The giants below the surface: whales
For centuries, the whale has been the object of fascination for seafarers and adventurers all over the world.
Three facts about whales
Getting to know the kings of the ocean
Of the big animals, this is the one travellers to the Norwegian coast most want to see.
Whales can be broadly divided in two groups
Toothed whales feed on larger prey such as fish and squid, while baleen whales are filter feeders, catching small prey using a special sieve in their mouth called a baleen.
Whales can live to be 250 years old
But they spend just a fraction of that time at the surface of the ocean – the only place where they can actually breathe.
Most whales are migratory
They head to tropical waters during the Arctic and Antarctic winter, where they give birth before returning to colder waters in the spring with their calf.
What types of whale are found in Norway?
The most common species of whale along the Norwegian coast are humpback, minke and fin, most frequently found in the north of the country.
Humpbacks can be quite the exhibitionists and are most likely to put on a show. If you are really lucky and at the right place at the right time, you might see a group of humpbacks surfacing at the same time. It’s impossible not to be thrilled by that sight.
You can’t help but feeling very small when a whale surfaces right next to you. That’s an experience you will never forget.
An experience like no other
On a Hurtigruten voyage, you may spot whales while on deck in the fjords, on a whale-watching boat trip or even during a kayak excursion – as close to the water you can possibly get without actually jumping in.
