Join our quest to watch whales and orcas during the twilight of the Arctic fall, right in the middle of the planet’s Northern Lights belt.
Step aboard our exclusive classic yacht and embark on an unforgettable journey into the impressive fjords of northern Norway. In fall and winter the majestic orcas and whales forage there in their natural habitat, following the annual herring migration. Tromsø, the capital of Arctic Norway, will be our departure and arrival port.
On board, every moment will give you life-lasting memories, whether you’re capturing breathtaking photos from the crow’s nest, marvelling at the Northern Lights, or learning about marine wildlife from our expert guide. With a small group of like-minded adventurers, you’ll experience nature’s raw beauty like never before.
Encounter the whales & Northern Lights
The ship and its crew carry ten guests and a guide to places you can only reach by boat. On this multi-day trip, we can maximise our time looking for whales; our camera system is set up to spot them when they appear. With our fast and sturdy expedition Zodiacs we can follow the whales, but we will do so in a respectful and ethical way to not disturb them: we need to respect these impressive kings of the sea! Back on board you can enjoy your private hot shower, relax and enjoy the beautiful ship and wonderful food in great company. Because we cruise away from the city lights, star gazing is not disturbed by light pollution. This also means we have great opportunities to watch Aurora Borealis, the Northern Light.
During the week of November 1–7, divers who bring their own gear will have the unique opportunity to snorkel alongside orcas and whales. The expedition will be led by photographer and diver Stan de Haas.
You embark on a quest to find animals in the wild: this means we cannot guarantee successful sightings. We can’t influence the weather, nor the orcas and whales. But we go by the advice of expert guides, and we can guarantee your trip through Norway’s fjords will create a lasting memory.
Day 1: Welcome aboard
Your journey begins in Tromsø, where you’ll board our elegant sailing yacht in the afternoon (5:00 PM/17:00 local time). Once settled into your cozy cabin, featuring a private sink and shower, it’s time to meet the crew and your guide, who will introduce you to the week ahead.
As the daylight slowly fades, you gather in the saloon for a welcome dinner prepared by our chef. With the panoramic views of the city lights around you, it’s the perfect way to start the adventure.
Day 2-6: Explore, immerse, enjoy!
Once on board, life slows down. We follow the pace of nature. Each day on this trip unfolds differently, shaped by the weather, the wildlife, and the group’s adventurous spirit. We have no fixed itinerary and aim to capture the essence of exploration, where no two days feel the same.
• Mornings are spent enjoying a delicious breakfast in the saloon, sharing stories with fellow guests, or snapping breathtaking photos from the crow’s nest or deck. Sometimes, you might join the crew to help set the sails and experience the magic of wind-powered travel. The guide will share insights into marine life and the unique foraging behaviors observed in the fjords, and in the assorted books you will find many secrets of the Arctic.
• During daylight in the afternoon you can enjoy the landscape in its ambient light. Once we are close enough to a pod of whales, you can join a zodiac ride for a closer look at orcas and whales as they glide through the fjords. We can encounter humpbacks, fin whales and sometimes even sperm whales. With expert guidance, you’ll learn to anticipate their movements and understand their world. We plan to you give you the opportunity to go ashore for a guided hike and a good opportunity to photograph Aurora Borealis.
Daylight hours are limited during the Arctic winter, but this adds to the serenity of the landscape and the magic of the Northern Lights. The evenings are when life on board gets extra cozy. Whether it’s an old sailor’s tale from the captain or watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky from the deck- these moments are unforgettable.
Day 7: The Final Morning: Fare-well
As we arrive in Tromsø, we share a final breakfast to energize you for your departure (9:30 AM local time). We hope you have experienced it’s not just about seeing whales; it’s about connecting with nature, embracing the spirit of adventure, and creating memories that will last a lifetime!
€ 4.250,-
PRICE INCLUDES
Experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the area
7-day/ 6-night ‘Whales & Lights’ cruise
Stay onboard the ship for the specified travel duration
Professional crew
Standard offshore lifejacket and lifeline
Tours with the Zodiacs
Bedding and towels
All meals on board, snacks, hot and non-alcoholic beverages
PRICE EXCLUDES:
Air fares to and from Tromsø. Please note: we strongly recommend you arrive at least one day prior to embarkation. This will give you more time in case of a delay/misplaced luggage, and a relaxed start of your cruise.
Hotel and meals in Tromsø before/after the tour
Insurance (personal medical, travel, cancellation, etc)
Alcoholic beverages on board (by Norwegian law, it is not permitted to bring alcohol on board of ships with an alcohol license). We’re sure we have something to your liking!
Oktober 11-17
Oktober 18-24
Oktober 25 -31
November 1-7, expedition by diver/photographer Stan de Haas
November 8-14
November 15 -21
November 22-28
Please check the calendar for availability.
Recommended clothing items:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
Payment Terms
We will send you an invoice for this trip, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid three months (90 days) prior to departure, the invoice must be paid within the payment deadline. Once the trip is confirmed, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
Cancellations
When you unfortunately have to cancel your trip with us, please do so directly to Ocean Sherpa via the contact form or email.
Cancellation fees:
-Until 60 days before the activity: 25% cancellation fee of the total price
-From 59 to 15 days before the activity: fee equivalent to 50% of the total price
-14 days and under before the activity: fee equivalent to 100% of the total price
Responsibility
Ocean Sherpa is responsible for the secure and safe implementation of the activities and programs.
Customer’s obligations
Participants are required to familiarize themselves with the conditions of sale before they book the activity, and sign for reading and understanding the terms of participation.
Furthermore, the participant is obliged to follow any instructions given by the organizer or the tour guides.
Customer’s Responsibilities
Customers are responsible for assessing their physical and / or mental shape compared to the tour content. They are under no circumstances allowed to bring private weapons or pyrotechnic devices on the trips. Ocean Sherpa is not liable for accidents and injuries that are beyond its control.
Ocean Sherpa reserves the right to refuse admittance to a trip if the customer is a threat to safety, either for themselves or the other participants, or if the customer behaves so that he / she is a nuisance to the other participants. If the trip is delayed, changed or canceled because one or more participants do not follow the operator’s instructions, they can be held financially responsible for any additional costs.
Insurance
Ocean Sherpa has a liability insurance through their own insurance company, and also the necessary guarantees to the Governor are made. This includes expenses in connection with any rescue operation. Customers must have a private travel insurance.
Program change / unforeseen events
We’re used to harsh conditions… but for unforeseen events, Ocean Sherpa reserves the right to cancel or change the program until the tour starts due to force majeure, dangerous weather conditions or other events beyond the company’s control which are an obstacle to the safety of the activity. Changes like this will not affect the activity price. If the weather conditions, third parties or other circumstances cause delay or make it impossible to carry out the event as agreed, the organizer cannot be made liable for compensation. The decision whether it is safe to carry out the program is made by the captain in consultation with the guides. We will always strive to find alternative solutions within the financial framework.
In case of too few participants in relation to the specified number in the brochure or web, Ocean Sherpa reserves the right to cancel trips until 14 days in advance.
If travel restrictions given by the Government occur, a full refund will be given. Contact us if that’s the case.
| S | S | M | T | W | T | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
