NORWAY · ORCAS
Arctic Norway
Arctic Norway · 69.6°N
Orcas in the fjords
Every winter, huge schools of herring move into the fjords of northern Norway. Orcas come in to feed on them, and humpbacks and fin whales aren't far behind. For a few weeks the fjords are some of the busiest water anywhere.
We spend five full days on the boat looking for them. When the orcas are feeding calmly and the weather allows, we get in with snorkels. The water is around [4–6°C] and the light is low and blue. You will be cold.
Back on land there's a warm house, a sauna and dinner together. On clear nights, the Northern Lights.
- Dates[Oct–Nov 2027]
- Length7 days, 6 nights
- On the water5 full days
- Group4–6 guests
- LevelConfident swimmer, cold water
- HostGavin Heeks
- From[$X]
The orcas
They follow the herring into the fjords. We only get in when they're feeding calmly.
More than orcas
Humpbacks, fin whales and sea eagles, often on the same day.
The cold
Water around [4–6°C]. You'll need your own cold-water suit, and we'll help you choose.
The house
A sauna, dinner together, and the Northern Lights on clear nights.
- Day 1
Arrive
Fly into Alta and we drive the group 3 hours north to our base near the fjords. Gear check, briefing, welcome dinner.
- Days 2–6
Fjord days
Five full days on the boat looking for orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. We snorkel when conditions allow. Evenings are for the sauna, rest and the aurora.
- Day 7
Goodbye
Breakfast, then the transfer back to Alta.
Weather and wildlife decide the plan, and some days we only watch from the boat.
Included
- 6 nights in a shared house with a sauna (private or shared room)
- 5 full days on the water: boat, fuel, captain and crew
- Guiding throughout
- Private transfers from Alta and during the week
- Most meals [list which]
- Photos and video from every day, shot by Gavin
Not included
- Flights to Alta (ALF)
- Drysuit or thick wetsuit, gloves, hood and boots
- Snacks and alcohol
- Optional extras like husky sledding
- Travel insurance (required)
A big house near Skjervøy, close to the fjords. Private and shared bedrooms, several bathrooms, and a sauna everyone ends up in by the second day.
| Room | 2027 price |
|---|---|
| Private room | [$X] |
| Shared room | [$X] |
Gear
You need your own cold-water suit. There's nowhere to rent one near our base. After you book we send a full gear guide.
Most guests get a custom Polo Sub suit, and the Imersion 10mm is a good cheaper option. Message Gavin if you're unsure about sizing.
Who it's for
- You're comfortable in cold water with the right suit
- You can handle long, cold days on a boat with little daylight
- You want to see orcas hunting up close
What's the best way to get to Alta?
Fly via Tromsø (TOS), which has more daily connections to Alta than Oslo. If your connection is tight, arrive the day before.
How cold is it?
The air is around [−5 to 5°C] and the water around [4–6°C]. Daylight is short and gets shorter through November.
Will we see orcas?
Most weeks, yes. Getting in the water with them depends on their behaviour and the weather, and on some days we watch from the boat.
Our ocean family
“Obviously swimming with the humpback whales was something I’ll never forget, especially hearing them sing beneath us… You arrive with a group of people you barely know and somehow leave feeling like you’ve gained a little ocean family.”
“I just finished the Mobulas Mega Fauna expedition in La Ventana and it was incredible… All the expedition days were well organized, epic and I felt safe at every moment.”
“The trip to Moorea with Gavin was the trip of a LIFETIME. I’ve been to several countries and on a ton of hosted group trips and honestly this was my favorite one by far.”
“We saw whales breaching before our eyes, heard a male whale singing for like 30 mins… If you wanna not constantly have to think about photographing then Gavin has you covered for that as well!”
“Trip of a lifetime, amazing experiences and memories made! Huge thanks to Gavin, he’s an absolute legend!”
“Everything about this trip was amazing, the experience, the accommodation, the people were more than amazing, thank you For this fantastic experience 🩵🩵🏝️”