Whales & Seabirds Pelagic Boat Trip to Hornøya from Vardø

This excursion departs from Vardø, the easternmost town in Norway and all of the Nordic countries. It is located on Vardøya Island in the Barents Sea, surrounded by Arctic tundra and a rugged coastline. On this boat tour from Vardø, you'll travel to Hornøya, a small, rocky islet off the coast of the town in far northeastern Norway.

The adventure starts at the meeting point in Vardø, where you'll be greeted by the experienced guide. After receiving a welcome and safety briefing, you'll walk approximately 30 metres (98 feet) to Vardø Harbour, where you'll board the comfortable Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). This is an easy and safe activity, perfect for families and children. After receiving your equipment (thermal suit, life jacket, goggles, and mittens), the RIB tour begins! You'll set sail from Vardø, travelling across the Arctic waters to Hornøya, one of the most important seabird nesting sites in the Barents Sea.

During the boat tour to Hornøya, you'll drift in the water around the islet, keeping an eye out for different bird species. During nesting season, the cliffs and surrounding sea come alive with sound and motion from over 100,000 seabirds, including shags, common and Brünnich's guillemots, Atlantic puffins, and razorbills. At this time of the year, the Varanger region is a birdwatcher's paradise!

While drifting in the water and peacefully observing the surrounding birds, you'll also try to spot whales, who migrate for some periods to the areas around Hornøya and Varanger due to good conditions in the feeding ground. Humpbacks, orcas, fin whales, minke whales and even belugas can sometimes be found in this area! The knowledgeable guide will share their expertise about the different marine life you encounter. Afterwards, you'll return to the starting point in Vardø.

Experience the spectacular wildlife in Eastern Norway on this exciting bird watching boat tour to Hornøya from Vardø!