Whale Watching Guidelines 🐋

Respecting Nature. Enhancing Your Experience.

At Arctic Whale Tours, we are committed to providing unforgettable wildlife experiences while upholding the highest standards of safety, sustainability, education, and comfort. These guidelines are designed to ensure a respectful, informative, and enjoyable tour for everyone—while protecting the wildlife and natural environment we cherish.

✅ Before Your Tour: Arrival & Check-In

Please arrive at least 60 minutes before departure for check-in. This gives you enough time for the safety briefing, gear distribution, and any questions before boarding. Arctic weather can be unpredictable, so we recommend dressing in layers with windproof clothing, waterproof shoes, gloves, and a hat—even during summer. If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to take preventive medication well in advance, as it is most effective before symptoms begin.

🚨 Onboard Safety

All guests must attend a mandatory safety briefing before departure. It covers the use of safety equipment, emergency procedures, and onboard conduct. Always follow the instructions of our trained crew, especially during boarding, docking, or in changing weather conditions. When moving around the vessel, use handrails and avoid restricted areas. Children must be supervised at all times to ensure their safety.

🐋 Wildlife Viewing

We are fortunate to live and work among some of Norway’s most magnificent marine life, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to protect it. In collaboration with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), we have developed whale watching guidelines that minimize disturbance and promote ethical wildlife encounters. Our trained naturalists also help guests understand how to engage respectfully with marine mammals.

Whales should always be in control of the nature and duration of their interactions with us. If a whale shows any sign of distress—such as changing speed or direction, making sudden dives, or displaying avoidance behavior—we will slow down, keep our distance, or leave the area entirely. Mothers with calves or resting, feeding, and socializing whales are approached only with extra care—or not at all.

We typically approach from the rear and slightly to the side of the animal, reducing our speed at a distance of 300–400 meters. We never block their path, ensuring they always have an escape route. Our vessels maintain a respectful distance of 50–100 meters and follow a parallel course without sudden changes in speed or direction. When encountering dolphins, we limit active viewing to around 15 minutes, and when watching sperm whales, we generally do not remain for more than 1–2 dive cycles.

At least one trained observer is always on duty in addition to the captain to monitor animal behavior. If whales choose to approach us, we maintain our course at a slow, steady speed or shift to neutral, allowing them to interact on their own terms.

Common signs of disturbance include:

• Attempts to move away or leave the area
• Irregular changes in speed or direction
• Sudden or shallow dives
• Tail slapping, flipper slapping, or other aggressive behavior
• Increased breathing or prolonged dive durations

These practices are in place to protect wildlife while giving you an authentic and respectful encounter with Arctic nature.

👪 Guest Conduct

To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, we ask guests to be courteous and share space fairly, especially on the viewing decks. Help us protect the ocean by never throwing anything overboard—please use the waste bins provided. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas, and any guest who is visibly intoxicated or disruptive may be refused boarding for safety reasons.

📸 Photography

Photography is welcome, but please disable your flash as it can disturb both wildlife and other guests. Be mindful not to block views for extended periods and ensure your equipment is secure, particularly on open decks where conditions may be wet or windy.

🐶 Pet Policy

Leashed dogs are welcome on the outer deck but are not permitted indoors due to allergy considerations. Pet owners are responsible for their animal’s behavior and must clean up after them. Please notify us in advance if you plan to bring a dog or service animal so we can accommodate accordingly.

♿ Accessibility

Our boat is not fully wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to navigate stairs to access indoor areas and restrooms. The main deck is reachable with assistance, and our crew is happy to help when possible. Please contact us in advance if someone in your group has limited mobility — we want to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

🌊 Motion Sickness & Medical Needs

If you're concerned about motion sickness, we recommend taking medication beforehand and eating a light, non-greasy meal. If you have any medical conditions, allergies, or require medication, let us know before departure. Should you feel unwell during the tour, getting fresh air and focusing on the horizon often helps. Our crew can provide sickness bags and discreet support if needed.

💬 Questions?

We’re here to help. Contact us at info@arcticwhaletours.com or speak with a crew member during your tour.

Thank you for helping us keep every whale safari safe, respectful, and enriching—for guests, crew, and the Arctic wildlife we love.