Dive alongside Orcas as they pursue herring in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle

Dive alongside Orcas as they pursue herring in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle

Diving with the Ocean's Apex Predator

If the thought of facing off with a pod of wild orcas sends shivers down your spine, you're not alone. These majestic, misunderstood creatures are the dream of divers worldwide. Known for their striking appearance and powerful hunting skills, orcas gracefully convene in pods across Earth's coldest waters. Despite their size and feared reputation as 'killer whales', orcas have never targeted humans in their natural habitat.

Your chance to encounter these magnificent beasts awaits you in the Arctic Circle, specifically in Norway's icy fjords. The best spots for unforgettable orca encounters are situated between Kvaløya and Andøya, an area renowned as one of the best whale-watching sites on the planet - if not the best[2][3][5].

The Right Place, At the Right Time

To increase your odds of witnessing the extraordinary, plan your dive adventure between late October and mid-January, during the herring run[2][5]. It's during this period that orcas and humpbacks flock to the area, eagerly following the migrating herring into the fjords. When conditions align, orcas isolate smaller herring shoals from their larger counterparts, driving them towards the surface for an easy meal.

Tips for the Perfect Shot

• Equip yourself with a wide-angle lens and a camera that operates smoothly in low light conditions
• Invest in cold-weather photography gear, such as gloves that allow precise camera handling and a camera housing that can withstand frigid temperatures

Mastering the Art of Capturing the Perfect Moment

Daring underwater photographers: challenge accepted. The scarcity of light during the Arctic winter adds a new layer of difficulty to this shoot. Despite the freezing temperatures and darkness, patience and persistence are key to capturing mesmerizing underwater moments. My experience tells me that it may require multiple trips before you can add orca photographs to your portfolio[6].

In addition to capturing orcas, the northern lights often put on a spectacular display across the sky. At the end of each day, bundle up, grab your trusty wide-angle lens, and set it up on a tripod in the freezing cold. Using a long shutter speed, wait patiently for the northern lights to make their appearance.

Stepping Into the Majestic Arctic Circle

Northern Norway isn't your average diving destination. You'll find no palm trees or warm coral reefs here. Instead, you'll be greeted by deep fjords sculpted by towering mountains, where heavy snowstorms can bury boats overnight. With persistence and determination, however, you may just find yourself face-to-face with a pod of orcas. If you're lucky, you might even snag a quick, breathtaking photo as they dash by, often in the blink of an eye, in pursuit of herring[6].

Orcas are intelligent creatures, and observing their behaviors deep underwater is nothing short of fascinating. Each pod has a complex social hierarchy with the oldest females calling the shots. They protect the young, who remain with their mothers for life. The large males, or bull orcas, patrol the pod's boundaries, ever on the lookout and ready to protect[7].

Getting close enough to observe these incredible creatures requires specialized tour operators, given the frigid waters and safety precautions surrounding large marine species. Some operators around Tromsø offer wildlife-watching expeditions, giving you the opportunity to observe orcas up close from boats and occasionally participate in controlled diving or snorkeling scenarios[4].

As an extraordinary bonus, many tours combine whale watching with Northern Lights tours, offering you a truly one-of-a-kind Arctic experience[2]. Conservation-focused cruises, in collaboration with marine wildlife conservation charities, provide educational insights into orca behavior and conservation efforts[4].

Embracing the Arctic Cold for a Memory of a Lifetime

If the thought of braving the Arctic blizzards and icy waters fills you with excitement, then northern Norway may very well be your next diving destination. With the potential to witness orcas up close and perhaps even snap a few photos, the challenge of photographing these stunning creatures in the freezing cold is worth the effort[7].

Sources:[1] Todd Thimios, "Ultimate Dive Sites" (Hardie Grant Explore, 2025)[2] Berntsen, K., et al., "Humpback whales actively forage inside herring nets in northern Norway resulting in high numbers of trapped and retrieved whales" Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 119, no. 1, 2016, pp. 76–83.[3] Møller, P., et al., "Orcas (Orcinus orca) in fjords and open sea areas north of Tromsø, Norway – behaviour, foraging, and potential for subsistence and sustainable whale watching" Villy Kristensen and Karsten H. Olsen, eds., Arctic Cetacean Research, vol. 8, 2007, pp. 41–54.[4] "Norway Orca Adventure", https://www.orcaadventure.no/.[5] "Whale Watch Norway", https://www.whalewatchnorway.com/.[6] Thimios, T. "50 of the world's ultimate diving sites". Dive Magazine, 2021.[7] Würsig, B. and Würsig, M., Orcas: The Whales That Became Wolves, (Ballantine Books, 2014)

1. The majestic, misunderstood creatures that divers worldwide aspire to encounter are orcas, known for their striking appearance and powerful hunting skills.
2. Plan your dive adventure between late October and mid-January in the Arctic Circle, specifically in Norway's icy fjords, for a better chance of witnessing the extraordinary orca encounters.
3. To capture mesmerizing underwater moments of orcas, equip yourself with a wide-angle lens and a camera that operates smoothly in low light conditions, and invest in cold-weather photography gear.
4. In addition to capturing orcas, the northern lights often put on a spectacular display across the sky, making a visit to northern Norway an opportunity for both underwater and outdoor-living photography enthusiasts.
5. Northern Norway isn't your average diving destination, offering a unique lifestyle experience characterized by deep fjords sculpted by towering mountains and the potential to observe orcas up close.
6. Conservation-focused cruises, in collaboration with marine wildlife conservation charities, provide educational insights into orca behavior and conservation efforts, making the experience more meaningful for travelers.
7. Embracing the Arctic cold, barring palm trees and warm coral reefs, can lead to memories of a lifetime, with the potential to witness orcas up close and perhaps even snap a few breathtaking photos.

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