslated from English · Source 3

The catamarans: plenty of space and warm interiors

Several operators travel to Skjervøy on large, fast catamarans. The whale watching tour on the high-speed catamaran takes 8 hours, is wheelchair accessible, and offers free rescheduling. With 3,768 reviews and a rating of 4.61, it is among the most popular trips, from $220.

Another trip on a fast and comfortable catamaran takes 7.5 hours and is rated 4.71, from $211. If you value responsible whale watching, the MS Alba offers an 8-hour trip with free rescheduling, from $215.

Catamarans are the right choice if you want plenty of space, warm indoor areas, and a fixed seat. On a large ship, you move between indoor spaces and deck as you please. The downside: with many guests on board, you sometimes have to search for a good spot at the rail first. So get up on deck early when the guides announce the first whales, and be happy to give up your spot after a few minutes. That way everyone gets a view, and you can warm up inside again.

Checklist

What to compare

On the boat

Are there heated indoor areas?
How many guests are on board?
Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

At booking

How long is the whole day?
Does the boat depart from Tromsø or first from Skjervøy?
Is there a free cancellation?

Cost calculator

What the whale safari costs you

Compare the from-prices for your travel group.

Hybrid boatquiet, 9 hrsfrom $209 Short boat tripshort, 6 hrsfrom $212 RIBBus and RIBfrom $338 Heated boatmax. 12 guestsfrom $392

people 2

Total from$417

from per person $209

Check availabilityfree cancellation

The from prices come from GetYourGuide and are converted at the ECB rate. What you actually pay is shown at the booking step.

Video

Whale Watching in Tromsø: Orcas and Humpback Whales

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The shorter trip to Skjervøy

Many specifically look for a Tromsø whale safari with the MS Gabriele. This trip lasts 6 hours and takes you to the area around Skjervøy. It costs from $212, and if it is canceled due to bad weather, according to the offer you get your money back or another date.

The ship has 1,952 reviews and a rating of 4.28. In the sub-ratings, guests give the guide and the transport 4.5 points each, and value for money 4 points. That is a solid result for a compact trip.

This trip suits you if you prefer a shorter day, for example because you want to look for northern lights in the evening. Keep in mind, though, that the whales change their area every day, and a shorter day leaves less room for the search. Ask yourself honestly before booking what matters more to you: a relaxed evening in the city or a longer day with more time with the animals. Both are good decisions, as long as they fit your trip.

RIB, small group, or sailboat

Who wants to get really close to the whales chooses an RIB, a so-called rigid inflatable boat. On the RIB tour from Skjervøy, you first take the bus to the coast and then board the boat. At 12 hours, it is long, costs from $338, and is rated 4.78. A second RIB trip from Skjervøy is limited to 12 guests, from $252.

More comfort in a small group offers the trip on the heated boat. It is limited to 12 guests, lasts 12 hours, and costs from $392. With a rating of 4.73, it is very popular among its guests. Here you get calm on board and a guide who has time for your questions.

A special case is the traditional sailboat. It takes at most 8 guests, lasts 11 hours, and is guided in English and Italian, from $365. With only 10 reviews and a rating of 3.65, it is still little tried and tested. If you love sailing, you will find a special experience here; if you want to play it safe, probably not.

What all whale watching tours have in common

So different the boats may be, a few things apply to all trips. Norwegian guidelines require that boats approach the whales slowly, within 300 meters at less than 5 knots, from the side and slightly from behind.⁴ A fast boat is therefore only faster on the way there; when it comes to the whales, all boats proceed equally carefully.

The weather affects everyone equally too. In storm, the boats stay in harbor, and in strong wind the trip becomes tiring for sensitive stomachs, whether on a catamaran or an RIB. So plan a backup day and do not book the whale watching tour for the last day of your trip.

And finally, no boat offers a guarantee. Whales are wild animals that search for their food and do not wait for tour boats. Especially at the end of the season, a boat may search for a long time and find only a few animals. The right travel season and an experienced team increase your chances, but a bit of luck always plays a role.

Which tour suits whom

For a first whale watching visit with plenty of comfort, the hybrid boat on this page and the large catamarans are the first choice. You sit warmly, have toilets on board, and can go indoors in wind and cold. If calmness around the whales matters to you, the quiet electric motor of the hybrid boat speaks for itself.

For adventurers who are not afraid of spray and cold, the RIB is the more exciting choice. You sit low over the water, whales surface at eye level, and the experience is more intense. For that, you need warm clothing and a certain seafaring ability, as a small boat feels every wave.

For photographers and couples looking for peace, it is worth looking at the small groups. Fewer guests mean more space at the railing and more time with the guide. And those who have little time will find the shorter boat trip an alternative that still takes you to the whales.

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