Why whale watching is a “must do” when in Norway

For many people, seeing a whale up close can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But if you’re traveling in Norway, you may get to witness this majestic sight multiple times when on a whale watching safari! From the many species of whales you can encounter, to the different seasons and places that are ideal for whale watching, below you’ll find all the reasons why this exciting activity should definitely be on your bucket list.

You can spot whales all year long

Whereas most whale watching destinations have a 3-4 month window when the gentle giants of the ocean are making their appearance, Norway will spoil you with sightings all year long! From late October to mid-January, when the official whale season starts, you’re practically guaranteed a sighting — but certain whales, like the humpbacks, can be spotted even in late March. And as for the summer, it’s time for the orcas and the porpoises to break the waters’ surface near the Lofoten islands, from May to September.

Photo by Ismaele Tortella | Visit Norway

You can see different whale species

Thanks to the nutrient-rich oceans, the migrating marine life (particularly herring) and the warmer currents of the Gulf that prevent several fjords and seas in Norway from freezing over in the winter, several whale species can be spotted here. The rare —and sadly, threatened— sperm whales, many of them twenty meters long, make appearances all year round in Tromsø and off the coast of Vesterålen, while humpback whales migrate to Arctic Norway and around the Lofoten islands every summer.

Less commonly sighted but known to make an appearance are: orcas, fin and minke whales from October to January around Andenes, porpoises close to the Lofoten islands, and even the blue whale (the biggest whale on earth!) in Svalbard.

There are so many places that are perfect for whale watching

Northern and Arctic Norway are great hotspots, with several locations gathering whale populations every year. The top place to go whale watching is arguably the Vesterålen archipelago, just north of the Lofoten islands. There, and particularly near the village of Andenes, you will have the best chance of encountering these majestic marine beings all year long — the sperm whales in particular love hanging around the Bleik canyon!

In the wintertime, you can go to the Lofoten islands to spot whales (and explore the breathtakingly picturesque archipelago while you’re at it), or head further north in Tromsø and Alta, where you can encounter orcas, humpbacks and fin whales in the cold waters of the fjords.

Photo by Brim Explorer

It’s a safe activity, and fun for the whole family!

If you’re new to whale watching, it might sound scary at first — after all, whales are extremely large mammals, and you will encounter them out in the wild. But don’t worry: Norways has a long history of whale watching, as it also interests locals.

While on board a boat, a RIB boat or a silent cruise ship, the experts will let you know how to behave, and will ensure that the vessel maintains proper distance so that the whales are not disturbed. While you should always make sure to check with the company that organizes your safari whether there are any age restrictions, whale watching is a perfectly safe, and extremely fun activity to do with your little ones!