By Boreal Yachting crew, Skippers and guides, Tromsø
Publication date not available
Between November and January, herring wintering in the fjords near Tromsø and Skjervøy draw humpback whales and orca. Sailing to them keeps engine noise low and lets the animals decide the distance. Water is around 4°C, so a drysuit or thick wetsuit is required.
Every autumn, large pods of orca and humpback whales follow herring into the fjords of Northern Norway. Our freediving expeditions bring guests into open water while the whales feed nearby, led by experienced guides.
The herring migration draws hundreds of orcas and humpback whales into the fjords around Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands between October and January. The whales use cooperative feeding techniques — bubble-net feeding by humpbacks and carousel feeding by orcas — creating dense feeding events close to the surface.
Freediving with whales requires no previous experience. Guides teach the basics of breath-hold diving and safe whale interaction. Calm, quiet movement matters most: the whales are curious and often approach divers who stay still.
Water temperatures range from 4°C to 8°C, and we provide drysuits, masks and fins. Sessions in the water typically last 20–40 minutes, followed by warming up on the yacht with hot drinks and food. Cold limits each session more than anything else.
We follow strict guidelines for whale interaction, keeping a respectful distance and never pursuing the animals. The encounters happen on the whales' terms, and an approach from a 15-metre humpback whale is not something guests forget.
Related experience: Whale Sailing.
Where this sails: Sailing Tromsø.
About the author
Skippers and guides, Tromsø
Written by the Boreal Yachting editorial team using operational knowledge from the skippers and guides who sail Northern Norway and Svalbard.
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