Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The main event here is the search for orcas and humpback whales off Skjervøy, where winter brings large cetaceans into the Arctic waters. You ride in a fast RIB boat, scanning the sea for blows, fins, breaches, and feeding activity. On a good day, the reward can be remarkable: one recent outing produced orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales.

I like the very small group, limited to two participants, and the useful cold-weather gear supplied by the operator. I also like that the crew explains whale behavior rather than treating the ride as a simple chase. The catch is clear: wildlife is wild, and sightings of every species are not guaranteed. One January trip saw no animals at all, while another group nearby reported eight orcas.

Key points before you book

• Three hours on Arctic water: The tour gives you a focused whale search without taking up an entire day.
• Four possible whale species: You may search for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.
• A two-person group: The small format allows a more personal outing, though it also means limited availability.
• Cold-weather equipment included: Thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles are supplied.
• Fast RIB transport: The boat can cover water quickly while you look for whale activity.
• Sightings are never promised: The operator cannot control where animals appear or whether they surface during your tour.

Starting at Strandveien 70 in central Skjervøy

Your outing begins at the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70, in the center of Skjervøy. Look for the red door next to Elon, with the company name and logo outside. This detail matters because you should not simply head to the waterfront and hope to find the boat.

After meeting the crew, you receive the safety equipment for the ride. Thermal suits and life vests are included, along with mittens and goggles. You still need to bring warm clothing, since Arctic winter conditions can feel severe even with the supplied outer gear.

The meeting process is simple, but allow enough time to arrive without rushing. The tour lasts three hours from the Skjervøy area and returns to the same office location. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring nothing prohibited. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The listed group size is limited to two participants. That is unusually intimate for a whale tour and should appeal to you if you prefer a quiet outing rather than a crowded boat. It also means spaces may be scarce, so check the available start times before building your day around it.

Why a RIB boat changes the whale search

A rigid inflatable boat gives this experience a different feel from a large sightseeing vessel. The boat is designed for speed, so the crew can move across a wider stretch of water during the three-hour search. That matters when whales are spread out or when fresh reports point toward activity in another area.

The trade-off is comfort. A RIB is open to the weather, and the ride can be brisk, cold, and bumpy. The supplied thermal suits, mittens, goggles, and life vests are not decorative extras. They are central to making the trip manageable.

You should expect to spend much of the time looking rather than watching whales continuously. The crew may slow down, change direction, or hold position while everyone searches the water. The most useful things to spot are often small at first: a blow, a dark back, a dorsal fin, or a sudden disturbance near the surface.

The speed also adds excitement, but it should not be confused with a guarantee of better sightings. A fast boat can help reach likely areas. It cannot make a whale surface.

Searching for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and sperm whales

The tour focuses on several species found in the Arctic waters around northern Norway. Orcas are the headline attraction for many people, and the possibility of seeing them in open water is the reason this trip commands a premium price.

Humpback whales can bring a different kind of spectacle. Their size is obvious even at a distance, and a breach or forceful surface movement can make the scale of the animal suddenly clear. Fin whales are also included in the search, while sperm whales are listed as another possible sighting.

You should treat this as a species search, not a guaranteed orca excursion. The exact mix depends on the animals’ movements and the day’s conditions. The tour information clearly warns that all species cannot be guaranteed, and the January results show why that warning matters.

One recent outing produced plenty of killer whales, humpback whales, and fin whales, along with striking Arctic scenery. Another January tour produced no animals. The difference is not a minor detail. It is the central risk of any whale-watching trip.

Learning from the crew while you scan the sea

The guide provides explanations about whale behavior and ecology during the outing. This gives you more to notice than simply waiting for a fin to appear. You can learn how to read surface activity, understand why the crew changes course, and place the animals in their wider Arctic setting.

The tour is offered in English and Norwegian. No guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular individual. What is clear is that the crew handles both the boat and the wildlife interpretation.

The experience works best when you accept the guide’s decisions. The crew may spend time searching an area that looks empty to you because whale activity can be brief and hard to spot. A patient approach is necessary, even when the boat is moving quickly between possible locations.

If orcas are found, the tour may include a feeding session. The description presents this as a chance to observe the animals’ grace, intelligence, and social behavior at close range. Keep in mind that the exact form and length of any feeding activity depends on where the orcas are and what they are doing that day.

What three hours feels like on the water

Three hours is a sensible length for this type of outing. It is long enough to make a serious search while remaining shorter than a full-day boat trip. You will spend the time moving through the Skjervøy area, watching the water, listening to the guide, and stopping or slowing when whales are located.

The schedule is not a sightseeing route with fixed stops. Skjervøy is the starting and ending point, while the middle portion changes according to whale activity. That makes the trip flexible, but it also means you cannot know exactly what scenery or animals will fill the three hours.

The best moments may be sudden. A humpback can appear, disappear, and surface again somewhere else. Orcas can travel in a group, giving you several chances to watch movement at the surface. Fin whales and sperm whales may show only part of their bodies before slipping below.

This is why warm clothing and a willingness to wait matter. The supplied gear helps, but you should still dress warmly underneath. You also need to be comfortable with a boat ride in winter conditions and with the possibility that the main event never appears.

The value of the $240 price

At $240 per person, this is not a casual harbor ride. The price reflects a small two-person group, a specialized RIB boat, a live guide, safety equipment, and a three-hour search in Arctic waters.

The small group is the strongest value point. With only two participants, you should have a better chance of hearing the guide, asking questions, and finding a clear place to look. You are not paying for a large boat with dozens of people competing for the same view.

The price is harder to justify if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No operator can promise that, and one recent trip ended without any animals being seen. The high cost makes the wildlife risk more noticeable.

I would view the fee as payment for the attempt, the boat operation, the equipment, and the chance of a memorable encounter, not as a ticket to guaranteed orcas. If seeing whales is the only acceptable outcome, you may find the price difficult to accept. If you value a small, focused Arctic outing and understand the risk, it can make sense.

Mixed results mean you should plan carefully

The overall rating is 4.1 from 87 reviews, but the recent experiences are sharply split. Some outings delivered the dream result: orcas in the wild, along with humpback and fin whales. One participant described the experience as a personal dream fulfilled, while another praised the organization and Arctic scenery and planned to return the following year.

At the same time, one January group saw no animals and felt the boat had searched the wrong place. That criticism points to the main weakness of the product: you may spend three hours on the water and still return empty-handed.

There is also a practical comparison hidden in that account. A nearby group reportedly saw eight orcas on the same day, while this tour did not find animals. That shows how quickly conditions and routes can change. It also shows why a sighting on another boat does not automatically mean your crew can reproduce it.

I would not use the glowing accounts as a promise, and I would not use the poor account as proof that the operator is always ineffective. The sensible reading is that this is a real wildlife search with variable results.

Who should book this Skjervøy outing

This tour suits you if you:

• Want a small-group whale trip rather than a large boat excursion.
• Are especially interested in orcas and Arctic cetaceans.
• Can handle cold weather and a fast RIB ride.
• Enjoy searching and waiting instead of needing a fixed sightseeing program.
• Are happy to learn about whale behavior and ecology.
• Accept that nature may not cooperate.

It is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. Those restrictions are important on a fast boat and should be checked before you reserve.

The trip is also a poor fit if you dislike cold, motion, or uncertain results. A wildlife outing rewards patience, not control. You may see several large species in one morning, or you may spend the full three hours watching an empty sea.

Practical details that affect your day

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These policies are useful because weather, transport plans, and the changing nature of whale activity can affect your schedule.

Starting times vary, so check availability before booking. The tour is guided in English or Norwegian. Food and drinks are not included, and the meeting point is the red-door office next to Elon, not a separately stated dock.

Bring warm clothing even though the operator supplies thermal suits. Wear layers that allow you to stay comfortable while standing or sitting in the boat, and be ready for spray and cold air. Goggles are provided, but the supplied equipment does not remove the need for sensible winter clothing.

Should you book the Explore 70 Degrees whale tour?

Book it if wild orcas and humpback whales are worth the risk of an uncertain sighting. The two-person group, fast RIB, supplied safety gear, and crew commentary create a focused experience rather than a generic boat ride.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed animal encounter. The recent record includes both exceptional whale watching and a trip with no sightings. That is the honest choice: pay for a well-equipped search in Arctic waters, with the possibility of a moment you will remember for years, not for certainty.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70 in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door next to Elon, marked with the company logo and name.

How long does the tour last?

The complete boat outing lasts three hours and returns to Strandveien 70 in Skjervøy.

Which whales might I see?

The tour searches for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Sightings of every species are not guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

Thermal suits, life vests, mittens, goggles, transportation by RIB boat, and a guide are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should arrange your own meal or refreshments before the tour.

Who cannot join the tour?

The experience is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or people shorter than 120 centimeters, or 3 feet 9 inches.