Each winter from November through February, massive schools of Atlantic herring overwinter in the fjords around Skjervøy and Kvaløya in northern Norway, and they are followed in by orcas and humpback whales that come to feed. The combination of Arctic scenery, northern lights above the water, and whales actively feeding below is unique. Encounters are snorkel-only by Norwegian regulation, conducted from fast RIBs that move between whale sightings. Water is just above freezing; divers use drysuits even on surface swims, and sessions are short.
The year at a glance
- Water
- 3–6 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 3–5 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 3–5 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 4–6 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 5–8 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 7–10 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 9–12 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 9–12 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 7–10 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 6–8 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 5–7 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 4–6 °C
- Viz
- 10–20 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
Signature dive sites
The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.
- 01
Skjervøy fjords
RIB-based snorkel with whales actively feeding on herring.
- 02
Kvaløya area
Alternative base south of Tromsø.
What you'll see
Top species with their April status.
Orca (Killer Whale)
Humpback Whale
Getting there
Gateway
Fly into Tromsø (TOS). Visa: Schengen visa for many nationalities; visa-free stays for EU/EEA/UK/US/most Commonwealth.
Best months
Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Avoid
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct