30th October 2023 to 12th November 2023
Autumn Whale Watching Sail, From Tromsø to Skjervøy
From £1670 per person
Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure.
This is a trip for those who want to sail along the rawest and most alpine coastline of Norway during the harshest time of year, looking for whales and northern lights.
Suited to
Couples, Individuals, Groups
Difficulty
No sailing experience is required, however, you are encouraged to take part in the routines onboard the sailboat
Nights onboard
6
Vessel type
Bavaria 44 or Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Vessel length
13.6 metres or 15 metres
Skipper
Yes
Berth Style
5 Single and Double Cabins across 5 Cabins. Max 10 people aboard. Sometimes, we travel in tandem with other vessels
Insurance Required
Yes
From: 20,300 NOK / £1,670 per person*
*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
Autumn Whale Watching Sail, From Tromsø to Skjervøy
Duration: 6 Nights from 30 October to 5 November 2023 or 06 to 12 November 2023
This is a trip for those who want to sail along the rawest and most alpine coastline of Norway during the harshest time of year, looking for whales and northern lights. Sail a full week from Tromsø to Skjervøy and Northern Troms.
Every autumn, large schools of herring migrate to the north Norwegian coast. They come to spend the winter in the fjords, and the orcas and humpbacks follow them. Together the whales and herring create a mesmerising spectacle in the fjords. In addition to this feast in the sea, the magical light is perhaps the most special thing about these trips in the winter season. The arctic winter light will offer magnificent experiences all day long, and it’ll be hard to put your camera down!
Sail from Tromsø, and spend a week along the coast of North Troms, around Skjervøy and Kvænangen. On the boat, we are far from street lights and other forms of light pollution, so we have the best potential to get the best view of the dancing northern lights that will hopefully join us as well!
We fill our adventure with bonfires on the beach, fishing in the fjords, and small trips and landings on the remote coast. Also learn a lot about sailing, the sea, and the areas you sail through.
You don’t need to know how to sail to participate, and you will learn a lot about sailing along the way. It is the perfect opportunity for those of you who want to test out winter sailing, learn more about nighttime navigation, and sail under the different wind- and weather conditions the winter season offers.
The experienced skipper will make sure you get a safe and memorable experience, and our co-skipper will contribute with knowledge about the areas we sail through and the sea.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Set sail along Norway's raw and alpine coastline, which will inspire awe and wonder, during the captivating autumn season.
- Witness the magnificent migration of herring and the thrilling presence of orcas and humpback whales.
- Experience the magical arctic winter light, offering stunning photography opportunities throughout the day and the chance to see the Northern Lights at night.
- Explore remote coastal areas, participate in beach bonfires, and try your hand at fishing in the fjords.
- Learn the art of sailing from experienced skippers and gain knowledge about the sea and the regions you traverse.
- Connect with fellow adventurers from around the world, forming lasting friendships and sharing unforgettable moments.
Who The Trip Is For
- Nature and wildlife enthusiasts who crave the raw beauty of Norway's alpine coastline and want to witness the captivating migration of herring and the presence of magnificent whales.
- Those who want to experience winter in the Arctic. Bring your double woollen long johns (a little Norwegian secret to staying warm in the winter!) and get ready for this raw and honest trip.
- Travellers who want to see the world in a sustainable way. The trip emphasises sustainability in every possible way, both on and off the boat.
- Those who embrace the flexibility of ocean travel. While we will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible, the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Itinerary: Autumn Whale Watching Sail – Tromsø to Skjervøy
As a sailing ship, we are largely dependent on the weather. We will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible under sail, however, the specified itinerary is simply a guide. With all tours as exciting as this, flexibility is important as the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Day 1: Arrival and sail toward Kvalsundet
Meet at the dock in Tromsø at 16:00, settle in the sailboat and get to know each other. Before hoisting sails, get familiar with the boat and go through safety instructions on board. Check the latest weather forecast and plan the route for the week before casting off towards Kvaløya and Kvalsundet. On the way, train on boat handling, man-overboard drills, and other emergencies.
Day 2: Sailing day to Rebbenesøy and Vannøya
Wake up on our first morning on the adventure. Who takes the first-morning swim? After breakfast, sail further around Ringvassøy in this great archipelago on the brim of the Barents Sea! Pass by Gåsvær, which is a good place for landfall and leg stretch. For the night, aim for a suitable anchorage or harbour at Rebbenesøy or Vannøya. Maybe catch your own fish for dinner today?
Day 3: Looking out for the herring and the whales
Large schools of herring come in here to the coast of Northern Troms to feed during the winter. And it’s these fish that attract the humpbacks and killer whales, in addition to lots of fishing vessels and tourist ships. With a whole week for our adventure, look for the herring and whales in the less popular places. Today, explore the areas around Vannøya and Arnøya before ending up around Kvænangen and Skjærvøy for the night.
Day 4: Kvænangen and Spildra
Head out early enough today to reach the spawning grounds of the herring during our few hours of daylight and hopefully get some encounters with the whales! Later, sail to the roadless island of Spildra, where around 20 people still keep up the activity with fishing, farming, and tourism on this historically important island. Hopefully, some of the local islanders here will also open their small pub this evening!
Day 5: Whales, the Lyngen Alps, and sauna night
Not possible to sail through the Alps you say? This is the day when you’ll be proven wrong with a sail through the Lyngen Alps. This part of Norway offers spectacular fjords, sounds, and mountains where your eyes will never be satisfied and want to see more – more – more of this. After a good day of alpine sailing, hopefully, with more whale sightings, dock at the pier of the famous Hamnes Handlested on Uløya. Here they have heated the sauna and jacuzzi all set up for a swim in the sea underneath the stars!
Day 6: The magical winter season light
The best part of this season in the North is the shifting and always beautiful light. Even though you don’t see the sun much here in winter, the light we actually get is often like an everlasting dawn and dusk! Perfect for great pictures and landscape views. Spend our last full day together sailing around the Lyngen peninsula on our way back to Tromsø. Hopefully reaching the city not too late. Aim to have our last meal and a well-deserved beer on land!
Day 7: Goodbye!
If all goes to plan you’ll only need to wake up, pack and tidy and clean out of the boat and disembark in Tromsø city centre this morning. If you have to sail during the night, you’ll be in Tromsø in time for the trip to end at 10:00 at the latest. Leave with your heart full of unforgettable memories and new friends. Savour this feeling and welcome onboard next time!
- Trip experience with a sailboat – experienced and locally familiar skipper on board
- Co-skipper/guide from onboard
- Our Comfort Package consists of accommodation onboard in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
- All the food we eat on board during the trip
- An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic, and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
- A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
- A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
- Use of our shared trip equipment: dinghy, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
- All boat-related expenses such as diesel, gas, harbour fees, etc.
- Personal safety equipment, Helly Hansen inflatable lifejacket
- Advice, guidance, and practical training on sailing and boating
- Travel to and from the start/end location
- Optional meals at cafés/restaurants (we sometimes have the chance to visit local restaurants on the way, see the itinerary for more details)
- Optional activities where we hire external guides and equipment, such as kayaking, glacier hikes, or surfing
- Drinks like wine, beer, or cider and other luxury drinks (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
- Travel/cancellation insurance – recommended, but it’s up to you
Experience Level
The trip is open to novice and experienced sailors. If you are a beginner, you will become a sailor in no time! If you are experienced, you will be given more responsibility and greater challenges so that you can learn new things along the way. We usually sail along the coast in protected waters, and there is often the opportunity to choose either more or less exposed routes, depending on the weather. The weather Gods decide, so you must be prepared for both windless conditions and sailing in harsher weather!
Safety and Risk
Safety is taken seriously on our trips, and staff are trained in handling different situations that can occur at sea. On board a boat and on trips, everyone must know what to do in potentially dangerous situations. It is important that as a guest and participant, you are trained quickly enough to be a participant – not a passenger. It contributes to learning, a sense of achievement, and increased safety for all. It’s also why our trips are considered to be sailing courses: you are trained to be one of the crew members on board. Feel free to contact us to discuss the risk.
What We Expect From You
Guests are encouraged to take part in the routines onboard the sailboat, whether it is sailing, docking, navigating, looking for whales and icebergs, washing up, cooking, cleaning the boat, or contributing in other ways when required. Trips require a little work from the participants – and you must be open to contributing and opening up a bit socially. There are many different people on the trip, and most people get along very well. Take the opportunity to make new friends, and create new and interesting memories!
Food and Cooking
On trips, you will be part of the crew onboard and get the chance to participate in all aspects of the running of the sailboat. This includes the cooking, where everyone is taking turns in the galley! Skippers and guides assist as much as they can along the way. Before the trip, set up a menu and purchase what is needed. Great menu options are offered, with healthy “boat-friendly” food. If you have allergies or preferences, let us know in the registration form and it will be taken into account. During the trip, possibly sail by a good restaurant or two to stop and eat at.
Accommodation
Accommodation on the boat is part of the fun. The accommodation is generally in shared cabins, some of which have a double bed and some of which have bunk beds. Figuring out who sleeps where can be a bit of a puzzle, but we do believe we’ve gotten quite good at it. Let us know if you have any special needs or reservations.
You must arrange any accommodation before and after the trip on your own. If you have any doubts about where to stay, we’re happy to give you some recommendations.
Life On Board
Life on board a sailboat is social and pleasant, but for some, it can be perceived as quite intimate and crowded, which one should be prepared for. On board, everyone participates in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered crew. We would like to get to know you well and hope that you will get to know everyone else on the boat as soon as possible. It requires some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but the new acquaintances and completely raw nature experiences will take your focus as soon as you become comfortable with life at sea.
We have plenty of heating and good food on the boat, but not always an abundance of fresh water. This means it will not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day when in a harbour or when sailing through a place with available showers. A morning swim in the sea is also available all year round!
Who You’ll Meet. How Many On Board?
Many come alone, some travel as couples, and others travel as a group of friends. The common denominator for everyone is that these are fun and interesting people you will become friends with almost no matter what. Sharing grand experiences creates strong ties! Many people wonder about the age composition of our trips, but this isn’t so important to us. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old as long as you want to go on a trip and intend to do your part in making this a great trip for everyone. The number of participants varies from trip to trip. If we have many participants, we will expand with more boats and skippers.
Environment and Sustainability
In general, sailing is an environmentally friendly activity, with skippers sailing as much as possible and using the engine as little as possible. Crew and participants are encouraged to travel as environmentally friendly as possible, and local ingredients and resources are used as much as possible.
We believe that sailing is an exercise in sustainability: we move with the wind and we have limitations on things like water, diesel, electricity and food. To run sustainably, knowledge, patience, flexibility, and hard work are required. The same can be said about many other things that one tries to do in a sustainable way.
Fly to Tromsø Airport.
Fly from Tromsø Airport.
Itinerary: Autumn Whale Watching Sail – Tromsø to Skjervøy
As a sailing ship, we are largely dependent on the weather. We will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible under sail, however, the specified itinerary is simply a guide. With all tours as exciting as this, flexibility is important as the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.
Day 1: Arrival and sail toward Kvalsundet
Meet at the dock in Tromsø at 16:00, settle in the sailboat and get to know each other. Before hoisting sails, get familiar with the boat and go through safety instructions on board. Check the latest weather forecast and plan the route for the week before casting off towards Kvaløya and Kvalsundet. On the way, train on boat handling, man-overboard drills, and other emergencies.
Day 2: Sailing day to Rebbenesøy and Vannøya
Wake up on our first morning on the adventure. Who takes the first-morning swim? After breakfast, sail further around Ringvassøy in this great archipelago on the brim of the Barents Sea! Pass by Gåsvær, which is a good place for landfall and leg stretch. For the night, aim for a suitable anchorage or harbour at Rebbenesøy or Vannøya. Maybe catch your own fish for dinner today?
Day 3: Looking out for the herring and the whales
Large schools of herring come in here to the coast of Northern Troms to feed during the winter. And it’s these fish that attract the humpbacks and killer whales, in addition to lots of fishing vessels and tourist ships. With a whole week for our adventure, look for the herring and whales in the less popular places. Today, explore the areas around Vannøya and Arnøya before ending up around Kvænangen and Skjærvøy for the night.
Day 4: Kvænangen and Spildra
Head out early enough today to reach the spawning grounds of the herring during our few hours of daylight and hopefully get some encounters with the whales! Later, sail to the roadless island of Spildra, where around 20 people still keep up the activity with fishing, farming, and tourism on this historically important island. Hopefully, some of the local islanders here will also open their small pub this evening!
Day 5: Whales, the Lyngen Alps, and sauna night
Not possible to sail through the Alps you say? This is the day when you’ll be proven wrong with a sail through the Lyngen Alps. This part of Norway offers spectacular fjords, sounds, and mountains where your eyes will never be satisfied and want to see more – more – more of this. After a good day of alpine sailing, hopefully, with more whale sightings, dock at the pier of the famous Hamnes Handlested on Uløya. Here they have heated the sauna and jacuzzi all set up for a swim in the sea underneath the stars!
Day 6: The magical winter season light
The best part of this season in the North is the shifting and always beautiful light. Even though you don’t see the sun much here in winter, the light we actually get is often like an everlasting dawn and dusk! Perfect for great pictures and landscape views. Spend our last full day together sailing around the Lyngen peninsula on our way back to Tromsø. Hopefully reaching the city not too late. Aim to have our last meal and a well-deserved beer on land!
Day 7: Goodbye!
If all goes to plan you’ll only need to wake up, pack and tidy and clean out of the boat and disembark in Tromsø city centre this morning. If you have to sail during the night, you’ll be in Tromsø in time for the trip to end at 10:00 at the latest. Leave with your heart full of unforgettable memories and new friends. Savour this feeling and welcome onboard next time!
As with all activities, there is plenty of specialised equipment and clothing for sailing. You are not expected to buy lots of new equipment to join any of our trips, so, use what you have, borrow what you need from a friend, try to purchase used equipment, and if you have to invest in new equipment – buy quality items that will last. What you need is something waterproof and windproof on the outside, and layered clothing underneath.
Some jackets may not be waterproof enough, or might not perform well in saltwater, so you might want to consider purchasing or renting a set of “oilskins” to use on the wettest days. Even in summer, it can be cold at sea, so bring both swimwear and warm clothing.
You will receive a detailed recommended packing list in good time before departure.
Packing
- Pack like a sailor; in a soft bag or backpack, NOT in a rigid suitcase
- Pack as little as possible, but bring what you need!
- The fewer items you bring, the faster you sail, and the less time you spend fooling around with your gear
Adventure-wear
- Woollen underwear – shirt and long johns/zip longs (bring two pairs so you have spare)
- Woollen socks (multiple pairs) and woollen soles (bring two pairs so you have spare)
- Woollen scarf/buff/high neck and hat (preferably warm and windproof)
- Mittens or gloves preferably with wind or water-resistant covers
- Woollen sweater, preferably a turtle-neck
- Warm pants, preferably multi-layered with warmer materials. (For use on the deck or while sailing)
- Warm winter jacket – down jacket or preferably Primaloft (as they can handle water)
- “Shore” clothing for exploring towns
- Sea/sailing/rain/rubber boots, preferably winter-style. Bring some big enough so that they breathe even with woollen socks and woollen soles
- Light shoes/sandals/crocs that breathe well. (For use indoors and on deck in nice weather)
- Trainers/deck shoes (no black-soled shoes please – they mark the deck)
- Sailwear/oilskin – jacket and pants (we rent out/sell good quality oilskins at reasonable prices, see separate information)
- Sailing gloves (not a must) and here you can also use skiing gloves or rubber/fishing gloves with wool liners
Other equipment
- Sunglasses (polarised lenses are ideal, but not essential)
- Sunscreen (water-resistant, SPF 30 or higher)
- Water bottle(s), minimum 0,75 – 1 litre, hydration reservoir (Camelbak)
- Small washing cloth and soap
- Towel and swimming gear
- Flask (insulated bottle) for hot water
- A head torch (preferably one with a dimming function/red (night) light)
- Walking boots, shoes for onshore, and trainers with good grip
- Sea sickness and personal medication
- Camera
- We have enough life vests for everyone, but if you have a vest of your own that you want to use, then bring it! Make sure to unscrew the gas cylinder before checking in your bag at the airport
Electronics
- Onboard the boats there are USB (USB-B ‘regular’ USB, no USB-C) outlets for charging phones when we sail. 220V outlets are available when we’re docked
- We have cellular coverage most of the time in Mainland Norway
Note: This is a recommended packing list
