4 December 2025
If you’re planning a winter adventure in Tromsø, in Northern Norway, you may be wondering: “Do I have enough daylight in Tromsø, in December, to proper whale watch?” The short answer is yes, you do!
December in Tromsø falls right in the middle of the polar night, a period when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Still, despite the absence of direct sunlight, you can absolutely enjoy unforgettable whale-watching experiences. In fact, December is one of the best months of the year to see orcas and humpback whales in the region.
In this article, we’ll explain how the polar night works, why whales gather near Tromsø in winter, and the differences between the various whale-watching tours offered by Best Arctic, including Silent Whale Watching, Whale Safari with Guarantee from Tromsø, and the MS Gabriele whale-watching tour.
Tromsø lies well above the Arctic Circle, and from late November until mid-January, it experiences polar night. This is a time when the sun never rises. However, this doesn’t mean complete darkness 24/7. Instead, the city enjoys hours of blue twilight, known locally as the “blue hour“, when the sky displays soft shades of blue, indigo, purple, and pink. Snow-covered mountains and the reflective surface of the fjords amplify the ambient light, creating atmospheric conditions that are beautiful, unique, misterious and breathtaking.
During the middle of the day, the sky often brightens enough for enough visibility. This natural twilight is more than sufficient to observe the dramatic movements of humpback whales and orcas as they feed on herring in the fjords north of Tromsø.
While the sun disappears in December, the whales have already arrived by then (from October/ November). From late October to mid-January, large schools of herring migrate into the fjords around Skjervøy. Humpback whales and orcas follow this food source closely, making northern Norway one of the world’s top whale-watching destinations during winter.
The lack of sunlight doesn’t affect whale activity. In fact, the winter waters and low-angle Arctic twilight can make whale sightings exceptionally dramatic. Many guests find the experience even more magical during polar night conditions.
Best Arctic offers several high-quality whale-watching experiences departing from Tromsø or directly from the fjords. Each tour has unique advantages depending on whether you prefer comfort, speed, sustainability, or guaranteed sightings.
Below are the key differences to helping you choose the right adventure.
Best for:
This tour is conducted on a quiet, hybrid-electric catamaran that can switch to silent mode near the whales. This minimizes disturbance and creates an intimate, respectful encounter with wildlife.
Why choose it:
Silent Whale Watching is ideal if you want to settle into a warm cabin, enjoy the scenery, and approach whales with minimal noise.
2. Whale safari with guarantee from Tromsø
Best for:
This tour includes a whale-sighting guarantee, meaning that if whales are not spotted, you’ll be offered another tour free of charge. It’s one of the most reliable options for maximizing your chances, as the crew monitors whale activity daily.
Why choose it:
If seeing whales is your top priority, this is likely the best match.
3. Whale Watching with the boat MS Gabriele
Best for:
MS Gabriele is a traditional, well-equipped boat known for its comfort and excellent viewing decks. With both indoor heated areas and large outdoor spaces, it offers a balanced whale-watching experience suitable for all ages.
Why choose it:
This tour provides a more traditional and leisurely whale-watching journey.
Even though December in Tromsø is defined by the polar night, it remains one of the peak months for whale watching. The Arctic twilight provides enough natural light for excellent visibility, and the dramatic winter landscape makes the experience even more memorable.
Whether you prefer a quiet eco-friendly cruise, a high-speed RIB adventure, a guaranteed-sighting tour, or a traditional fjord voyage, Best Arctic offers a whale-watching adventure perfectly suited to your style.
Just approximately 1.5 hours from Tromsø, Sommarøy feels like a completely different world. White-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, Arctic mountains and small fishing villages create a landscape that surprises almost everyone who visits for the first time. Many travelers come to Tromsø for the midnight sun, Arctic nature and outdoor adventures. Sommarøy combines all of […]
The easiest way to visit two Arctic icons in one journey Planning a winter trip to the Arctic and trying to choose between Tromsø, Norway, and Rovaniemi, Finland? The good news is that you do not have to choose. With the Aurora Express Nightliner bus by Best Arctic, you can combine both destinations in one […]
In most places, midnight time means darkness. In Tromsø, it can mean golden light over the fjords, people walking by the harbor in sunglasses, coming back from the bar at 2 am under a sunny sky and mountain views that look like sunset but refuse to fade. This is the Midnight Sun, one of the […]
May is one of the most underrated months to visit Tromsø. Winter has loosened its grip, the days stretch longer, the fjords begin to feel more open, and by late May, the Midnight Sun season starts to transform the city into a place where evening plans can feel just as bright as daytime adventures. In […]
Looking for an easy summer day trip from Tromsø without renting a car? The summer bus route between Tromsø and Sommarøy is one of the most scenic and convenient ways to experience the coastal beauty of Northern Norway. Operated as part of The Arctic Route, this direct shuttle connects Tromsø city centre with Sommarøy, a […]
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, one question comes up again and again in our customer service queries: are there polar bears in Norway? The short answer is yes, but not where most travelers expect. While mainland Norway, including popular Arctic destinations like Tromsø, does not have wild polar bears, there is one remote […]
