Norway · SAFARI

The 15 Best Arctic Safaris in Norway

49 tours  ·  from $49

Good arctic safaris fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele - Why the MS Gabriele makes the long trip easier
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Tromsø

Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele

1.Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,937 reviews · 6 hours · from $207Our pick

Cruise from Tromsø toward Skjervøy aboard the warm, fast MS Gabriele, searching for orcas and humpback whales that follow the herring. Guides such as Lorenzo, Raul, and Bjørnar explain whale behavior and Arctic wildlife in English. You can watch from heated indoor seats or three outdoor decks, with snacks and drinks sold onboard.

“Great trip, received communication in advance that whales had left area so would be a different trip visiting an island. The boat was comfortable, our guide was informative and interesting and great scenery to view.”

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Tromsø: Northern Lights Safari - Following the clearest sky beyond Tromsø
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Northern Lights Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours

Tromsø: Northern Lights Safari

2.Northern Lights Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,916 reviews · from $146

Travel from Skaret by Vander into the Arctic night with English, German, Italian, or Spanish-speaking guides. Your team may drive toward Skibotn or Finland for clearer skies, set up a campfire, explain the aurora, and photograph you beneath it. Expect six to seven hours, cold conditions, and no guarantee of lights.

“Elisabet and Alberto were amazing guides. They maintained a warm and friendly vibe on the trip. Even though I was a solo traveler, Elizabet and Alberto kept me company throughout and I didn't feel awkward among families and groups. The campfire, snacks, travel, everything was well-planned. A good trip overall.”

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From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari - Searching the Skjervøy whale grounds
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Tromsø

From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

3.All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,221 reviews · from $186

Set out from Tromsø at 8 AM for an eight-hour boat trip to Skjervøy, where you search for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and Arctic seabirds. Guides such as Juan, Raul, Pedro, and Holly share whale facts while you use heated cabins, outdoor decks, thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, and lunch.

“We saw orcas, fin whales and humpback whales, we got told information about them. The sfaff was really nice. Be mindful of bad weather conditions and sea sickness.”

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Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger - Islands, fish farms, and the approach to Lysefjord
RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Stavanger Tours, Tour Reviews

Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger

4.Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 665 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $134Top rated

Take a two-hour English-language RIB safari from Stavanger into Lysefjord. Your captain, often including Aksel, Alex, Ola, or Eirik, pilots a small boat past islands, fish farms, Fantahålå, Pulpit Rock, and Whiskey Falls. Thermal dry suits, goggles, and dry bags help you stay warm and dry while the boat delivers a lively ride.

“It is a really fun way to see the fjord; the pilot.guide was amazing. We saw seals and went very close to a waterfall and had a great view or Pulpit Rock”

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From Svolvær: Lofoten RIB Sea Eagle Safari Trollfjord Cruise - From Torget to open water in minutes
Arctic Safaris in Lofoten, Cruises & Boat Tours, Fjord Cruises, Lofoten Tours, RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Sea Eagle Safaris, Tour Reviews

From Svolvær: Lofoten RIB Sea Eagle Safari Trollfjord Cruise

5.Lofoten RIB Sea Eagle Safari Trollfjord Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 591 reviews · from $107

Join RIB Lofoten in Svolvær for a two-hour high-speed ride to Trollfjord, home to a major sea eagle population. Your English or Norwegian-speaking guide provides warm flotation gear, shares local history, and pauses for photos among steep mountains, clear bays, and white beaches. Guides such as Rafael and Hilde have helped make the trip personal and well organized.

“Great tour! The lady at the front desk was amazing, a star, really helpful and kind, the tour guide at the boat really kind and also provided a lot of interesting facts about Norway history. I highly recommend this tour to anyone. We enjoyed it a lot!!”

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Musk ox Safari in Dovrefjell National Park, Oppdal Safari - Six hours among the Dovrefjell mountains
National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

Musk ox Safari in Dovrefjell National Park, Oppdal Safari

6.Musk ox Safari in Dovrefjell National Park, Oppdal Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 524 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $85

Meet Oppdal Safari at 9:30 am for a guided mountain hike in Dovrefjell National Park. Guides such as Ida, Kaspar, Stina, and Hannes share facts about musk ox, plants, and local culture while you search for wild herds. Coffee, tea, and sometimes cinnamon buns are provided, but bring lunch, water, warm layers, and rain gear.

“La guia bien buena explicacion pero mala prevision para ver i fotografiar el azmilclero distancia minima visible sobre un kilometro i algo mas”

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Tromsø: Scenic Arctic snowmobile safari in the Lyngen Alps - 08:30 at Prostneset, then north by red bus
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Safari, Snowmobile Tours, Snowmobile Tours in Tromsø, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours

Tromsø: Scenic Arctic snowmobile safari in the Lyngen Alps

7.Scenic Arctic snowmobile safari in the Lyngen Alps

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 377 reviews · 8 hours · from $335

Travel from Tromsø by bus and ferry to Lyngen, where an English-speaking guide gives you warm gear, a safety lesson, and about 1.5 hours on a two-seat snowmobile. Share the driving, stop for photos, then enjoy homemade soup, bread, a hot drink, and dessert at Bøteriet, a fishing-village restaurant overlooking the fjord.

“Absolutely amazing from start to finish!!!! Worth every penny , the 2 young boys espeically Mathias were so friendly and accommodating. The lady chef was fab her food is amazing and she done so much for us all. The waffles were spot on. The guys who took us out on the tour took us to amazing views , let us have a free time blast on the snowmobile. Worth booking only took us 15mins on a ferry the bus picked us up from tromso was all put together by the team literally just had to turn up to tour guide with are name they took us from there so it…”

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Lysefjorden & Pulpit Rock RIB-Safari from Stavanger - Leaving the city at 35 knots
Pulpit Rock Hikes, RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Stavanger Tours, Tour Reviews

Lysefjorden & Pulpit Rock RIB-Safari from Stavanger

8.Lysefjorden & Pulpit Rock RIB-Safari from Stavanger

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 374 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $149

Join Stavanger RIB for a two-hour ride from Strandkaien into Lysefjord. Your captain, possibly Daniel, Christien, or Sean, handles the route and stories while you see Pulpit Rock, Fantahålå, and Hengjanefossen waterfall. The 12-person boat comes with a floatation suit, life jacket, goggles, and gloves, making this a brisk but well-protected way to see the fjord.

“As other people say, it will be a highlight of your trip. Price seems hi but is worth it. What stands out though is customer service by both the tour provider and by Viator. Really.”

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Haugesund Tours, RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rib safari Tour in Haugesund

9.Rib safari Tour in Haugesund

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $149

You’ll leave Haugesund’s cruise port in a RIB boat for a roughly two-hour trip toward Røvær and Feøy. Expect waterproof gear, goggles, a life vest, open-water speed, wave jumps, and short commentary about island life, Viking history, and World War II. Captain Rune has earned special praise, though routes change with weather.

“The tour operator met us at the cruise port tour vendor section. We had a short walk to their building to dress for the rib excursion. The ride was thrilling with the driver putting smiles on all the passenger faces. A suit to stay dry, goggles, and life vest were provided by the vendor. I highly recommend this tour in Haugesund!”

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Lofoten: Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB Boat - Raftsundet and the white-tailed sea eagles
Arctic Safaris in Lofoten, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lofoten Tours, RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Sea Eagle Safaris, Tour Reviews

Lofoten: Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB Boat

10.Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari by RIB Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 308 reviews · from $97

From Sjømannsgata 5, your English or Norwegian-speaking guide outfits you for a two-hour RIB ride through Raftsundet to Trollfjord. You will watch white-tailed sea eagles feed close to the boat, hear local Viking stories, and see steep mountains, beaches, and fjords. Guides such as Jonas and Captain Bård are praised for their local knowledge and calm handling.

“Pros: the guide’s (Jonas) experience, the scenery, the equipment provided before leaving, the eagle’s sightings”

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Tromsø: Aurora Safari Chase by big bus with Camp meal - A camp chosen around the forecast
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Northern Lights Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours

Tromsø: Aurora Safari Chase by big bus with Camp meal

11.Aurora Safari Chase by big bus with Camp meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 301 reviews · from $146

Ride from Tromsø to a private Aurora Camp chosen for the best forecast, then warm up with soup, lefse, hot drinks, a fire, and thermal overalls. Guides such as Juan, Paolo, Hugo, Emma, and Kinga help with camera settings and take web-resolution photos beneath the northern lights. The tour lasts 5 to 7 hours.

“Amazing night at Tamok Camp with guide Kinga! A lot of Northern Lights sightings!”

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Tromsø: Fishing Sea Safari - The cruise through Troms County
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Fishing, Fishing Trips in Tromsø, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours

Tromsø: Fishing Sea Safari

12.Fishing Sea Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 215 reviews · from $199

Join a small crew for a three-hour fishing trip from Killengreens gate 7-11 in Tromsø. With no more than 12 people and six rods in use, you get personal help from the guide or captain, local tales, wildlife spotting, warm suits, and fish soup cooked onboard. The catch is never guaranteed, but the sonar improves your odds.

“It was a fun activity. The hospitality shown by Øyvind and Yohan (hope I got the name correct) was fantastic. They were so committed to ensuring that we enjoyed ourselves. Thank you for having us!”

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Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Keiser Wilhelm - The long run to the herring grounds
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Tromsø

Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Keiser Wilhelm

13.Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Keiser Wilhelm

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 161 reviews · from $194

Sail from Tromsø’s Nerstranda Quay aboard the warm catamaran Keiser Wilhelm, guided in English by a whale-focused crew that may include Mario. Expect six to eight hours at sea, with orcas and humpbacks the main targets, large viewing windows, an open deck, onboard snacks and drinks, and a free return trip if no whales are found.

“Absolutely brilliant trip, one of the best days of my life. Thank you so much to Mario and team for looking after us, all of your knowledge and passion for the whales shone through. We were lucky enough to see lots of orcas and humpback whales! Boat ride left on time, was easy to find and was as smooth as possible. Facilities on the boat were great too.”

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Whale Watching RIB Safari at Skjervøy - Dressing for three hours on open water
Arctic Safaris in Tromsø, RIB Boat Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tromsø Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Tromsø

Whale Watching RIB Safari at Skjervøy

14.Whale Watching RIB Safari at Skjervøy

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 136 reviews · 3 - 12 hours · from $251

Travel from Tromsø to Skjervøy by bus, or meet the team there, then spend 2.5 to 3 hours on a small RIB searching for orcas, humpback whales, and fin whales. Guides including Ina and Iver provide flotation suits, boots, mittens, goggles, and local wildlife knowledge. The long bus ride is the main trade-off.

“We had a whale of a time. Be prepared for a long bus transfer (approx. 4 hours) to the activity plus the same transfer time back. Our guides, Ini and Iver were very informative and provided a memorable experience. We were very lucky to spot Orca and Humpback Whales.”

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Sea Eagle Safari from Svolvær to Trollfjorden - Watching sea eagles hunt near the boat
Arctic Safaris in Lofoten, Lofoten Tours, Safari, Sea Eagle Safaris, Tour Reviews

Sea Eagle Safari from Svolvær to Trollfjorden

15.Sea Eagle Safari from Svolvær to Trollfjorden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $156

From Svolvær, you ride a fast RIB toward Trollfjorden with a guide such as Charlotte or Captain Tobias. The small group, limited to 12, gives you a good view of sea eagles in their natural setting, plus striking fjord scenery. Thermal suits, goggles, mittens, and life vests are supplied, but bring sturdy footwear and extra rain protection.

“Ho visitato il fiordo nel mese in marzo e con la neve è suggestivo e spettacolare. Non ho avuto freddo grazie alla tuta data in dotazione.”

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