Swimming with Orcas

Dream at Sea: Swimming with Orcas under the Northern Lights

For years, we have been sailing up North during winter; in the Arctic weather, with the whales and northern lights. This year we decided to jump in the water with the orcas and humpback whales, to get even closer to the elements and the majestic animals. We went swimming with orcas!

An interview with Roel

After the trip, we called Roel, one of the participants, to ask him about his experience. The moment we asked, “How was the trip?” he launched into an excited 15-minute monologue, overflowing with enthusiasm.

The Perfect Team

“The group of people was incredible! You always think your team is the best in the world, but this team was really the best team in the world! Even with 16 people on board, we worked together as one big group. Although seeing the orcas was incredible, it was the daily routines that made the trip feel very special and close; making breakfast for each other, cooking dinner together and keeping the boat moving as a team.

I’m so happy! It was a lot of added value and we were very lucky, with the herring, the orcas and with everything! It was just a dream, a real dream. 

Raw and Real Moments – Swimming with orcas

Swimming with orcas might sound cold, but the adrenaline kept us warm. You could see this big curtain of fish moving around, and then a big family of orcas appeared. And suddenly some humpback whales as well. They were swimming underneath us and then going up again. 

Afterwards I was so filled with joy that I wanted to scream. My buddy had the same feeling. We just had to hug each other, being so happy and thankful for the experience.

When the whales left, there was herring left, and we caught a few. One of the other guys filtered them and we had raw herring for supper. Amazing!

The Sailing Life

The sailing part was also really nice. The skipper taught us about sailing, the wind, the boat, navigation, and how to read the lights and the lanterns of the other boats. The first day we were sailing against the wind, and everyone got sea sick, ha ha.

One night we anchored up in a bay, and then the northern lights showed up! The northern lights were filling up the sky and the show went on for hours! The pictures can’t even describe it, but I know how it really was, just amazing. 

Another good experience was to visit the different villages, some small authentic villages. 

I just enjoyed the whole trip! The mountains, the mountain shapes, the nature, the sailing with wind and waves working together, being able to see the boat moving according to what we did and what we learnt. It was very beautiful!

And the skipper, John! He is just the calmest and nicest skipper. Never stressed, treating everyone with respect and giving us a lot of trust. With him on board, you wont get afraid if the weather is rough and you know everything is alright. He gave us the opportunity to try out sailing, to steer and to make mistakes. 

The group was from all around the world, and there were only two who knew each other before the trip. That made the conversations really deep and made people connect. Even when the toilet broke down, everyone was happy. Things like this happen, and daily life continues! 

Every single part of the trip—from the orcas to the northern lights, from learning to sail to the shared meals—was a dream. It was everything I hoped for and so much more.”

Check out our winter trips here.