Destination: norway
Orca Expeditions (3 & 6 Days) | From $1,172/night
MS Sjöveien Quick Pitch
Join Orca Norway & Strømsholmen Seasportcenter's 3 or 6 day orca expeditions. An upgraded version of the MS Sula and the MS Bergsund, the MS Sjöveien offers one of the highest standards from the Orca Norway fleet. The vessel is 40.7m long and comfortably accommodate up to 12 passengers.
Why You'll like MS Sjöveien
- Seek for orcas and do free-diving with them
- Only up to 12 guests onboard
- No snorkel experience needed to join the orca expedition trips
- Wireless Internet onboard
- USEA Lectures with USEA Certification / Lecturer Orca Expert Pierre Robert de Latour
Jump to:
Accommodations - Facilities - Schedule & Rates - Dive Info & Itineraries
Location
The trips embark from Tromsö. Guests will need to fly in to Tromsö Airport (TOS).
Dive Overview
The main focus of the trip is to observe and swim with killer whales, also known as orcas. In Norwegian waters, there are an estimated 1,500 orcas, with hundreds of them migrating to the fjords in northern Norway between late October and early February to follow the herring.
The orcas found in Norway belong to the "North Atlantic Type 1" ecotype and live in closely related pods. At times, they can be observed in aggregations of several hundred. These intelligent creatures use a feeding technique known as "carousel feeding," where they round up herring into tight balls, then stun the fish by slapping them with their tails before consuming them one by one. Humpback whales also visit these fjords in large numbers, using the lunge feeding technique to prey on the herring. Witnessing this behavior from above is truly a spectacle to behold.
Interested in learning about Norway? Read about our latest trip here.
Accommodations
Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos
Ms Sjøveien Cabin Overview
- Main deck : 2 x 2 men cabins with window
- Main deck : 1 suite with double bed with window
- Upper deck : 1 suite with double bed with window
- Cabins under deck : 4 x 2 men cabins with port hole windows
General Facilities
Ms Sjøveien Boat Features
- Lounge with 24 seats for lessons and lectures, TV screen
- Professional chef onboard
- Wireless Internet
- Hot tub
- Dinghy
- Rental of complete snorkeling gear, including dry suits in all standard sies
Schedule & Rates
MS Sjøveien Schedule & Rates
RATES:
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
3 days orca expedition with USEA Lectures = NOK 45.000,- per person.
Rental of complete equipment with dry-suit, mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, weight-belt, underwear/thinsulate and aquafloat /3 days = NOK 1.500.- per person.
6 days orca expedition with USEA Lectures = NOK 75.000,- per person.
Rental of complete equipment with dry-suit, mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, weight-belt, underwear/thinsulate and aquafloat / 6 days = NOK 2.500,- per person.
Biology Course by Alessandro de Maddalena.
Course Program : classification, size, coloration, morphology, swimming, anatomy, reproduction, habitat, distribution, movements, social behavior, predatory strategies, diet, relationships with humans.
PRICE : NOK 4.000,- per person.
INCLUSIONS
- Liveaboard expedition and accommodation in an equipped liveaboard boat
- All meals/food, coffee/tea/soft-drinks.
- All guiding and transport to the field for seeking orcas.
- Snorkeling with orcas
- Dinghy with driver and guide (fuel is included)
- Harbor Fee
- Bedclothes and towels included
- Hot tub
- Wireless Internet onboard
- One evening with Hydrophone for listening to the sound of orcas and humpbacks (if conditions allow)
- USEA Lectures with USEA Certification / Lecturer Orca Expert Pierre Robert de Latour (approx. one hour per evening).
- Pick-up service from Tromsö city to the boat tour/retour Free of Charge.
Exclusions
- No flights or other transfer to/from Tromsö included in the offer
- Rental of complete equipment with dry-suit, mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, weight-belt, underwear/thinsulate and aquafloat
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
RATES & AVAILABILITY
For information on departure dates, rates, and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!
Dive Information & Itineraries
Orca trips
3 days and 6 days orca expedition trips. Every year from the end of October to beginnng of February, the probably largest gathering of killing whales in the world take place in Troms region, far north of Norway, due to enormous amounts of herring. Sometimes as many as 50-60 orcas and humpback whales can be observed at the same time. We follow the orcas closely to watch them play and feed. When possible, we enter the water and swim with them. To be with these magnificent animals in their own habitat is an experience for life.
Water temperature in October - January is about 4 - 6°C (39 - 42°F) and air temperature ranges from -7 to +10°C (20 - 50°F).
A typical day onboard
- Wake up at 07:30 am
- Breakfast at 08:00-08:30 am
- Boat leaves the harbour about 09:00 am.
- We go out to the fjord for seeking orcas.
- Sometimes we see the animals immediately and can start the operation soon.
- Other days we need hours to find the orcas. When we find the orcas we move to the less boat (dinghy equipped with dry-suit and keep the camera ready for photo action.
- Normally we are in the dinghy two to three hours and then back to the main ship for eating hot soup, coffee break and lunch.
- When the darkness is coming we go to the closest bay or harbor to stay the night over.
- Dinner onboard at 18:00 hrs.
USEA
USEA is the network for those who care about the respect of the comfort and the wild nature of marine mammals. Approved by scientists working in the field of marine mammals, USEA interactions are much better than enforced encounters for both diver and marine mammal.
On board the boat during ORCA EXPEDITION, guided by the best specialists you will learn with USEA techniques how to come close and interact in the best conditions with orcas and large whales.
Successful USEA interaction allows you to be USEA Diver, registered in the network with an unique number. You will have your own Certification.
Interested in swimming with marine mammals such as whales? Check out this article.
Other Information
Boat specifications
- Length: 40.65 meters
- Wide: 8 meters
- Depth: 3,10 meter
- Max guests: 12
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Time Zone: UTC+2
- Local Currency: NOK (Norwegian Krone)
- Language Spoken: Scandinavian, English and French
- Electricity: 230V
- Payment Onboard: Cash
Got Questions? Ready to Book?
Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com
And let us book your dream vacation!
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