Tromsø : Verantwortungsvolle Walbeobachtungsfahrt (MS Alba)

The whole experience was fantastic. The guides were so passionate and knowledgeable. We saw orcas and humpback whales and a sea eagle. To top it off we saw the northern lights from the deck on our way home. The captain was skilled and the team were great at spotting the whales. Communication throughout was great. Tips for a great trip would be; Take lunch and snacks (the tea and coffee are black so take milk if you need it) Take cards or a book for the journey so you can amuse yourself during sailing - windows are steamy and it’s too cold to be on deck the whole time in colder months. Take gloves that you can use with your phone so you don’t have to keep taking gloves on or off. Take battery packs as the cold drains the battery. Grip on your boots is essential and make sure your feet are well insulated. Take extra base layers in case you need to layer up. The warmer you are the longer you can stay on deck. The scenery itself was breathtaking - we would have been happy even if we hadn’t seen whales as it was so beautiful. A magical experience and fantastic to observe the Whales from a distance.

+: Fjord where we go to see wildlife is beautiful. Surrounded by mountains and we did see orcas and humpback whales. -: In January there is only a few hours of daylights and due to technical issues we had to stop to get that fixed as well as refuel. That took an hour and we arrived at the fjord quite late and didn’t stay there over an hour due to the wasted time. Boat is not great, quite small, quite cold and you cannot see anything through the windows. Watching wildlife was a bit of a mess as the floors were very icy and slippery + people pushing each other given the boat would always face the animals with the front part so no space for a 100 people. I’m guessing the boat was being aware of currents and waves but maybe turning the boat sideways would have allowed everyone to see. Also boat was supposed to be electric but not sure it was. We saw bigger, safer and cleaner boats on the water, go for those. Good to know: as indicated in booked there is no lunch included so bring your food. Tea and biscuits are basic. There are blankets but even with them most people were cold. If prone to seasickness definitely take a pill as it’s quiet at first but get to open water an hour into the trip. Trip is long, bring books, movies, games etc… Meeting point in Viator is inside the hotel but it’s actually outside under the bridge on the right.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely outstanding experience – also highly recommended for families with children! This experience was just incredible and definitely one of the most beautiful we have ever had. We were two adults (in our 40s) and three children aged 8, 10 and 10, and from the first moment we felt in good hands. The whole team – crew and boat crew – were exceptionally friendly, warm and highly professional. You can immediately tell that this is a passionate work and that it is a lovingly managed family business. No mass handling, no hustle and bustle, no rip-off – but honest enthusiasm and a lot of dedication for the guests. Before the trip we were instructed in all procedures. Safety is a top priority here: There were plenty of safety vests everywhere, including for children. We found it particularly positive that very close attention is paid to ensuring that children wear a safety vest every time they go outside on the deck. This has made us as parents feel very good and safe. Equally helpful was that the crew took the time to give tips on the subject of seasickness – how to deal with the fluctuations of the boat and what to do in advance. That was very prudent and responsible. Important to mention: The fact that it sometimes gets “rocking” at sea is due to boating itself and not to the condition of the boat. The boat itself was in very good, well maintained condition and absolutely trustworthy. Those who are sensitive should – as with any longer boat tour – simply take precautions (e.g. with medication). Here too, honest advice was given. At the same time, we can definitely recommend this tour for children. Our children felt safe at all times, were taken seriously and loved the whole experience. Duration: It should be noted that the journey to the areas with orcas and whales takes about 3 hours each way. In total, you should allow around 6 hours of pure driving time. That’s long – but the incredible experience makes up for every minute. Time flies faster than you think, and the anticipation and the impressions on the water contribute enormously. A personal tip from us: Take heat pads with you, especially if you stand outside for longer and take photos. It gets very cold on the water – which was completely normal in our season. But with warmth pads, the experience outside can be enjoyed much more pleasantly. The absolute highlight: We were very lucky to see a lot of whales and even orcas. And in a wonderful, respectful way. A lot of time was left, distance was kept and the animals were not followed or harassed. Some of them came close to us by themselves – an unforgettable, almost magical moment. Here, respect for nature and wildlife is clearly in the foreground. Conclusion: Professional, warm, safe, honest and just beautiful. An experience that we would book again at any time and without hesitation – preferably immediately again. Absolutely five stars and a very clear recommendation, especially for families with children. Thank you for this extraordinary experience!

I had a great time on this tour and we were able to see so many whales. Alot of Orcas, a few Humpbacks and even Fins. The guides explained this is not usual and we were lucky enough to have a great day! Almost like a Christmas dinner for the whales and birds. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. They made an effort to speak with everyone and answer any questions. There were hot drinks and biscuits on board. But no other food, so make sure bring your own lunch and additional snacks. Its a long way back so bring something to entertain yourself.

Our Ribb boat tour was cancelled due to rough water . This was a last minute excursion to replace the other and I’m glad I chose it . We saw tons of orca and 2 humpback whales . The orca were very active and the captain did his best to get us as close as he safely could so we all were able to see these amazing animals . The ship was big and comfortable even with the rough water . A wonderful time !!