Norway: The Ultimate Whale Watching in Norway Adventure
Get up close to the planet's largest mammals
In the far North above the Arctic Circle, the fishing village of Andenes presents a unique location for whale watching in Norway. With its short distance to the deep oceanic waters, this is the only place in this part of the world where you can see the giant male sperm whales, only an hour’s journey from the shore. The pristine and contrasting wilderness of the open sea, cacophonic bird rocks, open marshland and jagged peaks under the magical colours of the Midnight Sun offer the perfect backdrop to this unforgettable phenomenon. Why not combine whale watching in Norway with a seal and bird safari and perhaps some deep sea fishing to make the most of this spectacular destination?
Day 1 -
UK to Andenes
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On arrival at Evenes airport, pick up your car rental for a 3 to 3.5 hours scenic drive to Andenes. Overnight bed and breakfast at your chosen accommodation.
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Day 2 -
Whale Watching Norway Safari
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.jpg "Whale Watching Norway Safari")
After breakfast at the hotel, take a short walk to the Whale Centre where your wildlife adventure starts with a fascinating guided tour and a multi media show. Your whale watching in Norway safari is a guided boat trip (3 to 5 hrs) where scientists from many different countries make you feel part of a special research project. From experience, whales are spotted on 95% to 99% of the safaris and if are unfortunate not to see whales on this occasion you will be given a free trip.*
* Offer is for whale watching Norway safari only and does not include flights or accommodation
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 -
Day at Leisure and Optional Activities
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.jpg "Day at Leisure and Optional Activities")
Following breakfast at the hotel, the day is at your leisure to explore more of this enchanting arctic destination. We highly recommend our Northern Wildlife Safari to discover the stunning coastal scenery on a boat adventure in search of seals and puffins. Please see below for more information.
Meals included:
Breakfast
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Day 4 -
Andenes to UK
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.jpg "Andenes to UK")
Today your whale watching in Norway comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast before driving to Evenes airport for your return flight to the UK.
Meals included:
Breakfast
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Why not spend a couple of nights in Oslo on your return journey to make the most of your visit to Norway?
Accommodation:
Norlandia Andrikken Hotel
The hotel is centrally situated in the centre of Andenes, just a few minutes walk from the Whale Centre. The 73 comfortable guest rooms all offer private facilities, TV and telephone. Hotel facilities include a restaurant serving traditional Norwegian food and local specialities, a bar and nightclub.
The Whales:
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Life span: 65 – 70 years
Size: Male: 20 m. Female: 12 m
Weight: Male: 45–75 tonnes Female 15-20 tonnes
Birth weight/length: 900 kg/4 m
Staple diet: larger fish and cephalopods
Distinctive features: Biggest of the toothed whales. Dark grey in colour. Visibly slanting spout. The sperm whales observed off Andenes are all males.
Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Life span: 40-50 years
Size: 9.5 m
Weight: 6 – 8 tonnes Male and Female
Birth weight/length: 450 kg/3 m
Staple diet: smaller shoal fish such as herring and capelin
Distinctive features: the most common of the baleen whales along the Norwegian coast. Dark coloured back, lighter on both sides. Rarely spouts. Does not reveal tail fin when diving.
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
Life span: 80 years
Size: 9m
Weight: Male 6 tonnes, Female 4 tonnes
Birth weight/length: 180 kg/2.4 m
Staple diet: fish and other marine mammals
Distinctive features: clearly contrasting markings. Large Dorsel fin, 1-2m long, especially among males. Widespread all over the world.
Other Whales:
Pilot Whale (Globicephala melaena)
Average length 5.5 m, maximum 8.5 m. Males distinctly larger than females. Blunt skull with large forehead. The dorsal fin is set forward on the back and sweeps backwards. The body is elongated but stocky in the tail fin. Prefers the open sea. Can be seen in schools of some tens to hundreds of individuals.
Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Average length 1.5 m, maximum length approx. 2 m. Small species with rounded head and poorly demarcated beak. Small, triangular dorsal fin (very characteristic). Common, particularly along the coast. Normally seen alone or in small groups.
Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Can be up to 19 m in length and weigh up to 40 tonnes. Baleen whale. Dark back, with long, knobbly pectoral fins. Small dorsal fin positioned on a hump. Distinctive spout. Often reveals tail fin when diving deep. Light markings underneath. Known for its song. Common along the Norwegian coast.
See more holidays with Whale Watching in Norway and Iceland.
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