Fjords, mountains and Arctic winter in Northern Norway.

Whale Season Above the Arctic Circle

From mid-November, whales follow the herring into the fjords of Northern Norway. Orcas and humpback whales are among the most commonly seen species, while fin whales, minke whales and harbour porpoises may also be spotted.

For our guests, this creates an opportunity to experience the whales from the water, preferably aboard a private yacht.

Below you will find more details and a sample itinerary for a whale watching experience.

Two orcas surface in choppy open water with a blurred rocky island in the background.
Whale breaching off a rocky, snow-covered coast with seabirds in flight and a few people in bright jackets on the boat.

Why Northern Norway?

The short answer: The combination of fjords, mountains and Arctic Winter.

What makes this part of Norway particularly interesting is the combination of fjords, mountains and Arctic winter landscapes.

With Alta, Tromsø or Lyngen as a base, we can build a complete winter journey around the whale season. Dog sledding, reindeer experiences, Northern Lights, private dining and days at sea can all be included in the same itinerary.

A whale surfaces in dark, choppy ocean water, showing its back and splashing spray.

Private Whale Experiences

The whales' feeding grounds can be found in the waters between Tromsø and Alta, with their exact location changing throughout the season.

We can arrange private whale experiences with different vessels and durations, depending on the guests' preferences. This could mean a comfortable day aboard a private yacht or a faster experience by high-performance motor yacht.

Humpback whale near the water surface feeding as seabirds swarm over the sea in a fjord-like seascape.
Whale surfacing in calm ocean waters with snow-dusted mountain range at dusk

We can arrange different whale-watching experiences depending on your clients' preferences:

  • Whale watching aboard a private yacht

  • Whale watching by high-performance boat

  • Snorkelling with orcas

An aerial view shows snow-covered cabins and glowing lights nestled in a forested mountain valley at dusk.

A Comfortable Base Between Adventures

Guests can stay in Tromsø, Alta or Lyngen, with options ranging from luxury apartments and hotels to private villas.

For a more complete private experience, we recommend a villa. Guests can have expansive views of the surrounding landscape, winter activities close by and a private chef preparing their meals.

And after a day outside in the Arctic winter, a private sauna and a cold plunge are particularly welcome.

A modern covered balcony with lounge seating overlooks a harbor and snow-covered mountains through floor-to-ceiling glass panels.
A stylish modern bedroom features a large bed, patterned dark walls, a sculptural ceiling light, and tall windows with a snowy mountain view.
A modern lounge with teal and beige seating, sculptural pendant lights, large windows, and a city view.
A stylish modern lounge with cream seating, a large abstract pendant light, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a waterfront city view.
Two people relax in an outdoor hot tub with drinks while looking out over snowy mountains and a fjord under cloudy skies.
A cozy wood-paneled bedroom features a neatly made bed beside large windows and a glass door overlooking snowy mountains and a blue fjord.
Snowy fjord town at dusk with illuminated waterfront buildings and surrounding mountains.

Sample Itinerary: 5 Days in Tromsø and Lyngen

Below is a simple five-day itinerary combining Tromsø and Lyngen during whale season. It is only a starting point. Every journey can be adapted to your clients' preferences.

Tromsø also works well as part of a longer Nordic itinerary, with connections onwards to Iceland or Finnish Lapland.

Throughout the journey, guests have a private guide and vehicle at their disposal. Northern Lights experiences can also be arranged during the evenings, depending on weather and conditions.

An Arctic Whale Adventure in Norway

  • Day01

    Arrival to Tromsø, private city walk and Arctic gourmet food tour. Two nights at Vindlys Luxury Apartments.

  • Day02

    Private reindeer experience, dinner at Restaurant Smak and Northern Lights hunt.

  • Day03

    Private boat transfer to Lyngen. Two nights at Lodge Havnnes with a private chef.

  • Day04

    Private whale watching by yacht with a marine biologist. Sauna and possible Northern Lights in the evening.

  • Day05

    Private boat to Tromsø and transfer to the airport.

A modern balcony lounge with wooden seating overlooks a harbor and snowy mountains through large glass panels.

Day 1: Tromsø

  • Arrival in Tromsø and private transfer to Vindlys Luxury Apartments in the city centre for a two-night stay.

  • Privately guided city walk in Tromsø.

  • In the evening, join a private guided Arctic gourmet food tour.

An overhead view shows an arrangement of raw seafood on a wooden table, including crab claws, langoustine, mussels, caviar, and large shellfish and fish on plates and bowls.
An aerial winter view shows a snowy coastal city with a long bridge crossing the water and mountains in the background at dusk.
A smiling woman in a fur coat and red plaid scarf feeds a reindeer in a snowy landscape at sunset.

Day 2: Reindeer Experience

  • Private reindeer experience.

  • Dinner at Restaurant Smak.

  • Northern Lights hunt in the evening, weather permitting.

Bright green and purple northern lights streak across a starry night sky.
A woman in winter clothing smiles while feeding a white reindeer in a snowy landscape.
A warmly lit lodge gate sits beneath a starry sky with green northern lights above snow-covered mountains at night.

Day 3: Tromsø to Lyngen

  • Private boat transfer to Lyngen, approximately one hour.

  • Check in at your private luxury villa: Lodge Havnnes (two nights).

  • All meals are prepared by a private chef.

A warm wood-paneled lounge with built-in shelves, a leather sofa, and large windows opening to a sunlit outdoor view.
A warm dining area with wooden tables and chairs looks out through large windows onto autumn trees, a fjord, and snow-dusted mountains.
A whale’s tail flukes rise above the ocean surface beneath a glowing low sun in a pink and blue sky.

Day 4: Private Whale Watching

  • Spend the day whale watching aboard a private yacht, accompanied by a marine biologist.

  • Relax in the sauna in the evening.

  • Hunt the auroras or enjoy the view from your lodge.

Two whales break the surface of a choppy sea with snow-covered mountains in the background.
A modern motor yacht speeds across calm blue water with snow-covered mountains in the background.
A snowy coastal city glows with orange lights at twilight beneath rugged mountain peaks and a calm bay.

Day 5: Departure

Private boat transfer from Lyngen to Tromsø, followed by a private transfer to the airport.

Next steps

Get in touch with us to book!

This is just one example of what we can arrange during whale season in Northern Norway. Every journey is tailored to your clients and their preferences.\

Contact us at design@arcticsignature.com for more information.

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Arctic Signature
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