Location: Norway

Orca Live-Aboard Free Diving Expedition

An orca expedition like no other!

Whale-Shark-Snorkeling_AndyMurch

Photo © Andy Murch

Why come with Big Fish Expeditions

There are very few places where one can legally snorkel and free dive with orcas. Most countries do not permit divers to enter the water with resident orcas and sightings in other areas of the world are simply too unreliable.
Our trips take place in the fiords of Norway where orcas historically show up year after year. Although encounters are never guaranteed, we go during the peak season when the killer whales are following the herring migration.

An incredible adventure

Our Norwegian orca expedition includes 5 days chasing killer whales and humpbacks in the spectacular fiords of northern Norway. During our trips, you will spend 6 nights aboard the well equipped liveaboard expedition vessel, the M/S Duen.

THE ENCOUNTER

Free diving/snorkeling with orcas
REQUEST MORE INFO

2025

DATE
November 13-20 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE

VESSEL
M/S Duen Liveaboard

PRICE (USD)
$5195 per person double occupancy
$6195 per person single occupancy (FULL)

LEADER
N/A

Orca mother and calf diving

2026

DATE
November TBA 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE

VESSEL
M/S Duen Liveaboard

PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy

LEADER
N/A

Curious orca diving in Norway

2027

DATE
November TBA 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE

VESSEL
M/S Duen Liveaboard

PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy

LEADER
N/A

Snorkeling with Orcas in Norway.

DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION
Liveabaord Expedition Vessel MS Duen

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Snorkeling experience only

WHAT’S INCLUDED
7 nights liveaboard accommodation in twin or double cabins.

6 days at sea searching for / interacting with orcas (weather dependent).

All meals and non-alcoholic beverages while onboard.

All harbour fees and taxes.

English-speaking support.

Northern lights tours (subject to weather and Aurora activity).

NOT INCLUDED

  • Personal snorkeling equipment rental
  • Ground transfers
  • Flights
  • Gratuities
Killer whale pod in Norwegian fiord. Diving.
 
 
 
Happy orca divers in Norway
 
Duen liveaboard orca snorkeling ship
 
Orca Pod Diving
 
Orca diving in Norway. Mother and Calf.
 
Northern lights in norway
 
OTHER WHALES

During our time at sea there is also the possibility of encountering a number of other whale species including humpack whales, sei whales, minke whales, fin whales and pilot whales.

WORDS FROM OUR GUESTS

Home after an incredible trip to Norway to swim with orcas! Another awesome time with Big Fish Expeditions! We had some perfect encounters with orcas in the water, and watched humpback whales feeding with them on herring from the boat. This was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Trisha Stovel, Vancouver, BC., Canada.

If you’ve ever had the desire to see Orcas from their perspective, this is the trip. Right from the start, the crew has a method for encounters that start with the whales first having the option of staying away from us. You can jump in the water with a lot of different large species, but these intelligent and social animals are pretty much the pinnacle. What struck me on this trip was not so much being in the water with a pod of Orcas, that was anticlimactic after all the planning and preparing. It was their sheer power and size seeing them from the dive boat that impressed me the most. They are more remarkable when you’re at their level on the surface than you’d ever imagine if you saw them from a whale watching tour on a large boat from 100 meters away. Here, they surface right next to you and you’re looking right at that two meter tall dorsal fin sail by. If you’re not into diving or snorkeling, this would still be the trip of a lifetime if you want to see and photograph Orcas up close. You will also see other whale species spouting, and perhaps like us, see Humpbacks together with the Orcas sharing the bait ball. If you want to get in the water, be prepared for an extreme adventure, but one that you’ll never forget.

Dustin Hurbut, Washington State, USA.

Take a peek at this short video by one of our guests

ITINERARY

Day 1 Board the MS Duen after 3pm. Move into the cabins onboard, then dinner. Depending on arrival time, prepare personal diving and photo equipment.
Days 2-7 Whale Safaris! All activities will take into account up-to-date weather conditions. Weather permitting, this will include daily boats excursions. To reach distant regions with the largest number and activity of whales, excursions may start very early in the morning.

When whales swim close to the harbours, as they often do, excursions can also be shorter and we will start later when the light conditions are best.

The nights we will spend at a fishery harbour and Northern light tours will be included if the sky is clear and the aurora prognosis is promising.

Day 8 At 10am disembark and depart for home.
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?

Contact Big Fish about this Expedition

    Please sign me up for Big Fish Expeditions news

    Orcas Snorkeling

    Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010

    Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.

    Guest Feedback