The Bird Safari Tour

The real prize here is the boat ride around Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve, where puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, cormorants and white-tailed eagles gather on steep Arctic islands. I like the short transfer from Honningsvåg, which gives you fjord and mountain views before the wildlife encounter, and I like that the captain and boat helpers point out birds as they appear. The main catch is price: at $292 per person, this is costly if birds stay far from the boat or weather turns rough.

I also like the visit to Gjesvær, a small fishing village with roots reaching back to the Viking Era. You get warm suits for the boat and toilets onboard, useful comforts in this exposed setting. Still, suit sizes may not fit everyone well, and there is no food for sale on the boat, so bring a snack.

Key points to know before booking

• Bird cliffs are only 10 minutes from Gjesvær pier: You spend little of the three-hour tour on open water before reaching the main viewing area.
• Puffin sightings are never guaranteed up close: Birds may sit far off, fly away, or slip below the surface before the boat reaches them.
• White-tailed eagles can be a major bonus: Several have been seen on strong outings, sometimes making a bigger impression than the puffins.
• The 30-minute coach ride is part of the experience: Recorded narration, mountain views, fjords and possible reindeer sightings add value before the boat ride.
• The boat has two toilets but no shop: Bring food or snacks if you need them during the three-hour outing.
• A minimum of four people is required: Solo visitors can book, but the operator refunds the reservation if the tour does not reach that number.

From Honningsvåg to the fishing village of Gjesvær

Your morning or afternoon begins beside the tourist information office, next to the cruise pier in Honningsvåg. Look for the coach marked The Birdsafari Tour. That clear meeting point matters, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship and have limited time to find your transport.

The coach ride to Gjesvær takes about 30 minutes. Instead of treating this as a simple transfer, I would think of it as the first scenic chapter of the outing. The road crosses an Arctic island with views toward ocean, fjords and bare mountain country.

The recorded narration adds useful background and humor. On one especially well-praised outing, the driver also pointed out reindeer along the route and gave people time to notice them. Sightings depend on the day, but keep your eyes outside rather than assuming all the wildlife will appear at the bird cliffs.

Gjesvær itself is a pleasant reason to choose this trip instead of a purely commercial boat ride. It is an old fishing settlement, picturesque without needing much sightseeing time, and its story reaches back to the Viking Era. You will not spend hours wandering its streets, but the short stop and harbor setting give the trip a stronger sense of place.

Ten minutes from the pier to the bird islands

At Gjesvær, you board the boat for the short run to Gjesværstappan, a nature reserve about 15 kilometers west of North Cape. The bird cliffs are reached roughly 10 minutes after leaving the pier, so the tour gets quickly to its main purpose.

That short crossing has a practical advantage. You are not committing to a long open-water ride before seeing anything, and the crew can spend most of the boat portion near the islands. You can move freely around the vessel, which helps when birds appear on different sides.

The setting is exposed, cold and windy even when the day looks pleasant in Honningsvåg. Arctic suits are available to help keep you warm. I would use one rather than rely only on ordinary holiday clothes, but be aware that suit sizing and the handout process may feel confusing at the start. Some sizes may not fit as well as you hope.

The captain is available for questions, and there are helpers onboard who identify birds and direct your attention to particular cliffs or stretches of water. The best commentary is practical: it tells you where to look as the boat moves, rather than leaving you to scan a large rock face without guidance.

Puffins, kittiwakes and the challenge of distance

From April through September, the nesting season brings heavy activity to the cliffs and grassy slopes. Puffins nest in holes in the turf, while kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, Arctic skuas, fulmars and gannets use the islands and surrounding water.

Puffins are the star for most people. Their colorful bills make them easy to recognize, but they are small, quick and not always cooperative. They may sit on the water, fly past, or disappear before the boat gets close. On some trips, puffins have been seen close by, with excellent chances for photographs. On others, they remained too distant for a satisfying look.

That difference is the central value question. You are paying for access to a major seabird colony and for the boat operation, not for a guaranteed close-up photograph. If puffins are your only goal, $292 can feel steep on a quiet day. If you also value the cliffs, open water, several bird species and the Arctic setting, the cost is easier to justify.

The boat crew helps improve your odds by tracking movement and naming species as they appear. Good timing and clear directions matter here. You might otherwise mistake a distant seabird for another species, especially when several kinds gather on the same cliff.

Bring a camera with a useful zoom if bird photography matters to you. Even then, keep your expectations sensible. A phone can record the scenery and nearby birds, but a distant puffin may become only a small dark mark in the frame.

White-tailed eagles and the wider wildlife show

White-tailed eagles are one of the most exciting possibilities on this tour. They may hover above the islands while hunting, and several have been seen on particularly successful trips. Their size and flight make them easier to appreciate than a fast puffin at a distance.

You may also see seals playing in the water near the boat. That is not the core promise of the excursion, but it adds a welcome surprise and gives you another reason to watch the sea between bird sightings.

The full list of possible species is impressive: guillemots and razorbills on the rock, cormorants and gannets along the cliffs, Arctic skuas and fulmars in the air, plus kittiwakes and puffins around the colony. The exact mix changes with conditions, season and animal behavior.

This is best approached as a wildlife search, not a staged animal show. The crew can guide you, but they cannot control where a bird flies or how close it comes. I appreciate that uncertainty, though I would not recommend the trip to someone who needs a guaranteed puffin photograph to feel the price was worthwhile.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is three hours, including the coach ride from Honningsvåg, the crossing from Gjesvær, time around the bird islands, and the return to town. The route is efficient, with the main colony only about 10 minutes from the village pier.

That compact schedule suits cruise passengers and anyone with limited time in the North Cape area. You get a complete outing without giving up an entire day. The tradeoff is that you cannot linger if the light is perfect or the birds become unusually active. One strong trip left people wishing for more time on the water.

After the boat ride, you return to Gjesvær and then take the coach back to Honningsvåg. The return journey gives you another chance to enjoy the island views, though the tour is focused on the reserve rather than extended time in the fishing village.

The coach driver speaks English, and the activity language is English. The bus narration can add a surprising amount to the tour, especially when it explains what you are seeing along the road. Onboard, the captain and helpers continue the commentary and answer questions.

Is $292 a fair price?

At $292 per person, this is not a casual add-on. The price makes the most sense if you are already in Honningsvåg, care strongly about Arctic wildlife, and want a guided route that combines road scenery with a boat visit to a hard-to-reach colony.

You are paying for transport from the cruise pier, the coach ride across the island, the boat excursion, crew commentary, access to the reserve area, and warm suits. You also avoid having to arrange separate transport to Gjesvær and find a boat independently.

The value rises on a clear day with calm water, active birds and a skilled crew. One highly successful outing included an engaging coach narration, patient driving, frequent reindeer spotting, strong boat handling and many birds. In those conditions, the whole experience felt worth the unusual expense.

The value falls when weather blocks views or puffins remain far from the boat. A less productive trip still included useful information and attractive scenery, but the wildlife payoff felt limited. That is not a fault the operator can fully prevent, but it is a risk you should accept before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. The tour needs at least four participants. Solo bookings are allowed, but if the minimum is not met, you will be contacted and refunded.

Practical comfort on the boat

There are two toilets onboard, a welcome feature for a three-hour activity with a coach and boat component. There is no food available for purchase, so pack a sandwich, water or a snack if you will want something during the outing.

You can move around the boat rather than staying fixed in one seat. That helps with bird watching, since the best view may be on the opposite side from where you first sit. Follow crew instructions, then shift position when it is safe and sensible.

The provided Arctic suits are meant to make the trip warmer and more comfortable, but do not assume every size will feel ideal. Wear layers beneath the suit and keep your clothing practical for cold, wind and possible spray. The tour information does not promise a particular boat design or indoor viewing space, so prepare for a largely outdoor wildlife experience.

Photography is a strong part of the appeal. You get cliffs, sea, small islands, fishing-village views and moving wildlife in one outing. The crew’s habit of calling out sightings can save you from missing an eagle or a flock passing behind the boat.

Who should book this bird safari?

I would choose this for a first visit to the North Cape area when I wanted more than a viewpoint and a quick photograph. The combination of the remote village, island road, seabird reserve and Arctic sea gives the day a proper sense of place.

It suits bird watchers, photographers, cruise passengers and families who can handle cold conditions and an outdoor boat ride. The activity is described as suitable for everyone, but the practical question is comfort in wind and cold rather than specialist birding ability.

You do not need to know bird names in advance. The captain and helpers identify species as you see them, and the commentary keeps the experience accessible. If you already know seabirds well, you may value the chance to watch behavior and compare species at the cliffs.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is a close puffin encounter. Puffins can be near the boat, but they can also remain distant or vanish quickly. I would also think twice if $292 is a major strain on your budget, since the tour’s value depends heavily on weather and wildlife activity.

My verdict: a fine splurge with real wildlife risk

Book The Bird Safari Tour if you want a guided Arctic outing that combines scenery, local history and genuine wildlife searching. The short ride to the cliffs, strong bird commentary, possible white-tailed eagles and chance of seals make it more than a simple boat transfer.

Skip it if you need guaranteed close-up puffins or prefer low-cost sightseeing. For the best chance of feeling good about the price, choose a day with favorable weather, bring food and layers, use the warm suit, and keep your attention on the whole experience rather than one bird.

FAQ

Where does The Bird Safari Tour meet?

The meeting point is next to the tourist information office by the cruise pier in Honningsvåg. The coach is marked The Birdsafari Tour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the coach ride, boat excursion and return journey.

How do you reach Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve?

You travel by coach from Honningsvåg to Gjesvær, then continue by boat. The reserve is about 15 kilometers west of the North Cape, and the bird cliffs are reached about 10 minutes after the boat leaves the pier.

What birds might you see?

Possible sightings include puffins, kittiwakes, white-tailed eagles, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, Arctic skuas, fulmars and gannets. Seals may also appear in the water.

Is food available on the boat?

No food is sold onboard. You can bring your own food or snacks, and the boat has two toilets.

Can a solo visitor book the tour?

Yes. The tour requires at least four participants to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the operator will contact you and refund the booking.