Guide · Packing list

Clothing for the whale safari in Tromsø

The right clothing for the whale safari decides whether you stand on deck when the orca surfaces or sit shivering indoors. Here is the packing list for a long day on the ice sea.

Check availabilityfrom $209 · free cancellation

Editor's note: tromsowalbeobachtung.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read3 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 principle: Wool base layer, then warm sweaters and jackets, plus hat, gloves, and scarf.¹
02The cold: The winter temperature in Tromsø averages around minus 4 degrees.²
03The wind: On the water, the wind chill makes it feel significantly colder.
04The feet: Warm, waterproof winter boots with thick socks are a must.
05The day: Around 9 hours out, with warm indoor areas on board.

Why clothing on the water is so important

On a whale safari from Tromsø, you spend a whole day on the ice sea, and the most exciting moments happen outdoors on deck. The average winter temperature in Tromsø is around minus 4 degrees.² On the water, wind and draft add to the chill, and it feels significantly colder than on land.

The moment a humpback whale surfaces beside the boat often lasts only a few breaths. If you then have to search for your jacket and gloves, you will miss it. With the right clothing, you can stay on deck for a long time, keep your eyes on the water, and do not have to go back inside after just a few minutes to warm up.

Good news: You do not need expedition gear. With the layering principle, warm feet, and a good hat, you are prepared for most days. The boat featured on this page has warm indoor areas with panoramic windows where you can retreat whenever you get too cold. Plan your clothing so that you can switch from indoors to deck in just a few seconds.

Dress Up

In this order you get dressed

First

Wool against the skin

Long wool underwear as a base.¹
Then

Warm intermediate layer

Dry sweaters and jackets on top.¹
Outer

Windproof

Jacket and pants that block the wind.
Below

Warm feet

Wool socks and waterproof winter boots.
Last but not least

Head and hands

Hat, scarf, thin and thick gloves.

Layers instead of a thick jacket

For the north in winter, Visit Tromsø recommends a specific order: long underwear against bare skin at the bottom, then warm and dry sweaters and jackets on top, plus warm footwear, gloves, scarves, and hats.¹ This layering principle has a major advantage: you can add or remove layers depending on whether you are sitting in the warm indoors or standing on deck outside.

The base layer is the most important. Merino wool stays warm even when slightly damp and wicks moisture outward. Cotton, on the other hand, absorbs moisture, stays wet, and makes you cold. Leave cotton shirts and jeans in your suitcase and reach for wool or technical fabrics instead.

On top comes a warm mid-layer, such as a thick wool sweater or a fleece jacket. For the outer layer, you need a windproof and preferably water-repellent jacket that is long enough to cover your back. A hood provides extra protection against wind and spray when the boat moves faster.

Month by Month

Darkness and precipitation in Tromsø

Hours without sunDays with precipitationSeason

Per month: hours without sunshine at mid-month, plus the precipitation days from 2.5 mm. NOAA, Tromsø station, averages for the years 1991 to 2020.³

Layer by layer

The right clothing for a whale safari

Layer	What	Why
Base	Long underwear made of wool	Keeps you warm even when damp
Mid	Wool sweater or fleece	Keeps warmth close to the body
Outer	Windproof jacket and pants	Protects against wind and spray
Feet	Winter boots, wool socks	Insulated from the cold deck
Hands	Finger gloves and mittens	Operate your camera and stay warm
Head	Hat, scarf, balaclava	Protects ears, neck, and face

The order follows Visit Tromsø's recommendation for winter in the North.¹

Three weather scenarios

Adapt to the day

Light

Calm, mild day

Little wind, hardly any frost

Base: Wool
Outer: Winter jacket
Extra: Hat

Watch whale safari

Warm

Cold, clear day

Frost on deck

Base: thick wool
Outer: Down jacket
Extra: Mittens

Watch whale safari

Windproof

Windy day

Spray and driving wind

Base: Wool
Outer: Windproof shell
Extra: Balaclava

Watch whale safari

Decision helper

What do you really need?

Quick answers for your packing list.

I get cold quickly I want to take a lot of photos I am traveling light I am going in a RIB

Double base layer

Wool directly against the skin is the most important layer.¹

Thin and thick gloves

This way you can operate the camera while your fingers stay protected.

Rent winter clothing

Rental shops in Tromsø have jackets, pants, and boots.

Completely windproof

Wind chill and spray cool down faster.

Start with thermal underwear worn directly against your skin, then layer on warm, dry sweaters and jackets over the top. Bring warm footwear as well, plus gloves, scarves, and hats.

Visit Tromsø Region ASTranslated from English · Source 1

Do not forget the legs

Many people think about a thick jacket but forget their legs. Yet the thighs cool down quickly on deck in the wind. Wear long wool underwear under your trousers and a windproof layer over them. A lined ski pant or a hiking pant with an overshell is ideal; jeans alone are not enough.

If you do not want to bring ski pants, a thin water-repellent overshell that you pull over regular trousers helps. It weighs little, fits in any backpack, and protects against wind and spray. Make sure it can be pulled over your boots so that no snow or spray gets in.

When it is cold, it is better to be slightly too warm than too cold. Indoors you can simply remove a layer. Outdoors on deck, however, it is hardly possible to warm up again once you start to shiver. An extra pair of long underwear in your backpack costs nothing and can save your day.

Checklist

Whale watching packing list

Clothing

Long underwear made of wool
Wool sweater or fleece jacket
Windproof jacket and pants
Winter boots and thick wool socks
Hat, scarf, thin and thick gloves

In your backpack

Water bottle and thermos
Hand warmers
Power bank and spare batteries
Seasickness remedy
Lip balm

Video

Winter clothing for Norway

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Warm feet, warm hands, warm head

Cold feet ruin any whale safari. Bring warm, waterproof winter boots with a thick sole that insulates you from the cold deck. Wear thick wool socks inside, even double socks if the boots are not too tight. Tight shoes restrict blood circulation, and then you get cold despite good socks.

For your hands, a double solution is ideal: thin liner gloves that let you operate your camera or smartphone, and thick mittens over them. When a whale surfaces, you pull off the mittens briefly and still have a layer on your fingers. Hand warmers in your pockets are a small luxury that is well worth it.

You lose a lot of heat through your head, so a warm hat that covers your ears belongs on every packing list. A scarf or neck gaiter protects your neck and face from the wind. In biting frost, a balaclava that leaves only your eyes exposed offers extra protection. Sunglasses, on the other hand, are rarely needed in the dark winter.

What else you should bring

Besides clothing, a few practical items belong in your backpack. A thermos with hot tea warms you from the inside, even though you can buy drinks on board. The boat featured on this page offers free tap water, so bringing your own bottle is practical. Some snacks help during the long hours on the water. Pack everything so that you can grab it with your gloves on.

Cold drains batteries quickly. Bring a power bank and keep your smartphone close to your body in an inner jacket pocket. Spare camera batteries go there too. If you photograph for a long time, you simply swap the battery and warm the cold one against your body again.

If you are prone to seasickness, pack some medication for it, and lip balm for your lips, because the cold wind dries out the skin. A small backpack that you can carry on deck is better than a large bag. That way, you keep both hands free when you need to hold on in the waves.

Can you rent warm clothing?

Not everyone has a complete winter wardrobe in the closet, and for a single trip, buying is not always worth it. Whether an operator provides overalls or thermal suits varies from tour to tour. Check the description of your tour or ask the operator before you pack, especially for trips in an open RIB.

In Tromsø there are also winter clothing rental shops where you can rent warm jackets, pants, and boots for one or several days. This is practical if you are traveling with light luggage or coming from a warm country. It is best to reserve in advance, because the popular sizes sell out quickly in high season.

What you do not need to rent is the base layer. Long wool underwear and warm socks are personal items you should bring yourself. They are light, take up hardly any space in your suitcase, and make the biggest difference to your comfort on deck. If you have them in your luggage, you are prepared for every winter day in the north, not just for the whale safari.

Clothing for the RIB

If you choose an inflatable boat instead of a large vessel, you need even more protection from wind and water. On the RIB tour from Skjervøy, you sit outside, and the boat moves quickly between sightings. Spray and wind chill cool you down fast, even if you are dressed well.

Ask before booking whether a dry suit is provided that you wear over your own clothes. Underneath, you still wear your full layering system, because such a suit protects mainly against wind and water. A hat, scarf, and warm gloves are even more important on an inflatable boat than on a large ship.

Do not bring expensive clothing that must not get wet for the RIB tour, and pack your camera in a waterproof case. Ski goggles can protect your eyes in fast-moving conditions. If you are sensitive to cold, choose a boat with a warm indoor area, like the hybrid boat on this page.

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