Whale Safari in Tromso: Humpback & Orca Watching

Chase whales through the Arctic fjords on a boat built to get there fast

A whale safari in Tromso aboard MS Gabriele, a fast catamaran that cuts travel time to the fjords so you spend more hours watching humpback whales, orcas and occasionally fin whales. A live English-speaking guide narrates the journey through the Tromso fjords. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours to give the crew time to locate whales and let you observe them properly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching in Tromsø fjords

• Board the catamaran MS Gabriele
• Sail through Tromsø fjords
• Search for humpback whales
• Observe orcas hunting in packs
• Spot fin whales if lucky
• Enjoy whale watching for 6 to 8 hours

The experience

The catamaran MS Gabriele is built for speed, which changes how the day works. While other boats spend hours getting to the feeding grounds, this one reaches them faster, leaving more daylight for watching. Humpback whales breach and slap their tails on the water. Orcas hunt in packs with their black-and-white patterns visible as they move through the waves. Fin whales, the second-largest animal on Earth, show up less often but when they do, the guide will point them out. The boat carries WiFi onboard and has a restroom, so you're not stranded if the weather turns or the day runs long.

You sail through the Tromso fjords with the guide narrating what you're seeing and why the whales are there. The tour lasts between 6 and 8 hours: long enough that even if whales are scarce on a given day, there's time to search properly and observe them when they surface. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome. A bar and café onboard sells snacks and drinks if you need them during the sail.

What’s included

• A live guide in English.
• WiFi onboard.
• restroom access.
• the catamaran journey through the Tromso fjords.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 170

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cruise Service AS

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Tromso itself, so you don't need a car to reach the boat: public transportation options are nearby. The 6 to 8 hour duration means you commit a full day, but that length is what lets the crew search properly and spend real time watching whales instead of racing back to shore.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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 24 h before the start.

What whales am I likely to see on a Tromso whale safari?

Humpback whales are the most common sighting around Tromso, known for breaching and slapping their tails on the water. Orcas, or killer whales, hunt in packs and are recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white pattern. Fin whales, the second-largest animal on Earth, are spotted occasionally on lucky days.

How long does the whale safari take?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours, giving the crew enough time to search the fjords and spend time observing whales once they're found, rather than rushing back to port.

Why is MS Gabriele faster than other whale-watching boats?

MS Gabriele is a catamaran designed for speed, which means it reaches the feeding grounds in the Tromso fjords faster than traditional boats, leaving more daylight hours for watching whales.

What's included on the boat during the safari?

A live guide who speaks English narrates the journey; WiFi is available onboard; and there's a restroom. A bar and café sell snacks and drinks if you want to purchase them.