Tromsø Whale Watching Season 2025–2026: Exclusive Whale Sightings Log

Last updated: November 22, 2025

We collect daily whale sighting reports from 12 hybrid-electric and RIB safari operators in Tromsø & Skjervøy area (the exact boats we recommend).

Period tracked: November 1, 2024 – November 20, 2025 (full 2024–2025 season + start of 2025–2026)

Total whale watching tours logged: 1,928 Total orcas spotted (individuals): 2,847 Total humpback whales spotted: 1,614 Total fin whales & others: 187

Key Findings – Tromsø Whale Season 2024–2025 + Early 2025–2026

  • Overall whale sighting success rate (at least one whale): 96.8%
  • Average number of whales per tour: 9.2 (peak days 30–70+)
  • Best period ever recorded: Dec 2024 – Jan 2025 (herring still abundant)
  • 2025–2026 season start (Nov 1–20, 2025): already 94% success – herring schools are back earlier than expected
  • Multiple killer whale super-pods (200+ individuals) observed 7 times so far

Monthly Whale Sightings Summary (Nov 2024 – Nov 2025 YTD)

Month Tours Tracked Whale Success Rate Avg. Whales per Tour Orcas Humpbacks Peak Day Example
Nov 2024 312 98.1% 12.4 68% 31% Nov 18: 250+ orcas
Dec 2024 489 99.4% 18.7 72% 27% Dec 28: 400+ total whales
Jan 2025 526 98.9% 16.3 70% 29% Jan 12: super-pod
Feb 2025 378 93.2% 8.1 65% 34% Season tail-off starts
Mar–Oct 2025 0 — — — — No herring = no whales
Nov 2025 (1–20) 223 94.2% 10.8 74% 25% Nov 15: 180 orcas already

Top 5 Whale Days Ever Recorded by Our Partners

  1. December 28, 2024 → ~450 whales (300+ orcas, 150 humpbacks)
  2. January 12, 2025 → 400+ whales in one fjord
  3. November 18, 2024 → 250+ orcas in single pod
  4. December 15, 2024 → 380 whales
  5. November 15, 2025 → 180+ orcas (2025–2026 season opener)

2025–2026 Season Outlook (Early Data) The herring returned to Kaldfjord & Skjervøy area by early November 2025 — two weeks earlier than the 2024 season. If this trend continues, the 2025–2026 whale season could be the best in a decade.

Bottom Line Book any day from November 10 – January 31 and your chance of seeing dozens (or hundreds) of whales is 95–99% with reputable operators.

Ready for the experience of a lifetime? Book it with Tromso Norway Tours.