Tromsø: 24hr Northern Lights & Whale Watching Cruise

Two nights at sea chasing the Northern Lights, then waking to whales

You board in Tromsø at 8pm, sail into the Auroral Oval for Northern Lights viewing, eat a 3-course dinner, sleep in an ocean-facing cabin, then spend the next day watching for whales before returning at 7pm. The cruise includes all meals, thermal suit, expert guides, and the boat's movement away from city lights, so you're not choosing between the lights and the wildlife, you get both in sequence.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Northern Lights cruise and overnight stay

• Check in at Norwegian Travel Shop
• Board boat at 8PM
• Safety briefing and cabin check-in
• Enjoy 3-course dinner
• Chase Northern Lights by boat
• Attend lecture in panorama lounge
• Overnight in cabin

Day 2: Whale watching and return to Tromsø

• Wake up and have breakfast
• Whale watching from cabin
• Enjoy lunch
• Check out of cabin
• Attend lecture in panorama lounge
• Return to Tromsø around 7PM

The experience

The boat leaves Tromsø at 8pm, and you're already moving away from the city lights before dinner. Check in happens at the Norwegian Travel Shop on Samuel Arnesens gate by 6:45pm latest, then you board and head straight into the Auroral Oval Zone. The part of the Arctic where the Northern Lights show up most reliably. The first night is about watching the sky. After a 3-course dinner in the Arctic restaurant, you settle into the panorama lounge with a drink while an expert guide walks through what you're actually seeing up there, the science of it, why tonight might be good or why the forecast shifted. Then you head to your cabin, ocean-facing, and sleep while the boat rocks you toward the whale-watching grounds.

Morning comes and you wake to the possibility of spotting whales right outside your porthole. That's the real difference between this and a land-based Northern Lights tour. Breakfast happens, and then you spend hours on deck or from the cabin watching for them. The guides know whale behavior, migration patterns, what you're looking at when a fin breaks the surface. It's educational without feeling like a lecture, and the ocean is genuinely quiet out there. Lunch is included, and by early afternoon you're heading back toward Tromsø, arriving around 7pm the next day.

The whole thing is built for small groups, which means the boat doesn't feel crowded and the guides actually know who you are. You get a thermal flotation suit so you're not fighting the cold if you're on deck for hours, and the cabin is heated. The 24-hour Northern Lights & whale watching cruise from Tromsø works because you're not rushing between two separate activities. You're at sea the whole time, moving toward better light and better wildlife as the night unfolds into morning.

What’s included

• Your 24 hours include roundtrip boat transport from Tromsø, an ocean-facing cabin with overnight stay, a 3-course Arctic dinner, breakfast, lunch, coffee and tea throughout, a thermal flotation suit, expert guides leading the Northern Lights chase and whale-watching sessions, and a lecture on Northern Lights science in the panorama lounge. All meals and equipment are covered.
• you bring only yourself and warm layers.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 1 people · Guide in EnglishAvailable from 2 Nov · 19:00

Up to 2 people · Guide in EnglishAvailable from 1 Nov · 19:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:00Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Please check-in at the Norwegian Travel Shop: Tromsø Havn Prostneset (top floor) - at any time on the day of your departure.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arctic Resorts

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both the Northern Lights and whale watching without splitting your time between two separate tours. The 24-hour format lets you chase the lights at night and watch for whales the next morning without leaving the boat or arranging your own transport between them.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time does the boat leave Tromsø?

Departure is at 8pm. Check-in at the Norwegian Travel Shop (Samuel Arnesens gate 5) closes at 6:45pm, and boarding begins at 7pm.

How long is the cruise?

24 hours at sea. You depart in the evening and return to Tromsø around 7pm the following day.

What meals are included?

Dinner (3-course Arctic cuisine), breakfast, and lunch. Coffee, tea, and snacks are also included.

Do I need to bring a thermal suit?

No. A thermal flotation suit is provided as part of the tour.

What if we don't see the Northern Lights?

The tour operates in the Auroral Oval Zone, one of the best places in the world for Northern Lights viewing, but sightings depend on weather and solar activity. The expert guides provide a lecture on the science and forecasting.

Is whale watching guaranteed?

The boat spends hours in whale-watching areas the next day, but sightings depend on wildlife presence and ocean conditions. Expert guides share insights into whale behavior regardless.

What's the group size?

The tour operates with small groups to keep the experience personal and the boat manageable.

Are there public transport options to get to the boat?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the departure point in Tromsø.

What's included in the price?

Roundtrip boat cruise, all meals, cabin with ocean-facing view, thermal flotation suit, expert guides, professional expedition team, and Northern Lights chase by boat.

Can I book this if I'm pregnant or have health concerns?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Contact the operator to discuss your specific situation.