NORWAY WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS TRAVEL GUIDE
Imagine the outer reaches of Scotland where eagles soar and puffins strut whilst harbour seals make the most of sheltered coves and dolphins dance to delight vacationmakers huddled on the beach. Now ramp that feeling up a few notches by adding polar bears, whales, walrus, sea eagles and the occasional Arctic fox and you’re getting closer to wildlife vacations in Norway. The islands of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja, offshore from one of the most northerly cities on earth, Tromsø, demand wildlife cruises in small ships while. Further north, the Svalbard archipelago conjures up cliffs covered in birds and pristine pack ice where polar bears prowl as binoculars tremble.
Forget trolls, Bergen and Vikings; this is Norway like you've never known her before: wild and untamed, a little bit feral, so to hell with the expense, let's go see some polar bears!
This is a world where wildlife outnumbers humans; where midnight sun creates 24hr animal encounters; and the darkness of winter provides one of nature’s most enthralling spectacles: the Northern Lights. Explore Norway on land or at sea and be prepared to drop everything, at any time, other than your camera.
Read more in our Norway wildlife vacations guide.
Read more in our Norway wildlife vacations guide.
Our Norway wildlife Vacations
Polar bear watching cruise in Svalbard, Norway
Cruise through the ice looking for polar bears
From
£4495 to £7195
9 days
ex flights
Arctic diving & Polar Bear Watching Expedition
Awe-inspiring for divers & non-divers
From
€3790
8 days
ex flights
Norway wildlife vacation
Whale watching in Vesterålen Islands in the Norwegian Arctic
From
£945
5 days
ex flights
Norwegian coast cruise, Kirkenes to Bergen
Kirkenes to Bergen along the length of the Norwegian coast
From
£1250
6 days
ex flights
Northern Lights and dog sledding vacation, Norway
Learn to live as a dog musher in the Arctic under the Aurora
From
£1495
5 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen short break
Boat safari and wilderness experiences at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 9990
3 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen wildlife cruise in the Arctic
Venture to an intoxicating land of ice and tundra
From
US $7495 to US $7895
13 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
From
£2399 to £5149
8 days
ex flights
Family multi activity vacation in Norway
Family activity, wilderness and wildlife vacation in Norway
From
£1395
8 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands whale watching & fishing vacation, Norway
Tailored vacation in the magical Lofoten Islands of Norway
From
£795
5 days
ex flights
Norway island hopping tour & Træna music festival
A unique way to explore the Norwegian coast and fjords!
From
€1540 to €1845
9 days
ex flights
Norway wildlife sailing vacation
Explore the rough beauties of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja
From
€1330 to €1500
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife cruises to Spitsbergen and Greenland
Journey through three spectacular arctic countries
From
US $7695
13 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen summer vacation, glaciers of Isfjorden
Arctic summer vacation - the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard
From
£2455
7 days
inc UK flights
Northern lights sailing vacation in Norway
Sailing and hiking in the land of the Aurora Borealis!
From
€2050
8 days
ex flights
Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Varanger - the unpolished pearl in Northern Norway
From
NKr 12900
6 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands and Svalbard northern lights safari
Take in the Arctic beauty on this exhilarating adventure
From
£4995
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen activity vacation
Blue ice glacier walk, kayaking, hiking at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 17990
5 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen wildlife cruises
Encounters with glaciers, polar bears and icebergs.
From
£2799 to £5899
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen cruise, 6 days
A 6 day 'taster voyage' to explore Spitsbergen's highlights
From
£1133 to £1295
6 days
ex flights
Swim with killer whales and humpback whales in Norway
Swim near magnificent whales in the cold Norwegian water
From
£4400
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen cruise to the Arctic
Circumnavigate the jewel of the High Arctic
From
US $0
11 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise from Spitsbergen to Greenland
Expedition cruise taking in the Arctic highlights
From
£3272 to £5864
15 days
ex flights
Northern Lights vacation, Norway adventure
Northern Norway’s coastline & natural world at its finest
From
£1845
6 days
ex flights
Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
6 night live-aboard tour in Norway
From
US $6600
6 days
ex flights
NORWAY WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS
Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen
Seeing polar bears in their natural habitat is not something to be taken lightly. Ice strengthened expedition ships enable wildlife cruises close to the pack ice that surrounds the fjords and rugged coastline of Spitsbergen, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Zodiac boats take you deeper into the ice filled fringes of the Arctic Ocean. You'll be joined by expert, knowledgeable guides who will offer important insights into the untouched Arctic wilderness which they know like the back of their mitted hand.
Nothing is ever guaranteed on wildlife vacations, although venturing north, at the right time of year, on a well organised tour, certainly increases chances of success. Walrus, blue whales, minke, reindeer, Arctic foxes and bearded seals can all be found in Spitsbergen during the bright Arctic summer.
Mainland Norway
Mainland Norway
Wildlife watching in mainland Norway can be done as part of a small ship cruise, or staying in guesthouses on dry land. Take hiking expeditions over the mountains, tundra and along the deserted beaches of the Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands where bird nesting colonies on remote rocks make for fascinating day trips. A warm Gulf Stream encourages an abundance of skrei (cod) and herring which, in turn, attracts sperm whales from May to Sept as well as humpbacks, orcas and porpoise which can often be seen during special nocturnal excursions, making the most of the midnight sun.
Being prepared
Being prepared
Wildlife watching in Norway requires a sense of adventure where taking pleasure from being outdoors in some of Europe’s most unspoiled and captivating natural surroundings is reward enough and catching a glimpse of Arctic animals in their natural habitat is an added bonus.
Thermal layers, camera, binoculars, waterproofs and swimmers (for winter saunas or summer dips) are basically all you need although you will be provided with a full list of packing and responsible wildlife watching instructions which are worth following – to the letter.
Our top Norway wildlife Vacation
Polar bear watching cruise in Svalbard, Norway
Cruise through the ice looking for polar bears
From
£4495 to £7195
9 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Norway wildlife or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
THINGS TO DO ON NORWAY WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS
Things to do on Norway wildlife vacations...
Things not to do on Norway wildlife vacations...
More about Norway wildlife
Find out the best time to go on a wildlife vacation in Norway by following advice from our friends in Norway as well as some top tips from our responsible travelers who have been there, done that, and got the chunky jumper to prove it.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Iakov Kalinin] [Topbox: Christopher Michel]
[Spitsbergen polar bears: Andy Brunner]
[Spitsbergen 2: 4ing]
[Mainland Norway: subherwal]
[Being prepared: Christopher Michel]
[Things to do: Bruno Jargot]
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