RIB, catamaran or electric boat?
Every whale safari from Tromsø ends up in the same waters, watching the same orcas and humpbacks. How you get there is the real choice. A big catamaran is a day on a warm ship; an open RIB is a day in the wind at sea level. In between sit the electric boat and the small heated boat, each with its own trade.
The four types at a glance
| Type | From | Group | Comfort | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big catamaran | ~$196–~$235 | 50 to 90+ | Heated lounge, toilets, kiosk | From a high deck |
| Hybrid-electric boat | ~$196 | 100+ | Heated saloons, three decks | From a high deck, quiet |
| Heated small boat | ~$383 | 12 | Warm cabin, open deck | Close and low |
| Open RIB | ~$334–~$353 | About 12 | None, suits provided | At water level |
The big catamarans
Three of our six tours use large, fast catamarans that sail from the harbor in Tromsø all the way to the whales: our pick, the fast and comfortable catamaran at ~$217, Rødne's high-speed catamaran at ~$196 and the all-inclusive Polar Adventures boat at ~$235. You spend the long crossing in a heated lounge behind big windows, with toilets and hot drinks, and go out on deck when the whales appear.
The advantages are comfort and stability. A big hull rolls less in a swell, so it is the safer choice if you get seasick, and you can go inside whenever the cold gets too much. The downside is distance. You watch from a few meters above the water, sometimes over other people's shoulders, and the boats keep the larger distance that the guidelines ask of big vessels. Group size makes a big difference here: our pick sells no more than 90 of its 147 seats, and Polar Adventures caps at 50.
The hybrid-electric boat
Brim Explorer's hybrid-electric boat at ~$196 is a big boat too, built for sightseeing, with heated saloons, panoramic windows and three outdoor decks. Its difference is the motor. Near the whales it switches to electric power and moves almost silently, which reduces the noise that researchers say disturbs whales. Many guests notice it, because once the engine falls quiet you hear the blows. With over 100 guests on board, though, the rail can be crowded, and the time with the whales is one to one and a half hours out of a long day. It is also the only tour on our page listed as wheelchair accessible. How responsible each type is has its own guide.
The comfortable way to the whales
Our pick keeps a third of its seats empty, so the deck stays roomy, and boards beside the Prostneset terminal at 8:30 am.
The open RIB
A RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, is a fast open speedboat for about a dozen people, sitting astride padded seats. It reaches the whales quickly and lets you see them at eye level, which is unforgettable when an orca surfaces a few boat lengths away. The Skjervøy RIB safari at ~$334 has the highest rating on our page, and Magic Skjervøy's RIB at ~$353 adds photos of your trip and a warm clubhouse with baguettes afterwards.
The price of the view is the cold. At speed in December, the wind on an open boat is brutal, and both operators hand out full flotation suits, boots, goggles and mittens on top of your own layers. The ride is bumpy, which is hard on backs, and both tours set limits. Arctic Adventure Tours takes nobody under 14 or shorter than 140 cm, and Magic Skjervøy sets a height minimum of 140 cm and a weight limit of 120 kg. Both drive you to Skjervøy first, so the day lasts about twelve hours. What to wear underneath the suit decides whether you enjoy hour three.
The heated small boat
The Skua Nature trip at ~$383 is the middle path. It also starts with the bus to Skjervøy, but there you board a covered, heated boat for twelve guests, with an open observation deck. You get close to the water like on a RIB, without needing a flotation suit, and you can step inside to warm up. A nature guide explains what you see and wildlife photographers help with your shots. It costs the most of the six and has the fewest reviews, but its guides are rated 4.9.
Which one to choose
- First whale safari, or worried about cold and waves: a big catamaran, ideally our pick or Rødne.
- Traveling with children: a big boat. The RIB is off limits under 14, and the heated boat under 6. Families have their own guide.
- Wheelchair users: Brim's electric boat, after checking with the operator.
- Photographers and wildlife lovers: the heated small boat, or the RIB if you can handle the cold and protect your gear.
- Adventure first, comfort second: the open RIB, and read our Skjervøy guide for the long day around it.