Whale Watching Worldwide

Norway
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditures
Indirect
expenditure
Total
expenditure
1991 4,563 N/A 1 $459,000 $1,148,000 $1,607,000
1994 11,227 35.0% 3 $834,000 $3,733,000 $4,567,000
1998 22,380 18.8% 8 $1,632,000 $10,411,000 $12,043,000
2008 35,360 4.7% 20 $3,915,300 $6,101,000 $10,016,300
Capital City: Oslo
Whale Watch Locations:
01: Andenes
02: Tromsø
03: Stø
04: Narvik
05: Svolvær
Norway continues to be a significant whale watching industry in
Europe, with an annual average growth of approximately 5% over
the last 10 years, with over 35,000 whale watchers recorded in
2008.
The industry is based in the locations of Andenes (Andøya Island, Nordland county – accounting for
approximately 45‐50% of the country’s total whale watchers), around the Lofoten Islands (being approached
from Narvik on the shores of the Narvik Fjord on the mainland), and Svolvær (on the south coast of
Austvågøy Island). Also, distant localities such as Stø in Langøya Island (Vesterålen district, Nordland county)
and Tromsø (on the east side of Tromsøya Island) offer some whale watching trips. Whale tourism is a
particularly important activity for the locality of Andenes. The area has a population of only 2,900
inhabitants, but approximately 16,300 whale watchers used it as departing port in 2008, providing significant
economic benefit to the area.
Most trips are round trips of approximately four to five hours out from the coastal ports. The average cost
per trip is $130, according to published tariffs online. Several operators offer dedicated multiple‐day whale
watch trips (for three, six or ten days), but these are also complemented with fishing, nature and cultural
cruises around the Lofoten Islands.
Target species are mainly sperm whales followed by minke whales, orcas, and sometimes long‐finned pilot
and humpback whales. White‐beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises are also seen.
Apart from the peak seasons of June to August, orca watching represents an important attraction during the
months of late October to January. During this time, orcas enter the northern fjords, particularly around
Tysfjord (located near Narvik on the map above), to feed on herring schools.
Unfortunately, according to recent news publications (Avisa Nordland, Jan 2009) and operator information,
the levels of herring have decreased in recent years, making it more difficult to see orcas. This has resulted
in a reduction in the number of trips offering orca sightings and a subsequent decrease in total orca
watchers to approximately half the number of previous years (from 5,500 to 2,500).
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