A Skjervøy RIB day from Tromsø takes about 12 hours: a 05:15–05:30 bus north, 2.5–3+ hours on the water in a 12-seat RIB, and back around 17:30. It costs €303–369 with the bus, or from €218 if you start in Skjervøy. Suits, boots and goggles are lent; a covered, heated boat is the warm alternative.
The bus does the long part; the time you pay for is spent close to the feeding grounds.
The RIB tours share the same bus and the same fjords; they differ in time on the water, food, the boat and whether you need a suit. Each card wins on one of those; below them are the boats that start in Skjervøy itself, with no bus at all.
A RIB safari from Tromsø to Skjervøy is a 12-hour day with 2.5–3.5 hours on the water; the rest is a bus with Wi-Fi and toilets. The table puts time on the water first, then food, group size and price.
| Tour · type · length | Your day · water vs road | Food | Max guests | 2nd chance | Rating | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 h+ on the waterbus ~4 h each way | Sandwich & hot drink | 12 | No | 4.8 · 1,345 | €303 |
Dates |
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2.5–3 h on the waterbus ~4 h each way | Sandwiches & tea | 12 | No | 4.7 · 1,241 | €322 |
Dates |
|
3–3.5 h on the waterbus ~4 h each way | Hot drinks & snacks | not stated | No | 4.7 · 265 | €340 |
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|
Water time not statedbus from 05:15 | Light snacks & drinks | not stated | No | 4.6 · 312 | €369 |
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|
3 h on the waterbus optional | Baguette & drink | 12 | No | 4.8 · 144 | €218 |
Dates |
|
3.5 h on the waterstart in Skjervøy | not stated | not stated | No | 4.9 · 51 | €248 |
Dates |
Prices: lowest advertised “from” on GetYourGuide, 13 Nov 2026. 872595 is €218 from Skjervøy or €312 with the bus.
Skjervøy RIB from Tromsø — at least 3 hours on the water.
You leave Tromsø in the dark, change into a flotation suit in Skjervøy and spend about three hours on the water before the bus brings you back in the evening. Pack food for the bus and something dry for afterwards.
From about 27 November to 15 January the sun does not rise in Tromsø, but around midday there are a few hours of blue twilight — enough to see fins and blows, and the best light for photos. In early November and late January you get more daylight on the water.
Reviewers say the time on the bus is long but comfortable; one wrote the coach was “comfortable” and the water time “definitely worth it”.
Choose the RIB to sit at eye level with the orcas in a flotation suit; choose the covered, heated boat if you feel the cold, have a bad back or want to take photos without gloves and goggles. Both use the same bus and the same feeding grounds.
Same bus, same fjords around Skjervøy; green marks the better side for each row. Height limit: Magic Skjervøy.
Every RIB lends you a flotation suit, boots, mittens and goggles; you bring warm wool layers underneath, a hat and food for a long bus day. Tablets for seasickness are your own.
A seasonal “Whale Route” bus leaves Prostneset in Tromsø around 05:30 and reaches Skjervøy around 09:20–09:45, in time for the boats that start there. Check the timetable before you go; we do not list fares because the sources disagree.
Starting in Skjervøy is the cheapest way onto a RIB here: from €218 for three hours against €303–369 with the bus included. It only pays if you add your own bus fare or already stay in the north.
Not sure this is the right format? The same whales can be seen from a big heated boat, a 12-seat RIB or an overnight ship — and the price and the length of the day change a lot between them.
10 tours
No bus: 6–9 hours on a heated catamaran from the harbour.
all formats
Advertised prices against the price on your date, and what each covers.
Nov–Jan
Month by month: whales, light and which tours are running.
Every answer is open; tap a question to fold it.
Compare every tourAbout 12 hours: roughly four hours by bus each way and 2.5–3+ hours on the water.
The buses leave Prostneset in Tromsø at 05:15 or 05:30; be there 10–20 minutes early.
You get a flotation suit, boots, mittens and goggles. Wear wool underneath. If you feel the cold, take the covered, heated boat.
Magic Skjervøy sets a minimum height of 140 cm. Other listings say little — check yours.
Most RIB tours give sandwiches or a baguette and a hot drink. Bring snacks for the bus.
One listing says an aurora tour the same evening is possible. You will be tired — and the lights are never guaranteed.
Yes: several boats start there for 3–4 hours, from €160–393.
No. Operators do not promise them; the season around Skjervøy is usually November to January.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours. Rather stay warm? See the catamarans from Tromsø harbour.
Dates and prices on GetYourGuide — Skjervøy RIB, 12 guests.