Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The Arctic gets personal here. This three-hour RIB trip from Skjervøy gives you a fast, close-to-the-water search for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales along Norway’s northern coast. I especially like the thermal suits and safety gear included, and the fact that the boat carries only two participants, creating a remarkably small setting for a wildlife trip. The crew also explains whale behaviour and ecology instead of simply pointing at the water.

I also like the high-speed boat, which gives the crew a better chance of reaching active whale areas during a short outing. The main catch is simple: wild whales follow their own timetable. All species are not guaranteed, and one January departure produced no animal sightings despite the crew knowing that conditions were poor. At $240 per person, that makes the quality of the search and the day’s sightings important to your sense of value.

Key points before you book

• Two participants only: This is an unusually small group, useful if you want a quieter boat and more room for the guide’s attention.
• Three hours on Arctic water: The trip is long enough for a serious search, but weather and whale location can shape how much time is spent moving.
• Several possible species: Orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales may appear, but no sighting is promised.
• Thermal protection is provided: You receive a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles, though you still need warm clothing underneath.
• Orca feeding may be possible: If orcas are located, the crew may arrange a feeding session so you can watch their hunting behaviour at close range.
• Easy town-centre meeting point: Find the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70, a red door beside Elon.

Starting at Strandveien 70 in Skjervøy

Your outing begins at the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door beside Elon, along with the company logo and Explore 70 Degrees lettering. This is a useful meeting point because it is specific and easy to identify, but do not arrive expecting a large harbour terminal or a long check-in process.

The tour returns to the same place after the boat ride. That makes the three-hour plan straightforward to fit into a day in Skjervøy, though you should leave some breathing room around it. Arctic weather can make departure routines less predictable, and you will want time to put on the supplied equipment without rushing.

The guide speaks English and Norwegian. Since the group is limited to two people, you should be able to ask questions about whale behaviour, feeding, and ecology without competing with a large crowd. That small size is one of the strongest practical features of the trip.

Getting ready for a winter RIB ride

A RIB boat is fast, open, and close to the sea. That combination is exciting, but it also means cold air and spray can reach you even when the boat is moving well. The operator provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. You still need to bring warm clothing, and I would treat that instruction seriously rather than relying on the outer suit alone.

Wear warm layers that fit comfortably under the thermal suit. Keep your hands easy to move, since you may spend long stretches holding on, looking through spray, or using a camera. The goggles are especially useful when the boat picks up speed, but they are also a reminder that this is an active boat ride, not a heated sightseeing cruise.

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or anyone under 120 centimetres tall. Those limits make sense for a fast, open vessel that may move over choppy water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is standard and especially important on a small boat in cold conditions.

Racing out toward the whales

Once you leave Skjervøy, the RIB lets the crew cover water quickly. That matters on a whale trip because the animals move, and the best area at the start may not be the best area an hour later. The speed is part of the experience, not just a way to reach the viewing zone.

You will spend much of the trip scanning the sea. Watch for a blow, a dark back, a dorsal fin, or a sudden splash. A whale may appear for only a few seconds, so keep looking even when the water seems empty. The crew’s role is important here. They use their local experience to search and explain what you are seeing, rather than leaving you to guess at every distant shape.

The trip’s strongest reported sightings came in mid-January, when one outing produced many killer whales, humpback whales, and fin whales. That is the kind of morning that can justify the price: several species, dramatic Arctic scenery, and the chance to watch animals feeding and moving through their own habitat.

But you should also prepare for a quieter result. On another January trip, no animals were seen, while a different group on a snorkelling outing found eight orcas. That contrast shows the basic risk of wildlife tourism. Even boats operating in the same broad area can end up in different places at the wrong time.

The possible whale species

The tour focuses on four main types of cetacean. Each offers a different kind of sighting, although you cannot choose which one appears.

Orcas are the big draw for many people. They are social, intelligent predators, and watching a pod work together can be far more interesting than simply seeing a fin break the surface. If orcas are found, the crew may offer a feeding session, giving you the chance to observe their grace and coordinated behaviour from the boat.

Humpback whales are famous for their size and dramatic surface activity. A breach, tail movement, or powerful blow can make a short sighting memorable. The supplied trip details specifically highlight whales breaching and playing at the surface, but there is no promise that every outing will include those actions.

Fin whales are among the possible large whales in the area. Their size is the attraction, but sightings may be less theatrical than a close breach. You may see the animal travel, surface, and disappear again while the crew explains what is happening.

Sperm whales are also present in the stated search area. Their inclusion broadens the trip beyond the usual orca and humpback focus, although the operator does not promise sightings of them. The practical lesson is to book for the range of possible wildlife, not for one exact species.

What the three-hour itinerary feels like

The full tour lasts three hours, including the boat ride from and back to Skjervøy. The central activity is a guided search, so the pace may change. You may travel quickly between areas, then slow down or pause when the crew has a possible sighting.

That format rewards patience. A whale-watching trip is not a fixed performance with animals appearing on schedule. You could spend time watching a pod move through the water, or you could scan for most of the outing and see nothing. The operator is clear that all species cannot be guaranteed, and that statement should guide your expectations.

I like that the tour includes explanations of whale ecology and behaviour. Those details give meaning to a distant sighting. Instead of seeing only a splash, you can learn why the animals surface, how they feed, and what makes orcas different from the large baleen whales in the same region.

The main drawback is that three hours can feel short if the whales are far away. The RIB’s speed helps, but the boat cannot control the distance, weather, or movements of the animals. If you want a wildlife outing with a guaranteed result, this is the wrong type of activity. If you accept the uncertainty, the search itself becomes part of the day.

Why the two-person group matters

A maximum of two participants changes the feel of the tour. You are not sharing the boat with a large crowd, and the guide can speak directly with you. That should make it easier to move around according to safety instructions, ask questions, and keep your view of the water clear.

It may also make the trip feel more personal if a sighting occurs. You can focus on the animals instead of trying to look between rows of people. For photographers, the small group may reduce some common frustrations, although the provided information does not promise special photography positions or camera support.

The tradeoff is price. At $240 per person, you are paying for a very small group, specialist crew attention, safety equipment, and fast transport. That is a fairer calculation than comparing this only with the cheapest large-boat whale cruise. Still, the cost feels high if the outing produces no sightings, as one disappointed participant experienced.

The Arctic setting is part of the reward

Even when whales stay hidden, the trip puts you on the water around northern Norway in winter. The cold, open sea and distant Arctic scenery form the setting for the search. You should not treat the views as a consolation prize, but they are a real part of what you are paying for.

The boat’s low position gives you a direct view across the water. You are not watching from behind a large cabin window. That helps you feel the scale of the sea and the animals, but it also exposes you to more wind and spray.

Good weather will make the experience easier. Poor conditions may add excitement for some people and discomfort for others. Because the operator already excludes people with back problems, I would be cautious if you know you struggle with bumpy boat rides or cold exposure.

What the strongest experiences have in common

The most enthusiastic accounts describe three things: excellent organization, beautiful northern scenery, and large numbers of whales. One January outing produced orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales, while another participant described seeing an orca in the wild as a lifelong dream fulfilled.

That pattern tells you what this tour can deliver at its best. You may see several species in one outing, learn from the crew, and watch wild animals behave naturally rather than in a controlled setting. A feeding scene, if orcas are located, could be the defining moment.

The less positive experience is just as useful. One departure saw no animals, and the participant felt the crew should have cancelled because the poor result was apparently foreseeable. You should ask about current whale activity and sea conditions before departure if that information is available, especially when your schedule allows only one attempt.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 87 reviews, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless record. That fits the nature of the activity. The best days are exceptional. The weak days are expensive.

Value at $240 per person

The price is easiest to defend when you place value on a private-feeling outing. Two participants, a guide, RIB transport, thermal protection, and a three-hour search add up to more than a basic harbour cruise. If the trip finds orcas and humpbacks, the cost may feel worthwhile very quickly.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a guaranteed boat ride with scenic views. The operator cannot promise any species, and whale activity can vary sharply from one outing to another. You are buying a serious chance to see wildlife, not a guaranteed show.

I would book this if whales are a top reason for visiting Skjervøy and you can accept the risk. If your budget is tight, compare the cost with the importance of the sighting. Spending $240 for a possible orca encounter may be sensible for a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic trip, but it may be poor value if you have only a casual interest in whales.

Who should book this tour

This outing suits adults and older children who enjoy wildlife, cold-weather scenery, and a little speed. It is particularly good for couples or friends who want a tiny group, direct contact with the guide, and more space than a standard whale-watching boat offers.

It also suits people who care about animal behaviour. The crew provides information about ecology, and the possibility of watching an orca feeding session adds a learning element to the excitement.

I would think twice if you have back trouble, dislike cold wind, need guaranteed sightings, or want a calm indoor boat. Children under six and people under 120 centimetres cannot join. Bring warm clothing even though the operator supplies a thermal suit.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still changing. Those policies reduce some booking risk, but they cannot remove the wildlife risk itself.

Should you book the Skjervøy RIB tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast, wildlife-focused trip and understand that nature controls the schedule. The best outings can bring orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales into the same three-hour search, with a guide explaining what you are seeing and thermal gear keeping the cold manageable.

Skip it if a no-sighting day would ruin your budget or your holiday. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for a focused Arctic whale search, provided you arrive warmly dressed, keep your expectations realistic, and treat any whale encounter as a gift rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long does the whale-watching tour last?

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

Which whales might I see?

Possible sightings include orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Sightings of every species cannot be guaranteed.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English and Norwegian.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to two participants.

What equipment is included?

The operator provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. Transportation by RIB boat and a guide are also included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing to wear with the supplied thermal equipment.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Who cannot take part?

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