THE WILD MINUTE
Orcas and Humpback Whales
Skjervoy, Norway
NOVEMBER 11 - 17, 2025
Each winter, the fjords of northern Norway come alive as orcas and humpback whales follow the great herring migration. The dark Arctic waters fill with millions of herring moving in tight silver schools, and where the herring go, the predators follow.
From late October through January, these fjords become one of the most spectacular feeding grounds on Earth, a rare meeting place between whales, orcas, seabirds, and the freezing northern light.
The orcas work together in coordinated hunts, herding the herring into bait balls before stunning them with powerful tail slaps, while humpback whales move in with thunderous lunges, feeding alongside them in an extraordinary display of shared abundance.
It’s raw, cold, and breathtaking, the perfect setting for the next chapter of The Wild Minute.
Wild Minute – Episode 9 | Tromsø, Norway
Travel Day. After more than 30 hours of travel, four flights, two delays, and one exhausted traveler, I finally made it to Tromsø, Norway. Bags arrived, gear’s intact, and the next adventure is about to begin.
From Churchill’s polar bears to Norway’s orcas, this is the start of a new chapter for Wild Minute.
Next, I’ll meet up with our guests and catch the ferry to Skjervøy, where the orcas and humpback whales are waiting.
Wild Minute – Episode 10 | Skjervoy, Norway
Day 1. After more than thirty hours of travel from Winnipeg to Tromsø, the Arctic adventure finally begins. The weather tested us, with cold winds, low visibility, and long hours on the water, but it was worth it.
We found feeding orcas and humpback whales, several families working together to corral herring in the fjords. No bait balls underwater this time, but we could feel the energy of the hunt just beneath the surface.
A powerful start to our Norway series, and a reminder that in the Arctic, every reward is earned.
📖 Read the Trip Report to follow the details from the field.
Wild Minute – Episode 11 | Skervoy, Norway
Day 2 & 3. After two stormy days, we’ve stayed close to the hotel, keeping warm, visiting the local shops, sharing meals, and swapping stories. It’s part of the rhythm of these Arctic trips: some days you chase wildlife, and some days you wait for the weather to open the door again.
The crew’s spirits are high, the gear’s ready, and tomorrow looks promising.
If the forecast holds, we’ll finally be back on the fjords looking for orcas and humpbacks.
📖 Read the Trip Report to follow the details from the field.
Wild Minute – Episode 12 | Skjervoy, Norway
Day 4. Snow falling, cold winds, and a sea alive with life, today was everything I’ve ever dreamed of experiencing in the Arctic. We set out into thick clouds and heavy snow, unsure what the day would bring, and found pure magic.
Orcas and humpback whales feeding side by side, bait balls exploding beneath the surface, the water alive with movement and sound. Two orcas hovered face-to-face with me, curious and calm, a moment I’ll carry forever. Then came the chaos: humpbacks lunging through the bait ball, orcas darting through the storm of fish and light.
It was raw, wild, and perfect, the kind of day that reminds you exactly why you’re here.
📖 Read the Trip Report to follow the details from the field.
Wild Minute – Episode 13 | Norway
Day 5. Our final day in Norway, and what a way to end it. The sun finally broke through, painting the fjords in color after days of clouds and snow. Orcas surfaced in the golden light, a perfect reminder of how wild and unpredictable this place is.
We didn’t spend much time in the water today, but we didn’t need to. The animals were everywhere, the light was magic, and the sense of gratitude hung in the air… We will definitely be back!
📖 Read the Trip Report to follow the details from the field.
Wild Minute – Episode 14 | Goodbye Norway
The Norway chapter ends on a different kind of adventure, a long bus ride from Skjervøy to Tromsø through snow, fjords, and winding Arctic roads. Normally we’d take the ferry, but the group decided to try something new… and it turned out to be quite the experience. Let’s just say it was memorable, and maybe not one we’ll repeat.
This marks the final Wild Minute from Norway, wrapping up an incredible trip filled with orcas, humpbacks, snow, and light. I’ll be taking a short break for the Thanksgiving holiday, and then the next Wild Minute story begins from Tiger Beach.
📖 Read the Trip Report to follow the details from the field.