Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Location/Type
Norway / Land Based
Tour type
Freediving
Diving Type
Polar
ABOUT THE TRIP
Swim with Orcas in the Arctic Fjords of Norway
Snorkel with wild orcas. Sleep beneath the Northern Lights. Experience Arctic Norway the way it was meant to be seen — quietly.
Every winter, thousands of herring draw massive pods of killer whales — along with humpback and fin whales — into Norway’s remote fjords, near Tromsø and the Arctic Circle. This is one of the only places on earth where you can snorkel and swim with orcas in the wild, and we offer something rarer still: an orca snorkeling expedition built on respect, not spectacle. No crowds of boats, no chasing, no forcing the moment — just small groups, a fjord-side homebase with sauna and wood-fire warmth, and a marine biologist guide reading the water for the right time to slip in.
Spend your days swimming and snorkeling alongside orcas in silence broken only by their calls underwater, or whale watching from the boat as eagles wheel overhead and the fjord walls close in around you. As night falls, the Northern Lights may ignite above the fjord — and on the right evening, you could find yourself watching killer whales surface beneath the aurora.
Running through peak orca season, this is a week for those who want the real Arctic: wild, unhurried, and unforgettable.
Ready to swim with orcas in Norway? Reach out and let’s start planning your expedition.
Join the Apex Ocean Travel family and embark on an epic adventure to witness one of the top marine predation events on the planet!
Payment Schedule:
50% deposit to secure spot
Balance due by August 1 2027
$7600
Special Offer
Northern Lights Tour Included
Book your spot!
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Trip Leader
Itinerary
Know more about the days
The 7 days / 6 nights itinerary is designed for guests to have 5 full water days exploring the fjords and swimming with orcas and humpbacks.
Day 1
Arrival in Arctic Norway
Land at Alta Airport and get picked up as a group for the scenic 1.5-hour transfer along the fjords to your accommodations. Settle in with a relaxed dinner, meet your marine biologist guide, and go through a full safety briefing before being fitted with your drysuit and Arctic gear — ready for your first day of orca snorkeling tomorrow.
Day 2-6
Ocean Safaris
Each day follows the rhythm of the whales:
- Morning: Breakfast, gear-up, and a short swim/drysuit check before departure (around 08:30).
- On the water: Search the fjords for orcas, humpback, and fin whales using rangefinder and thermal-imaging binoculars — moving slow (5–10 knots) to stay respectful of the pod.
- In the water: When conditions are right, snorkel and swim alongside wild killer whales. No pressure — every water entry is optional, and equally powerful encounters happen from the boat.
- Afternoon: Return to camp (roughly 14:00–15:30), dry off, and unwind in the sauna or whirlpool overlooking the fjord.
- Evening: Group dinner, followed 2–3 times a week by a short talk from your guide — plus, weather permitting, a rare once-a-week night excursion to watch orcas beneath the Northern Lights.
Day 7
Departure
One last chance for whale watching or an optional final snorkel with orcas before an early breakfast and the transfer back to Alta Airport for your flight home.
- Group transfer between Alta Airport and accommodations (both directions)
- 6 nights accommodation at the fjord-side camp
- All meals: breakfast buffet, lunch, snacks, afternoon cake & pastries, 3-course dinner — vegan options available on request
- 24/7 coffee, cappuccino & tea
- Daily guided orca and whale-watching excursions, led by a marine biologist guide
- Full Arctic snorkeling kit: drysuit, neoprene hood & gloves, snorkel with air valve, mask, safety buoy, and thermal layering system (base layers, thermal socks, mid-layers)
- Whale-watching boat gear: floating suit, thermal boots, life jacket, storm hood, cap, waterproof gloves, thermal blanket/poncho
- In-room comfort gear: winter jacket, snow suit, gloves, thermal loungewear, towels, bathrobe, slippers, hot water bottle, shoe dryer
- Personal water bottle, thermos flask, and 20L dry bag for the boat
- Sauna and whirlpool access
- Safety briefing and full onboard safety equipment (life rafts, AIS/EPIRB tracking, medical kit, thermal imaging & rangefinder binoculars)
- Evening programs, including guide talks (2–3x/week) and a weather-permitting night excursion to see orcas under the Northern Lights
- Photo and Video Package
- Flights: International and Domestic
- Trip Insurance
- Dive Insurance
- Personal clothing basics (underwear, sleepwear, personal swimwear)
- Personal toiletries and medication (including seasickness and pain relief medication)
- Personal electronics: phone, camera/GoPro, chargers, extra batteries
- Gratuities
Wildlife and Vessel
Accommodations
$7600
Camp is a cozy, nature-oriented homebase set right on the water in Burfjord, just 23 meters from the boat launch. The two-story house features comfortable guest rooms upstairs, a wood-burning-stove living room with sweeping fjord views downstairs, and a south-facing terrace for soaking in the Arctic scenery. After each day on the water, unwind in the outdoor sauna or whirlpool before gathering for meals and evening stories by the fire. It’s less “hotel,” more basecamp — built for a small group to settle in, warm up, and feel at home between whale encounters.
About the Operator
Our local operator is a small, independently run company based in the fjords of Burfjord, built deliberately around quality over quantity. Rather than chasing volume, the team — led by a marine biologist — designed the entire experience around one core philosophy: respect over ego. Boats move slowly and deliberately through whale areas (5–10 knots), sonar is used only when necessary to avoid disturbing the animals, and every encounter is guided by patience rather than pressure — guests are never pushed into the water, and the whales are never chased or crowded. The camp deliberately operates in quieter fjords away from the busier daytrip routes near the open sea, reducing cumulative disturbance to the orcas and whales that depend on this habitat to feed and survive the winter. That same care extends onshore, with sustainable touches like bamboo toothbrushes and dental floss woven into daily camp life. It’s a small-team, low-impact approach built on the belief that real wildlife encounters don’t need to be loud, crowded, or forced to be unforgettable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should I fly into?
Fly into Alta Airport (ALF) in Northern Norway. Our team picks up the whole group together at the airport, and it’s about a 1.5-hour scenic drive along the fjords
Do I need a scuba certification to join this tour?
No, as this tour is a snorkel/freedive only tour, there is no certification necessary. You do need to be a confident swimmer. Before your first water entry, everyone does a short swim test near the dock to check comfort level and drysuit fit.
Is getting in the water with the orcas guaranteed?
No wildlife encounter can ever be guaranteed, and that’s by design — we never chase or pressure the whales. Our guide decides when conditions are safe and respectful enough for a water entry. Every guest can also choose to stay on the boat; incredible encounters happen from there too.
What's the water like, and will I be cold?
You’ll be snorkeling in Arctic fjord water, so a full drysuit, neoprene hood and gloves, and a thermal layering system are provided and fitted for you on arrival. Merino wool base layers (not cotton) are recommended for warmth.
Will I see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can’t be guaranteed, but Arctic Norway’s winter skies give you a strong chance. Once a week, weather and safety permitting, we run an optional night excursion specifically to watch orcas beneath the aurora.
Do you take photos or videos during the tour?
Yes! Our guides and photographers often document the safari. Photos and videos are included so you can relive your adventure without worrying about bringing a camera.
Will I get seasick?
How many people are on this trip?
This is an intentionally small-group expedition — 6 divers plus your trip leader, keeping the experience intimate, calm, and respectful of the whales rather than run like a mass-tourism operation.
What should I pack?
Nearly everything — from drysuits and thermal layers to winter jackets and towels — is provided. You mainly need to bring personal basics like clothes, toiletries, any personal medication, and your camera or phone. A full packing checklist is provided closer to your trip.