18 April 2026

Skjervøy (Norway) – Late November: Seeking Orcas and Fin Whales in the Polar Night

Hi everyone,

I am heading to Skjervøy from November 23rd to 26th for a targeted cetacean trip. I’ll be going out with Oddgeir Sagerup (See & Explore).

My main targets are Orcas and Humpback Whales, but I’m particularly interested in the presence of Fin Whales and the occasional Sperm Whale that has been reported in the fjords recently, following the herring schools.

This trip is part of a personal photographic project called “INDACO” (Indigo). While most visitors look for the perfect “golden hour” shot (usually around early December), I am intentionally heading there during the onset of the Polar Night. My goal is to document the “dirty truth” of the Arctic: extreme low light, the grain of high ISOs, and the raw atmosphere of the Norwegian winter. I’ll be shooting with a Nikon D5, trying to push the sensor to its limits to capture the essence of the encounter rather than a polished postcard.

I’ve been tracking the reports on this forum (including the excellent January 2024 summary) and I’m aware of the 1:00 PM curfew for most boats due to the Tromsø logistics. I’ve decided to stay in Skjervøy to make the most of the remaining blue hour from the shore, perhaps tracking fishing vessels via MarineTraffic to spot activity in the Kvænangen Fiord.

A few questions for the community:

  1. Has anyone been there in the last couple of weeks? Any updates on the herring concentration?

  2. For those who stayed in the village: any reliable spots for landscapes photo (aurora)?

  3. Any specific advice for managing gear condensation when moving between the extreme cold of the RIB/boat and local accommodations?

I’ll be happy to share a detailed report (and some “grainy” images) upon my return.

Best,

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lucanasigrosso
Wildlife photographer based in Italy
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