Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The thrilling part comes quickly: you leave Skjervøy by fast RIB and search open Arctic waters for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and even sperm whales. I like the small group of only two and the fact that thermal suits, mittens, goggles, and life vests are supplied. You get a more personal ride and do not need to pack specialist sea gear.

I also like the crew’s focus on whale behaviour and ecology, rather than treating the trip as a simple photo run. The main drawback is plain but important: no species sightings are guaranteed. One January departure saw nothing, while another group saw orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales, so this is a genuine wildlife search, not a fixed show.

Key points before you book

• Only two participants: The tiny group can make the trip feel personal and leaves less crowding around the RIB.
• Four whale species are possible: You may search for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.
• A true winter outing: Thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles are provided, but you still need warm clothing.
• Three hours on Arctic water: The fast boat covers ground, yet much of the time is spent searching and waiting for wildlife.
• Orca feeding may be observed: If orcas are found, the crew may take you to watch a feeding session.
• Sightings vary sharply: Recent January departures ranged from no animals at all to many orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales.

Leaving Skjervøy by RIB

Your meeting point is easy to identify once you know what to look for. Go to the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy, at Strandveien 70. It has a red door next to Elon, with the company logo and name on the front.

The tour starts and ends at this same address. That matters in a small Arctic town, especially if you are arranging a short connection or do not want to spend time hunting for a marina. You should arrive wearing warm clothes, then use the supplied thermal suit and other safety gear before boarding.

The RIB is the right kind of boat for this outing. It can move quickly between possible whale areas, giving the crew a better chance of covering water during a three-hour trip. The tradeoff is comfort. A rigid inflatable boat is built for speed and access, not for a quiet indoor cruise with a heated cabin.

You should expect wind, spray, and cold even after putting on the suit. The included goggles protect your eyes, while the mittens help with exposed hands. Still, wear warm layers underneath. A winter whale trip is a poor place to discover that your idea of a warm jacket was optimistic.

Three hours of searching Arctic waters

The central activity is not a short ride to a guaranteed whale site. You spend the three hours looking for signs of life across the coastal waters of northern Norway. The crew uses its local experience and the RIB’s speed to search for animals that can change location quickly.

That makes the rhythm different from a standard boat excursion. You may travel at speed for a while, then slow down to watch the water. The payoff can be enormous when a whale surfaces, but there can also be long stretches with nothing obvious to see.

The possible species give the trip useful variety. Orcas are known for their striking black and white markings and social behaviour. Humpbacks can show dramatic surface movement, while fin whales are large, fast animals that may appear only briefly. Sperm whales add another possibility, though the tour does not promise any particular species.

The crew explains whale behaviour and ecology during the outing. That background helps you understand what you are watching instead of simply pointing a camera at a distant fin. It also gives the trip value when the animals stay below the surface.

What each possible sighting means

An orca sighting is the headline attraction for many people. The supplied experience description says that, if orcas are found, you may watch a feeding session and observe their grace, intelligence, and coordinated behaviour. That can be the strongest reason to choose this trip over a general sightseeing cruise.

You should keep the wording in mind: if orcas are spotted. The crew cannot call them in, and the animals are not trained performers. A day with no orcas is disappointing, but it is part of wildlife watching.

Humpback whales offer a different kind of spectacle. Their size makes even a distant appearance memorable, and a breach or other surface movement can transform a quiet stretch of sea into the highlight of your visit. The tour specifically aims to watch whales breach and play at the surface, but those actions remain unpredictable.

Fin whales are also possible. They are among the large cetaceans you may search for, though the information provided does not promise a particular number or viewing distance. Sperm whales are included as another possibility, which adds an unusual element to the species list.

The right expectation is simple: you are buying expert searching time, transport, safety equipment, and a chance to see wild animals. You are not buying a guaranteed encounter.

The value of a $240 winter outing

At $240 per person, this is a major activity expense. The price makes the most sense if seeing Arctic whales is one of the main reasons you are in northern Norway and you value a small, specialized trip.

The cost includes the RIB ride, guide, thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. You do not have to rent or purchase that equipment separately. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before or after the three-hour outing.

The two-person limit is an important part of the value. Many boat trips put a large group around the same rail, making it harder to see, take photographs, or hear the guide. Here, the maximum group size is two participants, which should make the experience more focused.

Still, the small group does not remove the main risk. If conditions or animal movements produce no sightings, the price can feel high. One verified January booking resulted in no animal sightings, and the customer felt the crew should have cancelled because animals had already been seen elsewhere. On other January departures, participants saw many killer whales, humpbacks, and fin whales. That difference tells you exactly what you are paying for: a chance with strong upside, not certainty.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew provides the practical backbone of the trip. They operate the RIB, manage the safety equipment, choose where to search, and explain whale behaviour and ecology in English or Norwegian.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular guide. The useful question is how much explanation you want. If you want a fast ride and occasional whale photos, the boat itself may be enough. If you want context about feeding, movement, and species differences, the guide’s commentary becomes a larger part of the value.

The crew’s local judgment also matters because wildlife sightings can vary from one nearby boat to another. A January departure reportedly saw eight orcas from a snorkeling group while this RIB group found itself in the wrong area and saw no animals. That is a painful reminder that timing and location matter, even when operators are trying.

The experience description also says the crew provides high-speed transport. Speed does not guarantee sightings, but it can reduce the chance of spending the entire trip in one limited area.

Winter comfort and safety on the water

The supplied thermal suit is essential, not a small extra. You also receive a life vest, mittens, and goggles. These items let you take part without bringing specialist marine equipment.

You still need warm clothing. Wear layers beneath the suit and choose practical clothes rather than anything delicate or hard to move in. The tour takes place in winter, and a fast RIB creates more wind exposure than a sheltered boat.

People with back problems should not book this outing. The boat’s speed and the movement of the water can make the ride physically demanding. The tour is also unsuitable for children under six and for anyone shorter than 120 centimetres.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is sensible on a small, fast boat in cold conditions, and it is not something to treat casually.

The equipment reduces risk, but it does not turn the trip into a gentle cruise. If you prefer a stable, enclosed vessel, this may not be your best whale-watching format.

The scenery around Skjervøy

Even when whales stay hidden, the Arctic setting gives the ride visual interest. You travel along the Norwegian coast from Skjervøy, surrounded by northern sea and wide mountain views. The supplied information specifically highlights the area’s northern scenery, and several successful outings were praised for the striking views as well as the wildlife.

The scenery cannot replace the main purpose of the trip, especially at $240. But it does soften the disappointment if the animals do not appear. You are still spending three hours in a dramatic coastal setting rather than waiting at a land-based viewing platform.

Bring a camera or phone if you want photographs, but protect it from spray and cold. No special photography equipment is included, and there is no promise that whales will surface close enough for ideal pictures.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this trip to a couple or solo visitor who has a strong interest in whales and accepts uncertainty. The two-person format is particularly appealing if you prefer a quiet outing and want direct access to the guide.

It also suits people who want several possible species rather than an orca-only promise. You may search for sperm whales, fin whales, humpbacks, and orcas during the same three-hour outing.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs a guaranteed attraction, dislikes cold, or has back trouble. Families with children under six cannot take part, and the 120-centimetre minimum height rules out some younger children.

You should also consider your schedule. The activity lasts three hours, but it is not wise to arrange an immediately timed connection afterward without allowing extra breathing room. The tour returns to Strandveien 70, but weather and wildlife searches do not always run with the precision of a museum visit.

What the ratings suggest about the risk

The overall rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 87 ratings, which points to a generally positive but not flawless experience. The strongest praise centers on the wildlife itself and the organization.

A January 14 outing produced many killer whales, humpbacks, and fin whales, along with praise for the organization and Arctic scenery. Another participant described seeing orcas in the wild as a fulfilled dream. Those are powerful results, and they explain why the tour can become the high point of a Norway visit.

The weaker experiences focus on the basic wildlife-watching problem. One January trip saw no animals, while another person simply wrote that they did not recommend it. You should not ignore those outcomes just because the successful trips sound spectacular.

If your main goal is an orca encounter, book only after accepting that the outcome depends on wild animals and daily conditions. If you can enjoy the RIB ride, the scenery, and the search itself, you are better positioned to see the value.

Booking flexibility and practical details

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. Check the available starting times because the exact departure time is not fixed in the supplied details.

The guide service is offered in English and Norwegian. The group is limited to two people, and the tour returns to the same office where you meet.

Bring warm clothing and plan your food separately. Since drinks and meals are not included, eating before departure is the simplest choice. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and expect to use the provided safety equipment before boarding.

Should you book the Skjervøy RIB tour?

Book it if wild whales are a top priority, you like small-group outings, and you can accept a real chance of seeing nothing. The potential reward is excellent: orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, or sperm whales in open Arctic waters, with a crew explaining what you are seeing.

I would be cautious if $240 feels uncomfortable without a guaranteed result. The January outcomes show a wide gap between an unforgettable wildlife encounter and an expensive boat search with no animals. The best way to make the call is to treat the tour as a serious wildlife expedition, not a scheduled performance.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

You meet 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 guided RIB trip lasts three hours and returns to Strandveien 70.

Which whale species might I see?

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

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide service is available in English and Norwegian.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to two participants.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. You should still bring warm clothing.

Is food included?

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

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 120 centimetres.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.