Whale Watching Norway | Best Time, Tours & Tips for 2025

Whale Watching in Norway (2025 Guide)

Whale watching in Norway offers one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences on Earth, especially in the icy blue fjords of Northern Norway. You can spot orcas near Tromsø, watch humpbacks breach in Skjervøy, or follow sperm whales diving off the coast of Andenes. Norway delivers something magical for every whale enthusiast.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll show you:

  • When to go for the best whale watching experience
  • Where to find different species, from orcas to humpbacks
  • How to pick the right tour for your needs
  • What to pack and expect during your trip
  • And why Norway continues to rank among the top whale watching destinations in the world

We’ve guided whale watchers from all over the world, and we’ve packed this guide with everything you need to plan an incredible trip of your own.

Let’s dive in.

My 2024 trip with Whale Watching Tromsø was unforgettable. We saw orcas and humpbacks up close, and the guides were knowledgeable and respectful throughout the entire experience.Sarah M.

whale watching in Norway

Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Norway

The best time to go whale watching in Norway depends on the species you want to see and where you plan to travel. In winter, orcas and humpback whales follow herring into the fjords of Northern Norway, especially around Tromsø and Skjervøy. In summer, Vesterålen and Svalbard offer chances to spot deep-diving sperm whales and even rare Arctic species like belugas and blue whales.

Whale Watching Season Overview in Norway (2025)

Here’s an overview of when and where to see different species across Norway in 2025, based on data from the International Whaling Commission:

Peak Season Species Region(s) Town(s)/Harbours
Year-round Sperm whale
(Physeter macrocephalus)
Nordland, Vesterålen Andenes, Stø
November – January (Andenes: year-round) Killer whale / orca
(Orcinus orca)
Troms, Finnmark, Nordland Tromsø, Skjervøy, Alta, Andenes, Stø
November – January (Andenes: year-round, Stø: summer) Humpback whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
Troms, Finnmark, Nordland, Svalbard Tromsø, Skjervøy, Alta, Andenes, Stø, Longyearbyen
Year-round (infrequent) Pilot whale
(Globicephala melas)
Nordland, Vesterålen Andenes, Stø
Summer (Andenes: year-round, infrequent) Minke whale
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Nordland, Vesterålen Andenes, Stø
Summer (infrequent) White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) Nordland, Vesterålen, Svalbard Andenes, Stø, Longyearbyen
Year-round (Andenes), Summer (Stø) Harbor porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena)
Nordland, Vesterålen Andenes, Stø
Summer (might be observed) Fin whale
(Balaenoptera physalus)
Svalbard, Finnmark Longyearbyen
Summer (might be observed) Blue whale
(Balaenoptera musculus)
Svalbard Longyearbyen
Summer (expeditions only) Beluga whale
(Delphinapterus leucas)
Svalbard Longyearbyen
Summer (expeditions only) Narwhal
(Monodon monoceros)
Svalbard Longyearbyen
Summer (expeditions only) Bowhead whale
(Balaena mysticetus)
Svalbard Longyearbyen

If you’re planning a whale watching trip in Norway, your timing matters. Winter offers dramatic orca and humpback encounters in the north, while summer brings deep-diving sperm whales and rare Arctic species further afield. Please keep in mind that most fjord cruises in Tromsø also spot different species of dolphin and seals during their summer trips.

Wherever and whenever you go, we recommend joining a guided tour with experienced local operators. They follow daily whale activity and know exactly where to find the action — safely and responsibly.

In the next section, we’ll show you the best regions in Norway for whale watching and what makes each one special.

Best season for whale watching in Norway

Where to See Whales in Norway

Norway offers whale watching experiences all along its coast, but a few key regions stand out for their accessibility, variety of species, and tour quality. In this section, we explain the best whale watching locations in Norway, from the popular fjords of Tromsø to the remote wilderness of Svalbard. This will help you choose the area that fits your travel plans best.

Tromsø and Skjervøy

Best for: Orcas and humpback whales in winter (November to January)
Region: Troms

Tromsø is one of the most popular whale watching destinations in Norway. Between November and January, large groups of orcas and humpbacks follow the herring into the fjords around Tromsø and the nearby fishing village of Skjervøy. Daily boat tours take you close to the action, and it is common to see multiple pods of whales in one trip. This region is also perfect if you want to combine whale watching with northern lights tours.

whale watching tromso

Alta

Best for: Winter sightings of orcas, humpbacks, and occasional fin whales
Region: Finnmark

Alta is a rising destination for whale watching. In recent years, herring have shifted closer to this part of Finnmark, attracting more whales. Tours now run regularly between November and January. Alta is less crowded than Tromsø, offers beautiful Arctic landscapes, and is easy to reach by air. It is even possible to join a swimming with orcas expedition!

Whale watching in Alta

Andenes and Stø (Vesterålen)

Best for: Sperm whales from May to September, pilot and minke whales year-round
Region: Nordland

Located further south along the coast, Andenes and Stø are the best places to see sperm whales in Norway. Deep ocean trenches lie close to shore, so boats can quickly reach their feeding areas. While sperm whales are the main attraction, visitors sometimes also spot pilot whales, minke whales, and dolphins. Summer is the peak season, but some whales stay year-round.

Whale watching in Andenes

Svalbard (Longyearbyen)

Best for: Rare Arctic whales from June to August
Region: Svalbard

If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching experience, Svalbard is the place to go. Tours from Longyearbyen may offer sightings of belugas, blue whales, narwhals, bowhead whales, and fin whales. Sighting chances depend on conditions and migration, but the landscapes are breathtaking. These trips are usually longer and more expensive and best suited to experienced travelers and wildlife lovers.

Lofoten, Tysfjord and Narvik

Region: Nordland

Lofoten, Tysfjord, and Narvik were once popular whale watching areas, especially for orcas and humpbacks. In Tysfjord, long boat tours focused on orca sightings, while Narvik offered chances to see humpbacks, blue whales, and even sea eagles and seals.

Since around 2022, the herring have shifted further north, and most whale activity now takes place near Tromsø, Skjervøy, Senja, and Alta in winter.

However, in summer 2024, orcas were seen again near Lofoten during kayak tours. These sightings were rare but promising, though not yet regular enough to count on.

Lofoten still offers incredible coastal scenery and marine wildlife, especially in summer, but for consistent whale watching, the north remains your best option.

A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whale Watching Tromsø’s guides were friendly, professional, and passionate, making the whole trip unforgettable.” – Michael K.

Whale and dolphin species in Norway

Norway is home to a wide variety of whales, from the famous orca to rare Arctic giants like the blue whale and narwhal. In this chapter, we introduce the most commonly seen species in Norwegian waters. Learn how to recognize them, what they eat, and what makes each one unique.

Species Scientific Name Size Key Features Fun Fact
Killer whale / orca Orcinus orca Up to 8 meters Black and white body, tall dorsal fin, travel in family groups (pods) One of the smartest marine animals
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Up to 16 meters Long pectoral fins, powerful breaching, complex songs Males sing songs that can last up to 20 minutes
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Up to 18 meters Huge square head, deep diver, visible blow at angle Can hold their breath for over an hour
Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Up to 10 meters Smallest baleen whale, fast swimmer, often shy Can reach speeds over 30 km/h
Pilot whale Globicephala melas Up to 6.5 meters Rounded forehead, dark body, social behavior Actually part of the dolphin family
White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris Up to 3 meters Black and white body, short beak, travels in groups Often seen riding boat waves
Harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena Up to 1.9 meters Small and shy, triangular dorsal fin, quick surfacing One of the smallest marine mammals in Norway
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Up to 24 meters Long, sleek body, curved dorsal fin, second largest whale Can reach speeds up to 40 km/h
Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Up to 30 meters Largest animal on Earth, mottled blue-grey skin Their heart is the size of a small car
Beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas Up to 5.5 meters White body, rounded forehead, vocal and social Nicknamed the “canary of the sea”
Narwhal Monodon monoceros Up to 5 meters (males) Long spiral tusk (tooth), pale body The tusk can grow up to 3 meters
Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus Up to 20 meters Large head, no dorsal fin, lives in icy waters May live over 200 years