Whale-watching season in Tromsø usually runs from early November to the end of January, when orcas and humpbacks follow the herring into the fjords around Skjervøy. A few boats start in late October and some Skjervøy tours run into February; from March to September there are no whale tours.
Read the chart from left to right: whales and boats run from early November to the end of January, the polar night sits in the middle of that window, and only a few Skjervøy boats carry on into February.
Season: Visit Tromsø, Best Arctic and Norled; polar night: Visit Tromsø; February dates: GetYourGuide listings. Checked Nov 2026.
There is no single best week: pick the month by what you want most — the surest whales, light for photos, the northern lights too, or a base in Skjervøy. Each card names a tour that fits.
DecThe herring and the whales are settled in the fjords; every format is running.
NovReal daylight on the water before and after the polar night.
JanLong nights; the overnight cruise wakes you if the lights appear.
Nov–FebShort boats run longest there; one RIB lists dates in February.
The season follows the herring: since 2017 the shoals winter in the fjords around Skjervøy and Kvænangen, and the orcas and humpbacks come for them from about early November. Exact dates change every year, so check your date in the calendar before you plan around it.
The end of the season; the sun returns around 15 January and days lengthen fast. The overnight cruise adds a chance of the northern lights.
Best for JanuaryWhy this month: Long nights: the only tour that sails overnight and wakes you if the northern lights appear.
Only a few boats that start in Skjervøy; none from Tromsø harbour. One RIB lists its first date on 2 February.
Best for FebruaryWhy this month: One of the few boats still running, with dates listed from 2 February.
No whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryNo whale tours from Tromsø this month: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Whale season starts again in early November.
The whales come back with the herring in early November.
See November to FebruaryA few operators may start in the last days of October. Check the calendar before you plan around it.
Best for OctoberWhy this month: The most-reviewed boat — check its calendar for the first dates of the season.
The first weeks of the season, with the most daylight for photos before the polar night begins around 27 November.
Best for NovemberWhy this month: The most daylight of the season, and a heated saloon with big windows to make the most of it.
The heart of the season. The sun does not rise, but blue twilight around midday is enough to see fins and blows.
Best for DecemberWhy this month: In blue twilight, sitting low in a 12-seat RIB is the closest view — at least 3 hours on the water.
Season: Visit Tromsø, Best Arctic and Norled; polar night: Visit Tromsø. Checked Nov 2026.
November and December are the surest months, January closes the season as the sun comes back, February is for a few Skjervøy boats only, and March has no whale tours at all.
The first weeks of the season, with the most daylight for photos before the polar night begins around 27 November. Book a few days ahead and keep a spare day for the weather.
The heart of the season. The sun does not rise, but blue twilight around midday is enough to see fins and blows. Christmas weeks book up first.
The end of the season; the sun returns around 15 January. The overnight cruise adds a chance of the northern lights.
Only a few boats that start in Skjervøy — one RIB listing shows its first date on 2 February. None from Tromsø harbour.
There is no whale season in March: the herring and the whales have left the fjords. Fjord cruises still run, but do not expect orcas.
See which days in the season still have seats.
From about 27 November to 15 January the sun stays below the horizon, but it is not black: around midday there are a few hours of blue twilight. The boats work in that light, and the photos are soft and blue rather than bright.
The big boats leave between 07:30 and 09:00 and spend the brightest hours near the whales. The RIB tours are on the water in the late morning, close to the best light of the day.
In early November and late January you get more daylight — better for photos, and the sea feels less dark on a long day. If photos are the point of your trip, aim for one of those two windows.
Book a few days ahead in November and around Christmas, and keep a spare day: operators cancel or move trips in rough sea and give you a refund or a new date. Most listings let you reserve now and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Not sure this is the right format? The same whales can be seen from a big heated boat, a 12-seat RIB or an overnight ship — and the price and the length of the day change a lot between them.
Every answer is open; tap a question to fold it.
Compare every tourNovember to January; November gives the most daylight, December the heart of the season.
No. The herring and the whales have left; there are no whale tours from March to September.
Only a few boats that start in Skjervøy; none from Tromsø harbour.
The sun does not rise from about 27 November to 15 January, but there are a few hours of blue twilight around midday.
Usually in early November; a few operators start in late October. Exact dates change every year.
The 24-hour cruise sails at night and wakes you if the lights appear; day boats come back before the darkest hours.
A few days ahead in November and around Christmas; most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours.
Live dates for the Skjervøy RIB. Prefer a warm boat? See the catamarans.
Dates and prices on GetYourGuide — Skjervøy RIB, 12 guests.
