Whale watching in arctic Norway’s Alta

Over Christmas we travelled to arctic Norway’s Alta and spent the holidays in the north under the polar night. One of the highlights was whale watching in the fjords outside of Alta. Best season for whale watching in Norway is November to January and the fjord was packed with humpbacks and killer whales. What an amazing experience!

A magical moment in the fjords outside Alta

The trip started in the city center of Alta at NORD Ekspedisjon’s camp (update 2022: Nord Ekspedisjon is now Æventyr). They supplied us with everything we needed for the trip, including ultra warm winter suits. You want to make sure you are properly dressed if you are going on the fjord in the arctic in December.

From Øksfjord outside the city of Alta we jumped into the rib they had prepared for us. After leaving the harbour it took no more than 5-10 minutes before we found the first pod of whales. We soon realised there were at least two pods of humpbacks hunting for prey in the fjord.

It was not only humpbacks hunting in the fjord, we also observed killer whales. And eagles picking up whatever the whales hadn’t eaten. The sound of the whales breathing and seagulls screaming was quite a concert.

We had so many great encounters! At one point on of the humpbacks decided to swim beneath the rib. We could see the large dark shadow as is swam under us. I definitely had butterflies in my stomach at that moment.

One of the humpbacks waving goodbye

Many who has not experienced the polar night think it is dark all the time, which is not the case. The sun is nowhere to be seen in December and January in Alta, but during mid-day there is often a beautiful light that later turns into magical blue.

Returning to Øksfjord after successful whale watching

One happy whale watcher! 

Thank you to NORD Ekspedisjon (update 2022: Nord Ekspedisjon is now Æventyr). for bringing us along! All views expressed in this post are solely mine – and I think the photos and my happy face can almost speak for themselves.