Silent Whale Watching By Hybrid-electric Boat From Tromsø

This is a perfect day trip to do whilst in Tromso. The boat itself is beautiful, the staff are friendly and attentive, and there is a lot of information provided about both the areas and the wildlife. The whole experience is great value for money. The boat holds a lot of people but never feels crowded, and you can come and go as you please between inside and the deck - wrap up warm if you go on the deck! We unfortunately did not see any whales due to rough weather but we still got to see the dramatic fjords and some wild reindeer, and crew turned it into a comedy show when they begun playing Pirates of The Caribbean and sea shanties whilst going through rough seas! We truly had a wonderful time and hope to visit again one day :)

Waste of time . I understand you can not control the whales , however when you are on a boat 3 hours each way it’s a waste of time even when the tour guides said this tour is probably not going to last anymore due to migration. So they knowingly take your money and know you most likely won’t see whales . Visitor will not approve refund and I was sick the entire time on the boat that just smelled like microwaveable pizza .

Was really great. We spent a long time at sea and it was totally worth it. The captain really knew how to position the boat so that we were along side. We saw lots of orcas and a humpback whale. A must do in Tromso.

I absolutely loved my experience with Brim Explorer, we saw so many orcas and were lucky enough to see them feeding! Fred, Connor & Sander were all so friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I don't think the experience would've been nearly as good without them there keeping everyone entertained. I felt like a orca geek already but ive definitely learnt so much more from being on this tour! Highly recommend.

We were upfront told when boarding that the trip might not go ahead as planned, because the sea was quite wavy. The crew explained that we could give it a try, with the chance of turning back halfway, and that rescheduling or a refund would be offered if that happened. I really appreciated that honesty and flexibility. As it turned out, we were lucky with the weather and the trip went ahead all the way. The staff were helpful and friendly from start to finish, and whenever I asked for help, they were always happy to give it. During the whale watching itself, the crew answered all my questions and were clearly very knowledgeable. We were lucky enough to see a big group of orcas, and even an eagle, which made the trip feel extra special. The presentations on the journey were a real highlight. Mateo's talk on polar bear tracking was especially interesting, full of fascinating insight into life in the Arctic. It made the time between sightings just as engaging. A great experience overall, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone visiting Tromsø.

Me & my mom booked the tour relatively early in the 'whale season' so we weren't expecting much, we figured we would at least see really pretty fjords. The boat was super beautiful and clean, with AMAZING panoramic views on the second deck, and Connor was a true gem (he said his mom would read the reviews to make sure he's doing a good job, and I can promise you, Connor's mom, he is! Never had a friendlier, funnier and more knowledgeable guide before!). Both our guides (Connor and Christina) were super kind and friendly, and we were amazed by how much knowledge they could - and wanted to - share during our trip. The fjords are absolutely stunning & we did see Orcas and Minks - but were not able to picture them because it really is SO sudden. Their commitment to giving us the best possible chance to see the whales and enjoy our trip is absolutely incredible. Overall, could not recommend them enough. The trip's duration definitely made the price worth it (around 9 hours!) & if you're just looking around and being in awe of the landscape, there's plenty of food on board: cinnamon rolls, chips, hot chocolate, soup! 10/10 experience; wish I could relive it! Obs: would advise bringing some medicine if you get seasick, in case the weather is a bit temperamental (as it usually is) or the boat stops in a more 'rock n' roll' place (as Connor would say), just to be safe!

Brilliant experience. Comfortable, warm boat. We were lucky the water was extremely calm when we went. We saw many orcas and a couple of humpback whales. Mostly from a distance but they explained this is for ethical reasons which I respect. Very lucky to see the humpback breach and jump out the water, although didn’t manage to get a snap of it. The guides were lovely and friendly. Enjoyed the talks they gave although in parts it was hard to hear them as people were talking over them and not paying attention. Only thing I’d suggest is having a wider selection of food since it is a long trip. Other than that it’s amazing and I hope to go again one day!! I nearly didn’t book because of some bad reviews saying the decks are unsafe (slippery) and the water is rough but I wouldn’t be put off even if the weather was looking worse it is worth it!

Connor was just the best guide, so so funny, informative, full of facts and he made that tour so special. We saw orca whales and a humpback.

We had a fantastic day and really enjoyed it. We were lucky enough to see humpback whales and ocras, the whales within a few metres of the boat. The trip itself to the whale area was long, but interesting and very scenic. The boat was very comfortable, warm and the plenty of clean toilets. The galley served hot drinks, soups, snacks, alcohol and cakes (all reasonably priced). Crew were lovely, very informative and helpful. Not a cheap trip for a family of five, but I would thoroughly recommend.

We loved it. I wish all tour guides were this great. My son learned about science in an amazing fun way. Yes we saw the whales and they were amazing. The tour guide Connor ( I hope I got that right) was SUPERB!!! We would do any tour he does regardless where he is. My family and I cannot recommend this tour enough. Although the boat and whales were great, the tour guide was even better!!!

Our initial booking was cancelled due to storms, but several alternatives we're offered. Communication from the operator was excellent. The boat is clean and comfortable, staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. Clear updates were given along the way at every stage. Lots.of information was given about the whales in the area, their behavioural traits and lives. We were lucky to see several pods of orca and a number of hump back whales. In addition there were interesting seabirds, though sadly we failed to notice a passing sea eagle. Participant safety was prioritised, and potential hazards and alternative plans made clear before sailing so that travellers had the option of sailing at a later date. A speaker system on deck would be helpful in identifying sightings to those outdoors on a different deck, otherwise excellent all round.

There is no whales and I suggest to refund 50% of the money The trip was longer than it should and very crouded

Absolutely great experience. BRIM Explorer is a serious company that does its best to compensate negative impact of running such a touristic service. They really approach the whales with respect. Their boats are comfortable and guides truly professional :)

Not my first time with brim and once again I had such a good time. It’s early in the season and not many whales are back yet, but we still managed to see Orcas and one minke whale. Most importantly the experience was very pleasant and informative, Connor and Kristine made such a wonderful job in taking care of the guests and sharing their knowledge about these incredible animals. I work as a guide myself, I’ll recommend Brimi over and over again.

Magical experience! Crew was friendly and helpful. Was able to see whales plus northern lights on the way back

Like many others we did our research on the myriads of whale-sail offerings, and this looked like our best bet. The trip logistics, the staff and craft itself were all as expected, noting that you are travelling for a few hours out of morning darkness before you can expect any whale sightings. If out to photograph, be warned – I took along a heavy telephoto lens, and found myself slipping and sliding out on the deck…I was surprised that there weren’t any rubber type mats covering the swathes of loose ice/slush…so mind yourself as you jostle for your shots. Also, probably obvious to marine photographers, I found that unlike say, Humpback whales, Orcas can be challenging to photograph in that they appear very briefly on the surface, and there’s no ‘fluke’ action to photograph. All in all, I would recommend this company to go whale watching with.

We went whale watching with Brim very late in the season, at a time when most other tour operators had already cancelled their trips because the season had effectively ended. Brim themselves mentioned that they had cancelled the previous two tours due to poor conditions and lack of sightings — which made it even more surprising that they chose to operate on the day of our tour. After almost six hours on the water, we saw only two sperm whales from a very far distance, and nothing else for the remainder of the trip. While the guides genuinely did a good job keeping us entertained and sharing knowledge — which we appreciated — this does not compensate for the core issue. We would have much preferred honesty upfront about the very low chances of sightings. Had this been communicated clearly, we could have saved both time and money and planned our day differently. Whale watching always involves uncertainty, but there is a difference between natural unpredictability and knowingly operating at a time when sightings are highly unlikely. Overall, the experience felt disappointing and avoidable. Transparency would have made a big difference here.

A fantastic experience. The views and the scenery are incredible. We were very lucky to see several pods of orcas and a humpback whale although this is obviously not guaranteed. We looked at so many trips and became overwhelmed but the choice on Tripadvisor and get your guide, however we were really happy with this choice. I really recommend booking this trip, it is worth the money for sure. Make sure you get to the meeting point earlier than recommended to get in the queue as the good seats are taken quickly when people board.

What a fantastic trip across the water. We didn't see whales sadly however the team - Bee, Alberto and Gemma were so incredibly knowledgeable that they kept us entertained throughout and we learnt an awful lot. I guess we'll have to come back!

We were warned we may not see many whales on this trip and sadly this was true. We did have glimpses of a couple of whales blowing and I saw two tail fins going under the water. Unfortunately the shape of a catamaran means it is very narrow at the front and consequently it ony takes a couple of tall people at the front to block the views for everyone else and this is what happened for us. Previously we have been on a boat and that gives everyone a fairer chance to see the wildlife. There was a warning about seasickness at the beginning of the trip and even though it was not a rough trip it seemed many people were feeling unwell so we stayed on deck for the whole trip. It was very cold but the scenery was fantastic so we did not mind, but it does require you to dress up very warm with waterproof clothing as we did get seaspray on us a few times. Do beware if you are at all prone to sea sickness.

Very popular trip with about 120 people on board. Plenty of seating available. Very educational talks during the trip. We were lucky and found a pod of 5 whales and stayed with them for 90 minutes, of course the sightings are not quaranteed as it is nature. The boat was silent so did not distrub them. Coffee and snacks available on board.

Expected to go to skjervoy instead ended up much further out in opposite direction, took 5 hours to get there, boat wait 5 mins and went to leave then another boat in front turned as they saw a whale, ours turned we literally saw a tail then the boat turned & went really fast we all thought they were heading to see more whales but instead we had a n extremely rough boat trip home on blue route. No explanation as to why they literally moved off quickly as soon as we saw a whale. A bit disappointed considering it cost €180. However the fjords and scenery on the way were amazing. So I did enjoy it, but would I have paid €180 to sail for 5 hours stop for no more than 10 mins & turn back, no I wouldn’t.

Do not book with Brim. They were aware of a damaged boat - there were comments from the last week. They did confirm my booking and they cancelled it the evening before. I had difficulties finding another cruise!

A wonderful trip with Brim Explorer on Bre today. Unfortunately we didn’t see any whales which means we’ll have to return at another point but I will definitely Go with Brim again. The staff were lovely, the boat itself was comfortable, modern and spacious. The tour was well run, the communication was excellent and over the trip the guides gave us geography lessons as well as teaching us about whales. The sea was going to be rough and they warned us multiple times before & during the trip. There were sick bags for anyone who was seasick. Overall we had a great experience, it was worth every penny and I will return later in the year to try to see whales again.

Helpful staff guided us to the right place to wait for the boat. The boat was clean, warm and comfortable, with a place to buy drinks and food. We were all informed in advance that it was going to be a bit of a rough ride and were given tips to help with this. We took seasickness tablets and were absolutely fine, however many people were sick. The brilliant staff regularly went round handing out and collecting sick bags. The commentary along the route was very helpful and informative. We finally arrived at the spot to see whales and were lucky enough to see sperm whales, albeit at a distance. A very long day but we really enjoyed it.

Frankly, I did not have high expectations with the season almost over (our choice), bad weather, recent bad reviews, and being sensitive to motion + forecasts of choppy waters. Finally, I ended up seeing one sperm whale, blow + dive. Here is what explains my 5* rating: 1. I received very prompt responses from day 1, when we requested to take our 2 dogs on board 2. Also constant updates on the weather and the status of the trip, with tips on how to avoid sea-sickness 3. They announced a 100% refund for folks who wanted to get off in the beginning (contrary to some other reviews) 4. We got a lot of explanations on local marine life, biology and the geography 5. There were 2-3 sightings, with clear announcement. 6. The crew were excellent, and were pros at handling folks who were throwing up, all with a smile on their faces 7. They were very kind to our dogs, and even the captain came to check up on them in between I saw only 1 whale is because I didn't leave my seat mostly for the dogs: my choice again. I also didn't throw up, in spite of feeling queasy a number of times, because I followed their excellent tips! I am fully satisfied! Thanks team!

The crew were amazing, kept us updated on timings, sightings of whales. Unfortunately the ride there was very bumpy so take seasick tablets

Oh wow. What a fabulous day. The journey itself was a delight - amazing scenery and beautiful colours as the sky woke up to the colours of dawn and gently changed to dusk with no sunrise. The cruise returned in the dark as the aurora was beginning to show itself. Stunning. For our trip we were lucky enough to see orca’s. What an incredible and unforgettable sight. The boat is lovely - spacious with huge windows and decks allowing everyone a great view. Staff were excellent. Lots of information about the whales. Food & drink onboard all very good. We had the best day and would highly recommend.

Really great company, with genuine and nice staff. They're mindful of the environment and the whales well being, plus they teach you so much about the species you've seen and norway or it's history. I loved it and I live in tromsø ! It's my second time with them, they're known amongst locals, highly recommend 👌 Bonus point for the possibility to see really good northern lights from the boat even if you don't see whales!

We went on the 08:00 sailing. The crew were fantastic and gave informative talks on the whales we might see, the arctic etc. All the talks were enjoyable and presented in English. Freddy, Masha and the tall Dutch chap (whose name is lost in my brain - but was quite humorous) were very nice, approachable and passionate about the environment and their work. The crew pointed out and described what we saw (including the physical geography and wildlife). We saw a family of Orca (with a newborn), which was brilliant. We chose this company because of their good environmental standards; and we were pleased to do so to help protect the orca and the other wildlife. An excellent outing and worth every penny.

What a day this was!!! From start to finish this was the most incredible tour I’ve ever taken From the trip out to see the wales to the friendly atmosphere on board Would highly recommend

An amazing day out! The boat was very spacious even while being fully booked. The information given by staff was a very nice added touch. We unfortunately did not see any whales, but they are wild animals and are not there for us. However this did not spoil the trip at all! The views were incredible on the route they took and it made for a great activity/experience regardless! Even without the whales, worth every penny! We did come back in the dark (obviously as it’s January) and were lucky to have seen the Northern Lights so this also added to the day.

A quality company providing this trip with a very modern boat. We didn't see any Wales on our day, but it is getting towards the end of the season when the Whales move on out of the local feeding areas following the herring as they migrate, so we were just unlucky. The views were still incredible on the tour and we got to see a good display of the Northern Lights as we headed back towards Tromso.

Arrived to boat to be greeted with a rude lady what was directing people on the boat only asked if it was the right boat Anyway took many hours to get there in Baltic conditions which was no problem Until they started telling us information that basically they don’t think the whales are there now because they’ve left the area early Why take my money selling it as a whale watching trip ? If you think we won’t have nothing to see we should of been given the chance to cancel We eventually got to the area seen other boats looking seen a fin of a Orca out boat sound it didn’t want to follow it, so looked for others It was really like our boat did not want to look at all seen 2 other fins sat around still in the boat nothing after 1 hour after also saying they don’t go anywhere near them or the fin you could see they said we will look for more which they did not They put the boat in full speed in the direction of home after a while again come on the mic saying we left early cause they’ve was shy today put that was NOT what the said they was doing I just felt they know the whales have more or less and I mean less GONE Yes it’s wildlife but the trip felt like a rip off excuses bad information because I was told season ends beginning of feb but 2 hours into a trip to be told we have very little chance of seeing them That was before we even got there but yet they still take money of people It’s a long trip and certainly not worth it I’ve seen many animals in the wild on trips but this was dreadful and many other people felt the same about being misled I would certainly avoid

We had a lovely time on the Brim Explorer. We had such amazing views from a comfortable warm cabin which served the best soup! We got to see a couple sperm whales which was honestly breath taking The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable Highly recommend!

Our experience started at 8:00. The boat was full but had lots of viewing docks and spots. Because we were at the end of the season we were very worried that we may not see any whales. The crew were very experienced and knew where to go to find the whales. We went to the furthest point north and found a pod of orcas. There was a baby orca and the pod seemed to be very friendly and came directly towards the boats a few times. We stayed with the orcas for about an hour and then headed home. Due to this being the end of the season we felt very lucky to see the pod. We then started the journey back to Tromsø, on the way back the guides told us all about the whales and the history of whaling. We had a great trip and would recommend the tour. Ps don't buy the whale meat sausage from the tourist shops as tourists eat more whale than the locals.

A wonderful experience on a lovely boat. The boat was beautiful, clean, warm and the staff absolutely amazing. They travel around as much as possible to maximise your chances of seeing whales and educate you on what types you may see. Highly recommend this tour.

This was our second time Whale Watching with Brim Explorer, having also used them in January 2024. Like our previous experience, this years trip was excellent. The boat was very comfortable and, despite being fully booked, there was plenty of space for everyone. The sizeable outdoor decks and large windows allow excellent viewing throughout the boat. There's no guarantee that you'll see any whales on these trips (they're not performing animals after all) but the skipper knows where the feeding grounds are and he's backed up by a knowledgeable and passionate team who know their stuff. On our trip we were fortunate to see about a dozen killer whales (Orca's) and 3 humpbacks in their natural habitat - brilliant. There are hot and cold refreshments available on board, which is good as the trip takes between 8 to 9 hours in total. We had an extra, unplanned bonus as the boat made its way back to Tromso as we were treated to a brilliant display of the Northern Lights - the best the crew had seen for many years apparently. That topped off an already great day out!

The boat and crew were nice. The trip starts with a long 3 hour ride to the whale spotting zone where you stay for 30 mins (the boat never stops though) and then you head back again 3 hours to the place where the boat was originally docked. We unfortunately only saw some orcas far away but we don’t blame it on the crew. For further improvements we strongly recommend that the crew either starts paying a bus to transport people to a dock where the trip on the boat is less hours to the whale spotting zone as the bus is faster than a boat and yes the views are nice on the boat but a lot of people get seasickness and 3 hours is a really long drive. Otherwise if this solution is not possible they should consider staying for longer periods of time at the whale spotting zone to give more chance to spot them (as the boat has no radar and the only way to spot whales is actively searching for them together with the crew relying solely on vision and the weather I really harsh, besides the extreme cold you get waves, the ground is wet and there’s a lot of wind) as we are paying for the chance to see different types of whales and not for a 6 hour ride on a nice boat. Also the lunch is not included for the 160€ we paid and we find that kind of sad. The 160€ only cover the trip. You can buy breakfast and lunch on the boat (lunch is pizza buns and soup) for around 350kr for 2 people. This trip could be a lot better.

We went on the MS Berg on Sunday Jan 11th and had a marvellous time! The crew was very experienced and highly motivated to find some big fish for us – and this is a challenge, because these wild animals don’t stick to fixed times or places like we do. And due to the polar night there is also a limited time window during which there is enough light to be able to see them. But you have to give it a chance, and when things do work out, as they did for us, it is a truly awesome experience to see a couple of humpback whales elegantly pass the boat and then blow and dive again, or to observe a family of orcas. Should you not get to see whales, the boat trip still is a unique experience – you are on the fringe of the Arctic Ocean and will see extraordinary landscapes and the sea in wonderful light. But this is only half the story. We had chosen this company, because they do "whale-friendly" whale watching, and the purpose-built boats are indeed very nice – with huge windows and comfortable seating. But the cherry on the cake was the easy-going crew, and besides the really experienced captain and his engineer, our thanks goes to the three marine biologists on board, Margot from France, Connor from Australia and Massimo from Italy. Of course, it is part of their job, to help the captain find the animals, and they always pointed them out, when the had sighted some. The other part of their job is to explain a bit more about the fish. But these three shared not only plenty of interesting information about whales and orcas, but also their enthusiasm and passion for these animals, and made us realize, how important whales are for the world’s ecosystem. As if this wasn’t enough, they also provided some wonderful insights into some specifically Norwegian ways (like having so many lights on) and values (protecting the environment), and made us understand and appreciate the Norwegian culture even better. Thank you so much for a wonderful day!

We had a fabulous experience with Brim Explorer. The boat was very comfortable, with spacious outdoor decks and large windows for viewing the breathtaking scenery on the way to the whale feeding area. The staff on board were all very nice and helpful, and we were impressed by their passion and level of knowledge. They made various presentations throughout the tour that were very interesting. We paid for breakfast (cinnamon roll and coffee/tea) and lunch (vegetarian soup with bread) with our reservation and the food was excellent. There are no guarantees with nature, but we were fortunate to have clear skies and got to see some orcas, coasting alongside a pod of them for some time. A great day!

A true bucket list day with Brim Explorer from Tromso! The boat was beautifully equipped, the coffee, cinnamon buns and soup were all delicious and the crew of Conor, Olek and Nilma were fun and informative in equal measure. Must of all, we got to spend over 2 hours with a single pod of Orca, 🖤🤍 The Captain was respectful to the pod and kept a safe distance but close enough to properly appreciate these beautiful animals in their natural habitat! And what a habitat it is; the fiords of Norway in the arctic circle are breathtakingly beautiful! We got extremely lucky on our trip, as we didn’t have to travel as far as normal, and the crew made the decision to remain with the pod along the Lyngen Alps, but we were kept informed at all times and the pod were monitored to ensure they were happy for us to be there. One of the best experiences of my life! Thank you!

Silent whale watching was nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first moment, the calm, respectful approach set the tone for a truly magical experience. Gliding quietly across the water allowed nature to lead, and what unfolded felt intimate, humbling, and deeply moving. Seeing these magnificent whales in their natural habitat without engine noise or disturbance was breathtaking. It felt less like a tour and more like being invited into their world. The crew was knowledgeable, passionate, and clearly committed to animal welfare and sustainability. Their respect for the whales and the environment was evident throughout, making the experience even more meaningful. They gave us lots of information and even inspired by 18yr old with their knowledge If you’re looking for an authentic, ethical, and unforgettable way to experience whales, silent whale watching is simply perfect. Peaceful, powerful, and profoundly beautiful. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Clearly seeing the whales was a highlight and still pinching myself now. The food was good and reasonable too.

The trip was amazing, the crew were very friendly (David, Maria, and Lineke). Maybe the price was a little expensive especially that we had to buy everything on board.

Well organised trip on a spacious boat. Lovely views of the fjords, informative and entertaining talks plus we did see Orca rounding up fish. Many thanks to Fred, Jules and Alberto for sharing their knowledge about whales and helping us spot them. Make sure to go on deck before reaching the whale spotting area as the scenery was amazing.

The Brim is very comfortable and we entertained ourselves by playing cards and listening to the fascinating talks the crew gave on our way to the whale watching area. Once we arrived there a couple of other boats just sitting there waiting. Our captain passed them by and sure enough 10 minutes later we found a pod of Orcas. They were moving around quite a bit, but the Captain always seemed to be one step ahead of them so we basically had a solid hour of constant sightings. Well worth the money and the time it took to transit to the area where the whales hang out.

Communication was good as I was advised of the change in time to an earlier time. The length of time spent on the tour was as advertised, and there was constant communication from the guides when there were orca or whale sightings. The guides were also knowledgable in the historical snippets they provided. Overall, it was good value for money.

Trip was awesome, I went twice, as seeing whales was my mine reason for visiting Tromso. I saw humpbacks one day and orcas another. It is very much luck dependent. The crew are helpful and have lots of knowledge so presentations were interesting to listen to. The scenery is amazing on its own, even if you don’t see whales. It’s a long day, which might be a bit much for kids. It’s also very very cold so have good gloves and a hat. There’s a bar so you can get drinks and snacks - also the soup at lunchtime is lovely. Fred and Connor were both fab. The sea was a bit rough in one part on both days, but they gave good advice and warnings. I didn’t see anyone chucking up so hoping most were ok!

I am so grateful for my experience with Brim Explorer! I was incredibly impressed to hear that they operate ethical whale watching tours, unlike others where the whales are chased and bothered by loud boats and sonar devices. The journey to Skjervøy was quite long, around 3/3.5 hours and was quite wavy in places so could make you feel a little queasy at times, however the staff were incredible! They sent out an email the day before detailing where you could pick up anti-sickness medicine, and told us tips and tricks to avoid it whilst onboard. They even came round with little bags should you have needed one! The guides Alberto, María and Jules were SO incredibly knowledgeable and really humourous and entertaining when they would speak over the tannoy. They taught us how we might be able to spot the whales, as well as going into the science of evolution, echolocation, and more! (As an animal science nerd (and graduate!), I especially loved this part! We were lucky to see a pod of Orcas and also a Fin whale from a distance. It was absolutely breathtaking seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitats. Had we not seen any wildlife, I would have still been happy with my experience as the scenery was beautiful - 10/10!!! Overall, if you’re willing to potentially battle a little seasickness, I would really highly recommend booking this trip with Brim Explorer, especially since they are so committed to conserving the wildlife and letting the animals approach on their own accord.