The aurora belt · WHALE WATCHING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 7 whale watching & aurora trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend the day looking for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises in Faxaflói Bay, then return after dark for a two-hour Northern Lights cruise. Guides such as Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have helped make past trips memorable. Warm overalls and heated cabins are provided.
“Brilliant tour, we were lucky enough to see humpback whales”
Leave Tromsø for a 24-hour coastal cruise toward Skjervøya, with a three-course dinner, Northern Lights search, whale watching, breakfast, lunch, lectures, and an overnight cabin. Expect a small ship setting with up to 52 people and a return around 7 PM the next day.
“The crew and tour guides are lovely, couldn’t do more for you to ensure upmost comfort. Knowledgeable about the whales and northern lights with several talks across the 2 days. We learnt lots of new things. Cabins are comfy and warm and there’s several food choices at each meal. All you of what we had was lovely. Whilst we didn’t get to see the northern lights due to cloud cover the polar twilight gave impressive scenery and beautiful colours in the sky. We did see loads of humpback whales including several breaches and several pods of killer whales some getting pretty close. An amazing trip and one to remember for…”
Spend about seven hours on Faxaflói Bay, watching for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and harbor porpoises by day before returning at night for the Northern Lights. Special Tours provides heated indoor seating, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, guides, and a free retry if the lights do not appear.
“The boat was comfortable and a good size. We saw both hump back and minke whales and our guide was very knowledgeable.”
Sail from Tromsø aboard MV Quest for an overnight Arctic trip with an ocean-facing cabin, three meals, whale watching near Skjervøy, Northern Lights talks, and wake-up calls when the sky turns active. An English-speaking expedition team guides the trip, with thermal suits supplied.
“L'accueil a été génial et l'accompagnement fantastique durant toute la croisière. La cabine était très confortable et les repas servis à bord de qualité. Tout l'équipage se met en quatre pour rendre votre expérience inoubliables et pour nous c'est réussi. La rencontre avec les orques et les baleines fût un moment magique. Vous pouvez demander à être réveillé si des aurores boréales apparaissent pendant la nuit. Ce ne fût pas le cas cette nuit là. Nous referions cette croisière sans hésiter. En plus nous avons eu la chance d'être seulement 10 passagers pour une capacité de 52. Cela ajoute à la qualité de l'expérience.”
Spend the day looking for humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins from Reykjavik, then return in the evening for a northern lights cruise. The boat has heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, warm overalls, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Jonathan may guide the lights outing.
“Saw a humpback whale. Northern lights not as expected. We saw them but you don't see all the colours just a very light green hue.”
Pair a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise with a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You’ll hear Icelandic myths, search for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and use thermal overalls. Guide Iga is known for sharp whale spotting.
“fortunate enough to see the lights on our tour and was a great night out on the water”
Spend about three hours seeking whales from Reykjavik, then return for a two-hour evening aurora cruise. An English-speaking guide explains local wildlife and the Northern Lights. Warm overalls, blankets, crew photos, and a free return option are included, while food, drinks, and hotel transfers cost extra.
“It was a bit cold and rainy when we went, but I love the water so it was nice to be out. The whale watcher was very knowledgeable, and shared a few facts that I will remember. While I did not get to see any whales, watching the dolphins were nice. I wouldn’t recommend unless you just needed to fill time. Also, the ladies at the front desk were not clear with what would happen to my tour since weather cancelled the northern lights portion of the tour, and I missed the first boat going out. I was rebooked for 4 hours later, but I would’ve preferred a refund.”
Pick a country, a city or a kind of night.
