WHALES OF NORWAY
Freedive with orca and humpback whales. In the arctic circle. Sub-zero temperatures. Risk of cold-shock, frostbite, hypothermia, and cold-induced pain. Little daylight. Long hours of darkness. Harsh weather. Isolation.
Expedition is limited to 5 guests.
ITINERARY
Subject to change due to weather / animal behavior / ferry schedules
DAY 1
Arrive at Tromsø Airport (TOS), pick up our rental car, and check into the hotel.
If time permits, we can explore the city, stop by the dive shop - Dykker Sentret - pick up any gear, grab dinner or visit a Scandinavian spa.
The dive shop in Tromsø is open M-F 12pm - 4:30pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
DAY 2
Some may fly in and arrive first thing in the morning. We may stop by the dive shop - Dykker Sentret - to pick up any final gear.
At 11am, we begin the 3.5 hour drive to check into our accomodation.
At 4pm, those who wish can take a 2 hour ferry from Tromsø to Skjervoy.
That evening, we have a detailed briefing before our first day at sea concerning safety, equipment, protocols on the boat, and respect for the ocean environment and animals.
Pick up our thermal survival overalls (Fladen) and prepare our snorkel gear and wet suits.
DAY 3 to DAY 7
Wake early, have breakfast, and meet at the boat at first light.
Once outside the marina, everyone is on duty to help spot blows, dorsal fins or seagull gatherings - giving us an indication where the whales are.
Once spotted, we approach slowly and sideways - never from the front or rear. We can judge from their behavior and weather conditions if we are able to enter the water.
Hot soup, tea, lunch and snacks onboard.
Return to the marina at around 3pm depending on the weather conditions.
Traditional Norwegian sauna. Dinner later in the evening and the northern lights forecast (if skies are clear)
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
6:30 am Breakfast
7:30 am Meet at the boat
3:00 pm Return to the marina
6:30 pm Dinner
DAY 8
Our final day. Check out of our accomodation by 11am and ferry back to Tromsø
GETTING THERE
Tromsø Airport (TOS) 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.
Once you have arrived in Tromsø, there are a few options for arriving at Skjervøy.
From Tromsø:
– Driving from Tromsø takes about 3.5-4 hours but this can vary depending on the conditions.
– You can take the Hurtigruten boat from Tromsø to Skjervøy and return the same route. It takes around 4 hours and offers food and drink on board and comfortable lounge areas. Details here: https://www.hurtigruten.no
– There is an express catamaran boat that departs from Tromsø to Skjervøy, and returns on the same route. Please note the express catamaran does not run this route on Saturdays. It takes about 2 hours. You can find details here: https://fylkestrafikk.no/menu/plan-your-journey/routes-and-travel-search/timetables/express-boat/
– There is a bus departing from Tromsø early in the morning (usually around 5:30am) and arriving at Skjervøy around 9.30-9.45am. It returns to Tromsø, departing Skjervøy, around 1pm-1.30pm from close to the harbor. Please check the latest timetables and information before booking. You can find details here: https://booking.bestarctic.com/en/to-do/2015819/whale-route-skjervøy/showdetails
NORTHERN NORWAY & TROMSØ
From the middle of November until the end of January, the days are short with only a few hours of sunlight per day. The interior of Northern Norway has an Arctic climate in winter, with snow, strong winds and severe frosts. However, the coastal areas have rather mild winters. Thanks to the Gulf Stream and warm air currents caused by the Coriolis effect, the harbors along the coast of Northern Norway are free of ice throughout the year. Nice calm winter days regularly occur and the low position of the sun can create the most beautifull sunrises and sunsets.
Tromsø, situated at 69° North is considered the most northern city in the world and has a population of around 50.000. It is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and the third largest north of the Arctic Circle. The city center of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest house dating from 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 check-in, just in case your flight is delayed. This also gives us the opportunity to explore the town's museums and cozy city centre or to go on an excursion. Visit www.visittromso.no/en for more information and ideas.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
EXPEDITION HQ - NOVEMBER 1 - 8, 2024
Oceanfront 3 bedroom apartment
EXPEDITION HQ - NOVEMBER 11 - 18, 2024
Oceanfront 3 bedroom home (with sauna)
EXPEDITION HQ - NOVEMBER 18 - 25, 2024
Clean and comfortable oceanfront apartment with three bedrooms and six single beds total.
The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering and private bathroom with shower and WC.
Bedlinens, towels, end cleaning and wifi included.
EXPEDITION VESSEL
We will be cruising the Norwegian fjords in a 2019 Merry Fischer 795 with a 115HP Yamaha motor.
DIVE GEAR
If you plan to enter the water, bring your own dive gear. A good polar wetsuit (at least 7mm) or drysuit, dive weights, mask fins, and snorkel.
Polosub makes a custom 9.5mm Smooth Skin wetsuit to your measurements for 351,00€ and ships in 4-6 weeks.
The Imersion 10mm wetsuit is the cheapest option at $280 + shipping
Dive gear rentals in northern Norway are scarce but may be available from Dykker Sentret - the dive shop in Tromsø, Norway. In 2023, they had no rental gear available - however they did sell dive weights. The dive shop in Tromsø is open M-F 12pm - 4:30pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
High Visibility Polar Hood
Lightweight Drysuit
Neoprene Gloves
COLD WATER DIVING
These videos are a great resource to learn more about cold water diving and wetsuits.
LOCATION
DAYLIGHT HOURS
We have an average of 6 hours of daylight each day. The nights are long and the days are short.
For an accurate look at the amount of daylight hours during the expedition, visit TimeAndDate.com
WEATHER
In November, the average high-temperature is -0.1°C (31.8°F), and the average low-temperature is -2.9°C (26.8°F). Historically, the wind during November blows at an average speed of 15.6 mph (25.1 kph). The average ocean temperature in November is 7.1°C (44.8°F).
INSURANCE
It is strongly recommended to carry Extended Medical Insurance, Emergency Evacuation Insurance, and Trip Cancellation Insurance.
RESOURCES
Download Splitwise App
Download WhatsApp
Download Navionics
Order a custom 9.5mm Smooth Skin wetsuit from Polosub
DETAILS
INCLUDED:
Accomodation in Skjervøy, boat (Merry Fischer 795 with 115HP Yamaha motor), fuel, dockage, cruising permits, boat insurance, port & charter taxes, damage waiver, cleaning fee.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare, hotel in Tromsø, ferry between Tromsø & Skjervoy, travel insurance, gratuities, food, snacks, beverages, drysuit or wetsuit, mask, fins & snorkel.
We divide shared group costs using the Splitwise app and settle up on the final day.
Questions?
Let’s talk!
