SNORKELING WITH ORCAS & WHALES
VOYAGE PROGRAMME
WINTER WHALES OF NORWAY
EXPEDITION CRUISE
EMBARKATION: TROMSØ, NORWAY | DURATION: 6 NIGHTS/ 7 DAYS ON BOARD
Meeting time: 16.30 h. | DATES : 1-7 November 2024
Our Winter Whales of Norway expedition cruises depart from Tromsø, situated 350km above the Arctic circle. For only a very short period each winter, Northern Norway is the place of the largest gathering of orcas and whales in the world. They follow the enormous amount of spring-spawning herring that can be found in the fjords. This offers the unique opportunity to snorkel with wild orcas and watch their behaviour under water. Tromsø is easily accessible by plane from most European countries.
Embarkation starts around 16.30 in the afternoon of the first day. Our expedition guides will welcome you at the meeting point in Tromsø and escort you to one of our comfortable ships. Once everyone is settled on board, we venture into the fjords in search of orcas and humpback whales.
The advantages of travelling onboard one of our comfortable ships are numerous. Especially because we don't have to return to port, we can be on location at first daylight and maximise our time looking for whales. With the assistance of local experts, fishing vessels and the science community, we stay in touch about the where-abouts of the animals.
For five full days, we search for schools of herring and pods of orcas and humpbacks in the protected surroundings of the beautiful fjords, waiting for a chance to swim with them. Ultimately we depend on nature and weather conditions for the success of our trip.
This means you may spend some days searching without succes until an opportunity for snorkeling arises. Our two expert guides will inform you about the behaviour of the orcas and whales, and how to snorkel with them in a responsible way. When whales have been spotted nearby, our guides will give you the sign to put on your snorkeling drysuit while they lower the zodiacs in the water. These small boats are our main method of transportation to get within a safe distance of the animals. It's an absolute privilege to see these enormous animals up close in their natural habitat. Carefully slide into the water and enjoy the moment!
Whale watching from the ship
The bridge is a great place if you like to take your binoculars and scout the horizon for wildlife. When whales have been spotted, our guides will notify everyone onboard, so you won't miss anything. Previous winters we were lucky to see orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales! Outside on the spacious deck, you'll find good spots for photographing the animals and the beautiful scenery surrounding the ship.
Whale watching from the zodiac
If you choose not to go snorkeling, no problem! You'll have just as much fun joining the zodiac excursion for a splendid topside photography experience. We provide comfortable, and waterproof zodiac suits to keep you warm.
Educational lectures
Our guides offer an educational lecture program about whale conservation, research and other interesting topics. They love sharing their personal stories, insights and adventures, offering you a unique perspective on travel and exploration.
Northern Lights
Winter is the perfect time for Northern Light sightings. During the dark hours we usually stay at anchor or we may go ashore to find a good spot to photograph the Aurora. Our guides are more than happy to assist you in adjusting your camera or phone for some spectacular photos.
Enjoy the warm and cozy comfort of the expedition ship. Take a moment to unwind in the sauna after a day out in the cold, or gaze at the skies from the hot-tub on deck.
Depending on the weather conditions, we may also offer the Polar Plunge, a chilling jump into the polar water! Not many people can say they swam above the Arctic circle in the dark, a once in a lifetime opportunity!
End of the voyage
Our voyage ends in the same place where it started, in Tromsø. After breakfast on the last day, you will say farewell to the crew and your fellow expeditioners.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER!
A flexible attitude is paramount for our expeditions and the key to success. We are dealing with weather and wildlife, elements which are beyond our control. Therefor, we can't guarantee to see orcas or whales. Even when we do encounter whales and oras, we can't guarantee the conditions are suitable for snorkeling
I N F O R M A T I O N & D E T A I L S
NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
S N O R K E L I N G P R O C E D U R E S
SAFE AND SUSTAIN ABLE OPERATIONS
During our expeditions, it’s our goal to go in the water and observe orcas and whales in their natural habitat by snorkeling on the surface. To offer the best possible experience, we only take a maximum of 6-8 snorkelers per zodiac. When the guide decides it's safe to go snorkeling, the participants go into the water gently.
When you are in the water:
Snorkelers keep visual contact with the guide on the zodiac so they can quickly respond to signals;
Snorkelers have to keep a distance of at least 20 metres between them and the whales and must stay with the group at all times;
Touching the whales or opproaching them to make contact is strictly forbidden;
Avoid diving, splashing and making loud noises.
If the orcas and whales move away, or show any sign of disturbance, the guide will signal you to come back to the zodiac. Sometimes you might only be in the water for a few minutes, but if we're lucky we can stay in the same location for hours.
IMPORTANT - LEVEL OF FITNESS
The snorkeling activity is intended for persons in good health. You need a certain level of fitness and strength in order to participate. Putting on your snorkeling gear, actively swimming in cold water and getting in and out of the zodiac can be challenging. You have to be able to lift yourself out of the water, with the help of a small ladder, and into the zodiac. To embark the zodiacs, we use a gangway on the side of the ship. These are steep stairs leading down to water level. You will receive a briefing on board, explaing how to safely enter and exit the zodiacs. You are free to give the snorkeling a try. If you decide not to go snorkeling you can still join the zodiac for exceptional top-side whale watching.
Snorkeling equipment by WATERPROOF
SUSTAINABLE WHALE WATCHING
 | WHEN TO GO?WEATHER & DAY LIGHT Winter in Northern NORWAY Our voyages take place above the Arctic Circle during winter time. You might expect snow and ice, but the waters of the Gulf Stream give Northern Norway a rather mild climate for a place at this latitude. The average temperature will likely be around freezing and snow usually doesn’t fall until half November. You can experience anything from storms, grey skies and choppy seas to sunny days with calm water. ALL weeks we operate are good for whale watching! It’s the weather and behaviour of the whales that determines the success of our expeditions! Daylights hour & Polar night At the start of our season, end of October, we will enjoy several hours of daylight each day. Moving towards the end of the year, days shorten quickly. From the end of November, you will experience the Polar Night, the time of year when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Something you can only experience above the Arctic circle! The iconic Arctic light attracts many people to Northern Norway each winter. On clear days, the twilight hours offer a very particular luminosity and magnificent colors for photography. The faint sunlight is reflected off the water and the snow-capped mountains, transforming the fjords into a magical winter scenery. This twilight can last for several hours, plenty of time to capture the most breathtaking photos while the colours slowly change from pink and purple to deep blue. Mother Nature All elements of nature have to come together in order to go snorkeling. The weather has to be calm, the whales nearby, and we need enough light to safely go in the water. Each day can be different and there’s not one trip better than the other. Our experience over the past years has learned us the weeks from end of October until mid-December offer the best chances. But keep in mind, it all comes down to mother nature |
NORTHERN NORWAY
TROMSØ REGION
Tromsø, situated at 69° North, is considered the most northern city in the world with a population of around 50.000. The city center of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest dating back to 1789. The Arctic Cathedral, a modern church from 1965, is probably the most famous landmark in Tromsø.
We recommend you arrive at least one day prior to embarkation, just in case you're flight might be delayed. This also gives you the opportunity to explore the town's museums and cozy city centre or to go on an excursion.
We offer various optional activities, like dogsledding and snowmobile safaris. Please find more information here. These optional activities depend on snowfall and are usually available from the first of December. If you would like to sign up for (one of) these activities, please let us know and we will arrange this for you in advance.
Meeting point
Our meeting point is at the Clarion Hotel The Edge, which is close to where our ships are usually docked. You will receive more detailed information several weeks prior to departure.
Hotels
There are plenty of nice hotels and other accomodations to choose from for your stay in Tromsø. The town is not big so you are never far away from the city centre and the harbor.
Airport
Tromsø Airport is situated at Langnes on the western part of the island of Tromsøya in Tromsø, Norway. The main scheduled airlines operating at Tromsø are Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian and Widerøe.
Transport
Flybussen: The airport express coach stops at several hotels in central Tromsø and takes 10-15 minutes to Tromsø city center.
Local bus: Route 40 and 42 stop at the airport and take approximately 15-20 minutes.
Taxi: The taxi stand is located directly outside the arrival hall. The travel time to Tromsø city center is approximately 10 minutes. Taxi companies at the airport: Tromsø Taxi: (+47) 03011 Din Taxi: (+47) 02045
WELCOME ON BOARD
BOUTIQUE YACHT POLARFRONT
Spacious and Luxurious Small Polar Vessel
CAPACITY : 16 PASSENGERS | CABINS : 8 | DECKS : 3 | REFURBISHED : 2018 | LENGTH : 55M
Polarfront was built to face the rough north sea, making it an excellent expedition ship. After her years as a weather ship, Polarfront started a second life as an arctic expedition cruise vessel. The ship was nicely refurbished in 2018 and is getting another important upgrade in January 2024. Polarfront will be fitted with electric propulsion & power management systems. Resulting in reduced fuel consumption, energy savings, reduced emissions and allowing the ship to reach the best standards of environmental protection. Polarfront will be extremely quiet with almost no vibrations. Meaning more comfort on board for guests, and less noise transmitted into the water.
Polarfront has large outside decks, ideal for photography. On the aft deck you will find a panoramic barrel sauna and a hottub to warm up after a long cold day, a great way to unwind and enjoy the darker hours. Inside, there's a comfortable salon, dining area, library and a basic gym. Polarfront offers luxurious accomodation for 16 guests. The 8 twin suites are very spacious and each has their own comfortable bathroom with shower and at least 2 portholes.
ACCOMODATION
POLARFRONT - 16 Guests
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