Guide · Family

Whale watching in Tromsø with children

Orcas and humpback whales are an unforgettable experience for children. To make whale watching in Tromsø with children a success, you need the right boat, warm clothing, and patience for a long day.

Check availabilityfrom $209 · free cancellation

Editor's note: tromsowalbeobachtung.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read7 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

01Minimum age: One operator in Tromsø takes children from 4 years old; check the rules of your tour.¹
02The Duration: The tour on this page takes around 9 hours.
03The boat: Warm interior, panoramic windows, food and drinks on board.
04The cold: In winter, on average around minus 4 degrees, felt colder on deck.²
05For Families: A big boat with an indoor cabin is more comfortable than an inflatable boat.

Is a whale safari something for children?

For children, the moment a whale surfaces next to the boat is pure magic. The blow, the loud breath, the huge tail fin, they will never forget that so quickly. A whale safari from Tromsø is also a long day in the cold, and not every child handles it equally well. With the right planning, though, it still becomes a family experience.

What matters most is age. One operator in Tromsø takes children on its whale safari from 4 years old.¹ Other operators have their own rules, and they differ especially with small and open boats. Therefore, check carefully before booking from what age your tour takes children.

Besides age, your child temperament matters. A child who enjoys being outside for a long time, gets excited about animals, and can sit still once in a while will love the day. A child who gets cold quickly or becomes impatient on long car rides needs more preparation and activities on board. You know your child best, and your judgment is more important than any general recommendation.

Your day

The whale watching day with children

The evening before

Sleep early

Lay out clothing and pack snacks.
In the morning

Light breakfast

Dress warmly in layers.³
Departure

Seat in the middle

There the motion is least.⁴
On the Way

Mountains and fjords

Binoculars, a book, and games to fight boredom.
With the whales

On deck

Stay warm and watch for blows.
Return journey

Rest

Sleep, drink cocoa, and watch for the northern lights.

The right boat for families

For families, a big boat with a warm indoor cabin is usually the best choice. The boat on this page has panoramic windows and three spacious outer decks, so children can see something even while inside and warm up in between. You can buy food and drinks on board; tap water is free.

The tour is also wheelchair accessible, according to the offer. That is helpful for families with relatives who have limited mobility. Whether you can bring a stroller is something you should clarify with the operator beforehand, because space is limited on a boat with many guests, and a carrier is often more practical.

An open inflatable boat is rather unsuitable for small children. You sit outside on the water the whole time, the boat travels fast, and wind and spray cool even adults down quickly. The inflatable boat tour from Skjervøy also lasts 12 hours, including the bus ride. For families with older, adventurous children, though, it can be a great experience.

For Families

Which trip suits children?

Duration	Duration	Boat	For children
Tour on this page	9 hrs	Hybrid boat with indoor cabin	Good, warm, and spacious
MS Gabriele	6 hrs	Ship	Good, shorter day
Catamaran safari	8 hrs.	Large catamaran	Good
RIB boat from Skjervøy	12 hrs	RIB, bus	Better for older children

Duration as offered; each operator sets its own minimum age, so check before booking.

Three age groups

What suits your child

Shorter sailing

Young children

Short day, plenty of warmth

Boat: Large, warm
Duration: short
Important: Snacks, sleep

View family trip

Ideal

School-age children

Explorer on deck

Boat: Hybrid or catamaran
Duration: full day
Important: Binoculars

View family trip

Adventure

Teenagers

Feel like an adventure

Boat: including RIB
Duration: Long
Important: Weather protection

View family trip

Decision helper

Which trip suits your family?

Choose by age and stamina.

Small children, little stamina Comfort and warm rooms Adventurous teenagers Stay flexible

MS Gabriele

The trip lasts 6 hours.

Tour on this page

Hybrid boat, around 9 hours, wheelchair accessible.

RIB boat from Skjervøy

12 hours with bus and RIB.

Book with free cancellation

Cancel for free up to 24 hours before.

Spend a day with us, the whales, and the beauty of northern Norway! Minimum age for participation: 4 years.

Visit Tromsø Region ASTranslated from English · Source 1

A long day on the water

The biggest challenge for families is the duration. A whale watching tour from Tromsø is usually a full day.⁵ The tour on this page is listed as approximately 9 hours on the water. A large part of that is spent traveling to and from the whales, so the time spent with the whales is shorter. Children therefore need to be patient before the real adventure begins.

Prepare your child for the fact that the whales are not there right away. Explain beforehand where the trip goes and why it takes so long. A map of the route helps make the journey tangible. Knowing that first the mountains, then the lighthouse, and then the whales appear makes waiting easier.

If the trip on the MS Gabriele works for you, the day is a bit shorter. It lasts 6 hours. For younger children, this can make the difference between a day of joy and a day of stress. Choose the duration based on what your child can handle, not what you wish for yourself.

Checklist

Packing list for families

Clothing for the child

Warm sweaters over thermal underwear
Windproof jacket and snow pants
Hat, scarf, mittens, and spare gloves
Winter boots and thick wool socks

Into the backpack

Snacks and a thermos
Binoculars, a book or a sketchpad
Motion sickness medication, agreed upon in advance
A small blanket for the ride back

Cost calculator

What the whale watching tour costs your family

Choose a trip and the number of family members.

Hybrid boatthis tourfrom $209 MS Gabriele6 hrsfrom $212 Catamaran8 hrs.from $220

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

Is a winter vacation in Norway worth it?

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Keeping children warm

Children get cold faster than adults, and on the water the wind adds to it. The average winter temperature in Tromsø is around minus 4 degrees.² Dress your child in layers: wool against the skin, warm sweaters on top, and a windproof jacket and pants on the outside.³

Hands, feet, and head are especially important. The basic gear includes a hat that covers the ears, a neck gaiter, and thick mittens. Warm winter boots with thick wool socks are ideal for the feet. Pack a second pair of gloves and socks for each child in case something gets wet.

Watch for signs of cold on deck. If your child goes quiet, their lips turn pale, or they start shivering, go inside right away. A hot cocoa indoors works wonders, and after a few minutes your child will be ready for another turn on deck.

Activities and food on board

On a long trip, children need something to do. Pack a book about whales, a coloring pad, or a small game. A pair of binoculars turns children into whale spotters who search for blows on the horizon themselves. Whoever spots a whale first gets a small reward, which keeps their attention going. An animal guidebook with pictures of orcas, humpback whales, and white-tailed eagles also helps them recognize the animals later.

Food matters too, because hungry children quickly become grumpy. On board you can buy food and drinks, and guests praise the warm soups in their reviews. Still, it is worth bringing along snacks your child likes. Free tap water is available on board.

Also plan in rest breaks. Small children often fall asleep on the long journey back, and that is a good thing. A small blanket or a pillow makes sleeping indoors more comfortable. When you return to Tromsø in the evening, a quiet evening at your accommodation is the best reward.

Seasickness in children

Children often get seasick more easily than adults, and on the trip to the whales there can be waves. The operator of the boat on this page points out that guests can get seasick, and the crew offers tips. Sit with your child in the middle of the boat, where the motion is least.⁴

Give your child a light breakfast beforehand and avoid large amounts of sweets. Have them look at the horizon instead of a tablet or book as soon as the boat starts to rock. Talk with your child doctor before the trip about whether a remedy for motion sickness is suitable for your child.

If your child does get seasick, stay calm and go with them out into the fresh air. Small sips of water and dry crackers help. The crew is familiar with this situation and will gladly help. The nausea is usually forgotten as soon as the first whale appears.

The best time for families

The same rules apply for families as for everyone else: the season mostly runs from early November to late January, and the exact timing varies.⁶ Mid-season offers the best chances. Especially with children, it is worth not traveling at the edges of the season, because a long trip without whales is particularly disappointing for them.

The Christmas holidays fall in the middle of the season and are therefore a good choice. However, it is dark then, because in mid-December the sun does not rise high in Tromsø at all.⁷ For children, the blue twilight of the polar night is an adventure in itself, and with a bit of luck you can even see the northern lights on the way back.

Book the whale watching tour early in your holiday, not on the last day. If the trip is canceled due to weather or if a child falls ill, you still have time for another attempt. Because you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, your planning stays flexible. This way, the whale watching tour becomes a relaxed highlight of your family holiday instead of a rushed appointment.

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