SWIMMING WITH ORCAS NORWAY
This was my sixth time in Arctic Norway. Sixth. And I still felt that same pull in my chest as the fjords came into view.
I don’t think that ever goes away — and honestly, I hope it doesn’t.
There’s something about arriving into Tromsø in winter. It’s dark, it’s cold, and the landscape is so dramatic it feels almost theatrical. Snow on the mountains, the fjord perfectly still, the occasional shimmer of aurora already hinting at what’s coming. This trip was done properly. Two weeks on a private charter sailing vessel, owned by good local mates with a group of close friends from home — including some of the best freedivers in Australia. The reason for two weeks is simple: you can easily lose four or five days to weather up here. The Arctic does what it wants. Having a private boat means when conditions open, you move immediately.
IN THE WATER
The orcas arrive in the northern Norwegian fjords each winter following the herring migration — usually from late October through January, with November and December the most consistent. When it all lines up, there is genuinely nothing like it on earth.
Orcas work together to compress baitballs of herring before striking. The sound alone is something else: clicks, calls, the rush of water as they accelerate through. And of course their shear size and power.
There’s a version of this encounter that you get from the boat — impressive, no question. But dropping below the surface and entering that world on a single breath is something else entirely.
TEN YEARS OF COMING BACK
I first came to Norway in 2016 and I’ve been back almost every year since. One of the things that makes returning so worthwhile is the familiarity with individual animals. Long-time readers might remember my post about Berry — NKW-613 — an adult male I first photographed and later had confirmed by the Norwegian Orca Survey. That kind of connection to specific animals, built across multiple seasons, changes how you see the whole experience.
THE ARCTIC LIGHT
The days are short up here in winter but the light — when it shows up — is extraordinary. The low angle of the sun paints the fjord walls in tones of amber, blues, and rose. On this expedition I made time each evening to work above the waterline, and some of the most powerful images I came home with have no orca in them at all — just the landscape doing what it does.
FINE ART PRINTS
The imagery from this expedition represents some of the most technically demanding and personally meaningful work of my career. A selection of prints are available as limited edition fine art prints, exclusively on request. If you are interested, please reach out via the contact page and I’ll be in touch personally with details. View the Light of the Arctic series in the shop.
PRIVATE CHARTERS
If you’re a serious photographer, a freediver, or simply someone who wants to experience the Norwegian orca season in the most considered and immersive way possible — I am open to conversations about private charter expeditions. Small groups, the right vessel, and enough time to let the trip breathe. Get in touch via the contact page.
PLANNING YOUR OWN NORWAY ORCA EXPEDITION
Season: Late October to January. November and December are peak.
Location: Northern Norway — Tromsø region traditionally.
Water temperature: 4–8°C. Drysuit strongly recommended.
Freediving vs scuba: Freediving is far better around orcas.
Trip length: One week minimum. Two weeks gives you the best chance of exceptional conditions.
