Natural History Sailing Expeditions

Sailing with Orcas in the Lofoten Islands
( 7 days £960)
Oct, Nov & Dec

Tailor Made Travel

Orca Safaris
( 4 days from £1,065)
including flights

Click here to read about our Climate Commitment for Polar Voyages

Our main area of interest in Norway is the north west encompassing the Lofoten Islands and the dramatic fjords which carve their way in and out of the nearby mainland.

The Lofoten Islands form a picturesque archipelago north of the Arctic Circle where magnificent mountains, peaks and sheltered inlets surround spectacular clear-water fjords more than 800m deep. Between October and January each year these islands and Tysfjord on the mainland in particular, pay host to one of the world's largest concentrations of Atlantic Herring.  Following their every move is a resident pod of Killer Whales (Oricinus orca) totalling more than 500 individuals.  The Killer Whales in this area are unique in their use of ‘carousel’ feeding techniques, working as a group to herd herring into an increasingly tighter ball, before using the strength of their tail flukes to stun and kill their prey.

One of the best ways of watching these killer whales and exploring the stunning scenery of this area is with our Arctic Sailing Expedition aboard a classic two-masted schooner.  The tranquillity of sailing within spectacular scenic fjords and observing wildlife without intrusion enhances your contact with this Arctic coastline. Those keen to participate in the sailing of the vessel are welcome to assist and be part of an international team of polar travellers in the tradition of the 19th Century explorers.  Another great reason for sailing in the Arctic at this time of the year is the opportunity to observe the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

We can also arrange mixed land and boats visits to see the Orcas of Tysfjord in as little as 3 to 4 days.  These involve staying on land overnight and going out into Tysfjord by motor boat or inflatable RIB.

For an underwater view of the orcas, we can arrange for you to snorkel from an inflatable RIB.  This is done using a dry suit.

Our Commitment to the Climate Aqua-Firma are committed to the conservation of the places we visit.  This is why we have calculated the average CO2 emissions of our Arctic and Antarctic Voyages and will automatically offset each client’s share of emissions via the charity Rainforest Concern’s Rainforest4Climate programme.  Aqua-Firma will also automatically offset the carbon emissions of flights booked through us for our polar expeditions.

Photographs kindly provided by: Sonia van Berlkel, Jan Belgers, Tiu Simila