Sailing expedition and Whale safari: The trip from day to day

The route and daily schedule below is a suggestion for this active sailing holiday and whale safari along the Vesterålen and the islands of Senja and Kvaløya. Exactly where we sail to and how long we can stay there depends, among other things, on the weather and wind. We certainly will look for whales for a few days. We’ll discover on the spot whether they are willing to show themselves to us. Nothing is certain, but it is an adventure for sure!

Day 1: From Tromsø airport you take the comfortable shuttle bus to the harbour. At the end of the afternoon you will board our sailing ship. A drink with tasty snacks is waiting for you. You meet your travel companions and settle in your cabin. After dinner, the crew will familiarize you with the ship, including a safety instruction. Then you will hear about the weather forecast and sailing plans for tomorrow.

Day 2: After breakfast we let go of the ropes and sail out of the harbour of Tromsø. Together we hoist the sails. Whoever wants to can take the helm under the watchful eye of the captain and steer the ship through the fjord. Mountain peaks of hundreds of meters rise on both sides. After a few hours we see the island of Senja on starboard, the second largest island in Norway. Today’s end goal is Finnsnes. The town is about 40 nautical miles from Tromsø (1 Nm = 1852 meters); we will arrive there at the end of the day.

Day 3: Finnsnes is a lively place with about 4370 inhabitants. It acts as a hub for anyone wanting to and from Senja Island, just across the water. We are not going to Senja yet, but sail further south. The water is getting wider. This area is also very suitable for various sailing maneuvers. At the end of this day we arrive at the island of Bjarkøy. After dinner you might want to take a nice walk on this former Viking island.

Day 4: We start the day with a delicious breakfast. Then we leave Bjarkøy behind us to head towards Andenes. This town with just under 3000 inhabitants is located on the northernmost tip of the island of Andøya, 300 km above the Arctic Circle. From here you have a wide view over the North Atlantic Ocean. If we are lucky (If…), we might spot a few whales today, so keep your binoculars handy.

Day 5: Today we stay all day in Andenes, the capital and northernmost town of Vesterålen. In the morning you have plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings. In the afternoon we set sail for a whale safari. Whales, killer whales and sperm whales are found in the waters around Andenes. The seabed here rises quite steeply from the ocean, so that a lot of food can be found here for the animals. We go out to sea with our own ship to shoot the most beautiful wildlife photos. If the weather in the morning is more suitable for a whale safari, you have the afternoon to spend in and around Andenes.

Day 6: We cross to the island of Senja, one of the largest islands of the Vesterålen. It has spectacular rock formations that stretch far out to sea. During the day you have a beautiful view of this rugged coast from the ship. But don’t forget to look around you too, you might just spot a group of whales or sea eagles. After all, you never know exactly where the animals will be. In the afternoon we moor in one of the small harbours of Senja.

You will experience that Senja is not only very beautiful from the water. Also from land you will see the most jagged mountain peaks and you will be able to capture amazing views. You can spend the rest of the day exploring this rugged island. Part of the island of Senja has been declared a National Park and the Norwegians have built several hiking trails. So put on your walking shoes and off you go!

Day 7: We sail for a few more hours along the coast of Senja, so that you can get one last look at it’s stunning fjords on starboard. On the port side you can see the ocean, which stretches all the way to Greenland. Who knows, we may even encounter whales here. Today we leave the archipelago of Vesterålen and sail into the Troms region. Right on the border of both regions is one of the oldest lighthouses in Norway: Hekkingen Fyr. At the end of the afternoon we will arrive at the island of Sommarøy, which is surrounded by even smaller islands and boulders. We look for a good spot to moor in the harbour of the old fishing town and then cook a well-deserved dinner together.

Day 8: After breakfast and a cup of coffee we hoist the sails again in the course of the morning. Depending on the wind, we choose a route along the south side of the island of Kvaløya (Norwegian for whale island), or along the north side. In both cases you will see the high peaks of Kvaløya glide past. Today we anchor in one of the fjords around the island. Maybe at the end of the afternoon we will all get into the zodiac for a tour through the fjord. Back on board we prepare another tasty meal.

Day 9: Today we hoist the sails for the last time. If you want to be at the helm for a few more miles as the beautiful scenery of the Troms region passes by, this is your chance. During the afternoon the bridge of Tromsø comes into view and with it the end point of our journey. Once we have tied up the ship in port, you can enjoy a refreshing drink on one of the terraces. In the meantime, we cook a tasty dinner on board. In the evening you can explore the city further or take the cable car up, on the other side of the fjord, for a beautiful view of the city.

Day 10: This sailing holiday also comes to an end with an extensive breakfast. For ten days you have been able to enjoy the most beautiful coasts of Vesterålen, Senja and Kvaløya, from the water and from the land. We hope of course that we managed to spot some whales during this trip. Now it’s time to pack up your things and head home. You can immediately take the shuttle bus from the harbour to Tromsø airport, but we can also imagine that you will stay a little longer in the city. To visit the interesting Polar Museum, for example, or for a spectacular hike with huskies.

Sailing expedition and Whale safari on Vesterålen

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€2.970

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