The trip
Several days in the fjords of Skjervøy, Norway, searching for orcas at sea and living together ashore. Here is exactly what the trip includes.
The essentials
- Destination
- Skjervøy, Norway — fjords of the Far North
- Boat trips
- 2 to 4 outings in search of orcas, spread over several days
- Accommodation
- A whole house for 8 people (up to 9 depending on the layout)
- Price
- From CHF 1,800 per person — accommodation and excursions
- Not included
- Flights, transfers and meals
- Equipment
- Drysuit, mask and snorkel provided
- Crew
- Professional skipper, guide, and the organiser on site
- Requirements
- From age 16, no previous experience needed
- Dates
- On request, subject to availability for the season
The destination: Skjervøy
Skjervøy is an island and fishing village in Northern Norway, beyond the Arctic Circle. Its fjords are among the best places in the world to watch orcas and large cetaceans in winter.
It is a raw place: few inhabitants, mountains dropping straight into the water, and a low light that lasts only a few hours a day in midwinter. Nothing about it is staged for tourism — which is exactly why we go.
Read more
Days at sea
The trip includes 2 to 4 outings at sea, spread over several days depending on the format chosen and the weather. We leave the harbour with the skipper to look for the animals: orcas move with the herring, so finding them comes first.
Once a group is spotted and conditions allow — sea state, current, the animals' own behaviour — the boat takes position with the engine idling, and we enter the water calmly, a few people at a time. We stay at the surface with fins, mask and snorkel: the orcas decide the distance.
We do not publish an hour-by-hour programme: at sea everything depends on the weather, the light and the animals. The rhythm adapts daily, and some outings end without anyone entering the water. That is part of it.
The house and daily life
We rent a whole house for the group: 8 people, up to 9 depending on the layout. No hotel, no strangers in the next room — the place belongs to the group.
Meals are not included and are not handled by a caterer: we shop and cook together, everyone lends a hand. It is part of the experience, and it is also what keeps the budget sensible.
Crew and safety
At sea, the group is accompanied by a professional skipper and a guide. The outings themselves — boat, crew, safety at sea — are operated by an experienced local Norwegian agency we work with for every trip.
The organiser of Discover Orca is present on site throughout the trip and is a certified Rescue Diver.
Equipment
Drysuit, mask and snorkel are provided, so there is no need to invest in gear to take part.
You bring your personal kit: warm clothing for the deck, thermal base layers, hat, gloves and warm footwear. The full list is in the FAQ.
Who can join
The trip is open from age 16. No diving or freediving experience is required: you need to be able to breathe through a snorkel and be comfortable floating at the surface in cold water, in a drysuit.
Everything else — entering the water, positioning, the rules — is explained on site before each entry.
The price
From CHF 1,800 per person
Included
- Accommodation: a whole house for the group
- Boat outings in search of orcas
- Equipment: drysuit, mask and snorkel
- Professional skipper and guide at sea
Not included
- Flights to Norway
- Transfers to Skjervøy
- Meals, organised together on site
- Travel insurance, strongly recommended
The final price depends on the format (number of outings at sea) and the period. Write to us for a precise quote.
Dates
Departures are organised several times a season, depending on the availability of the house, the boat and the group. We do not publish a fixed calendar: tell us when you are free and how many you are, and we will tell you what is feasible.
Ask about dates