Skjervøy: Whale and Orca Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Skjervøy’s winter whale tour puts you close to some of the ocean’s largest animals, from powerful humpbacks to quick-moving orcas. The RIB gives you speed and a low position on the water, so every dark fin or blow becomes part of the search. If orcas appear, the crew may arrange a feeding session nearby.

I like the very small group, limited to two people, and the practical cold-weather kit, which matters in Arctic wind. I also like that the crew explains whale behavior rather than simply pointing at fins. The hard truth is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule. One January trip saw no animals, while another saw many orcas, humpbacks, and fin whales.

Key points before you book

• Three hours from central Skjervøy: Meet at Strandveien 70, then return to the same place after the boat trip.
• A fast RIB boat: High-speed transport lets the crew cover more coastline than a slower vessel.
• Four whale possibilities: You may search for orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.
• Cold-weather gear is supplied: Thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles are included.
• Maximum group size of two: This gives you a more personal outing and plenty of room to ask questions.
• Sightings are not guaranteed: Nature can deliver a spectacular morning or an empty sea.

Setting out from Strandveien 70 in Skjervøy

You begin at the Explore 70 Degrees office in central Skjervøy. Look for the red door next to Elon, with the company logo and the words Explore 70 Degrees. This clear meeting point is useful in a small town, but I would still allow a little extra time to find it, especially in winter clothing and poor weather.

The tour lasts three hours from departure to return. That is long enough to search a good stretch of the Arctic coastline without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. It also leaves room in your schedule for other Skjervøy plans, though whale sightings can make those three hours feel very short.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. You travel by RIB, a rigid inflatable boat built for speed and open-water handling. The crew can move between areas where whales may be feeding, rather than waiting in one fixed spot. That speed improves your odds, but it cannot control where the animals go.

What the RIB ride feels like in winter

The RIB puts you close to the water. That helps with the sense of scale when a whale surfaces, but it also means you feel wind, spray, and motion more directly than you would on a large covered boat. I would choose this tour for the outdoor adventure as much as for the animals.

The operator provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. These are important pieces of equipment, not decorative extras. Still, bring warm clothing beneath the suit. The instructions specifically call for warm clothes, and you should take that seriously. Layers, warm socks, and clothing that remains comfortable while seated are sensible choices.

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or anyone under 120 centimeters tall. The RIB format and cold conditions make those limits worth respecting. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

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

The main search focuses on orcas, humpback whales, and fin whales along Norway’s Arctic coast. Sperm whales are also possible, giving the trip a broader range than a tour aimed at one species.

Each animal offers a different kind of sighting. Orcas may appear in active groups, and the crew may offer a chance to watch a feeding session if conditions allow. Humpbacks can show their large backs, blows, or dramatic breaches. Fin whales are among the largest animals on Earth, while sperm whales are known for their great size and distinctive blows.

The wording matters here: these animals are possibilities, not promises. On January 14, one outing produced sightings of many killer whales, humpbacks, and fin whales. On January 17, another trip saw no animals, even though a separate snorkeling group found eight orcas. Those two reports, only days apart, show how quickly conditions and animal movements can change.

That uneven result is not automatically a sign of poor guiding. A crew can search well and still return without a sighting. The important question is how much uncertainty you can accept when paying $240 per person.

Learning what you are watching

The crew provides information about whale behavior and ecology during the search. This makes a difference. Without context, a distant fin can be exciting but hard to identify. With an explanation, you can pay attention to the animal’s movement, surfacing pattern, size, and interaction with the group.

I like this part because it gives the outing some substance even when the whales remain far away. You are not only scanning the sea for a breach. You are learning why the crew watches certain areas and how different species use the coastline.

The English and Norwegian guiding options make the tour accessible to a broad range of visitors. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect a crew-led experience rather than a tour built around one named naturalist.

When an orca feeding session is possible

If orcas are found, the crew may organize a feeding session where you can watch their behavior from the boat. This is one of the most appealing features of the trip, since orcas are intelligent, social predators and often move with purpose rather than simply surfacing at random.

You should read this carefully. The feeding session depends on finding orcas first, and the tour does not guarantee that. It is not a scheduled performance. The crew cannot summon the animals or promise close activity.

If the orcas do appear, your role is to watch and listen to the guide. The supplied information does not promise that you will feed the animals yourself, so I would treat this as an observation opportunity, not a hands-on wildlife encounter.

The value of a two-person group

A maximum of two participants is unusual and useful. You are not competing with a large crowd for the best view, and you can ask questions without having to shout over a full boat. The crew can also explain sightings in a more direct way.

The small group does not remove the main risk. A private-feeling search is still a search. You might have an intimate, memorable encounter, or you might spend much of the three hours scanning empty water.

For couples, friends, or anyone who dislikes crowded excursions, this setup is a strong point. Solo bookings may depend on how the operator handles the two-person limit, and the supplied details do not explain whether a solo participant shares the boat or pays a different rate. Check that point before booking if it matters to you.

Is $240 a fair price?

At $240 per person, this is a premium three-hour activity. You are paying for the RIB, fuel, crew, guide service, safety gear, and the chance to reach wildlife areas quickly. You are not paying for a guaranteed animal encounter.

I see the strongest value in the small group and the supplied Arctic clothing. If you already have access to a whale tour with a larger boat, the RIB offers a different experience: faster movement, fewer people, and a closer feel to the water. If your only goal is to see an orca at any cost, the price carries real risk because sightings can fail.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring what you need for the three-hour outing, but do not expect catering on board. The available details do not specify a meal stop, so plan to eat before or after the tour.

The feedback is notably mixed. The overall score is 4.1 from 87 ratings, with several five-star reports describing dreamlike orca sightings and excellent organization. At the same time, some outings received very poor marks because no animals appeared. I would not book this as a guaranteed wildlife product. I would book it as a high-cost Arctic search with the possibility of an exceptional payoff.

Practical planning for your day in Skjervøy

Keep the meeting location, Strandveien 70, easy to reach. The office is in the center of Skjervøy, at the red door next to Elon. You finish back there after the cruise, which makes the tour easy to pair with nearby plans.

Wear warm layers even though the operator supplies a thermal suit. The suit protects your outer body, but warm clothing underneath helps you stay comfortable during periods of speed, wind, or waiting. The supplied goggles should help with spray and glare, while the life vest and mittens cover basic safety and comfort needs.

The tour has live guiding in English or Norwegian. It is not suitable for children under six, people with back problems, or people below 120 centimeters. Since the boat is small and fast, anyone with mobility or motion concerns should consider those limits carefully.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Arctic schedule depends on weather or transport. The activity page says starting times vary, so check the available slot for your date.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a small, fast boat, enjoy outdoor conditions, and understand that wildlife watching involves uncertainty. It fits couples and friends who value privacy, as well as people who prefer a guide-led search to a standard sightseeing cruise.

It is a particularly good match if seeing orcas is a major dream, but you are willing to accept that nature may not cooperate. The January reports show both sides clearly: one group had an extraordinary encounter with multiple species, while another saw nothing.

I would be more cautious if you have only one chance to see whales during your trip and cannot accept paying for an empty search. In that case, compare other local options, ask about current sightings, and check the cancellation terms before committing.

Should you book the Skjervøy RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the speed, small group, and close-to-the-water feel of a RIB, with a real chance of seeing orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, or sperm whales. The thermal gear and two-person limit add meaningful value.

Skip it if a sighting is essential rather than hopeful. The tour can produce a remarkable Arctic memory, but it cannot guarantee a single whale. At $240, you need to be comfortable paying for the search itself, not just the result.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The boat trip lasts three hours, including the return to Strandveien 70.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include orcas, humpback whales, fin whales, and sperm whales.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour specifically states that sightings of all species cannot be guaranteed.

What boat is used?

You travel by RIB boat, which allows the crew to move quickly across the water.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides thermal suits, life vests, mittens, and goggles. A guide and RIB transportation are also included.

Should I bring warm clothes?

Yes. Warm clothing is listed as an item to bring, even though thermal suits are supplied.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What languages are available?

The live guide can conduct the tour in English or Norwegian.

Who cannot take this tour?

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