Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Skjervøy is one of Norway’s best launch points for a winter whale search, and this three-hour RIB tour gets you out among the fjords and open coastal waters quickly. The prize is a wild encounter with orcas, humpbacks, fin whales or even sperm whales, not a staged display.

I like two things right away: the tiny group size, limited to two participants, and the practical winter gear supplied by Explore 70 Degrees. You also get a guide who explains whale behaviour and ecology instead of leaving you to stare at an empty horizon in silence.

The catch is simple and important: wild whales do not keep appointments. Recent outings ranged from spectacular, with many orcas, humpbacks and fin whales, to a January trip with no animals seen at all. You are paying for the search and the setting, not a guaranteed sighting.

Key points before you book

• Two-person maximum: This is a very small outing, useful if you want a quieter boat and direct contact with the guide.
• Four possible whale species: The search may include orcas, humpback whales, fin whales and sperm whales.
• Winter-ready equipment: Thermal suits, life vests, mittens and goggles are supplied, but you still need warm clothing.
• Fast RIB transport: The boat covers water quickly, giving you more time to search across the Arctic coastline.
• Three hours from central Skjervøy: You meet at Strandveien 70 and return to the same place.
• Sightings are uncertain: Even a well-run trip can finish without a whale encounter.

Starting at the red door on Strandveien 70

Your day begins at the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door next to Elon, along with the company logo and Explore 70 Degrees lettering. This is a useful meeting point because you do not need to hunt around the harbour for a boat in the cold.

The practical routine is straightforward. You receive the safety equipment, including a thermal suit, life vest, mittens and goggles, then board the RIB. Bring warm clothing beneath the suit. The supplied gear protects you from much of the cold, but it does not make ordinary clothes suitable for a Norwegian winter outing.

The tour is offered in English or Norwegian. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular person. What is clear is that the crew handles the boat, keeps watch for whales and talks about their behaviour and ecology during the search.

The two-person limit is a real advantage. You are not one face in a crowded boat, and you should have a better chance to ask questions or shift position when the crew spots movement. It also means that each booking may feel closer to a private excursion, though the small format does not change the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching.

The RIB ride across Arctic waters

Once you leave Skjervøy, the RIB becomes part of the experience. This is not a slow sightseeing vessel. The boat is designed to move at speed, so the crew can cover a broad area while looking for signs of whales.

That speed matters in a place where animals can be spread over a large stretch of water. A quick boat gives the crew more flexibility than a fixed viewing platform, and it can make the trip feel lively even before any fins appear. You will be watching the surface, scanning for blows, dorsal fins and sudden movement.

The tradeoff is comfort. A RIB ride can feel exposed, especially in winter, and you should expect wind and cold despite the thermal suit. The supplied goggles help protect your eyes, while the mittens and suit deal with much of the chill. Still, anyone prone to back problems should skip this trip, since the boat’s movement and seating may be demanding.

The experience is also not suitable for children under six or for anyone shorter than 120 centimetres. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Those rules are sensible on a fast boat in cold water, where alertness and a secure fit for safety equipment matter.

Searching for orcas, humpbacks and fin whales

The main work of the trip is waiting, scanning and moving from one possible area to another. Your guide may explain how different whale species behave, what makes an orca distinct from a humpback and why sightings can change from day to day.

Orcas are the headline attraction for many people. They are social, fast and strikingly easy to identify when a group surfaces together. If orcas are found, the tour description says you may take part in a feeding session and watch their coordinated behaviour at close range. That wording should not be taken as a promise that orcas will appear, or that every outing will include feeding activity.

Humpback whales offer a different kind of spectacle. Their size is obvious even when only part of the animal breaks the surface, and a breach can turn a quiet search into a dramatic few seconds. Fin whales are also on the list, along with sperm whales, giving the outing a wider range than a tour focused on one species.

You may see a whale’s back, tail or blow rather than a full breach. That is normal wildlife watching. A good encounter is not always the most theatrical one. A quiet surfacing nearby can tell you a great deal about the animal’s scale and movement, especially when the guide explains what you are seeing.

The activity promises the chance to watch whales breach and play, but no company can control that behaviour. Sightings of every species are specifically not guaranteed. Plan your expectations around a search for wildlife, not a scheduled show.

What the strongest outings can deliver

The best reported trips produced exactly the kind of day people hope for. One January outing included many killer whales, humpbacks and fin whales, along with excellent Arctic scenery and smooth organization. Another participant described seeing orcas in the wild as a long-held dream finally fulfilled.

That range of animals makes the tour appealing to anyone who wants more than a single target species. If orcas move away, you may still find humpbacks or fin whales. If the sea is quiet, the crew can continue searching, but the three-hour duration limits how much time is available.

The scenery adds value even when the wildlife is shy. Skjervøy’s coastal setting gives you cold northern water, islands and broad views, though the boat ride is not a dedicated sightseeing cruise. Your attention will be on finding animals, and the crew’s priority is the search.

One recent January trip was a sharp reminder of the risk. No animals were seen, while another group on a different activity found eight orcas the same day. The disappointed participant felt the boat had searched in the wrong area. You cannot treat this as proof of poor operation, but it does show that conditions and timing can produce very different results close together.

That contrast is the central question for your booking. Can you accept three hours on the water with no whale? If the answer is no, this is probably not good value at $240 per person. If the search itself, the chance of a rare encounter and the small boat format all appeal to you, the price becomes easier to defend.

Understanding the $240 price

At $240 per person, this is a serious travel expense. The fee includes the RIB transport, guide and cold-weather safety equipment, but not food or drinks. You should eat beforehand and bring anything you need for the three-hour outing, within the company’s safety rules.

The price covers more than a boat transfer. You are paying for a crew that knows how to search, a fast vessel that can reach different areas and equipment suited to winter conditions. The two-person limit also gives the trip a more personal feel than a large-group boat.

Still, value depends heavily on the result. A close orca encounter can make the cost feel worthwhile for someone who has planned a Norway trip around wildlife. A fruitless outing will feel expensive, particularly if another group sees whales nearby.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Skjervøy schedule may change. They do not remove the wildlife risk, but they make it easier to avoid committing too early.

Who will enjoy this boat most

I would recommend this tour to adults and older children who are comfortable with cold weather, a fast RIB and uncertain results. It suits a couple, a solo visitor who wants a very small group or two friends who would rather ask questions than share a large boat with many passengers.

It is especially tempting for anyone whose main goal is seeing orcas in the wild. The recent strong outings included large numbers of orcas, plus humpbacks and fin whales, so the possible payoff is high.

You should think twice if you have back problems, dislike cold conditions or need a guaranteed activity. The same applies if you are booking for a child under six or for someone below 120 centimetres. The crew supplies important gear, but you still need warm clothes and the ability to follow safety instructions.

This is not a food-focused excursion. There are no meals or drinks included, and the three-hour schedule is built around transport and searching. Treat it as a focused wildlife trip rather than a general coastal cruise.

How to improve your chances without expecting miracles

You cannot force a sighting, but you can make the day easier and more enjoyable.

• Bring warm layers even though a thermal suit is supplied.
• Eat before departure because food and drinks are not included.
• Arrive at the red-door office next to Elon with enough time to get dressed safely.
• Keep your eyes on the water and listen to the guide’s explanations.
• Expect a mix of fast travel, waiting and repeated scanning.
• Book only if you can accept that all species, or any species, may be absent.

Flexible planning is useful here. If your Norway itinerary allows it, avoid placing this tour on the one and only day you have available for whale watching. The booking terms let you cancel up to 24 hours before departure, which gives you some room to adjust plans.

Do not compare this trip only with the most exciting photographs. Breaching whales and groups of orcas are possible, but they are not the standard outcome of every three-hour search. A responsible decision means weighing the possibility of an extraordinary sighting against the very real chance of an empty sea.

Should you book the Skjervøy RIB tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast and focused search for Arctic whales, and if the chance of seeing orcas matters more to you than certainty. Explore 70 Degrees supplies useful winter equipment, provides English or Norwegian guidance and keeps the group to just two participants. Those are strong features for a wildlife trip.

Skip it if $240 would feel wasted without a sighting, or if cold and RIB movement are likely to make you uncomfortable. The 4.1 rating reflects the basic truth of this activity: some days bring remarkable encounters, while others bring only water, sky and scenery.

My practical verdict is cautiously positive. This is a good choice for flexible visitors who understand that nature sets the schedule. Go in hoping for orcas, but value the skilled search, the Arctic setting and the chance to see several whale species rather than buying a promise that cannot be made.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour begin?

Meet at the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70 in central Skjervøy. The office has a red door next to Elon, with the company logo and Explore 70 Degrees writing.

How long does the tour last?

The guided RIB boat tour lasts three hours and returns to Strandveien 70.

Which whale species might I see?

The search may include orcas, humpback whales, fin whales and sperm whales.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings of all species cannot be guaranteed, and an outing may finish without seeing any animals.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a thermal suit, life vest, mittens and goggles. You should also bring warm clothing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Which languages are available?

The live guide can conduct the tour in English or Norwegian.

Who cannot take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems or people under 120 centimetres tall. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.