Silent Whale Watching
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Silent Whale Watching

By Brim Explorer Tromsø
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-98, max of 140 per group
Duration: 8–9 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More


  • Restroom on board
  • WiFi on board


Start:
  • Brim Explorer Tromsø - Meeting Point Tours, Kaigata 6, 9008 Tromsø, Norway
    Meet 15 minutes before departure at the pier to the side of Skarven Kro Restaurant in Tromsø (Kaigata 6)
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Pushchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infant seats available
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120003P4

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 140 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120003P4

    From
    £132.10
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
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    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • Kaigata 6, 9008 Tromsø, Norway
      Meet 15 minutes before departure at the pier to the side of Skarven Kro Restaurant in Tromsø (Kaigata 6)
    • Pass by
      Skjervoy
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Brim Explorer Tromsø
      955
      Tromso, Norway
      Joined in October 2018
    • 442jakeb
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Incredible tour of nature
      Great experience to explore the surrounding area by boat, loads of information from the crew, lots of support when the conditions were a bit rough. We saw some fantastic scenery and explored nature reserves and fjords. Topped off with some fascinating views from their underwater drone, with great insight from the crew.
      Written 8 February 2025
    • P9804XIchloew
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing!
      An amazing experience, watching the sunrise is something I won’t forget. The boat was ecologically conscious which we love to see! A special shout out to our hosts who made it both educational and fun! We loved learning more about Norway and Tromsø.
      Written 4 February 2025
    • josiec95
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing host
      We had a 3 course dinner on this cruise and the scenery and food was amazing. Our guide was really happy and informative. We even managed to see the Northern Lights through the heavy cloud cover.
      Written 27 January 2025
    • 32liak
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Memorable experience, but deceived by confusing information
      The whole experience was memorable, but we felt a bit deceived. We were in the group that first took the bus trip, and then boarded the boat to do the whale watching and returned to Tromso by boat. The bus was ok, but not much leg space. The guide was experienced and spotted white tailed eagles on our way. The trip by bus is very beautiful. However, we felt misled by the unorganised check in experience at the meeting point and the website gives confusing information. First, we weren’t aware that there would be a division of the passengers. One group went by boat, and returned to Tromso by bus, and the 2nd group did the other way around. Our main interest in this experience was to be able to search and see as many animals we could on board of the boat (not only killer whales). However, we probably had less time with daylight on board than the first group. By the time we were returning to Tromso, most of the trip on the boat was nearly in the dark.
      Written 26 January 2025
    • Shelli J
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A wonderful evening 💚
      Absolutely wonderful experience, the crew went out of their way to ensure that my dietary needs were catered to and that we were all happy and comfortable, you couldn’t ask for a more caring staff. The food was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere on board was fantastic, and after days of bad luck with the weather the crew alerted us to go outside as we had a glimpse of the northern lights! Such a beautiful and memorable experience! Thank you kindly to the Brim explorer team, 10/10 💚
      Written 18 January 2025
    • 610zef
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Staff and boat was nice
      To be fair to the trip there was a snow storm which meant visibility was poor, so consider this when reading my review. However I was made aware that coach trips to see the northern lights offered a refund before getting on the coach on the basis that there was zero chance of seeing anything, which people accepted and were happy with the honesty. The crew did say they hoped we had our expectations set as low due to the weather. The staff were all very friendly and presented many facts about the local area and northern lights, we can't fault the staff. The boat was nice and warm, the toilets clean and plenty of seating. There is a bar on board which was needed Overall we were bored, three hours of boredom to be precise. I am sure if you knew you had a hope of seeing something it would be fun waiting but the fact we were told getting on that there was no chance it was just boring. There was no offer either of coming back another day for free. I know there is no guarantee however they should of offered the option of a refund up front and leave it to the individual choice To be clear the staff and boat are very nice - its the policy of the trip I didn't like If the weather is ok then book this trip
      Written 13 January 2025
    • Bazzioni
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dinner Cruise but no lights
      Crew were good and attentive. The dinner served was traditional Norwegian food. We were not lucky enough to see the lights due to bad weather but did see them a few days after on a land tour. Just the luck of the draw
      Written 8 January 2025
    • Kate T
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice experience, don’t go solo.
      This was the dinner cruise experience and it was good. I would not recommend solo travelers doing this experience, though. I envisioned it being more communal/social, but they assign tables and everyone keeps to themselves, no opportunity to mix and mingle. Food was solid, service was ok, and it was lovely cruising around the fjord.
      Written 1 January 2025
    • Curiosity11924157929
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An amazing dinner cruise with Brim Explorer
      The staff were very helpful and dishes served were delicious. Views were breath taking and northern lights were icing on the cake. Kudo to Hugo and his colleagues. Well Done.
      Written 30 December 2024
    • D3borah_N
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dinner cruise with a dash of Northern lights!
      Warm welcome, good food, and rare aurora sighting, what more do we need? Thanks to the kindness of the crew led by Connor, we had a wonderful time onboard the Aurora dinner cruise. Despite poor weather and an unforeseen circumstance, we were able to make the most of the day! It is our first trip to Norway, we deeply appreciate the hospitality and generosity. 10/10!
      Written 30 December 2024
    • Anne H
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      100% go on this trip
      Absolutely the best trip so far ! We had to google the meeting point as it wasn't clear on trip advisor as it points to a carpark but it's actual the port edge outside the hotel listed. We waited in a queue and were directed to our boat. It was warm comfortable and drinks were on tap, we had hot chocolate but didnt sample the free soup but that was just because we weren't hungry it was served in bowls and looked lovley. We went up to the second dec and opened the door to the wonderful view. We were in and out until someone spotted the lights. They were hard to spot with the naked eye, but I managed to take lots of pictures on the night mood with no flash. It was absolutely amazing cold and we'll mindblowing we also had lots of information given to us during the trip and the guide who was English but lives in Norway was happy helpful and knew her stuff. I can't recommend this trip enough. The only disappointment was other people not paying attention i both enjoyed and felt very lucky to be there
      Written 29 December 2024
    • 220evens
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Afternoon tea & classical concert on the Oslo fjord
      A really enjoyable trip. Excellent service, fabulous entertainment from a world-class musician, and extraordinary surroundings.
      Written 25 December 2024
    • roygreypfc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Family Holiday
      THIS IS A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE TO TASTE NORWEGIAN FOOD, CRUISE AROUND THE LAKE, ADMIRING THE SCENERY, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE FROM THE CREW
      Written 23 December 2024
    • DanielaP_M_B
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Waist of time
      We were supposed to go to the nothern lights cruise chasing, itbwas supposed to be a drenam came true, afetr 23 hours of flight from Brazil, but Bring explorer told us the chasing would just be happen with dinner and offer us diner. The point is ther when there is a dinner They dont go away of City and it is not able to see nothern lights within the City. Só, we waist our nothern light in the City when the intencion was tô see it out of the City. Waist of time and Money
      Written 18 December 2024
    • 01649409
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice experience
      Wert nice experience and above expectations. The organisation was perfect and the whole staff was friendly and caring. The plates were excellent and the overall atmosphere was very pleasant also due to the fact that the board is not overcrowded
      Written 13 December 2024
    See all 955 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles574 reviews
    Excellent
    449
    Very good
    69
    Average
    24
    Poor
    18
    Terrible
    14

    Bobby Drake
    Newcastle upon Tyne, UK367 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    First tip! Make sure you provide your details to the company well in advance - without doing so, you’re going to be queuing to do this manually. And why is that important? Tip two. The boats are very very busy and the seats fill up fast. Get there very early - at least 30 minutes. We ended up crammed in on middle seats with limited views, and we got there 20 minutes early. You will likely be sitting next to people, so the two seaters are the best seats. Next tip. The arctic waters can get very choppy - sitting upstairs will probably be worse and make sure you take seasick tablets. We saw a number of people being sick. Next tip, this is a very loooong trip - take entertainment, food, and drinks. The staff are brilliant- so enthusiastic and entertaining, the boat is very modern with lots of outside viewing (wrap up warm!!!). Bottomless coffee is a great buy but the meal included was only soup and bread! We spent ages looking for whales but none there - it was only then we were told this was to be expected at the end of the season and we’d have been better to go in November (ouch!) - I think they should have been upfront about this. That said, the scenery is absolutely stunning! I would have still gone. Be prepared and enjoy!
    Written 29 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Anthony B
    Solihull, UK166 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2024 • Couples
    We had a wonderful experience on this whale-watching trip, filled with unforgettable views and close encounters with orcas and humpback whales.

    Arrival and Seating:
    The crew welcomed us warmly on board, though it's worth noting the seating is first-come-first-serve. We struggled to find a spot together initially, but a family kindly shifted, allowing us to join them at an 8-seater. If you’re in a larger group or family, I’d definitely recommend arriving early to secure seats together.

    Scenic Journey:
    The boat trip north is mesmerizing. As we left the port, the landscape became more dramatic, with stunning views of Norway’s coastline and fjords. The crew shared interesting updates and facts along the way, making the journey even more engaging. The boat has two indoor decks and three outdoor ones, which give you plenty of space to explore. It’s cozy inside, but outside it gets very cold, so wear layers—you’ll want to be able to take some off inside.

    Whale Watching Highlights:
    Our tour went just north of Skjervoy, a bit of a journey, but the destination was worth it! The crew was attentive and quickly directed us to any whale activity. We saw a large pod of orcas, which was amazing to witness in the wild. Shortly after, a pair of humpbacks surfaced nearby, with one coming close to the boat—an incredible sight! We spent around an hour observing them, though time flew by because we were so captivated by the experience.

    Journey Back:
    The return was quite a bumpy ride—exciting for those who like a thrill, but possibly challenging if you’re prone to seasickness. To top it off, the cinnamon buns on board were delicious—a perfect treat to warm up after being outside.

    Overall:
    This experience was truly unforgettable. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area—just be sure to dress warmly, arrive early for seats, and definitely try a cinnamon bun!
    Written 1 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Julia M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Family
    We went on the silent whale watching tour with brimexplorer today and we highly recommend this tour if you are really interested in whales and care about their well being. Although there were more than 100 people on the boat, it never felt crowded and the team handled everything excellently. The checking in was fast and well organised, there's coffee and sweets on the boat, but most importantly: the whole crew is genuinely interested in giving you insight into the arctic whales while caring about them. They showed us where to look for the whales but never (!) chased after them or came to close... the boat even stopped once on the way back because whales decided to swim in front of it. This is not the case for many other companies, so we were very lucky to get on a trip with them and hope they continue this very good work! Also: the short presentations about the different types of whales were not only helpfull but also very entertaining. :)
    Written 3 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    orzelska
    Corfu, Greece1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Couples
    Our silent whale-watching tour was an absolutely magical experience—a true dream come true! We were lucky enough to see majestic humpback whales and an unforgettable pack of orcas. The orcas came so close to our boat and treated us to a breathtaking, showstopping display that we’ll never forget.
    What made the experience even more special was how respectful the entire tour was of the animals’ well-being. The silent motor and the guides' careful approach ensured we didn’t disturb these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, which we deeply appreciated.
    Maria and Tobias, our tour guides, were fantastic—professional, kind, and endlessly knowledgeable. Their engaging mini-lectures throughout the journey gave us fascinating insights into the lives of these marine animals and the ecosystem they call home. They answered every question with enthusiasm and made sure everyone felt involved.
    This experience was an unforgettable journey. We would recommend it to anyone looking for a responsible and awe-inspiring way to connect with marine wildlife!
    Written 17 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Passenger41737436089
    4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2024 • Solo
    While the whale sighting wasn't as good as I have encountered in other places/countries and the distance you have to go to get to the whales' area is quite far, the organization and crew of Brim Explorer has been nothing short of extraordinary!
    I booked a tour with Brim Explorer on very short notice after a tour with another company got cancelled due to bad weather. Because this new booked tour clashed with a departing time of an aurora tour I reached out to the Brim Explorer Team and asked if I could reschedule the tour for one day earlier (unfortunately as it was already late, the prefered date was not bookable on their webpage). They told me that the desired tour was probably going to be quite full but I could try my luck and just come by in the morning and see if there was still a spot available. So the next morning, I arrived there very early and explained my situation to the crew, which all of them were unbelievably understanding and helpful. After everyone with the correct booking had been boarded they checked if there was still free seats and let me join their tour a day early. No fuss, no complicated re-booking just showing them my ticket for the next day and off we went!

    Probably one of the most generous and uncomplicated tour organizations I have ever experienced. The ship is great too with lots of outdoor decks (if the weather allows).

    As I said in the beginning, the whale watching itself wasn't that great on the day I went, but if I ever did a Whale Watching Excursion in Tromso again, I would definitely book with Brim Explorer then too.
    Written 28 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Megan A
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Couples
    Highly recommend the Brim Explorer. Our boat trip was on the 18th November and I booked via the Brim Explorer website. The tickets state to be at the boat 15 mins earlier but i would recommend joining a bit earlier ensuring you have the QR code ready and available to show when boarding the boat so you can get a good seat on the boat. The boat has snacks and soup you can purchase along with some alcoholic drinks, and hot drinks you can also buy. When you buy a hot coffee, you get free refillable's. I highly recommend taking some anti sickness tablets with you because a lot of passengers including my mum and I felt sea sick and the tablets kick in almost immediately and made us feel a lot better.

    We were fortunate to see lots of Orca's, a Finn Whale, and the top of a Humpback whale. Also see a few White Tailed Sea Eagle's as well. We stayed with the Orcas for at least and 1.5 hours. I'd recommend bringing binoculars. You do need to wear warm clothes. Even if you were unfortunate and didn't see whales, the views are breathtaking and would make the trip enjoyable.

    The crew were lovely and knowledgeable, giving updates about where we were, how to spot whales, and facts about different species of whales.
    Written 21 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    neha A
    Hong Kong, China96 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So many Orcas!

    We went on 24th Jan 2025 and saw many pods of Orcas and 2 humpback whales. I admired the captain’s attempt at maintaining space between the boat and orcas - seems like Brim Explorer is an ethical and eco conscious choice for your whale watching expedition in Norway. Despite this we saw the whales in close quarters and left satisfied with excellent memories and even better photographs!

    To get the best seats on the boat my advice is to reach 15 mins before Check In and 30 mins before departure. We arrived 20 mins before departure and majority of the window seats were gone. Second piece of advice is to bring your own food or pre-order specially the soup to avoid them running out.

    Dress warmly as the journey is quite picturesque and it’s likely that you will end up spending the majority of your time outdoors.

    The crew is friendly and helpful. I loved the small little talks they delivered on the region, the whales etc.. throughout the journey.
    Written 24 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    See Green Girl
    Bristol, UK191 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Would really recommend anyone staying in Tromso heading out with Kim, Mikhail and the rest of the Brim Explorer crew. The boat being a modern hybrid electric catamaran is quiet, stable, clean and comfortable with 3 decks so you can choose where you want to be. Having said that it really doesn't matter because as soon as anyone spots a whale everyone rushes outside to get photos! There are modern bathrooms on board and you can buy food and drink, quite reasonably priced for Norway or take your own. The crew are great at providing just enough interesting commentary at various points through the journey. Yes you have to sail for about 3 hours there and 3 hours back to the bay beyond Skjervoy so it's quite a long way but we were amply rewarded by multiple sightings of minke, fin and humpback whales, some really close to the boat. This feels like a responsible company and a day out of the water in the company of nature's giants is always one of life's truly amazing highlights.
    Written 30 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for recommending our tour with Kim, Mikhail, and the rest of the crew. We're glad you enjoyed the comfort and quiet of our modern hybrid electric catamaran. It's great to hear that the crew's commentary and the whale sightings made your journey memorable.
    Written 14 November 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Adam C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2024 • Couples
    My partner and I were gutted when we were told that the whale watching would be cancelled due to dangerous weather. But the crew offered alternative options, explaining clearly and calmly why the original tour wouldn't be possible.

    The artic fjord tour we went on as a replacement was brilliant, the commentary from Tobias and Connor wasn't overbearing but was always interesting and funny, I can honestly say they're the best guides we've had while we've been in Tromso.

    If you're in Tromso, or going to Tromso. I highly recommend this company and this crew, even if things go wrong they were happy to adapt to conditions rather than cancel and leave you with nothing to do as other agencies have.
    Written 27 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Julie W
    Cambridge, UK128 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Friends
    At the point we set sail the staff warned us that the weather may limit our activities and offered a full refund. Our time in Tromsø was limited so we continued on the trip. The staff were lovely and the boat was comfortable. In the end the weather was bad so we were told we were going to see the Fjords instead. Whilst I accept that we chose to continue the Fjords we saw were very disappointing. We came back very early and were given a 25% refund.
    Written 3 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    2025 Silent Whale Watching provided by Brim Explorer Tromsø

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