Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Skjervøy’s winter waters can deliver the kind of wildlife encounter you remember for years: orcas slicing through the sea, humpback whales surfacing beside the boat, and great fins appearing in the gray Arctic water. The RIB gives you speed and a low position close to the surface, two things I like for covering ground and feeling connected to the sea. I also like that the crew explains whale behavior rather than simply pointing and shouting.

The main catch is simple: wild whales do not follow a schedule. One January departure produced no animal sightings, while another soon after saw orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales. At $240 per person for three hours, that uncertainty matters. You need to be comfortable paying for the search, not a guaranteed show.

Key points to know before you book

• Two-person group: The boat is limited to two participants, which allows for a quiet, personal outing.
• Four possible whale species: The search may include orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.
• Three hours on Arctic water: The RIB covers distance quickly, but the ride can be cold and exposed.
• Winter gear is supplied: You receive a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles, but you still need warm clothing.
• Orca feeding may be possible: If orcas are found, the crew may offer a feeding session to observe their behavior up close.
• Sightings are not promised: The strongest recent experiences included many whales, while one outing saw none.

Meeting Explore 70 Degrees in central Skjervøy

Your outing begins at Strandveien 70, at the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door beside Elon, along with the company logo and Explore 70 Degrees sign. This is a useful detail because small northern towns can have simple meeting points that are easy to miss if you are rushing.

The location also keeps the start straightforward. You meet the crew, receive your equipment, and prepare for the boat ride before returning to the same place at the end. No separate transfer is included or needed in the stated plan.

The tour is offered in English or Norwegian. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not book this expecting a particular crew member. What you can expect is a live guide accompanying the group and explaining whale behavior and ecology during the search.

The group limit is two participants. That is unusually small for a wildlife outing and may suit you if you prefer a calmer boat, direct access to the guide, and less competition for a clear view. It also means the tour may feel more personal than a large sightseeing boat, though the limited capacity can make availability tighter.

Thermal suits, goggles, and the cold-water reality

Before leaving Skjervøy, you receive a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. These items matter. A RIB boat moves quickly, and the wind created by speed can make an already cold winter day feel much colder.

Still, the supplied equipment does not replace your own warm clothing. Wear good layers beneath the thermal suit and bring whatever personal cold-weather clothing you need. The instructions specifically tell you to bring warm clothing, so treat that as essential rather than optional.

The goggles are useful protection from wind and spray. The life vest is standard safety equipment, while the thermal suit helps with warmth and flotation. You should expect practical outdoor clothing, not a polished cruise-ship experience.

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people under 120 centimeters tall, or people with back problems. That last point is important because a fast RIB ride can be physically demanding. If your back is sensitive, ask the operator for more advice before booking.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is sensible on a small, fast boat where the crew needs everyone alert and able to follow safety instructions.

Three hours searching the Arctic coastline

The central part of the experience lasts three hours. You leave Skjervøy by RIB and head into the coastal waters of Arctic Norway, scanning the sea for signs of whale activity.

The boat’s speed is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Whales may be spread across a wide area, and a fast vessel can search more water than a slower craft. The crew uses its local experience to look for the species that may be present in the region, including orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.

That speed has a trade-off. A RIB is not a quiet, spacious observation platform. You may feel the motion of the boat, and the ride can be windy even with protective clothing. If you want a gentle, sheltered cruise with seats, this is probably not the right format.

For the right person, though, the RIB creates a stronger sense of being out on the water. You are not watching the sea through a large window. You are close to the surface, moving through open water, with the possibility of a whale appearing nearby.

The crew also provides information about whale behavior and ecology. That turns the outing into more than a search for a dramatic photograph. You learn what you are looking at and why the animals may be in the area, even if the sea does not produce a sighting.

The four whale species on the search list

The possible sightings give this tour a broad focus. You are not setting out for only one named animal.

Orcas are the headline attraction for many people. Their black-and-white markings make them easy to recognize, and their social behavior can make an encounter especially memorable. The supplied experience describes a possible feeding session if orcas are found. That means you may get to watch their grace, coordination, and intelligence during a natural feeding situation.

You should understand the wording carefully: an orca feeding session depends on finding orcas, and finding orcas depends on conditions that cannot be controlled. It is an opportunity, not a scheduled performance.

Humpback whales are known for their large size and powerful movements. A breach or a broad back rising from the water can make the scale of the animal clear in an instant. The tour description specifically highlights whales breaching and playing at the surface, but no behavior is guaranteed on any departure.

Fin whales are also included in the search. They are among the largest whales in the sea, so even a brief sighting can be impressive. From a moving RIB, you may see only a fin, back, or blow before the animal disappears again. Keep your eyes on the water and listen closely to the guide.

Sperm whales are another possible sighting. Their presence adds variety to the trip, since you are not limited to the species most often associated with Arctic orca excursions. As with every animal on the list, their appearance is not guaranteed.

The best approach is to think of the species list as a guide to what may inhabit the coastline, not a promise that you will see all four. One highly successful departure produced lots of killer whales, humpbacks, and fin whales. Another January trip saw no animals at all.

What a whale encounter may feel like from the RIB

A whale watching trip is built from short moments. You may spend much of the time scanning water, then suddenly see a blow, a dark back, or a group of fins. The animal may surface once and vanish, or remain in view long enough for the crew to position the boat.

The supplied descriptions focus on whales breaching, feeding, and playing at the surface. Those are the moments that make the price feel worthwhile. A whale’s size is hard to understand from pictures, but seeing a giant body rise beside a small boat gives you a better sense of scale.

The RIB’s low profile can help you feel close to the action. It also means your view may change quickly as the boat moves. Follow the guide’s instructions and avoid spending the whole trip looking through a phone screen. You can miss a whale in the time it takes to adjust a camera.

If orcas appear, the crew may arrange an observation of their feeding activity. The important value here is not simply getting close. It is seeing natural behavior in the animals’ own environment, with the guide providing context.

At the same time, you should not expect a controlled encounter. The operator cannot place whales in a particular spot or make them breach. A good crew can search efficiently and explain what you see, but nature makes the final decision.

Is $240 a fair price for three hours?

At $240 per person, this is a costly three-hour outing. The price includes the RIB boat, guide, thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. Food and drinks are not included.

I see the value in the small group and the specialized transport. With only two participants, you are not paying for a crowded boat experience. The RIB also allows the crew to search a broader area quickly, which can be important when whale activity is scattered.

The price feels strongest when you get the encounter promised by nature: several orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales, or a close look at feeding behavior. One January departure produced exactly that sort of memorable experience, and the person who booked it described the scenery and organization as excellent.

The price feels much harder to justify when the search produces nothing. Another departure saw no animals, while a snorkeling group reportedly saw eight orcas in the same general period. That contrast shows the risk clearly. Different boats can be in different places at different times, and a wildlife tour can miss activity that another group finds.

I would compare this cost with your own priorities. If seeing whales in the wild is a major reason for visiting northern Norway, $240 may be a reasonable gamble. If you need guaranteed wildlife for the price, you may find the risk uncomfortable.

Who will enjoy this Skjervøy whale tour?

I think this trip suits adults and older children who enjoy outdoor activity, cold weather, and the uncertainty of wildlife watching. It is especially appealing if you want a private-feeling outing rather than a large boat with dozens of people.

It also suits photographers who want a low boat position and open views. Bring realistic expectations, though. A whale can surface far from the boat or for only a few seconds, and no photography result is promised.

You should consider another type of outing if you have back problems, dislike fast boat travel, or struggle with cold conditions. The thermal suit helps, but it does not turn the trip into a warm indoor cruise.

The tour is also a good fit for someone who values learning. The crew discusses whale behavior and ecology, so you can come away with more than a handful of pictures. That information becomes especially useful when sightings are brief.

Practical booking advice for the best chance of a good day

Keep your schedule flexible around the tour. The experience lasts three hours, but the quality of the day depends on whale movement and sea conditions. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still shifting.

Check the available start times before you book. The activity does not list one fixed departure time, so you need to choose from the options offered for your date.

Arrive at the red-door office beside Elon with enough time to find the meeting point and get dressed. Bring warm clothing, and do not plan to buy food or drinks as part of the outing. They are not included.

The operator warns that sightings of every species cannot be guaranteed. I would extend that expectation to the whole whale search: you may see several species, one species, or no animals. That is not a minor footnote. It is the central decision you are making when you book.

Should you book the Skjervøy RIB tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast, cold-weather search for wild whales and you accept that nature controls the result. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of a two-person group, Arctic scenery, and the possibility of watching orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, or sperm whales in their natural setting.

I would book with extra care if $240 feels high for a day that might produce no sightings. The results can vary sharply, even in the same week. For a dedicated whale watcher, the chance of a memorable orca encounter may justify the gamble. For a family seeking a guaranteed attraction, the age, height, back, and weather considerations make this a less certain choice.

My practical verdict: choose this tour for the experience of searching wild Arctic waters, not for a guaranteed checklist of animals. If you can accept that bargain, it offers a personal and exciting way to see the coast from Skjervøy.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour start?

You meet at the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70 in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door next to Elon, with the company logo and Explore 70 Degrees writing.

How long does the tour last?

The guided RIB boat tour lasts three hours. You return to Strandveien 70 at the end.

Which whale species might I see?

The search may include sperm whales, orcas, humpback whales, and fin whales. Sightings of all species are not guaranteed.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. The operator states that sightings of all species cannot be guaranteed, and a departure may produce no animal sightings.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. You must still bring warm clothing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide can lead the experience in English or Norwegian.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity is listed as a small-group experience limited to two participants.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or people under 120 centimeters tall. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.