Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The main draw is the chance to see orcas and humpback whales in Arctic Norway, with a fast RIB boat covering open water around Skjervøy. I like the tiny group, limited to two participants, and the full cold-weather kit, which matters when you are sitting exposed on a winter sea. I also like that the guide explains whale behavior rather than simply pointing at a fin.

The catch is simple: whales are wild, and sightings are not promised. One January departure returned without seeing animals, while another group nearby saw eight orcas, so luck and the crew’s choice of water can shape the day. At $240 per person, that makes the experience thrilling when conditions line up, but expensive if the sea stays empty.

Key points to know before you book

• Only two participants: The very small group allows a more personal ride and easier viewing from the RIB.
• Three hours on Arctic water: The boat is quick, but winter exposure can still feel long without proper clothing.
• Four whale species are possible: You may search for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.
• Thermal gear is supplied: You receive a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles, but you still need warm clothing.
• The meeting point is easy to find: Go to the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70, a red door next to Elon.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: Strong results are possible, but a wildlife trip can also produce no animals.

Setting out from Strandveien 70 in Skjervøy

Your morning or afternoon begins at the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door beside Elon, along with the company logo and the words Explore 70 Degrees. This is a useful meeting point because you do not need to search the harbor for the correct boat.

The tour lasts three hours from start to finish. That time includes the boat ride out, the search for whales, stops or slower passes when animals appear, and the return to Skjervøy. You should arrive ready for the cold, since the activity is built around open-air viewing rather than a heated cabin.

The crew provides a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. You must still bring warm clothing. Dress in layers, and do not treat the supplied suit as a replacement for a warm base layer. The goggles are useful in a fast boat, where wind, spray, and cold air can make it hard to keep your eyes open while scanning the sea.

You are not allowed to bring alcohol or drugs. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and carry anything permitted that you need for the outing. The supplied details do not promise refreshments during the trip.

Why a two-person RIB makes a difference

This is advertised as a small-group outing limited to two participants. That is a major part of its appeal. In a crowded boat, the best viewing place can become a contest, and a short sighting may disappear behind other heads. With only two people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide clearly and shifting position when a whale surfaces.

A RIB also gives the crew speed. The boat can cover more water than a slow sightseeing vessel, which matters when the animals are spread across the coast. The tradeoff is comfort. A fast inflatable boat exposes you to more wind and movement, even with protective clothing.

The RIB is a good fit if you want an active search rather than a relaxed cruise. You will be scanning the water, watching for blows and fins, and moving between possible feeding areas. If you prefer a calm indoor ride, this is not the right style of whale watching.

The activity is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 120 centimeters. Those restrictions make sense for a small, exposed boat, but check them carefully before paying. The supplied information does not give a separate age limit for older children beyond the minimum stated.

Searching for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and sperm whales

The crew searches the Arctic coast for four named types of cetacean. Orcas are the headline sighting, and the tour also looks for humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Each species can produce a different kind of encounter.

Orcas may travel in groups and can appear during feeding activity. The tour description says that, if orcas are found, you may take part in a feeding session and watch their coordinated behavior from the water. That is an exciting possibility, but the wording should not be read as a promise that every departure includes one.

Humpback whales offer the classic whale-watching moments: a broad back, a blow, a tail, or a breach. The description specifically highlights whales coming through the surface and displaying their size. A breach is never guaranteed, so set your expectations around seeing natural behavior, not a staged show.

Fin whales are among the species the crew may seek, while sperm whales add another possibility. The tour does not give a fixed route or a guaranteed species list for each departure. That is normal for wildlife watching, and it means the crew must respond to current conditions rather than follow a rigid sightseeing schedule.

The important point is that you are not visiting a marine park. You are looking for free-ranging animals in their own environment. That gives the trip its value, but it also explains the uncertainty.

What the guide adds beyond a fast boat ride

The guide speaks English or Norwegian and provides information about whale behavior and ecology during the outing. That turns the trip into more than a high-speed search. When a whale surfaces only briefly, understanding what you are looking at helps you appreciate the sighting instead of simply trying to capture it on a phone.

The available details do not name the individual guides, so you should not expect to request a particular person. What is clear is that the crew handles the boat, safety equipment, and wildlife search while giving explanations along the way.

I especially value the ecology element. A good whale trip teaches you to watch the sea with some patience. You learn to look for movement, blows, and changes in the water, rather than expecting a whale to pose beside the boat. The crew’s knowledge also matters when the animals are not immediately visible, since a quiet stretch can still be part of the search.

One point deserves careful attention. A January departure recorded no animal sightings, and the complaint was that another group saw eight orcas while this boat searched in a less productive area. That does not prove poor practice on every trip, but it shows how sharply results can vary even on the same day. If you need a guaranteed wildlife encounter, do not book this activity on that assumption.

The cold-weather kit and the real comfort level

The included thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles remove some of the hassle from an Arctic boat trip. You do not need to rent safety gear separately, and the suit should help protect you from the wind during the fast sections.

Still, winter on the water is demanding. Bring warm clothing as instructed, especially layers beneath the thermal suit. The supplied information does not list boots, hats, or scarves, so you should not assume every item of winter clothing is provided. Ask the operator if you are unsure about footwear or other equipment before departure.

The RIB format means you should prepare for motion. The tour excludes people with back problems, and that restriction is worth taking seriously. Even a three-hour outing can feel rough if the sea is moving. The height requirement also matters because the operator needs participants who can fit the equipment and ride safely.

At the same time, three hours is a sensible length for an exposed winter activity. It gives the crew time to reach whale areas without turning the outing into an all-day ordeal. If you have never taken a winter RIB trip, the duration is long enough for a real search and short enough to remain manageable with good clothing.

What $240 buys you

At $240 per person, this is a premium half-day activity. The price covers the RIB transport, guide, thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. It does not cover food or drinks.

The value depends heavily on what you want from the day. If you see orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales, the small group and direct access to the water can make the price feel justified. One January outing produced sightings of many killer whales, humpbacks, and fin whales, while another participant described seeing orcas in the wild as a dream come true. Those are the kinds of encounters that make a high price easier to accept.

But the cost does not buy a guaranteed result. A separate January trip saw no animals, despite orcas being found by another group. That is the central financial risk. You are paying for the boat, crew, equipment, and chance to search, not for a confirmed whale sighting.

The two-person limit improves the value compared with a packed boat. You get more space and likely more direct contact with the guide. Still, if your budget is tight, think of this as a wildlife gamble with strong upside rather than a dependable attraction.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans around Skjervøy are still changing. They do not remove the wildlife risk once you take the trip.

How the itinerary works over three hours

The route is straightforward. You meet at Strandveien 70, board the RIB, travel from Skjervøy into the surrounding coastal waters, search for whales with the crew, and return to the same meeting point.

The first part is about getting out to the areas where cetaceans may be active. The RIB’s speed matters here, since the crew can move efficiently rather than spending the whole outing near the harbor. You may see Arctic scenery along the way, but the main purpose is to find animals.

The middle section is the heart of the trip. Keep watching the surface and listen for instructions from the guide. If whales appear, the boat may slow down or reposition so you can observe them. The tour promises a chance to watch feeding, breaching, and other natural behavior, but the precise action depends on what the animals choose to do.

The return is not an extra sightseeing stop. You come back to Strandveien 70 after the three-hour session. Since no food or drinks are included, plan your meal before or after the boat ride.

Who will enjoy this Skjervøy outing most

I would choose this tour if you are excited by wild animals, comfortable with cold weather, and willing to accept an uncertain result. It suits photographers, couples, solo visitors who appreciate a tiny group, and anyone who wants to spend a few hours on the water rather than inside a large sightseeing boat.

It also works well for a short stay in Skjervøy because the tour takes three hours and begins and ends in the town center. You do not need to commit an entire day, though you should leave enough flexibility around it in case your schedule changes.

I would hesitate if you have back trouble, dislike fast boat rides, or need a guaranteed sighting. Families with very young children cannot use it, and anyone under 120 centimeters is excluded. The activity also may not suit you if you want an indoor cabin, a meal, or a quiet cruise.

The strongest praise is tied to the animals themselves. When conditions cooperate, the combination of orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and northern scenery can create a powerful day. The sharpest criticism is also clear: no animals means the price can feel hard to defend.

Should you book the Explore 70 Degrees whale tour?

Book it if seeing whales in the wild is a top priority and you accept that nature controls the schedule. The two-person group, fast RIB, bilingual guide, and supplied thermal gear give you a strong setup for a serious search around Skjervøy.

I would not book it expecting guaranteed orcas, a feeding session, or a breach. Use the flexible cancellation policy when possible, dress warmly, eat before you go, and keep your expectations focused on the search rather than a promised show. If the sea delivers, $240 can buy a remarkable Arctic memory. If it does not, the price will feel steep.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour meet?

Meet at the Explore 70 Degrees office at Strandveien 70 in central Skjervøy. It is a red door next to Elon, marked with the Explore 70 Degrees logo and name.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the RIB journey, whale search, guided viewing, and return to Skjervøy.

Which whale species might I see?

The crew searches for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Sightings of every species are not guaranteed.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English or Norwegian.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to two participants.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a thermal suit, life vest, mittens, and goggles. You must bring warm clothing.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Who cannot take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or people shorter than 120 centimeters.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.