Is a Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Catamaran in Tromsø Worth It?

Heading off to northern Norway? Tromsø is a great place to consider as it’s often called the “Gateway to the Arctic” and many amazing outdoor adventures await you! If a unique wildlife experience tops your list, then it’s definitely worth considering a Whale Watching Tour on a Hybrid-Electric Catamaran. Not only because you get to see some of the most beautiful sights the arctic has to offer, but also because you get to enjoy the experience in style and comfort.

What is a Hybrid-Electric Catamaran?

A Hybrid-Electric Catamaran is a boat that uses both electric and diesel power. This allows the boat to run in both silent and efficient electric mode, with no exhaust fumes or local air pollution. This is especially important when you are out on the sea looking for wild animals, since you don’t want your noise to disrupt or scare off the animals.

At the same time, some of these hybrid vessels offer a comfortable experience for its passengers. Luxury catamarans are very stable in the water and are extremely quiet which allows passengers to enjoy the company of each other and focus intently on the sights around them.

The Whales of Tromsø

There are several different species of whales that can be found in the narrow waters of Tromsø and its surrounding islands. Humpback whales are some of the most common and can sometimes be seen breaching and performing shallow dives close to your boat. Orca, also known as Killer whales, are also found along with smaller Minke whales, Harbour Porpoises and other species of dolphins.

And then there is perhaps one of the most spectacular sights you can find at sea – The Northern Lights! On some days you can be lucky enough to experience both whales and Northern Lights in the same evening cruise. It’s truly breathtaking!

Where to Go Whale Watching?

There are several guided tours to choose from if you want to go for a Whale Watching Tour in Tromsø. Most of them operate from the city harbor and nearby sights such as Lyngen or one nearby island called Kvaløya. With so many companies to choose from, it might be hard to decide.

However, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly experience, it’s worth considering Arctic Serenity’s Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Catamaran. This tour uses a special disc-shaped type of electric engine called “parker pods” which works without making any propeller noise. They also keep their boat speed to a minimum in order to minimize environmental impact, so you can be sure your experience is with minimal disruption to the marine life.

The highlight of this tour is that it operates close to some of Tromsø’s national parks where you get to sail through breathtakingly beautiful fjords and archipelagos. Fantastic! You even get to wear warm overalls, boots and head gear and snuggle up in the outdoor chairs while you watch. How amazing is that!

What Else Should You Know?

It’s always worth double checking what kind of vessel you will be sailing in – especially if it has an indoor area, as this can be quite pesky when sailing in crowded waters with lots of other boats around. Some places might also provide snacks or a lunch buffet such as drinks and sandwiches.

Finally, it’s always worth making sure if you book your tour with an eco-friendly operator that they have all their necessary licenses to do wildlife-viewing. You don’t want your tour to be cancelled because the crew didn’t follow correct regulation procedures!

My Recommendation

After looking into all the different whale watching operators in Tromsø, I settled on booking my tour with Arctic Serenity’s Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Catamaran. The hybrid-electric catamaran offers comfort and luxury, at the same time as keeping noise levels low. And I loved how eco-friendly the tour is, as I was able to cruise through some of Tromsø’s beautiful national parks whilst not leaving any ecological footprint behind.

In conclusion, a whale watching experience on a hybrid-electric catamaran in Tromsø is definitely worth considering – both for the sights you will get to witness that no place else on earth has to offer, as well as ensuring you get an eco-friendly experience without having any negative effect on its local marine life. Despite being quite expensive, I think it was money well spent!

If this has inspired you to book a Tromsø Whale Watching Tour on a Hybrid-Electric Catamaran for yourself, you can find more information here.