Can you see whales and Northern Lights on the same trip?

Yes, you can see whales and the Northern Lights during the same trip to Tromsø and it may even be possible to experience both on the same day.

Whale watching takes place during the daytime, while Northern Lights tours depart later in the day, once darkness falls. This makes Tromsø an exciting winter destination for travelers hoping to experience two of Northern Norway’s most famous natural attractions during one holiday.

You can book a whale watching tour from Tromsø during the day and then join a dedicated Northern Lights tour in the evening. Two completely different Arctic experiences. One unforgettable day.

Can you see whales and the Northern Lights on the same day in Tromsø?

Potentially, yes. During the period when the whale watching and Northern Lights seasons overlap, travelers can plan a daytime whale safari followed by an evening aurora tour.

Best Arctic offers several whale watching experiences departing from Tromsø. Depending on the tour you choose, you can travel by boat into the Arctic waters where humpback whales and orcas may be encountered during their seasonal presence in Northern Norway.

We suggest our Silent Whale Watching, an approximately 8 – 9-hour daytime experience, as well as Whale & Arctic Wildlife Safari, lasting approximately 8 hours. Because whale watching tours generally depart in the morning, you may be back in Tromsø in time to prepare for your next adventure: searching for the Northern Lights.

Always check the departure and expected return times of both activities before booking them for the same day, as whale watching tours operate in Arctic conditions and schedules may vary.

Why combine whale watching and Northern Lights in Tromsø?

Few travel days offer such a dramatic contrast. During the daytime, you head out onto Arctic waters in search of some of the ocean’s most impressive animals. The journey itself also gives you an opportunity to experience the winter landscapes, fjords, mountains and coastline surrounding Northern Norway. Then, as darkness takes over, the focus changes completely. Instead of watching the sea, you start watching the sky.

Joining a dedicated Northern Lights tour means leaving Tromsø’s artificial lights behind and traveling to darker areas where your guides can search for suitable conditions for seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Combining both activities can also help you make the most of limited time in Tromsø. Rather than dedicating two full days to the experiences, travelers with suitable tour times may be able to fit whale watching into the daytime and Northern Lights hunting into the evening.

Which Northern Lights tour should you choose?

After whale watching, Best Arctic offers different ways to search for the Northern Lights.  Two options are the Aurora Safari Minibus and Aurora Safari chase by big bus.

Although both focus on experiencing the Northern Lights outside Tromsø, they offer different styles of adventure.

Aurora Safari Minibus: for an active Northern Lights chase

The Aurora Safari Minibus is designed for travelers who want a smaller-group, flexible Northern Lights experience. With a maximum of 15 guests, the minibus follows the weather conditions and can travel to different locations in search of clearer skies. Rather than traveling to one predetermined location, your guide and driver assess the conditions and decide where to go. If clouds are covering one area, the minibus can continue the chase somewhere else.

The tour normally lasts approximately 5 – 7 hours and includes a professional guide, photos, tripods, a light meal and hot drinks. It is particularly suitable if you want the Northern Lights chase itself to be part of the adventure.

Aurora Safari Camps: for more comfort

If you would rather have a more comfortable evening after spending several hours whale watching at sea, consider the Aurora Safari chase by big bus experience. Best Arctic has access to several private camps around the Tromsø region. Before departure, the team assesses the weather and selects the camp considered most suitable for that evening. Unlike the more active minibus chase, the camp experience allows you to stay at a selected location with access to warm shelter and toilet facilities while waiting for the Northern Lights.

This makes the two experiences quite different:

• Choose the Aurora Safari Minibus if you prefer a small group, mobility and an active chase.
• Choose the Aurora Safari chase by big bus if you prefer a comfortable base, warm shelter and facilities while waiting for the aurora.

Are whale or Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No, and that is part of experiencing nature in the Arctic. Whales are wild animals moving freely through the ocean, while the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon influenced by factors including solar activity, cloud cover and local weather conditions.

No responsible tour operators can guarantee that whales or the Northern Lights will appear on a particular tour. Booking dedicated experiences with experienced guides does, however, mean traveling with people who understand the local environment and conditions. For Northern Lights tours in particular, we recommend booking your aurora experience early during your stay in Tromsø. If nature does not cooperate on your first evening, having additional nights available gives you more opportunities to try again.

When can you combine whale watching and Northern Lights in Tromsø?

The key is traveling when the two seasons overlap. Northern Lights tours operate during the darker part of the year (September – April), while whale watching around Tromsø is seasonal (Mid-October – January) and depends on the movements of whales following their food sources. If experiencing both is one of the main reasons for visiting Tromsø, consider this before finalizing your travel dates.

It is also worth planning some flexibility into your itinerary. Arctic weather can affect travel and trying to fit too many activities into a very short stay can leave little room for changes.5

Book three Tromsø activities and save 10%

If you are already planning both a whale watching tour and a Northern Lights tour, you are only one experience away from taking advantage of Best Arctic’s multi-activity discount. When you book at least three activities with Best Arctic, you can receive 10% off the total booking.

Your three experiences could, for example, include:

• one whale watching tour;
• one Northern Lights tour; and
• another Tromsø winter experience, such as dog sledding, snowmobiling or a reindeer and Sami culture tour.

You can receive the discount in two ways:

• If you are already in Tromsø, visit the Best Arctic Booking Point and book your three activities directly with the team;
• If you prefer to book online, first complete your booking for at least three activities. Once the booking is confirmed, email info@bestarctic.com with your booking information. The customer service team will check the booking and refund 10% of the eligible total amount. It is important to complete the online booking before requesting the discount.

Whales by day, Northern Lights by night

So, can you see whales and the Northern Lights on the same trip to Tromsø? Absolutely. You do not need a single tour that tries to combine both experiences. In fact, booking them separately allows each experience to have its own dedicated time, environment and guides.

Whales by day. Northern Lights by night. That is a winter day in Tromsø you are unlikely to forget.