Join us for an unforgettable 5‑day sailing expedition from Skjervøy in Norway into the wild Arctic seas. From mid‑October to February, giant marine life gathers in these nutrient‑rich waters: Watch humpback whales breach, orcas hunt in coordinated pods, and fin whales glide past in dramatic silhouette. By night, the clear Arctic skies offer frequent displays of the northern lights — nature’s perfect encore.
We are combining learning to sail in cold waters with amazing nature and wildlife on these trips. We will not be following the whale-watching pack of boats, but will find our own sailing path to experience the whales and nature on their own terms.
What to expect
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Hopefully, up close, respectful wildlife encounters with humpbacks, orcas, and fin whales on their premises.
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Northern lights viewing from the deck and cozy cabin.
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Small‑group, low‑impact sailing aboard the comfortable SY Cornelia.
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Learn to sail in cold Arctic waters
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Start and finish in Skjervøy — easy access, authentic Arctic community.
Practical details -
Season: mid‑October to February - every weekThursday-Monday
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Duration: 5 days / 4 nights, roundtrip Skjervøy, Norway.
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Sailing vessel: SY Cornelia — expedition sailing experience with modern safety and comfort
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SY Cornelia sleeps 5 sailor guests in comfort
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Ideal for sailors, wildlife lovers, photographers, and adventurers seeking responsible, immersive experiences
Price: NOK 32.500,- per person
Why sail with us
We combine skilled seamanship, local knowledge, and a commitment to sustainable wildlife viewing. Our small groups mean fewer disturbances to animals, more personalized attention, and better opportunities for incredible photos and memories.SY Cornelia is a sturdy 46 feet steel ketch who is equipped for expedition sailing in the Arctic. She has been twice to Greenland on sailing and climbing expeditions, and she is a very safe and stable platform for exploring the Arctic.
Book your Arctic voyage
Spaces are limited each season. Reserve your berth on SY Cornelia today and experience whales and the Northern Lights.
Skipper
Lifejacket
Sheets and linnens
All onboard food and non-alcoholic beverages
Just to make it clear: The weather is the King in the Arctic. And the skipper decides if it is safe to leave, where it is safe to sail, and how you all must behave. No exceptions. Having said that, We do our utmost to make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All the time.
When you arrive at the boat 09.00 CET the first day you will get a safety briefing, your bunks will be assigned and you will get atour of the boat before we head out to sail and search for whales. We will not follow the pack of whale watching boats, but sail where we expect whales to appear. This trip is on the whales premisses, but we are sailing in an area that attracts hundreds of whales every season.
The boat will be provisioned for the five days, but we will also try our luck fishing. Nothing tastes as good as the cod you caught a few hours earlier. No restaurant can compete with that.
When the day comes to an end, we will find a calm anchorage - again: It's the weather and the skipper who decides. But more likely than not, we will go for an anchorage in a secluded fjord under white mountains. Hopefully we will get the opportunity to see Northern Lights without being disturbed by artificial light.
The boat has two heating systems, so the cabin will stay warm and dry at all times.
On the second day, we repeat. All guests will be encouraged to participate in all the onboard tasks: Sailing, cooking, cleaning, and jumping in the water in the morning.
We will also participate in various Citizen Science projects during your trip.
On the last day, we set course back to Skjervøy, and you disembark at 16.00.
There is a fast ferry between Skervøy and Tromsø. The Hurtigruten sails the same distance, and there is flights from Tromsø airport to Sørkjosen Airport - a taxi ride away.
