Fjord Days · FJORD WILDLIFE CRUISES
Sea eagles, seals, porpoises and, in the right months, whales. The 15 below are compared on season, how long the boat spends looking rather than moving, and whether a sighting guarantee is worth anything.
Travel by guided coach from Geiranger to four high viewpoints, including Dalsnibba at 1,500 meters, Flydalsjuvet, Djupvatnet Lake, and Eagle Bend. English-speaking guides such as Kira, Daniel, and Keira provide local stories while skilled drivers handle the sharp mountain bends.
“Our tour guide Daniel was great and so was the driver Nicholas.”
From Seward, Major Marine Tours takes you about 100 miles through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Look for Holgate or Aialik Glacier, seabirds at Chiswell Islands, and whales, otters, puffins, and sea lions. Captain Lara and the naturalist team provide narration, binoculars, coffee, and lunch.
“Amazing experience, professional crew, incredibly attentive, immaculately clean vessel. You can’t go wrong”
From Seward Harbor, you’ll cruise about 55 miles through Resurrection Bay toward Bear Glacier and Cape Resurrection. Expect captain-led narration, loaner binoculars, coffee and tea, and a chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, puffins, eagles, and mountain goats. Dress for wind and rain.
“Great experience. I recommend dressing in layers . The crew was helpful and the captain was very informative about all the things we saw .”
Spend six hours cruising from Seward through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Your captain explains the ice, geology, and wildlife while you watch for whales, orcas, puffins, seals, sea otters, and calving glaciers. A warm cabin, lunch, and accessible vessel make this a practical full-day outing.
“We saw whales & wildlife & waterfalls & glaciers! What a great tour. The crew netted an iceberg & made drinks for us. So much fun!”
Cruise Milford Sound for 105 minutes aboard a spacious Pure Milford catamaran with three levels, outdoor decks, large windows, live commentary, and outdoor footage on indoor screens. Expect close views of waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and the Tasman Sea. Hot drinks may be available, but food costs extra.
“Beautiful scenery, especially on a rainy day where there are thousands of extra waterfalls - truly an activity for all weathers. The boat was great with inside, partially open and outside areas to sit/stand. Free hot drinks was great on a cold day”
Cruise Milford Sound for up to two hours aboard a spacious catamaran with close views of Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. English commentary, multilingual app access, tea, coffee, and optional picnic or buffet lunch are available.
“One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! Worth every penny! We went on the 11.15am boat and it was amazing as it wasn't full. We were super lucky with the weather (no rain) and the views are absolutely stunning. Wish there was a bit more info by the speaker but recommend it 100%, def worth it ❤️”
From Geiranger’s cruise terminal, ride to Flydalsjuvet, Mount Dalsnibba’s Skywalk, Lake Djupvatn, and Eagle Road. Expect a 3.5-hour guided outing, dramatic mountain roads, short photo stops, and weather that can change quickly. Guides may include Claudia or Gabriele, depending on the departure.
“Stunning views once you got to the top of a long winding road , not for the queasy . Excellent driver and friendly guide”
Cruise Milford Sound’s full length aboard The Haven, The Mariner, or The Sovereign. Your skipper adjusts the route for weather and wildlife, while English-speaking guides point out seals, dolphins, penguins, waterfalls, and glacial rock. Bring rain gear, and arrive early for parking and check-in.
“Beautiful scenery and enough time to take some awesome pictures along the way. Very polite friendly staff. (Be prepared to pay approx $40 for parking).”
Leave Tromsø with guides such as Max, Isaac, Gerard, or Anna for a four-and-a-half-hour Arctic hike. Snowshoe or walk based on conditions, look for reindeer and moose, enjoy lunch with fjord views, and receive free photos afterward.
“The weather was very windy so half way along the walk our guide sensibly diverted to a lower more sheltered walk. We were very well looked after, had lovely drinks and snacks and really enjoyed our trip.”
Board Southern Discoveries at Milford Sound Visitor Centre for a 1-hour-45-minute nature cruise. Your skipper points out Mitre Peak, Lady Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, seals, dolphins, and penguins. Enjoy hot tea or coffee, indoor windows, and 360-degree decks, with a picnic lunch available as an add-on.
“Very weather-dependent, it was raining the entire time for us. Still beautiful and the rain made the waterfalls more full. Free hot water and coffee onboard which was nice. However, we didn’t see much wildlife and it was hard to hear the tour guide unless you were right next to them. This tour also seemed fairly crowded. Would consider Doubtful Sound next time.”
Fly with Air Milford from Queenstown in a 12-seat Cessna, crossing Skippers Canyon, glaciers, alpine lakes, and the Southern Alps. Land at Milford Sound for a 1-hour-45-minute small-boat cruise near Stirling Falls, then return by a different scenic route. Pilot commentary and central Queenstown pickup are included.
“Enjoyed the plane ride and the cruise amazing views fantastic commentary Workers very polite and efficient. Very accommodating with our needs”
Travel west from Tromsø with a guide such as Abdul or Mansoor, stopping at Kvaløysletta, Kaldfjord, Ersfjord, and Grøtfjord for mountain and fjord views. Thermal suits, hot chocolate, cake, and a minibus ride are included, but winter boots are not.
“The meeting place was not well defined. We walked past it, because google map says to continue. Good we bumped into a local who was on wheelchair and he rushed moving out his way to show us where the meeting place is. Upon returning to it, there was a couple also waiting for the same tour.our driver was about 10 minutes late. Made no apology. But he was a tremendous knowledgeable guide, who knew where to shoot a good view and video. The fjords we visited were magnificent and breath taking views and sceneries. Some are frozen, some are not. Brackish water are usually frozen, an unforgettable exoedition”
Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya and Sommarøy in a small group of up to eight, guided by local drivers such as Adrian, Erik, Fabian, and Stefan. Expect fjord views, frequent photo stops, Arctic wildlife chances, Sami and Norwegian stories, and lunch at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel.
“A great excursion, would highly recommend. Our guide Stefan was friendly and informative, he allowed us as much time as we needed at each stop. The vehicle was comfortable. We managed a range of birds, otters and even an orca. A great way to see the fjords and a chance of seeing some nice wildlife.”
From Ísafjörður, join guide Tom and an experienced captain for a three-hour search for humpback whales in the Westfjords. You may also see minke whales, dolphins, orcas, and puffins while learning about marine life and ethical whale watching from a sturdy boat with toilets and indoor seating.
“Saw lots and lots of whales, even jumping out of the water. Customer service gets 5 stars for fully refunding an earlier booking that got messed up by our cruise ship schedule. They are good people. This is definitely the whale tour you want!”
Spend six hours with Hello Tromsø exploring fjords, islands, frozen lakes, and mountain viewpoints. Guides such as Andreas and Johannes share local stories, help with photos, and serve a rustic lunch with hot drinks. Wildlife is possible but never guaranteed.
“Nice opportunity to see the fjords and learn a little about the area with knowledgeable guides. The hike at the end was definitely my favorite even though it was bitter cold the day we went.”
Pick a coast, a hull or a season.
